SAN DIEGO, Oct. 27 CA-CAMFT-inter-faith
SAN DIEGO, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Whether you choose to decorate the
Christmas tree, light the menorah, or creatively compromise and buy a Hanukkah
bush, the holiday season can be an extremely stressful time for couples in
inter-faith relationships. If not handled properly, deciding which holidays
and traditions to celebrate can strain your relationship and lead to conflict
with your partner and your extended families.
Depending on your religious backgrounds and level of dedication to your
faith, what you are willing to compromise can vary greatly. If you have
children, deciding which holidays they celebrate may be very important to you
or your spouse and your extended families. While each situation is different,
the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists recommends the
following guidelines to help ease the tension when it comes time to negotiate
what to do for the holidays:
-- Set ground rules to help negotiations run as smoothly as possible
-- Remain respectful and nonjudgmental while examining your options
-- Identify the main conflict -- you should each be able to state your
partner's position accurately
-- Brainstorm solutions first without evaluating their practicality
-- Choose a solution that will satisfy you both
-- Agree upon how you will support one another with regard to your
partners and siblings
If you decide to take a multi-faith approach to your relationship and
family, you may find that the holidays become more meaningful. You have the
opportunity to celebrate multiple holidays and start new traditions without
having to "choose." However, if religion is the focal point of your life and
you are unwilling to participate in another religion's celebrations, here are
some tips on how to approach the situation gently:
-- Avoid the "my way or the highway" mentality -- accept that your partner
may have just as much conviction in his or her tradition
-- Consider educating your children in both religions until they are old
enough to determine which faith, if either, they want to follow
-- If you must attend different services, try to balance it by spending
more time together before and after the holidays
However you and your partner choose to celebrate the holidays, you may
find the required compromises difficult to fully or graciously accept.
Consider consulting a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who can help you
both understand and integrate your options.
For more information about Marriage and Family Therapists, or to locate a
therapist in your area, please visit http://www.TherapistFinder.com.
About CAMFT
The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, with 27
chapters throughout the state, is an independent professional organization,
representing the interests of licensed marriage and family therapists. CAMFT
provides TherapistFinder.com as a resource to the public looking for marriage
and family therapists located in California. For more information about CAMFT,
please call (858) 292-2638 or visit http://www.camft.org.
SOURCE California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
