Compromise, love is the key
You can choose your friends but not your family…if you find yourself dreading big family get-togethers over Christmas more than genuinely looking forward to the chance to catch up and spend quality time together, take heed of the following tips:
- Put politics on the backburner.
- Share the load.
- Drink mindfully.
- ‘Tis the season (to avoid sniping).
- Compromise is key.
- Focus on the positives.
Thomas G Plante, on the website, PsychologyToday, gives the following advice:
Some relatives may use the holidays to act out family dynamics, old sibling rivalries, and so forth. Comments are made, questions asked, and behaviour occur that all try to get you to explode with upset. If it has happened before to you it will likely happen again from the same people so expect it and don’t take the bait. If you know it is coming you can plan for it.
Take an adult time out. Take a walk around the block. Perhaps go and see what the kids are doing, going to the bathroom, or helping with the dishes or preparations can get you some time away from folks who drive you crazy.
Keep the big picture in mind. While we all may love to have an ideal holiday with family and friends, the reality is that most people really don’t have the kind of relationships that we wished we had. The big picture for some is that you have to survive a few hours or days with the family during the holidays and then you can get back to your normal life. The big picture is to survive without too much family drama. Keep the expectations reasonable and doable.
Be grateful. No matter how stressful family can be, it really is important to be grateful for what we do have. If you are reading this blog, then you are alive, have internet access, and have at least some free time to surf the net. Be grateful for that.
~ENDS~
