{"id":13386,"date":"2024-12-16T12:00:23","date_gmt":"2024-12-16T17:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/?p=13386"},"modified":"2024-12-11T21:04:54","modified_gmt":"2024-12-12T02:04:54","slug":"the-politics-of-family-politics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/?p=13386","title":{"rendered":"The Politics of Family Politics"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><img data-opt-id=925632297  fetchpriority=\"high\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-13388 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/mlcmmqmgggev.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/family-outside-christmas-cold-fire.png?resize=300%2C168&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"family outside christmas cold fire\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mlcmmqmgggev.i.optimole.com\/w:300\/h:4000\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/family-outside-christmas-cold-fire.png 300w, https:\/\/mlcmmqmgggev.i.optimole.com\/w:1024\/h:4000\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/family-outside-christmas-cold-fire.png 1024w, https:\/\/mlcmmqmgggev.i.optimole.com\/w:768\/h:4000\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/family-outside-christmas-cold-fire.png 768w, https:\/\/mlcmmqmgggev.i.optimole.com\/w:1456\/h:816\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/family-outside-christmas-cold-fire.png 1456w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>This is a tough article to write, as the stress and division the recent political months have created is quite real. However, the holiday season offers a chance to heal, reconnect, and focus on what truly matters: love, support, and togetherness.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">A place to start is to lead with your commitment. It is disarming and (hopefully) an unassailable truth to state right up front your commitment to having a happy holiday season together, and that you&#8217;re more interested in creating connection that creating a deeper divide.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">So you could agree together to keep conversations to <\/span><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">conversation topics that connect rather than divide. Stick to talking about shared values and cherished memories versus issues you know will inflame. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Once you agree on your mutual commitment, it can reset your mindset around those more positive conversations.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">If you\u2019re not sure what to talk about, return to those areas of overlapping interest as a guide. For example, if you know that you and your sister (for example) both enjoy food, talk about the meals you&#8217;re making or even cook together. If your parents or kids have travelled, ask them to relate how that went, what they enjoyed, etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Make it a mission this holiday season for you and your family to survive the holiday season with far more connection than confrontation.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This is a tough article to write, as the stress and division the recent political months have created is quite real. However, the holiday season offers a chance to heal, &hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":13388,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[494],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13386","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/mlcmmqmgggev.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/family-outside-christmas-cold-fire.png?fit=1456%2C816&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7Qv5g-3tU","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6695,"url":"https:\/\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/?p=6695","url_meta":{"origin":13386,"position":0},"title":"Healthy Holiday Spirits","author":"Will Clower","date":"November 19, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"At the end of the year, feasts with family and friends commonly encourage consumption of food and of drink. How do you make sure this annual occurrence doesn't turn bad for you? You simply have to manage quantity AND quality. Drinking Quantity Wine makes the point. For example, is red\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Activity&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Activity","link":"https:\/\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/?cat=528"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/mlcmmqmgggev.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/iStock-1029759086.jpg?fit=483%2C724&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":13380,"url":"https:\/\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/?p=13380","url_meta":{"origin":13386,"position":1},"title":"What is &#8220;Experience Gifting&#8221; and Why Is It Important","author":"Will Clower","date":"December 12, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"\"Experience gifting\" is a refreshing approach to the holiday season that emphasizes connection over consumerism. This practice encourages us to reflect on the true meaning of the gift-giving itself. So often, we fill boxes with things that are opened one minute and forgotten the next. But experience gifting delivers moments\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Articles&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/?cat=494"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/mlcmmqmgggev.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/willclower_family_fun_at_christmas_happy_smiles_together_in_t_58009a4c-5a2e-4dcc-bbd8-d78ae6f401ad_2.png?fit=1200%2C673&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/mlcmmqmgggev.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/willclower_family_fun_at_christmas_happy_smiles_together_in_t_58009a4c-5a2e-4dcc-bbd8-d78ae6f401ad_2.png?fit=1200%2C673&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/mlcmmqmgggev.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/willclower_family_fun_at_christmas_happy_smiles_together_in_t_58009a4c-5a2e-4dcc-bbd8-d78ae6f401ad_2.png?fit=1200%2C673&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/mlcmmqmgggev.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/willclower_family_fun_at_christmas_happy_smiles_together_in_t_58009a4c-5a2e-4dcc-bbd8-d78ae6f401ad_2.png?fit=1200%2C673&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/mlcmmqmgggev.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/willclower_family_fun_at_christmas_happy_smiles_together_in_t_58009a4c-5a2e-4dcc-bbd8-d78ae6f401ad_2.png?fit=1200%2C673&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2236,"url":"https:\/\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/?p=2236","url_meta":{"origin":13386,"position":2},"title":"Dessert Party. Need Help.","author":"Will Clower","date":"December 1, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"I'm hosting a dessert party for about 20-30 peeps, and we're still putting together the menu now -- I'd love to get your thoughts on recipes you've made that are easy and makes-you-moan-out-loud delicious!!(Please share this article with someone who LOVES desserts -- yeah right!!)\u00a0Right now I'm leaning toward this\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"desserts\"","block_context":{"text":"desserts","link":"https:\/\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/?tag=desserts"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/mlcmmqmgggev.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/_HAl9r2q_-j0\/TPZcIdgHcwI\/AAAAAAAACzM\/3a2_mToO4yI\/s320\/Desserts.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2254,"url":"https:\/\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/?p=2254","url_meta":{"origin":13386,"position":3},"title":"The BEST holiday: Thanksgiving or Christmas?","author":"Will Clower","date":"November 23, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"Read this article to find out what's right and what's missing. I want to get your thoughts ... write me to let me know what you think.Click here for the article.Please share this article with your friends.\u00a0For more information: Click here to visit Will Clower's website.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Articles&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/?cat=494"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/mlcmmqmgggev.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/_HAl9r2q_-j0\/TOqS7NH65TI\/AAAAAAAACyc\/N48pdqBSBwY\/s320\/HolidayShopping.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6731,"url":"https:\/\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/?p=6731","url_meta":{"origin":13386,"position":4},"title":"For A Stress Less Holiday: Focus on YOUR \u201cReason for the Season\u201d","author":"Will Clower","date":"December 17, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"This time of year is often a time of reflection, when people look inward toward the things they are grateful for, and the things that matter the most for them. All week this week, pause. Remind yourself of the things that make this season special. That kind of gratitude inventory\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Articles&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/?cat=494"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/mlcmmqmgggev.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.willclower.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/thank-you-490607_640-300x211.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2229,"url":"https:\/\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/?p=2229","url_meta":{"origin":13386,"position":5},"title":"TV Interview: Healthy Holiday Foods","author":"Will Clower","date":"December 5, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"This week on KDKA-TV, I talk about the Reds and the Greens of the holiday season -- what's healthy, what's not, and why!!Sorry I couldn't put the video here, but REAL Player is having an obstinant Teen-Moment and won't load to my Blogger Account. Arg!!Here is the link to my\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"Bookmark and Share","src":"https:\/\/mlcmmqmgggev.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/s7.addthis.com\/static\/btn\/v2\/lg-share-en.gif?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13386","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13386"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13386\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13389,"href":"https:\/\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13386\/revisions\/13389"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13388"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13386"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13386"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mymedwellness.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13386"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}