How to communicate with “difficult” family members

In dealing with relatives it is very difficult to establish personal boundaries and defend them, because you are bound by family ties. From time to time it is not easy to communicate even with close relatives. Sometimes you are simply drawn into a conflict and provoked so that you lose self-control.

If this happens in communication with acquaintances, colleagues or neighbors, you can ignore the situation, not paying attention to the opinions of people who cause you discomfort, or demand compliance with boundaries. But in the case of relatives it is not so simple. In dealing with them, you have to make sacrifices for the well-being of the family. In other words, your personal relationship with someone from your family can greatly affect the relationship in the family as a whole.

So, what to do if you find it difficult to find a common language with one of the relatives, but you are forced to communicate? Consider a few recommendations. Continue reading →