Times Boundaries Are Hard To Set With Family, But Important

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Don’t get pulled into the drama

Family that’s feuding will likely still try to complain to you about the other and drag you into it. “Say, ‘If you guys have issues, you have to work them out.’ If you keep getting stuck in the middle, you’ll feel like you have to choose. It’s a sticky place to be in, but if you let both parties know from the gates you’re close with each of them and are not going to stop communicating with either of them, and you’re not going to let them disrespect each other in your presence, that’s key,” Jackson says. “At big events like family reunions or weddings, the family could get in a feud that ruins everybody’s day. A conversation has to be had ahead of time. Say, ‘You don’t have to speak to one another. But for the sake of this event be cordial. Maybe that means not speaking to each other. Whatever you need to do to keep the peace.’”