While travelling home to spend time with your relatives at Christmas might be super exciting for many people, others totally dread it. Being stuffed into a small space with your family can be the perfect environment to create high-running emotions and therefore, arguments. Whether you’re going to be spending a few days with them or are in it for a looooong few weeks or so, you may need some expert advice to help avoid those tricky arguments that can so often end in tears and/or slammed door.
Accept that it’s really normal to find it hard to deal with difficult family members at times – whether that’s a nosy uncle or an sister-in-law who loves nothing more than igniting a political discussion. Good news for anyone dreading spending Christmas with ‘loved ones’, it is possible to diffuse tension and avoid shouting matches. Here, are the best ways to make sure your family time doesn’t end in an epic row.
1. Make preparation your best friend: Who hasn’t been told at least 10 times to ‘expect the worst to avoid disappointment’? It’s a tale as old as time.  Rather than freaking out about all the things that could go drastically wrong, it’s more productive to prepare for that scenario, and even learn to prevent it. ‘For example, if you’re single, questions such as “So, are you seeing anyone yet?” are almost part and parcel of every family gathering. Instead of getting angry, pause and focus on the fact that they probably mean well. You opt for the humorous approach and laugh it off by saying something along the lines of “Oh I actually got married last month but forgot to invite you”. Alternatively, you can be bluntly honest but still polite and explain that you’d rather not be questioned about your personal life. Either way they will get the message on the spot without the need for drama.’
2. Be that person: We’ve all been there, right? You moan and groan about having to go to some family thing because you just can’t be bothered but when you get there, you end up chatting to someone who cheers you right up, and it’s like you worried for nothing. These super chatty, relaxed people make such a difference to the general mood. Basically, just relax, smile and have a nice thing to say to everyone. Create the right vibe and others will follow suit.
3. Remember to help out:Â Many arguments could be avoided if the host of the gathering was less exhausted or felt less like they had to prepare everything alone. In order to avoid them being stress, contact them beforehand to see if there’s anything you can do to help out.
4. Get enough sleep:Â Who isn’t tetchy and/or cranky when they’re knackered? So having a good night’s sleep will set you up perfectly for the potentially stressful situation. We are more sensitive when we feel exhausted. Have a rest. Be full of beans on the day. It’s simple but super effective.5. Put your ego on ice (for one day)
Sometimes it is so so hard to just let go when you’re arguing over something you’re passionate about. But you’ve got to learn to in certain situations. Remember to simply diffuse the argument by agreeing that you can see where someone is coming from and reassuring them that you will consider their view. Let them feel right for once. This is not the time to prove anything or to engage in an argument about a difference of opinion.Photo Credit: Getty
