Surviving the Holidays: Family Edition Many of us are either coming home for the holidays this Decem

Surviving the Holidays: Family Edition Many of us are either coming home for the holidays this December or traveling to various locations.  Holidays are known for a time to reconnect with family, and not just your immediate family, but extended one’s as well.  Here’s how to survive the tension that these awkward holiday dinner parties bring about…+ Have a Mediator   Not many of us have the benefit of bringing our significant other along with us to these events–– which can be good and bad because it means you have someone to ensure that you’re being respected but at the same time it can cause an abundance of questions to be thrown at you.  Offer up the event to a friend, colleague, or even your neighbor if they don’t have anything to do during the Holidays.  Additionally, reconnect with your closer siblings or cousins that will be there––the more the merrier. + Remain Neutral   It can be really hard not to respond to a question or opinion in an aggressive way.  Especially with a lot going on at the moment politically, it’s best to not delve deep into that topic (generally speaking).  Sometimes acting neutral and respectful will also make the person realize how what they said wasn’t appropriate.  Remember, it’s not your job to change someone’s opinion about something, but you can be the better person by remaining respectful.   + Change the Subject   This can always be a tricky one, especially if not done correctly.  The best way to always change a subject is to answer a question someone asks you in a brief and non-descriptive way, pause for a second, then ask about something that you know they have been doing in their life.  People always love to talk about themselves, and it’s not to say that they’re selfish––it’s just true.  This then can give you time to listen, smile, and then excuse yourself to go do “something else”.  + Ask Questions  Again, this can fall under the category of changing the subject.  Asking questions about someone else’s life immediately opens up another conversation.  Additionally, if they keep bombarding you with questions, and you’ve taken every possible appropriate and respectful route to divert the conversation, then you can just ask the same question back to them.  You’ll realize that they’ll see how disrespectful and intrusive their question might have been, and actually excuse themselves.  Remember, the goal is to stay calm!+ Go to the Bathroom  When all else fails, say you have to go to the bathroom.  No one has something so important to say or mention that it has priority over your bladder. Article by Zoë / Photo by Jordana  -- source link

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