Holiday Family Stress Management Tips
As parents, our fantasy is to have wonderful holiday family gatherings with everyone enjoying each others’ company and getting along. Alas, it doesn’t always play out like that. What can you do?
Take care of your own stress first! Try not to be all things to all people. Understand your own energy needs, your own real life stresses such as available time to accomplish all that you want to accomplish and your own internal stresses and triggers. Limit yourself to what you can handle and give yourself permission to not have to do it all. Delegate. Get help. Ask your family what they are each willing to do to help.
Don’t worry about displeasing others. Remember the old adage: you can please some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time. Give yourself permission to be imperfect.
In-laws or other family members a problem? Try creating new traditions. Having a celebration with your immediate (nuclear) family only while accepting invitations to the in-laws on another day (if it is absolutely essential).
What do you do about trouble -makers? You can choose not to invite them, but if you have to, try to prep your own family with how to deal with them: key ideas-don’t personalize their behaviors; remember it is only a few hours or days; smile and don’t engage.
Time management: plan ahead, make lists, organize, and INCLUDE in your time management, time for you!!! That’s right, time to decompress, relax and experience some peace and quiet. Remember, if you are less stressed, so too will others be!
Happy Holidays!