Holiday Peace: Managing High Conflict Personalities During Celebrations

Bill Eddy and Megan Hunter return to explore practical strategies for handling challenging personalities during holiday gatherings. As many of our longtime listeners enjoy revisiting this timeless discussion during our winter programming, we're pleased to reshare these essential tools for maintaining peace while preserving relationships during family events.

Understanding high conflict personalities requires both preparation and practice. Through real-world examples and expert insights, this conversation illuminates the complex dynamics that often emerge during holiday celebrations. Whether managing others' behaviors or our own stress responses, the techniques shared here have proven invaluable for countless families.

Key Strategies:

• Set clear boundaries before gatherings
• Use the BIFF method (Brief, Informative, Friendly, Firm)
• Create physical space when needed

What You'll Learn:

• How to prepare mentally for difficult encounters
• Ways to protect your personal peace
• Techniques for graceful exits from heated discussions

The intersection of family traditions and modern challenges requires a nuanced approach. Bill and Megan discuss how to honor meaningful connections while establishing new patterns that better serve everyone involved. Their practical guidance helps listeners navigate complex family dynamics without sacrificing their own wellbeing.

Our conversations focus on behavioral patterns rather than specific diagnoses. While these strategies can be helpful for many situations, please consult qualified professionals in your area for specific legal or mental health guidance.

Additional Resources:

BOOKS

• Calming Upset People with EAR
• BIFF
• BIFF for CoParent Communication
• The Courage to Feel
• The High-Conflict Co-Parenting Survival Guide

ARTICLES

• EAR Statements for the Holidays
• Handling High Conflict Situations During the Holidays
• How to Survive the Holidays with an Anti-Social Relative

EXPERT PUBLICATIONS

• New Book: SLIC Solutions for Conflict: Setting Limits & Imposing Consequences in 2 1/2 Steps

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Custom Training & Speaking
• New Ways Training Programs
• Conflict Influencer Class

CONNECT WITH US

• High Conflict Institute
• Submit Questions for the Podcast
• Browse Our Complete Book Collection
• View All Episode Notes

Our discussions focus on behavioral patterns rather than diagnoses. For specific legal or therapeutic guidance, please consult qualified professionals in your area.

• (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
• (01:42) - Holiday Conflict
• (02:34) - Tips to Stop Holiday Conflict
• (08:54) - Assumptions
• (09:53) - One More Tip
• (10:37) - A Family of Multiple HCPs
• (12:24) - The Overly Sensitive Person
• (14:34) - The Narcissist
• (15:50) - When Alone
• (24:59) - HCP Whiplash