Five Tips to Stay Sane When Visiting Crazy Relatives
How to Free Yourself From the Unnecessary Drama this Holiday Season
Hello Epic Cycle Breaker!
I can’t believe Christmas is less than one week away…crazy how time flies! I want to wish you a safe and trauma-drama-free holiday with your family. Here are some tips below, I hope you enjoy them!
Five Tips to Stay Sane When Visiting Crazy Relatives
Ah, the holiday season! The time of year filled with love, joy, and...a dash of absolute insanity, courtesy of your dear relatives. As much as we adore our family, sometimes they possess a special knack for driving us nuts, especially during Christmas gatherings.
Here are five survival tips to help you maintain your sanity amidst the chaos:
1. Embrace the Power of Distraction
When Uncle Joe starts ranting about his conspiracy theories or Aunt Mildred begins sharing her opinions about your dating life or parenting choices, it's time to unleash the art of distraction.
Have a few conversation starters up your sleeve—topics like the weather (always a classic), the latest binge-worthy TV show, or the new viral cat video. Redirect the conversation swiftly, and before you know it, they might forget what they were raving about in the first place.
PRO TIP: If distraction doesn’t work, make up an excuse to leave the room and go scroll instagram for 15 minutes in the bathroom.
2. Create a 'Safe Zone'
Designate a safe haven within your household or your relatives household where you can retreat to when the insanity levels peak. It could be a cozy corner with a book, a soothing playlist on standby, or a strategic hideout in the kitchen where you're "busy" preparing snacks. Go to this “safe zone” whenever you are feeling stressed and anxious.
PRO TIP: Go outside for a walk if there isn’t a safe place inside the home. Get some fresh air and take some deep breaths. Invite someone sane to join you if you like or go by yourself - whichever one feels right in the moment.
3. Master the Art of the Nod and Smile Technique
Refusing to give an opinion or engage in a conversation when someone who just wants to hear themselves talk can be a life-saver at family gatherings. When you find yourself cornered by your chatty uncle going on about his political views or your narcissistic mother who insists on telling you all about how amazing she is…don’t argue, don’t engage and for godsake, don’t share your opinion. It’s a trap, it’ll only make you angry when your opinion is disregarded, criticized or ignored.
***Instead just nod, smile, and let your mind drift to happier places—like the dessert table.
PRO TIP: Have your partner or a trusted sibling hold you accountable so you are less likely to be pulled into the drama. Tell them to give you “a look” or use a safe word to get your attention so that you aren’t tempted to give your aunt Alice advice about the men she continues to date and complain about.
4. Plan Your Exit Strategies
Having a well-thought-out escape plan is crucial for survival. Whether it's volunteering for a last-minute grocery run, claiming a sudden headache that requires solitude, or even "accidentally" spilling a glass of water on yourself (cue the dramatic cleanup), a good exit strategy is key to regaining your sanity.
PRO TIP: If you can plan ahead of time, even better. The beautiful thing about the holiday season is that we are constantly “busy.” So telling your mom that you can stay for dinner but need to get to your best friend’s holiday party before dessert is served can be an easy out.
5. Find Humor in the Madness
Sometimes, the only way to stay sane is to embrace the madness. Laugh at the absurdity of it all, find humor in the quirks of your relatives, and create hilarious inside jokes to share later with sympathetic family members. A good laugh can work wonders.
Ride the wave of crazy, detach from it and let the drama stay with your relatives. Just because you a part of the family doesn’t mean you have to be insane like them.
PRO TIP: Observe, (don’t absorb) the insanity as if you are watching a good ol’ fashioned dysfunctional family movie play out. Maybe even make some popcorn and sip on some hot chocolate while you sit back and watch. Not your monkeys, not your circus.
Remember, surviving the holiday insanity is an art form. By employing these tactics—distraction, safe zones, nodding and smiling, exit strategies, and finding humor—you can emerge from the Christmas chaos with your sanity intact. And who knows, you might even have some epic stories to share at next year's gathering!
Wishing you all a merry and mildly insane Christmas!
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Weekly Cycle Breaker Parent Tip:
Use one word instructions
When you need your kiddo to do something, stop blabbering on like the mom in Charlie Brown. Instead, say ONE WORD only to get your kiddo to cooperate. Make sure your tone is calm, neutral and sassy-free (Moms, you know what I mean:)
Their room needs to be cleaned?
Say: “Room”
The wet towel needs to be picked up off the bathroom floor?
Say: “Towel”
The dog needs to be fed?
Say: “Dog”
Teeth need to be brushed?
Say: “Brush”
Kids are smarter than we often think. Save yourself a bunch of talking, eye rolling and stomping of feet and see how this one tool can impact your week with your kids. I use this tool on a daily basis with my kids and it’s a huge help. No lectures, no explaining, just one word.
Share with us how this tool worked for you and your kids this week by clicking the button below!
***This tip is just one from dozens of transformational parenting tools in my new Rockstar Parenting Skills Training.
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