How to Enjoy Family Gatherings During the Holidays and Avoid Unpleasant Conflicts

Holidays and special occasions such as weddings, graduations, birthdays and Bar Mitzvahs are meant to bring families together in celebration, but sometimes family members butt heads in conflict instead. Family events can be a challenge, but believe it or not, they can also be a lovely time of sharing and caring with your flesh and blood.

My own experience this past Thanksgiving was proof positive that it is possible to leave the dinner table with the warm fuzzies intact - our celebration was so nice, we did it twice! My boyfriend has a large family and my family’s schedule is a bit out of the norm, so this year we ate Thursday’s meal at his mother’s house, and then did it all over again with my family on Sunday - a compromise that worked out well for all involved!

If your family tradition is to traditionally have unpleasant family gatherings, here are some ways to get through (and maybe even, enjoy!) the next one:

1. Assess. Before the day, take some time to look back on other recent family get-togethers. What did you enjoy most about last Easter? Who brought what dishes to Rosh Hashanah? What caused the argument at your sister’s wedding? Why did your uncle leave early from Thanksgiving? By recalling past events, you will have a better perspective of what to expect, and how to manage, what might happen at the next one.