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Partners
Whether this holiday sees you travelling together for the first
time, negotiating crazy in-laws or arranging the festivities, prioritise your
love by keeping your physical intimacy alive and your emotional connection
strong. Here's how...
1. Plan your time, form your team
If you need to schedule your time and sync your calendars to make
time for each other then do it.
Facing challenges together will bring you
together and the holiday season is nothing if not a challenge.
Whether you're travelling, negotiating crazy in-laws or shopping malls or
throwing a party together agree to go into the challenge as a team.
And it is your team against them, where ‘them’ is everything else
from Christmas shopping to ratty in-laws.
2. Set boundaries
There are usually two major boundary issues in family dynamics
over the silly season.
The first is the free-for-all attitude to your space and
time that family – and sometimes even friends – seem to assume.
The second is your family's opinions about your life choice that they feel compelled
to talk to you about.
You are allowed to tell people when and where you would like to
see them; you are allowed to tell people what you want to talk about. Even if
those people are your parents.
Noisy, invasive and opinionated family can have a very negative effect on your
relationship. So be clear about where your priorities are and what is
acceptable to you. Support each other in this.
If you know your mom has a problem with your boyfriend or your brother thinks
your girlfriend is an ass, put your big girl panties on and tell them to
respect your decision and keep their opinions to themselves.
Brainstorm solutions to tricky situations with your partner and decide how you
will support each other.
