Don’t Let Holiday Stress Ruin Your Relationships
The pressure of the holidays and extra time spent with loved ones can really show us where we need to do work to keep relationships strong. Here are some easy tips to help your relationships progress smoothly through the holiday season.
To improve your relationship with your spouse:
Plan quality time together. Act now.
Work the magic formula. Implement 5:1 positive to negative demonstrations and verbalizations of love to your spouse
Discuss your dreams and plan for the future
To improve relationships with your children:
With young children, get on the floor and connect. Their language is that of play and art.
With adolescents, get to know their interests and friend circle, learn about their social media preferences, online community, and choices
With college-aged kids, keep your finger on the pulse of their schedule to combat disconnection and avoid loneliness
To improve relationships with your aging parents:
Keep your aging parents in the loop through technology
Join AARP to help keep them safe and avoid scams
Discuss end of life issues before crisis strikes
To strengthen relationships with your in-laws:
Bring props to family events such as photo albums, family movies, board games, other buffers
Lower expectations because they’re not blood and you don’t have decades of history
Lower your expectations and demonstrate care
To strengthen relationships within your blended family:
Evaluate and revise family rituals, create new traditions together
Be patient. It takes about 7 years for a blended family to feel integrated and settled in as a family
Be respectful of the family members who are not living in the household
It may sound cliché, but take the time this season to remember what the holidays are really about. Never forget to be grateful that you have a family to stress you out!
