How to Handle Family Members that do not get along during the Holiday Season

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The holiday season should be about family harmony and togetherness, but unfortunately that is not always the case. It can be difficult to handle family members that do not get along during the holiday season, and the path you choose will depend upon you and the particular situation.
In some cases, you may be able to use the holiday season to try to mend broken fences and bring your family members closer together. Be very careful when treading these waters because you do not want to overstep your boundaries. You may be able to talk to them in the context of the holiday season. See if they are truly interested in perhaps working things out. Sometimes feuds are so longstanding that people do not even remember what they were originally about. You can see if you can provide a neutral ground and presence for them to try to reconcile.
Even if they will never be the “best of buds” you may be able to help them deal with each other so that they can enjoy shared holiday festivities. For instance, if one of them is always making snide comments to the other, then you can ask that they do not do that at your event. Sometimes people do not even realize how childish they are being. You may be able to help them stand each other.
If the family members do not get along and nothing you do will change that (.e. your divorced parents) then you may just need to handle it yourself. Although it may be upsetting, realize that you do not always have control over everything. If it is very serious, then you may need to see them at separate times and holiday events. You do not want a beautiful holiday event to be marred by an all-out fight. If they will both be at the same event (such as your child’s holiday recital and party) then you can do what you can to keep them apart from each other. You can seat them at opposite ends of a party table. Do not mention one of them to the other. If one of them tries to complain about the other, then tell them that you do not want to be in the middle of it. Try to be as respectful as possible of them and their feelings.
It is unfortunate when you have conflicting family members during the holiday season, but it is far from uncommon. The above tips can help you deal with this scenario.