Tips to Avoid Family Drama Throughout the Holiday Season

Tips to Avoid Family Drama Throughout the Holiday Season

photo credit: Steve Snodgrass

The holidays are a time for indulging in joyous celebration, tempting dishes, and enjoying the company of your loving family. This is the ideal, picture-perfect holiday sight, but most families live a far more hectic scene. If you’re sick and tired of dealing with holiday drama year after year, this is the perfect time to put a stop to your holiday fears.

Try these five tips to avoid unnecessary drama this holiday season:

1. The early bird gets the worm. Discuss your holiday plans well in advance. In doing so, you avoid being bombarded with pushy suggestions about what others would like to see you do during the holidays.

• The safest time to approach your extended family with your desired holiday plans is in early fall. Any sooner and people are likely to forget your plans. Any later, and others will begin to approach you with their plans and ideas first.

1. Know your wants and needs. Are you tired of going to your mom’s house or your in-laws log cabin every Christmas? If so, speak up. Know your wants, know your needs, and be firm about your decision.

• It’s perfectly within your rights to want to start your own holiday traditions. If your new tradition is to spend Christmas with just your spouse and children, so be it. Your parents have had their chance to create their memories, and now it’s your turn. Grab the opportunity!

1. Compromise. The holidays are about family. It’s important to get what you want during the holiday festivities, but be willing to compromise just a little during the holidays to satisfy the needs of everyone in the family.

• An adequate compromise is to be open to ideas on centerpieces and side dishes. But if you’re being bullied into following someone else’s holiday traditions, stand your ground. Such a request isn’t a compromise; it’s an unfair demand.

1. The turkey debate. Many families debate about who gets to cook the turkey. But generally, the person who hosts the event in their home is responsible for cooking the turkey.

• Speak with the hostess to ensure that you’re all on the same page. Ideally, one person will be in charge of baking the desserts. The hostess usually takes care of the turkey and décor, and the side dishes should be split up equally amongst willing family members.

1. Battle of the guest list. Another common family tiff is battling over the guest list. Luckily, this debate boasts a simple fix: the hostess is generally the only person that can invite guests. If the holiday is hosted at someone else’s house, it’s rude to impose by demanding that your hostess entertain guests that aren’t on her guest list.

• If you’re the hostess and are receiving numerous requests to invite unwanted guests, simply say no. A simple, “this is an immediate family only event” will suffice. This response is short, inoffensive, and effective.

Believe it or not, most families have holiday drama. Whether it’s an unruly teenager, a demanding mother-in-law, or a rivaling sister that is always trying to outdo you, the power to put a stop to this unnecessary behavior is within your hands.

The ultimate combination to putting a halt to holiday drama is a big dose of speaking up, a pinch of compromise on the little things, and just a touch of strength to stand your ground. With these ingredients, you can create a family holiday celebration that’s remembered for all the right reasons.

Three Ways to Strengthen Your Ties to Loved Ones

Three Ways to Strengthen Your Ties to Loved Ones

photo credit: Don Sullivan

Everyone has people they care deeply about, but sometimes families and friends drift apart. If you’ve found yourself wanting to get closer to those you love, you can strengthen the ties that bring you together.

With so much technology available, it’s much easier to keep in touch today than ever before. And even in this age of increasing technology, there are still old-fashioned ways to keep in touch and stay close. Phone calls, letters, and personal visits, for example, provide a personal touch that lets those you love most know how you important they are to you.

Let Them Know You Really Care

It’s very easy to spend time with your loved ones and avoid expressing your feelings. That’s especially true with men, because they tend to be quieter and more reserved. If you want to let your feelings for other people show, though, there are a lot of thoughtful and memorable ways to express them.

Try these techniques to help you get closer to those you love:

1. Write a heartfelt letter. A letter often means more to the recipient than hearing the words spoken, and it’s something a person can hold onto for a long time. Express your deepest feelings about how much your loved one means to you, how they’ve influenced your life, and how much you value the relationship that you have together.
2. Take time to spend time with them. Few things in this world are more precious than time. When you willingly spend time with someone, you show that person that you value them and that they’re important to you. You also make lasting memories.
3. Meet their needs. Maybe your loved one really likes to do something different than the things you’re interested in. Do those activities together anyway, just because you love them. You’ll learn a lot about them, make them feel valued, and possibly even find that the activity is much more enjoyable than you expected it to be.

Time Heals Most Wounds

Sometimes, ties to loved ones fade because of things that have happened in the past. These wounds can be healed with time and effort. Be honest and upfront with your friends or family members about your feelings. Most of them will be willing to let bygones be bygones. Healing begins when you express your remorse and communicate that your loved one is valuable to you.

Make an effort to get back in touch with your family and friends if you’ve lost ties with them. Even if you’re still in touch, you can always take action to strengthen the bond you share or repair the one you shared at one time.

Loved ones are family members, friends, and co-workers that you’ve come to really care about. No matter who they are, keep them close to you. Continue to work at strengthening the relationships that are most important to you. As you make the effort, they’ll make the effort in return. The result will be a deep, meaningful relationship that enhances your life and fuels your joy for a lifetime!

Three Ways to Get the Most From Online Learning Activities

Three Ways to Get the Most From Online Learning Activities

photo credit: stewart_ronnie_lawton

Learning online can be a great way to find out new things and gain new insights. You save the commute to classes and you can learn any time you like.

Some online learning activities are more structured than others, but you can pick and choose from the ones you enjoy. Learn at a set time each day or learn when you have the most focused time. It’s up to you.

If you want to get everything you can from your online learning activities, though, you must choose to be productive. How you learn can affect your online activities, too, because some people are much more hands-on when it comes to learning something new than others.

Try these strategies to enhance your online learning experience:

1. Take action. When you’re trying to learn online, taking action is one of the best ways to get where you want to go. Be proactive. Start exploring. Look at online schools, free and paid sites where you can learn things, forums about subjects that interest you, and more.

• Consider signing up for a class to learn a new language or a skill that you wish you had. Do you have a hobby? What can you learn about that hobby that you didn’t know before?
• It’s quite likely that there are other people out there who share your interests. The Internet will allow you to find them, even if they live across the country or across the world. It’s a great tool for connecting with others.

1. Avoid giving up when things get tough. Online learning can be just as challenging as classroom learning, and it can be even more difficult for some people. If it matters to you, you should continue to pursue it. Work through the obstacles you face and the rewards will be worth it.

• If you start to feel discouraged, think about all of the great things that you’ll be able to do with your new knowledge. It can help you advance your career or expand your hobby. You may feel more confident and empowered. You could be inspired to try new things. Find some compelling reasons to stick with your online learning program to help you build momentum.

1. Enlist others and share the experience. If you learn online with friends or family members, you have people to talk to about what you’re learning. They can also help you with a difficult assignment, sympathize about a professor that gets under your skin, or cheer you on when you’re nervous. A support system can help you get more from learning online.

Giving online learning an honest effort can help you discover things about yourself that are hidden from your current view. You may get closer to your friends and family, get promoted, or just discover a new zest for living that was inside you all along.

Today, from the comfort of your home, you can learn a new skill, begin speaking a new language, or enhance another area of your life. The possibilities are endless. Begin today to explore the world of online learning. You’ll be glad you did!

Planning Your First Holiday as a Parent

photo credit: Jamesongravity

As a new parent, each and every day holds an exciting experience. From the first time your baby clasps onto your finger, to their very first Christmas, each day adds to the wonder of being a mom or dad. Clearly, you want to make your first holiday season as a parent run as smoothly as possible.

Follow the tips below to plan your first holiday as a new family without a hitch:

1. Intimate or traditional? As a new parent, it’s well within your rights to want to spend your first holidays as a new family alone. If you plan to go this route, be prepared to explain to the grandparents why you’re choosing to exclude them from your holiday plans this year.

• Keep in mind that this holiday is special for others in your family, too. If you’re planning to spend a holiday alone with your new family, consider spending a few days before the actual holiday with both sets of grandparents to satisfy their wishes.

• If you’re being pushed into attending your parents’ traditional dinner, firmly stand your ground. Be as respectful as possible, but lovingly remind your family that this holiday is about you, your spouse, and your baby making your mark as a family.

1. Religious differences. Even if you’re already married, cultural and religious differences can often come into play for the very first time when the baby’s first holiday is near. If you and your spouse are clearly on the same page, this is much easier. However, if you believe differently, have a sit-down chat about what compromises you’re both willing to make.

• If you’re aware that your family and spouse’s family have differences in cultural and religious beliefs, consider incorporating both traditions into the holiday as much as you can.

1. Banish guilt. You are now a parent. And, as a parent, you make the decisions as to what is considered best for your child.

• Avoid feeling guilty for wanting to start your own holiday tradition this year. As a family, your own special traditions are a wonderful part of your family’s story. If people are truly upset that you are marching to your own drum, continue to keep your focus on the bigger picture.

• Remember that every member of your family that has children has dealt with family guilt when they attempt to start their own holiday traditions. Ask others for advice. You’ll ease your guilt and gain support at the same time.

1. Relieve the stress. Your new baby is too young to care whether you hung the garland correctly, burned the ham, or put too much mayonnaise in the potato salad. Stop stressing over the small details and just enjoy your first holiday as a parent.

• Many new parents feel as if they must do everything themselves in order to appear put together. But you’ll enjoy your holiday more if you ask for help!

• Chances are that your parents needed the help of their parents in your early childhood. And they’re likely waiting to blissfully lend a helping hand in your early stages of parenthood. Ask and you shall receive!

Clearly, your first holiday season as a parent is important. But if it’s laden with stress, it’s also important to take a step back, analyze the situation, and tame the source of your stress. This is a time for joy, love, and family. And, most importantly, it’s a time for snuggling with your little peanut!

Enjoy this holiday season as a new parent. After all, you only get to experience this once in a lifetime.

Make Good Food Choices for Optimal Health During Illness

Make Good Food Choices for Optimal Health During Illness

When you’re sick, it’s more important than ever that you eat right. That can be hard to do during illness, though, because your appetite shrinks when you’re under the weather.

photo credit: romana klee

Pain or nausea may also make it challenging to eat, but the good news is that you likely can find some foods you like, even while you’re ill, that way you’ll have more of an appetite and be interested in eating. However, those foods need to be healthy, so you can get your strength back.

Food choices can either fuel a swift recovery or leave you feeling worse. Now you can see why your choices can be very important!

Eating What You Like

Take an inventory of what you enjoy and the nutritional value of those foods. Can you eat them? Will they counteract any medications you’re taking? Depending on your illness, some kinds of foods may be restricted by doctors so always follow your physician’s orders.

Keep thinking and expanding your list until you’ve determined a wide variety of things you enjoy eating and that are acceptable for your diet.

Learn About the Foods You Choose

If you just pick out foods that you commonly like that seem like healthy choices, you could be missing out. It’s also possible that what seems like a healthy option actually might be bad for you. Your first glance may deceive you into thinking that certain foods are healthy, when they actually provide little or no nutritional value.

Granola bars, for example, are touted as being a healthy choice. However, in reality, they can pack as many calories as many sweets and are loaded with un-nutritious pre-processed foods and preservatives.

It’s better for you to consider all aspects of your diet and talk with your doctor about what you’re eating. That’s especially true if your illness is chronic or long-term. You may need to eat a special diet for a while, so it’s a good idea to ensure that you’re doing the best job you can with your food intake to help yourself get better and stay as healthy as possible.

Research your food. Find out the calorie count, the main ingredients of the food, and other important information about the foods you feel comfortable eating. When you become an expert at reading food labels, you’ll be a lot better prepared to try to eat healthy and still enjoy the foods that you can have with your condition.

Pay Attention to How Your Food Choices Make You Feel

Everyone is different and you might react to a particular food in a different way than someone else. This is especially true if you’re on medication or have a particular medical condition.

By focusing on foods that are good for you, plus make you feel good after you eat them, you’ll go a long way toward building your health back up to a satisfactory level, instead of staying sick because of your food choices.

Talk to your doctor if you have a medical condition or chronic illness and decide to change your diet for the better. There may be important reasons why you should proceed with caution, so take the time to ask questions about certain foods and take your doctor’s advice. The safest way to get and stay healthy is to wisely use food as fuel for your body.