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December 19, 2023

Title: How to Have a Fantastic Christmas
Topic: Holiday Gatherings Can Be Nerve Racking

Discussed by Tim Samford
with Focus on the Family www.Family.org

Part 1 of 2

Tim Samford is a Counselor with Focus on the Family. Today he will be discussing introverts, extraverts, what not to say at a company party, and family issues (parents and blended families).

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Why are holiday gatherings stressful for introverts?

Tim Samford is an introvert himself. How does he cope during company parties where there a many people, as opposed to a family gathering where there are less people? Both events are stressful, but should be handled differently. Listen as Tim offers some great suggestions…

Many introverts are great listeners. Can this be an issue, though, at parties?

How can a couple complement each other if one is an introvert and one is an extravert?

Why is planning ahead important?

More from this Guest      More on this Topic      More from this Organization

Title: Part 2 of 2 - How to Have a Fantastic Christmas
Topic: Holiday Gatherings Can Be Nerve Racking

Discussed by Tim Samford
with Focus on the Family www.Family.org

Questions/Issues Discussed:

How can parents stay stress-free (or at least have less stress) during the holidays?

How can blended families have a smooth Christmas?

What does SWAT mean?

Final thoughts from Tim:

1. You are there to be seen;

2. Find a quiet place; and

3. Relax. It will be over in a few weeks.

Click here  for more helpful tips and suggestions from Focus on the Family.

More from this Guest      More on this Topic      More from this Organization

November 21, 2023

Title: Holiday Gatherings Can Be Nerve Racking
Topic: Holiday Gatherings Can Be Nerve Racking

Discussed by Dr. Joannie DeBrito
with Alive to Thrive (Learn.AliveToThrive.com)

Expectations for family can be high over the holidays, especially when seeing loved-ones you haven’t been around for months. And for parents of adult children who have their own children, the holidays can be a particularly tricky time to navigate.

Dr. Joannie DeBrito has more than 30 years of diverse experience as a parent, an educator, family life educator, school social worker, administrator, and licensed mental health professional. Today, Dr. DeBrito offers some helpful advice for having a smooth and peaceful holiday.

Click here for more about Alive to Thrive.

Click here for more information on the 6 Alive to Thrive Modules about preventing suicide and to get a free copy of the book.

Click here to donate to Focus on the Family as they partner with Alive to Thrive.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Can celebrating the holidays with adult kids change the dynamics of Christmas gatherings?

Do many need to prepare physically for the challenges of cooking, cleaning, and interrupted routines? Dr. DeBrito stresses communication is key, saying: “Let them know that things have changed for you.”

Do many need to prepare mentally for being with adult children for the first time in months or years? How can we ask, without prying, about their lives?

Why should all parties “hit the pause button” when tempers rise? Dr. DeBrito says: “Sometimes it’s best to save that conversation for another time.” She also suggests counting to 10 – or even 100 – to keep your temper in check. She does remind us that there are certain things that do need to be addressed, such as obvious alcohol or drug abuse.

If necessary, is an apology appropriate?

Is it appropriate to discuss the birth of Jesus Christ at family holiday gatherings? While Dr. DeBrito encourages this important conversation, she warns parents to respect their adult children who may have walked away from their faith. However, “That doesn’t mean you should stop your own religious celebration or prayer,” she says.

More from this Guest      More on this Topic      More from this Organization

December 19, 2022

Title: Holiday Gatherings Can Be Nerve Racking
Topic: Holiday Gatherings Can Be Nerve Racking

Discussed by Dr. Joannie DeBrito
with Alive to Thrive (Learn.AliveToThrive.com)

Expectations for family can be high over the holidays, especially when seeing loved-ones you haven’t been around for months. And for parents of adult children who have their own children, the holidays can be a particularly tricky time to navigate.

Dr. Joannie DeBrito has more than 30 years of diverse experience as a parent, an educator, family life educator, school social worker, administrator, and licensed mental health professional. Today, Dr. DeBrito offers some helpful advice for having a smooth and peaceful holiday.

Click here for more about Alive to Thrive.

Click here for more information on the 6 Alive to Thrive Modules about preventing suicide and to get a free copy of the book.

Click here to donate to Focus on the Family as they partner with Alive to Thrive.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Can celebrating the holidays with adult kids change the dynamics of Christmas gatherings?

Do many need to prepare physically for the challenges of cooking, cleaning, and interrupted routines? Dr. DeBrito stresses communication is key, saying: “Let them know that things have changed for you.”

Do many need to prepare mentally for being with adult children for the first time in months or years? How can we ask, without prying, about their lives?

Why should all parties “hit the pause button” when tempers rise? Dr. DeBrito says: “Sometimes it’s best to save that conversation for another time.” She also suggests counting to 10 – or even 100 – to keep your temper in check. She does remind us that there are certain things that do need to be addressed, such as obvious alcohol or drug abuse.

If necessary, is an apology appropriate?

Is it appropriate to discuss the birth of Jesus Christ at family holiday gatherings? While Dr. DeBrito encourages this important conversation, she warns parents to respect their adult children who may have walked away from their faith. However, “That doesn’t mean you should stop your own religious celebration or prayer,” she says.

More from this Guest      More on this Topic      More from this Organization

December 10, 2018

Title: How to Have a Fantastic Christmas
Topic: Holiday Gatherings Can Be Nerve Racking

Discussed by Tim Samford
with Focus on the Family www.Family.org

Part 1 of 2

Tim Samford is a Counselor with Focus on the Family. Today he will be discussing introverts, extraverts, what not to say at a company party, and family issues (parents and blended families).

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Why are holiday gatherings stressful for introverts?

Tim Samford is an introvert himself. How does he cope during company parties where there a many people, as opposed to a family gathering where there are less people? Both events are stressful, but should be handled differently. Listen as Tim offers some great suggestions…

Many introverts are great listeners. Can this be an issue, though, at parties?

How can a couple complement each other if one is an introvert and one is an extravert?

Why is planning ahead important?

More from this Guest      More on this Topic      More from this Organization

Title: Part 2 of 2 - How to Have a Fantastic Christmas
Topic: Holiday Gatherings Can Be Nerve Racking

Discussed by Tim Samford
with Focus on the Family www.Family.org

Questions/Issues Discussed:

How can parents stay stress-free (or at least have less stress) during the holidays?

How can blended families have a smooth Christmas?

What does SWAT mean?

Final thoughts from Tim:

1. You are there to be seen;

2. Find a quiet place; and

3. Relax. It will be over in a few weeks.

Click here  for more helpful tips and suggestions from Focus on the Family.

More from this Guest      More on this Topic      More from this Organization

December 12, 2014

Title: Holiday Gatherings Can Be Nerve Racking.
Topic: Holiday Gatherings Can Be Nerve Racking

Discussed by Erin Smalley
with Focus on the Family www.Family.org

Part 1 of 3

We want the occasions to be "perfect" and we want all our dreams—of connection, harmony, joy and bliss—to come true. Sometimes, though, we remember Christmases past.

Memories of past get-togethers come flooding back.

Erin Smalley helps us today to plan for the good times as well as the ‘rough moments’ that will happen in most homes during the upcoming holidays.

For comforting words, listen in.

More from this Guest      More on this Topic      More from this Organization

Title: part 2 of 3
Topic: Holiday Gatherings Can Be Nerve Racking

Discussed by Erin Smalley
with Focus on the Family www.Family.org

We get to choose our friends or the people we spend time with based on common values, interests, beliefs, personalities, politics, etc. We didn’t get to pick our family; thus we may see life very differently.

Before family and friends arrive for the holidays, spend time with those you live with every day. Discuss who is coming, and make plans on handling conflict before it arrives. Plan ahead for ‘escape’ zones: just a few chairs on the patio, statements like: Please excuse me for a moment; and I need a bathroom break…remove yourself for a moment…

Erin Smalley helps us today to plan for the good times as well as the ‘rough moments’ that will happen in most homes during the upcoming holidays.

For comforting words, listen in.

More from this Guest      More on this Topic      More from this Organization

Title: Part 3 of 3
Topic: Holiday Gatherings Can Be Nerve Racking

Discussed by Erin Smalley
with Focus on the Family www.Family.org

Make your goal to be a servant. “Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve...” (Matthew 20:28); “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched...” (Proverbs 11:25); “The greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Matthew 23:11)

In our home, the men do the dishes after the celebration meal.

Erin Smalley helps us today to plan for the good times as well as the ‘rough moments’ that will happen in most homes during the upcoming holidays.

More from this Guest      More on this Topic      More from this Organization

December 16, 2013

Title: Holiday Gatherings Can Be Nerve Racking.
Topic: Holiday Gatherings Can Be Nerve Racking

Discussed by Erin Smalley
with Focus on the Family www.Family.org

Part 1 of 3

We want the occasions to be "perfect" and we want all our dreams—of connection, harmony, joy and bliss—to come true. Sometimes, though, we remember Christmases past.

Memories of past get-togethers come flooding back.

Erin Smalley helps us today to plan for the good times as well as the ‘rough moments’ that will happen in most homes during the upcoming holidays.

For comforting words, listen in.

More from this Guest      More on this Topic      More from this Organization

Title: part 2 of 3
Topic: Holiday Gatherings Can Be Nerve Racking

Discussed by Erin Smalley
with Focus on the Family www.Family.org

We get to choose our friends or the people we spend time with based on common values, interests, beliefs, personalities, politics, etc. We didn’t get to pick our family; thus we may see life very differently.

Before family and friends arrive for the holidays, spend time with those you live with every day. Discuss who is coming, and make plans on handling conflict before it arrives. Plan ahead for ‘escape’ zones: just a few chairs on the patio, statements like: Please excuse me for a moment; and I need a bathroom break…remove yourself for a moment…

Erin Smalley helps us today to plan for the good times as well as the ‘rough moments’ that will happen in most homes during the upcoming holidays.

For comforting words, listen in.

More from this Guest      More on this Topic      More from this Organization

Title: Part 3 of 3
Topic: Holiday Gatherings Can Be Nerve Racking

Discussed by Erin Smalley
with Focus on the Family www.Family.org

Make your goal to be a servant. “Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve...” (Matthew 20:28); “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched...” (Proverbs 11:25); “The greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Matthew 23:11)

In our home, the men do the dishes after the celebration meal.

Erin Smalley helps us today to plan for the good times as well as the ‘rough moments’ that will happen in most homes during the upcoming holidays.

More from this Guest      More on this Topic      More from this Organization