You unwrap the gifts..you tidy up the paper..you set the table ..cue the carols and family starts to arrive.
Aunty Gwen who takes care of your children so you can have coffee arrives. Uncle George who comes running despite living 4 hours away at the very whisper of a cyclone when your husband is at work chugs in. Cousin Ida who calls just to say I love you wafts in smelling sweet. Jacinta from next door who has saved you more than once arrives. The love and laughter in the house is as overwhelming as your wedding day.
Yet no matter how much effort you make to bring the family together to show the love of the season it’s the way of the world that there is always going to be one person that will keep everyone’s expectations of the cosy family gathering from crashing into what the worlds reality is not everyone gets along and there is nothing wrong with that how you deal with it is.
So for the sake of the children lets all just get along because that’s what this is all about a quick how to for dealing with difficult people.
- Accept your place in the family pecking order as soon as you work that out it makes interactions easier. Like toddlers difficult people like to be centre of attention if you are a second son in-law and not the favourite don’t even bother. There is no way you will get invited into that game of ring a rosy but the thing is do you really want to?
- Never talk about yourself I doubt they would be interested anyway. If you’re related via marriage let your partner do the talking about you. Not that it will make a difference it will just save your breath.
- If engaging in conversation don’t expect them to see your point of view, accept you for who you are but fully expect them to take the piss out of your ideas and beliefs to the next person that will listen. Usually people that can’t accept new ideas values or belief don’t value you enough- accept that and your world and Christmas day will change.
- And whilst it’s not ideal but if they are high in the pecking order work around their behaviour I have been told it will save the day not only with your partner but with family; after all its one day. If they start a tantrum like a toddler distracts them with something bright and bubbly.
- If they do however happen to make the bile in your throat rise at the very thought of them. Work out a plan of attack. What will you do if they upset you? Don’t drink nor reach for another fruit mince pie…a hangover and you vomiting venom and a set extra kilos the days and weeks following is a small win in their favour so instead ignore the gift horse of speaking your mind like a pair of Jimmy Choo’s being offered for free, get up move on and enjoy the day. Their behaviour is not a reflection on you but them. Just like a child value the entertainment they bring.
Feel free to use this how to for not only Christmas but Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday too.
X Deb
{Image with thanks to here}
