• Contact Us Today | Meet Our Team

    Helping individuals and families since 2011
    16 Hillside Ave, Naugatuck, CT, 06770

    info@stokescounseling.com | 203-729-0341

    Appointment Request | Med Management Referral

  • Stokes Counseling Services

    • Home
    • About Us
      • Our Team
      • Our Office
      • Contact Us
      • Join Our Team
      • Blog
      • Rates and Insurance
    • Specialties
      • LGBTQ+
      • Individual Therapy
      • Family Therapy
      • Autism Spectrum Disorders
      • PTSD Trauma & Abuse
      • Depression & Mood Disorders
      • Anxiety
      • Stress Management
      • Anger Management
      • Attentional Difficulties (ADHD)
      • Foster Care & Adoption
      • Relationship Issues
      • Self-Esteem
      • Therapy for Children
      • Therapy for Teens
      • Therapy for Couples
      • Men’s Counseling Services
      • Women’s Counseling Services
      • Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing Therapy
    • Getting Started
      • FAQs
      • Appointment Request
      • School Counseling
    • FAM Program
      • FAM Referral Form
    • Online Counseling
      • Online Counseling 101
      • Why Online Counseling
      • Your Online Session
      • Online Counseling FAQs
      • Online Counselors

    Tips to Manage Anger Around Your Family During the Holidays

    December 23, 2019

    For many of us, spending time with family can be a grab bag of emotions. While you may feel love and familiarity, there’s also decades-long dynamics between you and your family members that may not be the most healthy. Your family might treat you like the teenager they remember, and you might revert to that role when you’re around your family without even realizing it.

    There could be many things that make spending time with family a challenge. Old family conflicts, harbored resentments, and spoken or unspoken disagreements can make you dread seeing them again. If you have trouble managing your anger when you’re around your family, read on for some tips on how to keep your cool.

    Define How You Experience Anger

    People experience anger differently. Some might get more aggressive, some might withdraw, and some internalize the anger. By being aware of how you experience anger, you can better recognize when that emotion is starting to develop inside you so you can take control of how you respond.

    Rehearse Responses

    It’s very common for family to ask intrusive or inappropriate questions. You might have a busybody aunt who always asks about your relationships, or maybe your sister is constantly bugging you about starting a family. Come prepared with rehearsed responses so you won’t be caught off guard.

    Set Boundaries

    It’s important to set boundaries with family. If a family member is aggressive or rude to you, or is always making you the butt of their jokes, your silence acts as approval of their behavior. Because you don’t protest, they think what they’re saying or doing is fine with you. Furthermore, pretending their bad behavior is acceptable only gives them more room to continue the bad behavior, or to get worse. Set boundaries with family and let them know when things they’re saying or doing is not okay with you.

    Cut the Visit Short

    Sometimes the best option to keep the family peace (and your sanity) is to spend less time. If your family tends to have snacks or drinks before dinner, show up just in time to join the family for dinner at the table. You can also opt to skip dessert or coffee and leave a bit early.

    Family relationships are complex and deep-rooted, and family are often the ones who know best how to push your buttons. While managing your anger can be challenging, learning to maintain control over your emotions is a healthy act of self-love. It will not only keep you sane, but it will keep your family relationships unharmed and intact.

    If you’re having difficulty navigating complicated family relationships, a licensed therapist can help. Give my office a call today and let’s schedule a time to talk.

    Share this:

    • Twitter
    • Facebook

    Filed Under: Anger, Family Therapy

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


    16 Hillside Ave,
    Naugatuck, CT, 06770
    203-729-0341
    info@stokescounseling.com

    • Email
    • Facebook

    Contact Us Today

    By submitting this form via this web portal, you acknowledge and accept the risks of communicating your health information via this unencrypted email and electronic messaging and wish to continue despite those risks. By clicking "Yes, I want to submit this form" you agree to hold Brighter Vision harmless for unauthorized use, disclosure, or access of your protected health information sent via this electronic means.
    Stokes Counseling Services
    For Counselors
    Employment
    info@stokescounseling.com | 203-729-0341
    • Email
    • Facebook
    A Website by Brighter Vision | Privacy Policy