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November 22, 2023

Title: Enjoy the People Around You
Topic: Surviving the Holidays

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

Family get-togethers are great…but what happens when tempers flare? The holiday can be a total meltdown waiting to happen.

Erin Smalley, author, speaker, and Focus spokesperson, is here to offer tips for keeping your cool and being grateful for the people sitting around your table – even if crazy cousin Tom loses his temper or Great Aunt Sally falls asleep in the Jell-O.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Should we all try to just “bite our tongues”?

Before our gatherings, should we talk through “what if situations” with our spouse and children?

Remaining cool, calm, and collected is easier said than done. How is this achievable? Erin says it’s how your respond, not react, that can make or break a tough situation.

What are some ways we can break the ice with that difficult relative or friend?

Remember, this too shall pass. Maybe not soon enough, but it will pass. Make memories while you can. More importantly, love with the love of Jesus.

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December 15, 2016

Title: Enjoy the People Around You
Topic: Surviving the Holidays

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

Family get-togethers are great…but what happens when tempers flare? The holiday can be a total meltdown waiting to happen.

Erin Smalley, author, speaker, and Focus spokesperson, is here to offer tips for keeping your cool and being grateful for the people sitting around your table – even if crazy cousin Tom loses his temper or Great Aunt Sally falls asleep in the Jell-O.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Should we all try to just “bite our tongues”?

Before our gatherings, should we talk through “what if situations” with our spouse and children?

Remaining cool, calm, and collected is easier said than done. How is this achievable? Erin says it’s how your respond, not react, that can make or break a tough situation.

What are some ways we can break the ice with that difficult relative or friend?

Remember, this too shall pass. Maybe not soon enough, but it will pass. Make memories while you can. More importantly, love with the love of Jesus.

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

November 25, 2016

Title: Enjoy the People Around You
Topic: Surviving the Holidays

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

Family get-togethers are great…but what happens when tempers flare? The holiday can be a total meltdown waiting to happen.

Erin Smalley, author, speaker, and Focus spokesperson, is here to offer tips for keeping your cool and being grateful for the people sitting around your table – even if crazy cousin Tom loses his temper or Great Aunt Sally falls asleep in the Jell-O.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Should we all try to just “bite our tongues”?

Before our gatherings, should we talk through “what if situations” with our spouse and children?

Remaining cool, calm, and collected is easier said than done. How is this achievable? Erin says it’s how your respond, not react, that can make or break a tough situation.

What are some ways we can break the ice with that difficult relative or friend?

Remember, this too shall pass. Maybe not soon enough, but it will pass. Make memories while you can. More importantly, love with the love of Jesus.

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

November 24, 2016

Title: Enjoy the People Around You
Topic: Surviving the Holidays

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

Family get-togethers are great…but what happens when tempers flare? The holiday can be a total meltdown waiting to happen.

Erin Smalley, author, speaker, and Focus spokesperson, is here to offer tips for keeping your cool and being grateful for the people sitting around your table – even if crazy cousin Tom loses his temper or Great Aunt Sally falls asleep in the Jell-O.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Should we all try to just “bite our tongues”?

Before our gatherings, should we talk through “what if situations” with our spouse and children?

Remaining cool, calm, and collected is easier said than done. How is this achievable? Erin says it’s how your respond, not react, that can make or break a tough situation.

What are some ways we can break the ice with that difficult relative or friend?

Remember, this too shall pass. Maybe not soon enough, but it will pass. Make memories while you can. More importantly, love with the love of Jesus.

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

December 12, 2014

Title: Surviving the Holidays
Topic: Surviving the Holidays

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

Part 1 of 2

Family traditions are important to everyone no matter how “weird” they may seem to outsiders. Most families have traditions, especially at Christmastime. Some are “normal” traditions, like eating ham on Christmas Eve. Some go caroling with their neighbors. Some may play games or open presents the day after Christmas. Others may seem strange, like matching outfits for an awkward family photo or eating gumbo instead of ham!

No matter what “your” tradition may be, however, when you start a new family or have a blended family, sometimes those traditions cause big headaches – and even heartaches. Erin Smalley, with Focus on the Family’s Marriage Ministry, says it’s great to keep the old traditions going, but it’s just as important to form new ones.

Also discussed in this segment is the emotional aspect of holidays. Some have had a spouse or parent pass away this year; some may have gotten divorced and won’t have their children with them on Christmas Day. This can be a very difficult time instead of a joyous occasion. Don’t be afraid to talk about those feelings, especially with children. Erin says the best chance of decreasing conflict in these types of situations is to plan ahead and be flexible. Listen in to the next segment for more tips and advice on how to survive the holidays.

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Title: Part 2 of 2 - Surviving the Holidays
Topic: Surviving the Holidays

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

Change is hard. Most people have a hard time with change. Many times, the holidays are the hardest time to experience change.

Grandparents – be flexible with baby and toddler naptimes. Parents – make sure you communicate specific needs in advance with everyone involved. Kids – now is the best time to practice your manners and be on your best behavior! (That’s my own advice!)

As Christians, we want to celebrate the real reason for Christmastime. But how do we share our faith if a family member is an unbeliever? We certainly don’t want to add more stress or tension to this joyous time, but we do want to share the Love of God with our family. Erin has some great non-threatening tips for this as well!

Interesting Christmas Fact: In 1607, Christmas was celebrated for the first time in America in Jamestown, VA.

Log on to www.Family.org  for more on this and other issues families struggle with.

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