Holiday gatherings begin in July

This is one of my favorite pictures.  Every year my parents are with us during the holidays.  My children have always loved to be around family and watching my two sons tickle their grandmother is a real joy.

Unfortunately, many mother's dread all the family gatherings during the Holidays.  They worry about their toddler screaming if Uncle Gerald comes near.  They wonder if their 5 year old will tell Aunt Martha her stuffing stinks.  They fret over the fact that 9 year old Billy hates his cousin and another fight is sure to happen.  And what mom hasn't stressed over a teenager who simply refuses to attend.

Holidays can bring us together with people we haven't seen all year and with personalities so different disaster isn't far behind. 

There are solutions.  In my booklet, How to have a goof proof Holiday, I give examples of ways you can prepare your children for holiday bliss. 

Prepare as soon as you can for the event by talking about family members.  Tell wonderful stories about how grandpa Jones was a conductor on the train.  If your toddler loves Thomas the Train, he won't mind sitting in the conductor's lap.  If that still doesn't solve the problem.  Give grandpa several pieces of small candy - like M & M's.  Instruct him to give your toddler one if he sits in his lap.  If your child can't do candy, perhaps a special toy or a gift from grandpa that they can play together.  Toddlers need to concentrate on something fun in order to be open to the stranger sitting in the chair.

Most teens have issues with family gatherings because they are left in the corner and out of the limelight.  Ask family members to start talking with all the teens in the room.  Build conversational skills around topics like "Guess which one of your relatives met Amelia Airheart?" or "Ray, since you love hot rods, guess who made his first car into a hot rod?"  Find common ground for everyone in the room to open up and share their talents and interests.  Just make sure you are having fun.  This is not a college class.  Laugh as much as possible and interject jokes and silly stories whenever you can. 

By teaching your children how to have fun with relatives you will be giving them a gift that will last a lifetime.  You will give them a heritage to be proud of and a family that will provide support and love.

Seeking His Wisdom,

Debbie