If your child is in the grip of an eating disorder, holiday time—and the accompanying centrality of food, presence of extended family and friends, and changes in normal routines and schedules—can be a difficult time for the entire family. Now is the time to think ahead and strategize how you can manage these many changes and maximize the chances that you and your family can enjoy this time of year as much as possible.
Talk to your spouse and/or other family members about ground rules for the family, decide what you think will be helpful and remember to be proactive, communicating ahead of anticipated challenges. If you know that there will be challenges ahead but cannot anticipate precisely what they will be, it can be helpful to develop a game plan for problem resolution. Having a process in place will allow you to think more rationally and effectively when faced with unexpected situations and quickly figure out the appropriate course of action.
Remember, the skills you build in successfully navigating holiday challenges can benefit your child and family not only during the holidays but all year long. Good luck and let me know how it goes!
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