Managing Fall Holiday Pressures: An Executive Function Approach for Moms

Lisa Sydney
Oct 28
3 min read

Fall holidays can be exciting and fun, but for many moms, they also feel really overwhelming. Between school events, costumes, family traditions, cooking, traveling, and keeping life running as usual, it’s easy to feel stretched too thin.

As an executive function coach, I see these pressures through the lens of planning, prioritizing, managing time, and regulating emotions. When those skills are pushed to their limits, especially during busy seasons like Halloween and Thanksgiving, it’s no wonder stress levels rise. The good news is that executive function tools can help make things more manageable and give you back time.

Why the Holidays Feel Overwhelming:

October and November pack a lot into a short window of time:

Halloween means costumes, candy, and classroom parties.
Thanksgiving often means meal prep, hosting, or travel.
Everyday routines (work, school, activities) don’t stop in between.

When you’re the one managing most of the logistics, you’re basically the household project manager. And like any big project, without systems in place, it can quickly feel chaotic. Your executive function skills, your brain’s management system are working overtime. When those skills are maxed out, stress levels can skyrocket.

Executive Function Techniques Moms Can Use Right Now:

1. Plan Ahead (But Keep It Simple)

Instead of keeping everything in your head, externalize it.

Make a simple holiday calendar (paper or digital) for October and November.
Write down deadlines: costume order dates, school parties, travel days, grocery shopping.
Circle the non-negotiables and let the rest stay flexible.

Try this: Ask yourself, “Does this have to happen this year?” Some traditions can rotate or be simplified. Letting go of a few things can free up time for what really matters; unstructured play for the kids or a breather for you.

2. Break Down Big Jobs

Big tasks become easier when you break them into smaller steps.

For Halloween:

Pick costume ideas early.
Order online or gather supplies by mid-October.
Buy candy before stores run low.

For Thanksgiving:

Create a reverse timeline. When does the turkey need to go in? When should you prep sides or shop for groceries?
If you’re traveling, decide early on flights and hotels.

Think small steps. Instead of “host Thanksgiving dinner,” break it into “buy groceries,” “prep veggies,” “set the table.” Chunking tasks makes them feel doable instead of overwhelming.

3. Task Initiation

Procrastination often builds more stress than the task itself.

Give yourself a 5-minute starter task: make one list, place one order, chop one vegetable. Starting small creates momentum and reduces anxiety.

Tip: Involve your kids in the first step, they can help brainstorm costumes or pick a side dish for dinner.

4. Regulate Stress in Real Time

Big emotions come with the holidays. Pay attention to your stress cues; snapping at the kids, racing thoughts, tight shoulders.

Holidays bring not just tasks, but feelings: excitement, pressure, sometimes family tension.

When you notice your stress rising, give yourself short reset moments:

Step outside for a quick walk.
Take a few deep breaths.
Text or call a friend.

You’re also modeling for your kids that it’s okay to pause and reset when things feel overwhelming. Being calm helps you and sets the tone for your family.

Remember, You Don’t Have to Do It All

Good enough is often more than enough. Halloween and Thanksgiving don’t have to mean running yourself into the ground. By using simple executive function tools to manage planning, pacing, and emotions, you create more space to actually enjoy the season, not just manage it. Your kids will remember the laughter and connection, not whether the table centerpiece was Pinterest-worthy.

And if this season still feels harder than it should, that’s okay. Learning executive function strategies can make it easier to plan, prioritize, and stay calm through the chaos, you don’t have to do it all alone.