The holiday season is often portrayed as joyful and picture-perfect, but for many women and mothers, it’s actually one of the most stressful times of the year. From new moms trying to create holiday magic for the first time to seasoned moms juggling traditions, travel, and expectations, the emotional load tends to fall heavily, and sometimes exclusively, on them.

Last year, the U.S. Surgeon General sounded the alarm about the mental health of parents, especially mothers. And this time of year, clinicians say they consistently see a sharp spike in stress, anxiety, and burnout, driven by pressure to make everything perfect, much of it fueled by social media.

Joining us this morning are two experts who work closely with mothers and families:

Dr. Jessica McCarthy, Founder and Clinical Director of Elements Psychological Services and Kara Kushnir, LCSW and Perinatal Mental Health Specialist, and Founder of A Work of Heart Counseling.