How To Survive The Holidays With Your Dysfunctional Family

How To Survive The Holidays With Your Dysfunctional Family


September 27, 2019 | Eul Basa

How To Survive The Holidays With Your Dysfunctional Family


As we head into the cooler months, many people are beginning to count down to the much-anticipated Thanksgiving long weekend, where we'll spend the weekend stuffing our faces with too much food, reminiscing about our childhood, and bonding with family members. But what do you do when you have to spend the holidays with a bunch of whackjobs?

Those of us who come from dysfunctional families often desire the kind of holiday perfection we see in the movies, but we all always inevitably fall short—very short. Whether you're dealing with a mother who prefers your older sister or a grandfather who judges your life choices, there are a few things you can do to survive the holidays so you don't come back feeling worse than you did before they started.

people sitting beside brown wooden table inside roomUnsplash/@kcurtis113

Don't forget to check the comment section below the article for more interesting stories!

#1 Manage your expectations

Let's face it, Aunt Karen probably hasn't changed since you last saw her five years ago. Uncle Joe will undoubtedly make inappropriate jokes and your cousin Kim will still be a spoiled little brat. Manage your expectations. Just because you've changed since Thanksgiving '08 doesn't mean everyone else has.

meat on plateUnsplash/@priscilladupreez

Advertisement

#2 Have an exit strategy

If things get too ridiculous for you to handle, be prepared with an exit strategy, even if it just means escaping to your bedroom for a 10-minute cooldown. Whether you're hosting your family or they're hosting you, find a quiet place where you can go when you get too overwhelmed. It could be the bathroom, the back porch, or maybe even the hallway where you can call a friend to mindlessly complain for a few minutes.

person slicing pie beside breadUnsplash/@element5digital

Advertisement

#3 Invite a friend

No family, no matter how dysfunctional they are, wants to look dysfunctional in front of others. If your family's too hard to handle on your own, try inviting a friend. It may help keep your Uncle Joe and Aunt Karen on their best behavior. If it doesn't, you have someone there with you to lean on when things get unbearable.

woman laughing beside woman smiling sitting on tufted sofa inside the roomUnsplash/@matheusferrero

Advertisement

#4 Look for cheerful moments

This isn't a cheesy Christmas movie. Your family's not perfect, but no family is 100 percent bad. Take a moment to look for the joyful moments. Maybe your grandparents are exchanging a loving look, or your two-year-old cousin is giggling while he plays on the floor. Enjoy the simplicity of your family members' presence while tossing all expectations out the window. If that doesn't work, just quietly sit in front of fire by yourself and enjoy that instead.

smiling man standing and mixing near woman in kitchen area of the houseUnsplash/Cooking In Color

Advertisement

#5 Ask yourself, "Do I really have to go?"

Ah, the golden question. Take a moment to determine if dutifully heading home for Thanksgiving is the right thing to do. Will you be insulted for hours on end about how you're not doing as well as your sister? Will your brother berate your job and life choices? If your family life is toxic, consider politely excusing yourself from the holiday. It doesn't have to be out of anger. Sometimes it's just healthier to let everyone have their space.

man sitting on the area rugUnsplash/@eugenezhychik

Advertisement

READ MORE

Finance Guru Dave Ramsey's Best Money Advice

Podcaster and financial guru Dave Ramsey went from a millionaire—to broke in his twenties—and then re-gained his financial status in his thirties. Find out how he did it and how it could work for you by adopting some of Dave's best financial advice.
December 11, 2024 Jack Hawkins

Simple Things You Can Do To Increase The Value Of Your Home

If you are selling your house, or thinking about selling your house—these are some of the simple (and often for very inexpensive) things you can do to increase the value of your home and help get the highest offers and the most money you can out of it.
December 11, 2024 Jesse Singer
Internalfb Image

Absolutely Ridiculous Things Purchased By Billionaires

Wealth often brings freedom, but for some, it fuels mind-bending indulgences that defy all logic. Since they don’t worry about the price tag, why wouldn’t rich folks buy whatever they crave, no matter how ridiculous?
December 20, 2024 Alex Summers
Solar Panel

Smart Home Changes For Massive Savings On Utility Bills

Utility costs have surged for millions of U.S. households over the last decade. Surprisingly, much of the increase stems from neglecting simple energy-saving practices and poor planning—issues that are easy to fix with a little effort.
December 16, 2024 Miles Brucker
Golf

11 Leisure Time Activities Of The World’s Richest People

Apart from business deals, bank accounts, and monitoring the stock market, some billionaires have hobbies that are surprisingly down-to-earth—or outright unexpected. So, what are the richest people’s favorite hobbies?
December 24, 2024 Peter Kinney
Credit Card

Ways to Improve Your Credit Score Fast

Stuck in a credit rut? A low credit score can feel like a roadblock but, hey, it’s not unsalvageable. There are things you can do that’ll boost your score and your confidence pronto.
December 20, 2024 Miles Brucker


Disclaimer

The information on MoneyMade.com is intended to support financial literacy and should not be considered tax or legal advice. It is not meant to serve as a forecast, research report, or investment recommendation, nor should it be taken as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or adopt any particular investment strategy. All financial, tax, and legal decisions should be made with the help of a qualified professional. We do not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, or outcomes associated with the use of this content.





Dear reader,


It’s true what they say: money makes the world go round. In order to succeed in this life, you need to have a good grasp of key financial concepts. That’s where Moneymade comes in. Our mission is to provide you with the best financial advice and information to help you navigate this ever-changing world. Sometimes, generating wealth just requires common sense. Don’t max out your credit card if you can’t afford the interest payments. Don’t overspend on Christmas shopping. When ordering gifts on Amazon, make sure you factor in taxes and shipping costs. If you need a new car, consider a model that’s easy to repair instead of an expensive BMW or Mercedes. Sometimes you dream vacation to Hawaii or the Bahamas just isn’t in the budget, but there may be more affordable all-inclusive hotels if you know where to look.


Looking for a new home? Make sure you get a mortgage rate that works for you. That means understanding the difference between fixed and variable interest rates. Whether you’re looking to learn how to make money, save money, or invest your money, our well-researched and insightful content will set you on the path to financial success. Passionate about mortgage rates, real estate, investing, saving, or anything money-related? Looking to learn how to generate wealth? Improve your life today with Moneymade. If you have any feedback for the MoneyMade team, please reach out to [email protected]. Thanks for your help!


Warmest regards,

The Moneymade team