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🧠 STUCK IN THE MIDDLE NEWS — ISSUE #192
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Topic: “Holidays When You’re Stuck in the Middle”

💡 ONE BIG INSIGHT

Holidays Can Be a Double-Edged Sword When You’re Caught Between Life’s Demands

The festive season is meant to be uplifting—but when you're managing care duties, handling kids off school, keeping your career afloat, and hoping for a little downtime...
…it can turn into a perfect storm of pressure.

But here’s the thing—you don’t have to carry the whole holiday yourself.
You can still find joy while staying sane.

Set one simple holiday rule: Keep it meaningful to you and your loved ones, not everyone’s expectations.

🔧 3 TOOLS TO HELP YOU SURVIVE & THRIVE THIS HOLIDAY

1. Caregiving & the Holidays: From Stress to Success
Strategies for setting expectations, delegating tasks, and adapting traditions to fit your reality.
🔗 https://www.caregiver.org/resource/caregiving-and-holidays-stress-success/ (ctinsider.com, caregiver.org)

2. 5 Pro Tips for Caregiving During the Holidays
Real-world tips—ask for help, set boundaries, simplify traditions, practice self-care.
🔗 https://www.care.com/c/managing-family-caregiver-stress-during-holidays/ (care.com)

3. Let Go of Holiday Perfection (Moffitt Cancer Center)
Recognize unrealistic expectations, practice micro‑self‑care, and find joy in small moments.
🔗 https://www.moffitt.org/endeavor/archive/8-tips-for-managing-caregiver-stress-during-the-holidays/ (moffitt.org)

🛠 HOLIDAY SURVIVAL RESOURCES

✅ The “What Can I Let Go Of?” Checklist ($9.99)
Perfect tool for deciding which traditions can stay—and which can go.
🔗 https://briansacks.samcart.com/products/sandwich

👥 Private Facebook Support Group (1,200+ members)
Need to vent? Trade tips? This is your crew.
🔗 https://www.facebook.com/groups/stuckinthemiddlenews

💬 YOUR HOLIDAY PROMPT

What’s one activity or tradition you feel obligated to do—despite being stressed?
Drop me a reply or share in the Facebook group. Let’s figure out what can go, so what’s left can really matter.

📢 QUICK HOLIDAY REMINDERS

• Say no without guilt. Your time and energy are finite.

• Ask for help—early. The best support often shows up before you need it.

• Create “pause points.” A quiet walk or moment offline can recalibrate your mood mid-day.

You’re doing more than just keeping things going—you’re making caring look courageous.
Enjoy the little moments, not the to-do list.

Until next time,
– Brian

• verywellmind.com

• apnews.com

THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT BOOKS YOU CAN READ IF YOU ARE FRUSTRATED WITH A PARENT OR OLDER RELATIVE

grab a copy here https://amzn.to/44aIoc7

If you are in this situation I think you will enjoy it!

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