Every family has someone whose jokes make you wince. It might be the comments at the table, the language in front of the kids, or the humor that crosses a line. You're already bracing for it, and the holidays haven't even started.
Why it wears on you
Crude talk puts you on guard. Should you laugh, ignore it, or speak up? Staying quiet can feel like approval, and speaking up can feel like starting a war.
A calmer way through
You can't control what your relative says, but you can control how you respond. Decide ahead of time what you'll do.
A simple, steady redirect often works. Change the subject, step into another room, or say, "Not at the table, please." Say it once, without sarcasm, and move on. If children are present, you have even more reason to speak up kindly. Protecting them is part of loving them well.
"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29, ESV)
That verse sets a standard for how we speak. It isn't permission to lecture others.
One step this week
Choose one calm phrase you can use, and practice saying it out loud before you arrive.
You don't have to do this alone
Reach out for a free conversation: 763-458-3722 or onpathcounseling.com.
