The holidays are a busy time for many families. There are many reasons why:
- People are working longer hours at work to get things finished before the holidays;
- Some holidays like Christmas and Hanukkah add financial stress;
- Some families travel for the holidays or will have travel guests in their home;
It is a good idea to try to take some time out and remember that the holidays are for celebration. Sometimes it helps to remember that you will only be with them for a short time and to actually enjoy that time. If you are finding that things are still getting to you, it might be helpful to talk to someone about how you are feeling.
Splitting your time between your parents. If your parents are divorced or separated, you might have to split your holiday between your parents’ places or you might need to alternate holidays with your parents. It might help to talk with your parents and work out a plan about how you are going to split your time during the holidays.
Juggling time with your family and your boy/girlfriend. If you have a boyfriend/girlfriend, you might also want to spend time with them and their families. You will need to balance your time with all of your loved ones.
Spending the holidays away from your family. Spending holidays away from your family can be lonely but it doesn’t have to be. If you are not spending the holidays with them, you might want to plan a holiday celebration with friends who are in a similar situation. Volunteering to help others may make up for not spending time with your family.
Acknowledgement: This fact sheet was originally developed by youth and staff at ReachOut.com, a website that helps teens get through tough times.
