8 Things to Remember Before You Gather With Family This Christmas
Christmas / Parenting

8 Things to Remember Before You Gather With Family This Christmas

8 Things to Remember Before You Gather With Family This Christmas

“We have to go now.”

“NO!” she says rather rudely, storming off.

My thoughts differ depending on our surroundings.

If we are at home I might think, “She’s not ready to leave, she’s having fun with what she’s doing.”

But if we are in public? It could be, “She’s being rude. People will think she’s rude. People are expecting me to do something.”

I don’t know about you, but sometimes it seems like the hardest part about parenting is dealing with other people’s opinions and expectations.

You can be a completely committed respectful parent and secure in your choices, but it doesn’t change the fact that many other people don’t understand. They think you’re not ‘tough’ enough, that you’re spoiling them, that you let your child ‘get away with anything’.

Naturally, we love our children, we think they’re totally amazing. And we want other people to see that too! When we perceive that they might be thinking badly of our child, it can lead us to act in ways that do not align with our beliefs. We want to stop the behaviour. We want others to see the wonderful people our children really are!

Being a parent in public can be tough. And while parenting in front of strangers can feel awkward, it can be even more challenging when friends and family are the audience.

You may have to deal with family that don’t understand your approach, unwanted advice, criticism, pressure to do things a different way, triggers from your own childhood, people overriding your decisions, and more.

8 Things to Remember Before You Gather With Family This Christmas

It’s hard for kids too

When you’re feeling so on edge, it’s hard to stay true to your values. You are aware of all the little things your children do and how they may be perceived by others who are not on board with respectful parenting. You might try to head off any problems before they even eventuate.

This is confusing for kids! Suddenly the expectations have changed, but they don’t understand why. You feel annoyed, and the small things that are usually a non-issue become problems. You feel triggered due to your past experiences and overreact.

Can you relate?

8 Things to Remember Before You Gather With Family This Christmas

What can we do?

Instead of focusing on what we don’t what to happen, and how to avoid any awkwardness, maybe we can become more intentional about our thoughts, perspectives, and actions.

Focus on what we actually want to do. Even if people disagree, even if no one understands, even if it’s uncomfortable. The best way to show people how awesome respectful parenting is, is to actually show them, right? You never know, maybe they’ll come around?

Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” — Mahatma Gandhi

It helps so much if we can hold onto the perspective of children as people, deserving of equality and respect. It can be hard when you are surrounded by others who don’t share that perspective.

8 Things to Remember Before Your Next Family Gathering

Remind yourself of these things this holiday season. Keep them in the forefront of your mind. Say them in your head as many times as you need to.

8 Things to Remember Before You Gather With Family This Christmas

1. My responsibility is to my child

It is not up to me to make sure everyone else is comfortable, at the expense of my child. Everyone is important! Often children need even greater consideration as they are still learning about the world and how to regulate their emotions. They may be in a situation where they feel overwhelmed, unsure, overstimulated, or anxious. They don’t need to sacrifice having their needs met for the sake of adults who have preconceived ideas about how children ‘should’ behave. I am my child’s safe space. I am their ally. My responsibility is to them.

2. My child has a right to be accepted

8 Things to Remember Before You Gather With Family This Christmas

Children have the right to be exactly who they are. Everyone does! Trying to stifle them out of embarrassment might send them the message that they are ‘too much’, that they need to change who they are, that they are not accepted. They have the right to be themselves, 100% of the time. That doesn’t mean infringing on the rights of others of course. But it means forgetting about the notion of a ‘good’ child, and loving the fantastic one right in front of me, unconditionally. Others may frown, but I can radiate acceptance, and they will always remember that.

3. My child has a right to their feelings

They don’t have to stop crying, smile when they don’t feel like it, be happy, or stifle their emotions for the comfort of others.

“When we become uncomfortable with the way children express themselves, we may believe that we’re sending a message that it’s their behavior that we find unacceptable. Mainstream parenting philosophies claim to distinguish between the person (the child) and the behavior. Yet this distinction is too abstract for children, especially young children. Children equate their behavior, their feelings, and their experiences with themselves. Because of this, when we reject their behavior what children experience is a rejection of what they feel and, ultimately, who they are. This is a difficult message to experience as a child. All children want the love and approval of their parents and will often do anything to ensure that they get them. When we, as parents, try to control a child’s emotions, we strip her of who she is in that moment and require that she push her emotions down rather than allowing the feelings to flow.” -Teresa Graham Brett, Parenting for Social Change

4. My child is entitled to their opinions

8 Things to Remember Before You Gather With Family This Christmas

Children are entitled to their opinions, and to voice them. What they think matters! Their ideas are as important as anyone else’s. They have a right to be involved. I will let them speak.

5. My child has a right to bodily autonomy

Every person has the right to be the boss of their own body. No one should force or coerce them into doing something they are uncomfortable with. No forced kisses and hugs from family members, and no guilting them into it either. No one should be shamed about their appearance or choices about their own body.

6. I don’t have to force relationships

8 Things to Remember Before You Gather With Family This Christmas

I’m not obligated to try and force relationships on my child. They have the right to make up their own mind about people, no matter who they are. I will support, guide, and protect them in their relationships with others. But, I’ll also allow them to develop meaningful, authentic bonds with people on their own terms, or accept their choice not to.

7. It’s not about me

Criticism about my parenting is not about me. I am comfortable with my choices. I am open to listening to others concerns, expressed respectfully, but my choices are not up for debate. Nor are my child’s rights. If people have a problem with that, it is about them, not me. I have a right to enforce my personal boundaries.

8. Empathy is the answer

Everyone needs empathy. Children and adults. My first response will be empathy. I will choose empathy as often as I can.

8 Things to Remember Before You Gather With Family This Christmas

While we hope the holiday season will bring connection, community, love, and enjoyment, there’s no doubt there is often at times tension, disagreements, and awkwardness. We can’t control other people, but we can control ourselves. If we are firm in our beliefs, they are less likely to be challenged. If we treat our children with the same respect as we always do, they are more likely to feel safe and comfortable.

Let’s be confident in our choices and actions.

Let’s respond with empathy and love.

Let’s remain mindful of our triggers and inner dialogue.

Let’s be intentional and respectful!

Remind yourself of these things before your next gathering with family and friends. And have a happy holidays!

8 Things to Remember Before You Gather With Family This Christmas

Comments

Linda Sheidler
November 19, 2017 at 10:10 pm

Hello, your holiday posts are the best I have seen. Oh, how I wish I had known this when my children were young. This is very sound advise. Holidays were very hard for many of us. The whole expectation and attitudes well just the whole way it was. Thank you for better ways of making holiday’s better.



Christy Bowden
November 19, 2017 at 10:44 pm

I think our words are hugely important when talking to our kids. In your opening scenario, you said it’s time to leave and your child snapped back that they didnt want to go. Because of how the dialogue was initiated, if you don’t leave, wouldnt that be a permissive response other than a respectful one? As a respectful parent, rather than giving orders or controlling any given situation, I say things like, “let’s talk about” instead of “it’s time to.” This allows the child to give input without having to react to our demand. More often than I ever would have expected, when I say to my 3.5 year old, “let’s talk about leaving. I’d like to go soon”, she says “okay!” But when she doesn’t, she can respond calmly with her wish to stay because I haven’t threatened her opportunity to give input on the subject.

Great article, and I love everything I read from you. But I do think the line between permissiveness and respect is a blurred, but important one.



    November 20, 2017 at 7:29 am

    Hi Christy, this was actually just a short snippet from a larger conversation 🙂
    Although yes, sometimes we do HAVE to go, e.g. at the end of our session of roller skating we must leave and give the roller skates back. And at 8 she is able to understand that when I say we have to, so I would use those words. I hope that makes sense 🙂



    Sabrina Pernille hassing Nielsen
    November 22, 2017 at 12:23 pm

    Christy I just opened my browser witch had this blogpost open and by coincidens the window frame showed your comment. Your reflections was just the words I was seeking when I desided to open my browser. Today I struggled with my 3 year old boy when I wanted to go home. I used the words: we are going home now and he got really upset and told me he wanted to stay and play. I felt he was tired and I myself was indeed and we had an appointment so we needed to go. But I really made him sad and angry and I know it was because I forced plans down on his head without showing him dignity of equality and co-influence. For a period of time it has been a dilemma for me how to adress him about things I wanted him to do. It could be putting on clothes, putting his toys back on the shelves when he doesn’t use it anymore or going home with me from activities. I am conditioned to react authoritarian but I want to have a more equal and respectful aproach. I will try your simple formulation “lets talk about leaving” right away. Thank you so much for putting your thoughts on the subject out here.
    Best regards from a Mother in learning.



Lindsay
November 22, 2017 at 7:25 am

This really put into words the worries I experience about parenting in front of others, and I really appreciate this post. Will definitely keep these mantras in mind for holidays and beyond. Thank you!



Jennifer
November 25, 2018 at 12:37 am

EXCELLENT article and advice! Thank-you.



October 18, 2020 at 10:21 pm

We are going home now and he got really upset and told me he wanted to stay and play. this really put into words the worries. great article and I love everything I read from you. but I do think the line between permissiveness and respect is a blurred, but an important one. the whole expectation and attitudes well just the whole way it was.



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