I see great value in spending our holidays together as afamily, but I don’t want to force my kids to give up their plans and gounwillingly with mine. What can I do? I am tired of discussing this issue overand over again with them.
If we try hard we may recall how we behaved in a similar waywhen we were young. Our parents always wanted us to engage in “boring old”activities, and we were busy coming up with the cleverest of explanations aboutwhy sadly we won’t be able to take part in their arrangements.
Still, Dorit holds these family gatherings very dear to herand wants her children to take part in it. How can she convince her children tojoin in willingly?
Creating a win-win solution
Dorit has to indicate to her children that she expects themto respect and go along with what’s important to her, just as they often askher to respect and go along with what’s important to them.
But what happens when, like in this case, their wishescollide? This might be the perfect time to sit down with the kids and try tocome up with a win-win solution.
Dorit should indicate to the children what’s reallyimportant for her and try to determine what’s most important for them. Forexample: Dorit really wants to spend some time together as a family with herchildren, but she might not mind if it’s only for several hours. In that casethe kids can join in for the first part of the day and then be dropped off attheir friends’ houses for the second part of it.
In a different example
The kids might not be opposed to spending some time withtheir family, but they also don’t want to miss out on the opportunity ofhanging out with their friends. In this case, Dorit can examine the option ofbringing some of their friends along to the family gathering or arranging asmall party later on in her place just for her kids’ friends.
Family before friends?
Dorit may decide that this situation is actually a win-loseone, because her brother lives far and so they have to all go for a full day,and the option of brining friends along is off the table.
In such a case, Dorit has to make a choice; either shedecides that spending time with the family is the most important thing for herright now, even at the cost of grumpy uncooperative children, or she decidesshe can skip this one and let the kids have it.
If she decides on the first, it’s important she explain toher children that because of the circumstances there is no room for negotiatinga solution that will fit all. She can then ask the kids to respect her decisionand promise to do the same the next time such a dilemma comes up.
If she decides to go with the second option, Dorit can letthe overjoyed kids know that she was willing to compromise on this point,knowing how important it was for them, and letting them know she’ll be lookingfor the same understanding on their part, next time around.
Conflicts inside the family are tricky, since they involveemotions and a lot of shared history, which may cloud the resolution attempts.On top of that, family usually stays around, which means future conflicts arejust around the corner.
This is why it’s so important to handle each conflict insidethe family with special care. This time you may have the upper hand or theability to get your wishes fulfilled at the expense of others, but next time itmay be that someone else will have that privilege. If you want to make surethat you’ll be treated fairly, do everything in your power to introducefairness this time around.
Shimrit Nothman has a Masters degree in Conflict Resolution and believes that like charity, conflict resolution begins at home. If you have any questions for Shimrit, please use the comments section below or email her at familymatters.jpost@gmail.com.