Christmas is often projected as being 100% fun and festive. The media and retail focus on Christmas seems to get bigger and more prolonged with each passing year as does the pressure to part with money and deliver an ‘event’ that lives up to other people’s expectations. The truth is often something a little darker and disturbing for many people.
The combination of spending a lot of time in close proximity with relatives, your partner and the kids, combined with the weird pressure of having to be ‘jolly and happy’ for long periods can cause major frictions to arise. It can also expose existing fault lines that are managed at other times by the diversions of work and outside interests.
There are ways to manage these tensions over the holiday period itself. If you can, get out of the house for a while every day, either as a family or by yourself. Fresh air and exercise rid you and others of the feelings of claustrophobia and irritability.
Get enough sleep. This sounds an odd thing to say when people are not working but late nights, rich foods and alcohol all disturb the usual sleep patterns. Step off the party train for a while, eat something light and go to bed early. It will help your mood.
Got to the gym! Work out your frustrations on the treadmill. Everyone knows that exercise improves your mood. You also get out of the house for a while.
If, at the end of the day, there really is something wrong with your relationship don’t try and deal with it in the middle of Christmas week. Bite your tongue, avoid situations that you know are likely to spark an argument and find some space in the New Year to have a long hard think about what you really want.
Our Family Team will be on hand to give you advice on your legal options. It’s not all about Divorce. Fixed Fee Mediation may well be the path you need, or you may even decide you just need some marriage counselling. Whatever you decide is best for you then rhw can point you in the right direction or provide you with an excellent legal service that will deliver what you want. Just make the call or send an email and don’t suffer in silence.
Email or call rhw Solicitors in Guildford, on or alternatively check out the advice on our website which may answer some of your questions anyway in the Family Law section.
