Families And The Holidays

Holidays are intense times for families with high expectations and often many hours of unstructured time interacting with people you don’t always see regularly. It can be a time of renewal and enjoyment, but also a time where old conflicts emerge and with them the risk for unpleasant interactions, spoiling the hope for Norman Rockwell moment. A little psychological preparation always helps.
Have reasonable expectations. Your family is composed of human beings who do not always get along. You cannot control this. Don’t use this time to push to resolve old issues or settle old scores. Things don’t have to be perfect! People will remember warm encounters with you long after the food is forgotten. Make sure you enjoy yourself, and enjoying others will follow. The key ingredient is always love!