Dealing With Difficult Family Members

While it's not often talked about in polite company, many of us struggle with difficult family relationships. Could be a challenging child, demanding older parent, or other family member. Whoever it is, know that you can't change them... you can only change your response to them. Let's spend a few minutes to get through this together.

Transcript

Hi.

Thanks for joining me today.

If you're here,

You're probably trying to manage some difficult feelings you're feeling towards a family member.

Maybe it's a parent,

Sibling,

Your child,

Someone in your extended family.

It's all fair game and the feelings that you're having are valid,

So let's work on that.

First,

Find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed for a few minutes.

I want to remind you that you aren't alone in this.

While many people have difficult family relationships,

Many of us don't discuss it,

So good on you for trying to deal with it constructively.

Now,

I want you to give yourself a hug.

I know this may sound a little bit strange.

We don't normally walk around or sit around and give ourselves a hug,

But there is evidence to prove that giving yourself a hug in difficult times actually can be quite helpful.

And there's nobody watching,

So why not?

So go ahead.

Give yourself a nice big hug.

And while you're doing this,

I want to remind you that you can't change other people.

You can only change yourself and your response to them.

That said,

I invite you to think of one thing you can do to improve the situation for yourself while still being kind to your family member.

Remember,

Taking care of yourself in these situations is not selfish.

It's a necessary and important act to ensure that you can keep showing up in life as the best person you can be.

So what might that one thing look like?

That might look like giving yourself some space from that person for a little while.

It could look like hiring some help to help out with that individual.

Whatever it is,

Come up with that in your mind and commit to that plan for yourself.

And now I want you to take a moment to ground yourself in your chair and take a deep breath in and a deep breath out.

Deep breath in.

Deep breath out.

One more deep breath in.

Deep breath out.

Make sure that you give yourself grace when dealing with challenging family members.

And remember,

Treat yourself gently.

Namaste.

Reviews

Thank you for this gentle recentering moment. 🙏🏼❤️