Surviving Twixmas: Dealing with toxic family relationships

"Is it to please family members about getting together, or to protect your own mental health and the memories created for your children?"

Christmas and New Year is a fraught time for many families

Your family may not resemble the Hallmark gathering expected of Christmas get-togethers, but then whose family does? Quite often, it’s a mixed crowd of relatives who rarely gather together in such close quarters for longer than it takes to down a pint. So, the almost expected misdemeanours of a family gathering can be easily forgiven. The nit-picking about who made the best side and arguing over the comfortable armchair in the quiet corner like kids playing musical chairs, is almost anticipated.

But what about when relationships sour, become toxic and you find yourself making turkey sandwiches with a family member who fills you with dread? The ill-conceived notion of happy families forgiving and forgetting any past transgressions is a misconception that floods the holiday period. Families can be dysfunctional or difficult. It may not be the merriest of ideas, but toxic family get-togethers have been known to make or break families.