Farmer Branches

As much as we love our family and enjoy getting together with them to share stories and histories, sometimes it cannot be the most pleasant of experiences; especially when you factor in stress. So how do you preplan for such get-togethers so you can minimize (or hopefully avoid entirely) any unnecessary family drama? It’s easy, follow these few tips.

Create an environment of familial cheer. It’s easier now than ever to get in touch with family members before the event via wireless internet so you can chat before the big day to express your excitement about getting together. In other words, set the tone for a happy event before the event occurs.

Remember differences. Not everyone is like you, just as you are not like everyone else. Remember these differences and respect the boundaries they dictate. Just as you wouldn’t appreciate anyone imposing their opinions on you, why would you impose yours on anyone else?

Remember the reason. This is intended to be a time of joy, lightness, and warmth. Now is not the time to bring up issues that do not fall within those categories. If you have a subject matter that you’d really like to discuss with Aunt Sally find some time after the event to do just that why run the risk of creating drama for everyone else in attendance just because you have a bone to pick.

Not all family get-togethers are going to be suitable for a Norman Rockwell painting, so it’s best to get used to that fact now and not set yourself up for disappointment. Families are what families are a diverse set of dynamic individuals that each have something to offer the greater family unit (even if it might be in their own oddball way!).

Filed under: Uncategorized on January 13th, 2012