It’s that time of year again when family members across the country come together and celebrate Thanksgiving, the holiday where we talk to each other about what we are most thankful for and how we are grateful for everything we have. While most families are happy to be spending time together, other families may be experiencing some issues that can affect how everyone celebrates Thanksgiving. It may seem impossible to get past these issues, but there are plenty of things that family members can do for one another to make it easier to celebrate the holiday.

Set Boundaries for Yourself

The type of conversations that can occur amongst family members can vary; people talk about simple things, like current hobbies and happenings at their jobs, while others may want to discuss more complicated issues, like politics, global events, or the economy. Family therapist Nicole Patterson comments on how “setting boundaries early is important to protect your mental and emotional health. This may look like being clear about certain topics that you prefer to not speak about, certain family members you prefer to not engage with, etc. Of course, be respectful yet firm in your boundary setting.” Putting mental notes in one’s brain for the type of things to look out for that might be triggering for you to discuss. Then share those with your family and encourage them to change the subject to something more light-hearted and fun.

Be Flexible with Expectations

Something that most people tend to do is try to set expectations for themselves and their family members to have things go smoothly when spending time together, regardless of the history or issues they may have with one another. Nicole points out how important it is to “keep your expectations realistic and understand that people may behave in ways they always have. Accepting this reality can help you avoid frustration and emotional upset.” It’s times like this when it’s important to be flexible and understanding with family members and to realize that not everything will go according to plan. The main thing to keep in mind is that everyone is there to enjoy each other’s company for a few hours, so be sure to embrace it as much as you can and do your best not to set off any triggers that could cause the day to go awry.

Make Everyone Feel Comfortable

Following up with realistic expectations, “the holidays are so tough for some families because holidays often come with societal expectations of togetherness, harmony, celebration, etc.” This is why it is also important to create a space around the kitchen table where everyone can be comfortable and set the tone for a welcoming environment. Creating a space where everyone attending the Thanksgiving dinner can feel comfortable and truly be themselves is important to make sure all guests have a wonderful time celebrating the holidays with the ones they love. The holidays are all about having loved ones come together and express how thankful they are to have each other in their lives and there are several ways to do that to make sure that everyone has an enjoyable time.

Don’t Be Afraid to Reach Out

It’s times like this that we like to give a friendly reminder that we are never alone. Many families around the world are also going through various challenges, especially around the holidays. If you are having any struggles with a particular family member or with the family as a whole, don’t be afraid to reach out. Nicole Patterson follows up this advice by stating that people can reach out to a trusted friend for emotional support. They can also reach out to a professional such as a therapist or counselor to address their concerns. This can be done with individual sessions or with family sessions if family members are willing to attend.” The Juniper Center is a great source as we have several family therapists on staff who are willing to help and listen to all of the things that are occurring amongst you and your family members.

The Juniper Center is here to be an amazing resource for guidance. If you are interested in starting family therapy with us, please call 847-759-9110 or visit our website www.thejunipercenter.com for more details! We hope everyone gets to celebrate Thanksgiving in the best way!