Holidays and special events, or even just a weekend visit at your school when you’re surrounded by family can be a fun time catching up with them and getting some quality bonding time in. But let’s face it, we’ve all experienced times when it’s us who can make a trip rotten when we get sassy toward our family. We as students are apart from our families most of the time and get so used to having tons of freedom and only spending time with your best friends who “get” you. I know you’re saying “but sometimes my family just gets on my nerves!” Trust me, everybody feels that way at one point or another! It’s how we handle our family to make our visit with them pleasant and argument-free. So here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re seeing your family so you can all have an enjoyable visit.
Take suggestions from your loved ones and actually consider them. Most of the time, they’re just trying to help. Whether they come into your dorm room and start re-arranging everything, or drop a bomb on you telling you to start working out more because you’ve taken advantage of that daily cafeteria buffet, it can easily irk us when parents or family members try to change our routine we’ve been in all semester.
You have to remind yourself to be agreeable with your family and work on compromises to avoid any arguments. Just breathe before you answer them when they hand you a list of classes they think you ought to take, and listen to their reasoning. Ask questions if something your family says makes no sense to you, and let them know how you feel in a calm and mature way. Your family wants to hear your input as well.
Your family misses you! They’ve been with you all your life, and suddenly you only see them for about 3 months out of the year. So, it’s best to make the short amount of time that you do see them a happy and fun experience. Be thankful for the time you do have seeing your family. Keep this in mind and you’ll be sure to make the next visit more enjoyable.
Make an effort to catch up and fill in your family on what they’ve missed. They truly are interested in the kinds of things you’re up to at school, the friends you have made, new hobbies you have picked up here and there, a different major or interest you’ve been thinking about, and of course unforgettable stories of your countless adventures! If you need to, make a list beforehand of the things you just HAVE to tell them that’ll be sure to get a few laughs going over the dinner table. Also, remember to ask about what’s been going on while you’ve been away. Showing interest in their lives will also help lighten the mood and keep everyone’s spirits up.
All in all, your family is a huge part of your life that you cannot afford to lose touch with. While close friends may seem to understand you better and connect with every single part of your life, family will be there for you 450% through any situation you may find yourself in and will always love you for who you are. If you can, slip in a few “thank you’s” for everything they’ve done for you. It’s okay to show your family you love them too, with the biggest hugs you’ve got and a positive attitude carried with you!