No one wants to spend the holidays feeling isolated or left out, but the reality for parents of medically complex/disabled children is that we sometimes have to skip events and gatherings for the safety of our kids. On top of that, we’re the ones stuck making the decision whether to stay home or go out, requesting accommodations and assurances to protect our kids, and trying to decipher if we’re “overreacting” out of anxiety or just being reasonably careful. In today’s episode, Amanda Griffith-Atkins and I discuss how to manage and interpret anxious feelings you might be having around the decision to attend a holiday gathering and how to set realistic parameters to help you make that decision. We also share listener feedback and suggestions about how other parents made their decisions and how to approach uncomfortable conversations you might run into when declining invitations to holiday events. We’re here to validate whatever decision you make for your family because we know how fraught the process can be, but also how frightening it is to feel like you might put your child in a risky health situation. Whatever you choose, we want to help you do it without guilt and with as little anxiety as possible. Thank you to all the parents who shared their experiences about making these decisions! You all make this podcast possible! Links: Listen to Amanda’s other episodes on The Rare Life: Ep 135: How Our Careers are Affected, Ep 132: Self-Care, Ep 131: Chronic Stress, Ep 130: Anticipatory Grief, Ep 99: Family Planning, Ep 85: Disability Identity, & Ep 81: Health Anxiety. Get a copy of Brené Brown’s book “The Gifts of Imperfection.” Follow Amanda Griffith-Atkins on Instagram @amanda.griffith.atkins! Follow us on Instagram @the_rare_life! Donate to the podcast or Contact me about sponsoring an episode. Fill out our contact form to get a reminder about upcoming discussion meetings and the Skype link to join! Access the transcript on the website here. And if you love this podcast, please leave us a rating or review in your favorite podcast app!