The holidays arrive each year with their familiar rhythm—twinkling lights, cheerful music, endless to-do lists. But when your family is navigating the NICU, supporting a young adult through a mental health crisis, or simply recovering from a year that asked more of you than you thought you could give, this season can feel overwhelming rather than magical.

This year, I invite you to consider a different approach: one that honors where you are right now, not where you think you should be.

Life after NICU discharge brings unexpected challenges. NICU parents often experience PTSD after bringing baby home, miss the nurses who became family, and struggle with the silence after months of monitors. Learn what to expect during NICU graduation and how to cope with the post-NICU transition.