PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Stressed about family gatherings this holiday season? Here are some tips.
For some people, gathering with family is difficult.
“Families have so much unresolved stuff that they don't deal with,” says Philadelphia-area counselor, coach and consultant Dr. Tina Scott.
She says you can mentally prepare yourself before an encounter with a stressful family member, like thinking about what conversational topics you will and will not entertain.
“Set some real boundaries, right? Clear boundaries and expectations and how those conversations are going to go,” Scott explained. “I often tell people to roleplay because sometimes people don't really change. So you already know what to expect.”
She says if someone crosses your boundaries, disengage.
Another way to prepare is to be ready with exit strategies … Not just from the gathering, but from individual conversations.
Scott recommends pointing things out across the room and saying you’re gonna go check it out.
“...We don't have to give people power over us. We could take the power back and excuse ourselves. We don't have to sit there and be a victim of their negative energy.”