Home for the Holidays Survival Program

The holidays don’t have to be sprinkled with angst and dread.  Really.

I recently put this question to some clients and friends:

“What comes up for you with the following word combination: The Holidays + Family?”

Here are a few of the responses:

• #1. Dread…. Then there is the deer carcus, crow hunts, NASCAR. Do I belong anywhere? Do I need to say anything else?
• Stress!
• My in-laws are a drag. And my mom doesn’t celebrate Christmas.
• Screaming children because they didn’t get the exact presents they requested. In-laws asking me if we’ve considered adoption since we don’t have kids yet (nor do we plan to).
• I love my family.  Love being together!  But all the togetherness triggers all of us a little bit and as a whole that can be too much.
• This year (and last) has been tough financially.  I can’t afford presents and really embarrassed.  I’m dreading rehashing everything.
• I love visiting my family but I’m the black-sheep liberal.  Health care reform has already dominated phone calls.  Can’t wait to sit-down to a week of FOX News and political debate.  Yippee.
• I’m packing a flask.  I can’t handle another holiday with my aunt asking me when I’m going to find Mr. Right.  I mean, seriously!

Let’s do this differently!

This class looks at what boundaries you need to feel comfortable and how to diplomatically yet clearly establish them.  These are not to keep people out; rather, let in the conversations, events and people you enjoy.  It’s hard to feel safe, much less enjoy something if you are constantly on guard wondering if a line may be crossed.  This is a very helpful class for dealing with passive aggressive behavior, well-meaning family who want to know more than you’re willing to share (e.g. “When are you going to settle down/get a real job? etc…) and learning how to respectfully or even charmingly assert your intentions without holiday drama or trauma.  I’ll teach you how to get on the same page with your partner or another ally (even if they are not present) to support each other in maintaining and respecting these boundaries.  Note: boundaries are not bad!  They teach people how to treat us.

Included in Premium Membership Program; Also available à la carte: $30

It’s Been a Tough or Embarrassing Year Class

This has been a tough year for many of us.  As we deal with the peaks and valleys of life (i.e. break ups, job stress, illness, money shame) and the additional layer of a tough economy, a tricky job market and, well, war, it may be hard to feel like celebrating.  Sometimes it’s been hard life lessons (complements of a 2×4 over the head) and we’re not proud of the year that has been. It may be this year’s gift giving doesn’t feel as flush as it once did.  Perhaps you just want to crawl into a hole. This class gives you tools to face friends and family when you are less-than-thrilled with the recent past.  You’ll build resilience and peace of mind to feel better, lessen the feeling of shame and learn how to talk about or negotiate the topic at hand.

Included in Premium Membership Program; Also available à la carte: $30

What’s Included	À La Carte	Premium Membership
Premium Membership Home for the Holidays Support Program (Includes everything.  The whole shebang!)
In-Laws and Others Class
Handling Disapproval and Disagreements Class
Healthy Holiday Boundaries Class
Embarrassing or Tough Year Class
Premium Membership Support Program (All four classes, worksheets, support forum until January 3, 2010)		$100 for everything (The Whole Shebang!)

I came to your workshop with a specific problem to solve – I was afraid that a certain person would try to boss me around and not treat me respectfully (which had happened several times before).  Afterward the strangest thing happened: everything changed!  The more I used things from the workshop, the more she admired me.  She’s still not my best friend – and will probably never be – but it was amazing how much control I had over the situation and even over her (and that’s almost scary). ”

Stefanie Seewald
Lueneburg, Germany

Invest in you.  Feel better.  Let your shoulders drop.  Feel in control.  Have a better holiday season.

It’s very important to me that this class helps you with your holiday stresses and dread. I’m offering a satisfaction guarantee: If within seven days of your purchase you have in good faith, listened to the classes and completed the exercises and are dissatisfied, I will refund your money. I welcome you to contact me with any questions: randi at randibuckley dot com