A gentle reminder for overwhelmed moms in a beautifully busy season.

Forgot the Santa Letter?

December 19, 2025•2 min read

“We never wrote the Santa letter.”

Forgot the Santa Letter?

Mom, You’re Still Doing Great.

A gentle reminder for overwhelmed moms in a beautifully busy season.

The holidays come with so many moving pieces, school parties, family gatherings, Christmas lists, sensory‑friendly plans, new routines, late bedtimes, bright lights, big emotions… and somewhere in the middle of all that, you suddenly realize:

“We never wrote the Santa letter.”

And your stomach drops.
Because in your mind, you should have remembered. You should have created the moment. You should have made it magical.

But here’s the truth we tell every mom who walks into Vive:

Magic isn’t made by perfectly managed traditions.
It’s made by the nervous system your child leans on, yours.
And you’re doing a beautiful job, even when things get missed.

Kids Need Connection

Your child won’t remember every holiday craft, every event, every picture‑perfect detail.

But they will remember the way they feel with you:

The cuddle when the day felt too big.
The calm you offered when their ADHD or sensory system was overwhelmed.
The giggle fit on the couch after a long day.
The warmth of knowing their mom shows up, even when the schedule doesn’t go as planned.

A forgotten Santa letter doesn’t erase any of that.
If anything, it shows you’re human… and still giving your whole heart.

For ADHD and sensory kiddos, holiday excitement often looks like:

A dysregulated nervous system
Trouble switching routines
Bigger emotions
More sensitivity to noise, lights, and change

And what helps the most isn’t more holiday “things”, it’s a grounded, supported parent who can co‑regulate, comfort, and anchor them.

That’s what you’ve been doing every day without even noticing.
That’s what makes the season meaningful.

There’s No “Behind” in Holiday Parenting

Whether you forgot the Santa letter, didn’t get around to gingerbread houses, skipped an event, or just didn’t have the extra energy to make everything Pinterest‑worthy… it’s okay.

You’re not falling short.
You’re not missing the mark.
You’re not failing your child.

You’re choosing connection over chaos.
Presence over pressure.
Peace over perfection.

And that’s worth far more than any tradition.

Vive Message For Mamas

We see you.
We see how deeply you care, how much you’re holding, how hard you’re trying for your family, especially if you have an ADHD or sensory kiddo who needs just a little extra support.

Your love is the tradition they’ll remember.
Not the letter.
Not the checklist.
You.

Need help bringing more calm to your child’s nervous system this holiday season?

Reach out, we’re here for you.

Call us on 515‑386‑2976

overwhelmed moms during holidays parenting sensory kids during holidays ADHD kids holiday overwhelm nervous system regulation for kids gentle parenting during holidays holiday stress for parents co-regulation for children

Hi, I’m Dr. Leah, pediatric, prenatal and family chiropractor, sensory kid turned nervous system expert, and mama to three busy boys I adore. I grew up right here in Jefferson, Iowa… and now I get to raise my own family in the same small town I’ve always loved.
I was a colicky baby myself, the kind who couldn’t be soothed easily and that turned into a sensory-seeking, strong-willed kiddo who really needed her socks just right. So when you walk through my doors feeling overwhelmed because your child will only wears one shirt or always has “talks a lot” written on their report card… I get it.
I’ve been that child. And now I get to be the doctor who helps those kids thrive. After graduating from Iowa State, I earned my Doctorate of Chiropractic from Palmer West in San Jose, California, but Iowa was always home, so back home I came ready to serve the families in the Greene County area.
I’m married to my farmer husband Cody, which means I’ve solo-parented through my fair share of planting and harvest seasons. I’m in the thick of balancing sports schedules, school drop-offs, tech limits, picky eating, and trying to get a decent night's sleep just like the rest of you.
At Vive, I bring all of that, my education, my experience, and my motherhood, into every conversation. You won’t just be heard here, you’ll be understood.

I can’t wait to meet you, hear your story,
and walk this journey with your family.

Dr. Leah Renwanz, D.C.

Hi, I’m Dr. Leah, pediatric, prenatal and family chiropractor, sensory kid turned nervous system expert, and mama to three busy boys I adore. I grew up right here in Jefferson, Iowa… and now I get to raise my own family in the same small town I’ve always loved. I was a colicky baby myself, the kind who couldn’t be soothed easily and that turned into a sensory-seeking, strong-willed kiddo who really needed her socks just right. So when you walk through my doors feeling overwhelmed because your child will only wears one shirt or always has “talks a lot” written on their report card… I get it. I’ve been that child. And now I get to be the doctor who helps those kids thrive. After graduating from Iowa State, I earned my Doctorate of Chiropractic from Palmer West in San Jose, California, but Iowa was always home, so back home I came ready to serve the families in the Greene County area. I’m married to my farmer husband Cody, which means I’ve solo-parented through my fair share of planting and harvest seasons. I’m in the thick of balancing sports schedules, school drop-offs, tech limits, picky eating, and trying to get a decent night's sleep just like the rest of you. At Vive, I bring all of that, my education, my experience, and my motherhood, into every conversation. You won’t just be heard here, you’ll be understood. I can’t wait to meet you, hear your story, and walk this journey with your family.