Conflict Resolution Specialist: How to Survive Thanksgiving This Election Year

Joelle Fredman
WMAL.com

WASHINGTON — (WMAL) With Thanksgiving here after just a few weeks after the election, going home to the family can seem like walking into a political debate.

While the nation has to yet to show a united front, conflict resolution specialist Andra Medea said that families are supposed to come together after a big life event.

“Families aren’t suppose to do thing where if life is great for one part of the family and it’s really rough for the other part, the happier part of the family gloats,” Medea said. “That’s how you treat enemies, that’s not how you treat family.”

Medea said that this holiday can actually be a good time to address family members’ concern regarding the election, especially if some are scared of the future under a new administration.

“If part of the family is afraid for some reason, its worthwhile to see what’s going on,” Medea said. “Families are supposed to be concerned when something fearful hits the family.”

Thanksgiving can also be a good time to hear from both sides.

“The people on the liberal side, who say have not been listening to their relatives, have not been listening to the concerns that have been powering Trump voters, this could be a good time to listen,” Medea said.

The things to watch out for, however, is that you are not arguing while your judgement is impaired, Medea said.

“You can feel like more than anything you have to lash out, you just have to say something, you have to put uncle Joe in his place,” Medea said. “Just for a moment check. Is you heart rate elevated? Are you getting a headache along one side of your head? Is your breathing short? if so, you are in Adrenalin overload and your judgement is not good.”

The key is this holiday is to stay clam and plan ahead.

“If you’re going to be there and things get to be too much for you, make a plan in advance,” Medea said. “You need to go for a walk, or you need to go upstairs and move some furniture around rather than lash out at people who, after all, are your family.”