We all have them….crazy family members! There is at least one in every family and somehow they see unavoidable during the holidays. The crazy uncle who gets uncomfortably close, the grandpa whose filer quit working years ago and now offends everyone he comes in contact with, the cousin looking for a hand out, the sister who enjoys her eggnog a little too much. Whatever the scenario you all know what I am talking about and holiday parties seem to bring us in contact with these crazy family members more than usual. Even if your family is saner than most there is always additional stress when it comes to dealing with family during the holiday season.
So how do we best deal with all this crazy during a time that is meant to be happy and joyous? The best answer is to set healthy boundaries! Setting good boundaries isn’t always easy and are often they are not received well, but it is one of the healthiest thing you can do for yourself. Boundaries set in love are a good thing for both you and your family member(s) as well. Boundaries set in love help us to protect ourselves from being hurt by others who do not have good boundaries. They also teach others that there are consequences to their choices.
So this Christmas ask Uncle John to give you some space, tell cousin Judy she will have to take care of her own bills, and let Jane feel the consequences of her drinking. In the long run it will be best for everyone involved. If you have trouble setting boundaries please call us for an appointment, we would love to help you grow in this area!
Have a happy (and healthy) holiday!