Tis the Season. In the next couple of weeks, you may see many extended family members. The next few weeks will be more family gatherings for most reading this. Big family gatherings are hard for those with young families and families with learning differences. How do we cope with family members who don’t get it? Well, there are many different ways. I can’t tell anyone what is right for their family. I will give you some thoughts and then each family will come to a conclusion of what is the right approach. It takes wisdom...lots and lots of wisdom.
- Parents need to come to a conclusion together if they will both be at the celebration. If parents aren’t together, conflict is bound to happen.
- Work with the host of the event to find out the schedule. You may need to ask for some special “accommodations” like could our family be seated in a room with less noise.
- Set a schedule of how long you are going to stay.
- Remember, if you need to go to two celebrations in one day, time at both will go better if your visits are short.
- Invoke the help of a relative that is supportive and understands the issues of your family. Maybe they could take over with your other children or help advocate for you to the rest of the family. Figure out ahead of time if ___________ happens then mom will handle this. If ___________ happens dad will handle this. Ask the supportive family member to have a task if ________________ this happens.
- Pray! Planning is great and very important but you need God’s help for the day to go well.
It may not go well the first time you use a more pro-active style but you will learn things that will eventually help your family to have smoother holidays.
