Overview
- Seasonal reporting notes that Christmas get-togethers often bring stress, tense discussions and arguments to the surface.
- Psychologist Stefanie Pausch advises avoiding political debates at the table and proposing a short family agreement in advance, for example via a message in the family chat.
- To prevent escalation, she recommends listening and asking questions rather than arguing, using humor, calling a clear stop signal and taking a break such as a walk, and she cautions that alcohol is no fix and can worsen aggression.
- Practical tips from counseling services include planning the holiday schedule, setting taboo topics, lowering perfectionism, putting phones away for set periods and interrupting heated exchanges before they intensify.
- Support is available through Rat auf Draht’s anonymous, free hotline at 147, with online appointments for parents and caregivers bookable via elternseite.at through January 5.