In storybooks and movies, holidays (Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Years) are perfect. Loving families, snowy landscapes, joyous celebrations, material abundance, and personal happiness are displayed and expected. But in real life, the holidays are often less than perfect.

All kinds of difficult situations exist whether it is shared custody, blended families, family feuds, resentments, addictions, financial problems, grief, loneliness, and difficult family dynamics.

Just like any other relationship and life problem that you find yourself dealing with, it is up to you to figure out what to do. The following articles will help you deal with these difficult family dynamics and other less than perfect life circumstances around the holidays.

Click here to listen to the audio of an interview with Karla on “Dealing with Difficult Family Dynamics” on Adventures in the Kitchen.