How to Survive Your Family This Holiday Season!

If you'll be sharing the holiday with your family, you may be excited to see and spend time with them. You may also be somewhat apprehensive.

Let's say you're over 40 and still single. And you'd always envisioned yourself married with a family by now. For some reason, it hasn't happened for you -- yet.

Or perhaps you're like me. I was divorced at 35 and still single in my 40s with no children. I had hoped I would "Get It Right This Time" (the title of my book on Amazon!) and be married again by 40.

To make matters worse, I was the only one divorced in my family. For me, the holidays were something to endure.

Or perhaps you're over 55, divorced or widowed, with the kids launched and ready to be in a serious, committed relationship. But you haven't met that someone special yet.

Whatever stage you're in, you're still solo. And you'll be among your mostly coupled family members for the holidays.

And these family members probably don't understand what it's like to be single at your age. Yes, they believe they're being "helpful" by offering suggestions and asking questions.

But in actuality, the prying question from your Aunt Betty, "So, have you met anyone yet?" doesn't make you feel any better.

Or your married daughter suggests, "Why don't you go online, Mom? That's how I met my Michael."

Yes, they do have your best interests at heart. But discussing your singleness isn't what you want the dinner conversation to be about during Thanksgiving when we're supposed to be grateful for what we have in our lives.

I can remember my 90-year-old grandmother saying to me, "Don't you think you may be too picky?"

Seriously, Grandma, when was the last time you dated?

She met my grandfather when she was 16 years old! What does she know about what it's like to be dating in modern times?

Yes, my biological clock was ticking, however, given my work with my relationship coach, I had come to terms with the fact that I was making the best life possible for myself no matter what. I was happy with who I was and wasn't going to push things. Although I was still motivated and proactive about my dating efforts.

So, just what do you tell these well-meaning family members?

Thank them for their concern. Tell them you've got this and that you're being proactive and creating circumstances that will attract the right person to you. You may tell them you have a coach already. (That could be me!)

Also, you can ask them who they know that they can introduce you to! A friend's grandson or a smart woman in your uncle's office

The best thing is to prepare for these prying inquiries. Set some specific boundaries around acceptable dinner topics and show that you're confident that you'll meet that special person very soon. It's cuffing season, you know!

And if you need some support around this, I'm here for you! Simply click the link to schedule a Meet Your Mate strategy session with me .