#35: Family Survival Kit Part 2 - How to Manage Family Rules and Traditions

Have you ever unexpectedly bumped into a tradition at a family holiday gathering that seemed normal to everyone there except you?  A warning not to sit in a certain chair? An obligation to eat a slice of Aunt Mary’s fruitcake? Did it feel like a rule or expectation you were being forced to play along with? 

If you’ve had encounters of this kind (and most of us have), then you know the complications your potential responses can create for the relationships you have with those you care about and love.

In this episode of “Asking For A Friend,” Dr. Pamela Kreiser aka TalkDoc with her colleagues Meredith and Teighlor, discuss strategies for managing traditions and rules that may be the norm for one family but not ok with you. You’ll learn how planning ahead can relieve the tension created by expectations and what to consider when setting boundaries “in the moment.”  You’ll also learn the concept of “fractionation” - a powerful strategy for resizing potential conflict. Music by epidemic sound.

Available also on youtube.com - Asking For A Friend with TalkDoc Podcast