Whilst the festive season is a joyful period for most families, it can be stressful for some. This year we have the added burden of the Covid 19 pandemic which has undoubtedly applied more pressure to families especially with young children who have had to juggle working from home with home schooling. The limitation of only three households mixing over a five day Christmas window means that choices have to be made about which family members you spend time with. If you come from a big family, it might be really hard to decide who takes priority and this could lead to disagreements between you. If cracks have already appeared over the lockdown period this could lead to a deepening of the issues that have surfaced between you. So, what should you do?
TAKE A STEP BACK – acknowledge that this year has been exceptional and has tested the resolve of many families not just yours.
RECALL – the happy times you have enjoyed together and think about all of those qualities that you love about each other.
HONESTY – be open with each other about how you are feeling and listen and show understanding
REMEMBER – as special as Christmas is, it’s just another day of the year. With the vaccine being rolled out next year there is an end in sight.
LOOK TO THE FUTURE – there’s always next year and if you can’t wait for 25th December 2021 who says you can’t bring your family together and celebrate Christmas early?
If you are losing hope in your relationship, think about couple counselling. You owe it to yourselves and to your children to do everything you can to keep the family together. For some couples however, the relationship has gone beyond saving. If you are at the stage where you feel that the relationship has irretrievably slipped away and you need some advice come and speak to one of our specialist family lawyers.
