This year’s Thanksgiving will be like no other celebration in living memory. For one thing, a third wave of the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in millions of Americans choosing to stay home and hold their family gatherings online.
Then you have the aftermath of this month’s presidential election, which was the culmination of four years of political turmoil that has been a source of tension within families since the last presidential election. So what can we expect this Thanksgiving, post election?
Thanksgiving after the election: Avoiding conflict
7 Thanksgiving conversation strategies for a smooth event
“Make a plan for navigating the meal and have a goal for your relationships,” clinical psychologist Nicole Issa advised Mom.com. “If need be, make a rule to not have further political discussions or make a family agreement not to discuss politics at all.”
Nicole offered the following tips for getting through the meal without turning it into World War III:
- Remind yourself that everyone is entitled to their opinion and that just because someone’s opinion differs from yours doesn’t mean they wish you harm or don’t care about you
- If there is a conversation that goes awry, gently try to redirect away from it
- Have some other conversation topics in mind that are benign and will keep all occupied
- Count to ten and breathe. Practice mindfulness and count flowers in the wallpaper or rolls in a basket. Focus on the taste of food. Count how many times you are chewing each bite. Count your breath.
- Limit alcohol use and be mindful of its impact on your behavior and thinking. If you have had something to drink, remind yourself that your reaction to whatever your family member is saying may be intensified by the alcohol
- Physiology directly impacts emotions just as emotions impact physiology, so keep an open posture, unclench your firsts, try not to scowl. Body language is a major way to communicate your emotions to others, and will lead to you communicating to others that you are calm and receptive rather than hostile and defensive.
- Remind yourself that this is just one day to get through and the holidays and such intense family time is temporary. Above all else, try to have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
