Holidays and vacations with family can be stressful.
Get Involved in the Planning Process
Dive into the planning of the vacation.
The more input you have into the trip, the more ownership you’ll feel.
you might also apply this to others and attempt to get them involved in the planning process.
Remember,everyone doesn’t need to do everything together.
If you need a break from the group, take itthere’s no shame in that.
This can be anything from the right clothing to things everyone will be using.
(If you aren’t sure, ask the others!)
Beyond these areas, be responsible for the atmosphere of the time everyone is spending together.
Marie Hartwell-Walker,writing on Psych Central, suggests playing The Conversation Game.
Essentially, you prepare a stack of cards with questions on them and pass the stack around the table.
Everyone who wants to answers the question, then the stack moves on to the next person.
This spreads out the conversation starter to include everyone, not just you.
Adjust Your Expectations
confirm that your expectations match reality.
Chances are that there’s someone in your family who is younger than you.
Plan what you would like to happen and then lower your expectations.
Adjusting your own expectations will make a big impact.
This doesn’t just mean being able to grab a drink with your cousin.
Have deeper conversations with your family members, no matter what generation they belong to.
Remember your etiquette and impress your relatives.
This will really pave the way for future family events.
Image fromNowik SylwiaandCiroA,picturesbyann,franciscojgonzalez,Ramon Portellano,Sagar, andagizienski.
