Before Thanksgiving Turns Ugly
The holiday linked to gratitude and family togetherness has morphed into a conversational minefield. Experts weigh in on how to lower the temperature and keep your sanity intact.
Who doesn’t love Thanksgiving? The perfect turkey. The mouth-watering pies. The beautifully set table. The incredibly awkward moments with family members you barely know — and whose attitudes and opinions make you want to pack up and leave the country.
It’s sad but true. For many people, the very holiday that’s meant to spark gratitude and harmony has become an occasion for tension and anxiety. When tempers flare — which they often do — it may be tempting to take up smoking in the garage or burying yourself in your cell phone.
But consider this: Just as good cooks must learn the skills necessary to roast the perfect turkey, family members wishing to avoid drama must adopt some key social skills — those small actions that give others the attention, understanding, and respect we all crave.
The myth of the perfect family
Before we dig into brain science and solutions, a little background on families. These are the people in our lives who can bring us to the highest highs, and the…
