They say that you can choose your friends but you’re stuck with family. That simple saying has a lot of grounding in reality. Family relationships are always complicated, with long histories and even longer arguments. However, one of the most common regrets we have in life is failing to fix broken family relationships. If you don’t want to lose those that should be closest to you, then you need to focus on practical resolutions. Here are some of the most common family issues and the best ways to tackle them in a positive and healthy way.
1. Dealing with Pride
One of the biggest issues at the heart of any dispute is pride. Refusing to admit that you were wrong, or that you overreacted to something, can be very damaging to our sense of personal pride. That makes it very difficult to overcome and try and repair a relationship. Let go of pride and you will find that your family relationship issues are much easier to resolve.
2. Reconciliation over Victory
Disputes should never be viewed as having a winner and a loser. Often, we refuse to talk to a family member until they have apologized for something, and that definitely creates a sense of ‘winning’. Rather than look for a win, focus on actual reconciliation. It could be that you don’t agree on a subject or an action. Looked at from the outside, not believing the same things as each other is not essential. Foster an atmosphere of reconciliation over victory and your relationships will only grow stronger.
3. Going Legal
Some family issues will need legal resolutions. In cases where a family member has died and there is a dispute over who has been left what, this can be very complicated. Your first step should be to ensure that you have the right legal assistance, with solicitors like The Inheritance Experts who have experience with contesting probates. If a will dispute cannot be talked through, then legal recourse is the next step. Emotions can be high when dealing with the death of a loved one, and legal assistance could end up being vital.
4. Examine the Root
Many family disputes have been going on for so long that they have had additional layers added to them. The original cause of the issue may even be forgotten. Make sure that you understand exactly how the issue started. That will make it far easier to address in a healthy and proactive way. Talking is the key to resolving the majority of family issues. Talk to other members of your family, but do so without factoring in blame.
5. The Honesty Policy
The most important thing to remember when you’re taking steps to resolve a family issue is to not ignore your feelings. If you feel anger, then don’t try to keep it bottled up. Don’t bring it to the table though. Find healthy outlets for your anger, so that discussions are calmer. Never let emotions take over in a family dispute. Statements made in anger can make reconciliation much harder to achieve.All families argue. Finding ways to tackle the more common issues can help keep your family unit together, and can even help make you stronger. You might not be able to choose your family, but you can choose how your relationship with them is, and that’s the key to moving forward from arguments and disputes.
