In this episode, Debs, Emma, and Gemma discuss the joys and challenges of celebrating Christmas as parent carers. From non-traditional Christmas dinners and quiet spaces to managing expectations and finding humour in the chaos, this episode is packed with relatable moments and practical tips. Tune in for heartwarming stories, laugh-out-loud anecdotes, and a reminder that there’s no "right" way to do Christmas—just your way.
Episode Highlights:
- Why Christmas traditions don’t always fit when you have kids with SEND.
- Real talk about managing family expectations (and the importance of chicken nuggets and ketchup).
- Tips for bouncing back when the holiday chaos strikes.
- The beauty of creating your own Christmas traditions.
- Reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas and cherishing time with loved ones.
- The ultimate advice: forget perfection—just focus on what makes your family happy.
Links and Resources:
- 🎄 Free Christmas Download!: A SEND Christmas Countdown Guide packed with tips, checklists, and practical tools to help you stay organised and stress-free this holiday season.
- 🎶 12 Days of SEND Christmas: Stay tuned for a special re-release of our festive classic!
Get Involved:
We’d love to hear your top Christmas tips! Join the conversation in our Facebook group. Share what works for your family, and let’s support each other through the holiday season.
SEND Shenanigans
SEND Shenanigans is the brutally honest, occasionally sweary, and always hilarious podcast for anyone parenting a child with SEND.
Hosted by Debs from Life Aspland (planner addict and professional chaos organiser), Gemma from Isla’s Voice, and Emma from INFACT, this trio tackles the real-life highs and lows of parenting kids with additional needs.
No preachy advice. No sugar-coating. Just real talk, relatable stories, and the kind of solidarity you can only find from people who get it.
Each episode dives into themes that strike a chord with the SEND community — from EHCP drama and school battles to sibling guilt, burnout, and those wonderfully awkward comments from strangers.
We also bring your voices into the mix by inviting our Facebook group to share their stories, rants, and victories — because this podcast is built with the community, not just for it.
Whether you’re new to the SEND world or a seasoned survivor, SEND Shenanigans is your space to feel seen, supported, and maybe even laugh-cry along the way.
Subscribe now and join a community that embraces the chaos, celebrates the wins, and tells it like it is.