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

#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

#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

#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


READ MORE

Red Flags That An Investment Is Riskier Than It Seems

Whether you’re looking at stocks, real estate, cryptocurrency, or a private business, it’s critical to know when an opportunity might be too good to be true.
May 9, 2025 Peter Kinney

My son makes great money but wants to buy a new truck. How do I convince him it's a bad investment?

It’s exciting when your child lands a well-paying job, but when the first thing he wants to do is buy a fully loaded pickup truck, you may wonder how to steer him toward a smarter financial decision.
May 9, 2025 Peter Kinney

Building Wealth From Scratch: A Step-By-Step Guide For Rookie Investors

Building wealth as a beginner investor can be overwhelming, but consistency, discipline, and the right mindset will bring big long-term gains.
May 8, 2025 Jane O'Shea

My Boyfriend Spent Our Rent When I Have Reduced Hours At Work. Now What?

When your partner shows no responsibility with your shared finances, it's time to have tough conversations—and make some tough choices.
May 8, 2025 Miles Brucker

Crypto Comeback? What You Need To Know Before Investing In 2025

After a wave of failures, scandals, and renewed scrutiny from regulators, crypto is ready to come back strong in 2025. Here's what investors need to watch out for.
May 7, 2025 Carl Wyndham

My friend got a lift kit put in his truck instead of paying me back what he owes me. Now what?

It’s a gut punch to lend money to a friend in good faith, only to have them treat themselves first when they come into some money. How do you handle the situation?
May 7, 2025 Marlon Wright


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