Couch Time with Amy Wine

Where is your family heading for the holidays? Your family’s house? To your husband’s side? Maybe you are hosting everyone at your house this year. Whatever your plans are, I hope they were discussed and negotiated earlier than a few days before the holiday hit! Last-minute plans usually end up in a fight. At least they did for us.

I wish I could say Jon and I always had our family holiday plans figured out months in advance. I also wish I could say that we always agreed on them, but that would be a big fat lie. For many years of our marriage, things around the holidays caused a lot of stress and chaos in our families and between us as a couple.

This episode is dedicated to walking you through navigating the holidays and preventing conflict…. as much as possible anyways :)

On Today’s Episode We Discuss:

The delicate balancing act of trying to please everyone during the holidays
How to avoid setting up false expectations
Setting expectations and boundaries with your family
Feeling the stress of trying to please everyone and keep certain schedules
The importance of the “core family” and why they should come first
Setting false and vague expectations to avoid conflict and how it can backfire
Following the rule that each spouse handles the conversation with their own parents. I always say “your parents, your problem. My parents, my problem”
Questions you should be asking each other when planning your holidays
Jon and I chat about what expectations we have for each other during the holiday season

I pray you and your families have a wonderful Thanksgiving together….whereever you end up! I hope this episode helps set you up for a successful Christmas season as well.

Remember that Jon and I love hearing from you. Let us know where you are heading for the holidays! I would love to hear how you tackle the holidays as a couple. Do you visit extended family or do you stay home with your core? Would you love me to cover something on a future episode? Reach out to me on Instagram @theamywine and let me know!