Thanksgiving is upon us, and I would be remiss not to acknowledge this truly American holiday and all it brings to dining room tables across our fine country. From cross-country road trips to a skip down the sidewalk, family members from near and far gather on Thanksgiving. Each seat at the Thanksgiving table brings a different story and a different perspective. A thought that reminds me to prepare for Thanksgiving. As a Spartanburg family lawyer, I find ways to avoid a tense Thanksgiving feast are similar to ways to avoid seeing a family lawyer. So, I thought I would take this seasonal opportunity to draw from my personal and professional experience and relay it to you. My fine audience, ways to avoid an unhappy Thanksgiving (and an unhappy family life).

Top 5 Ways to Avoid Seeing a Spartanburg Family Lawyer:

Share your gratitude for the positive attributes of your loved one.

Giving thanks is what Thanksgiving is all about. So, expressing gratitude for your loved one may come more easily during this time of year. After all, you are expected to do it—and maybe with this practice, you will be able to continue it beyond the Thanksgiving season.

Do not use guilt to make yourself appealing.

Like the parents who tell their children how sad they would be if Johnny does not make it home for Thanksgiving with the family. A spouse who uses guilt to make the other spouse stay only begets a bitter stay. Instead, focus on the positive traits and the positive attributes you bring to the table. Just like the parents who offer appealing incentives for the child to come home for a bit (um, new flat screen to watch the game). It will benefit from an appreciative spouse and a thankful stay-at-home.

Devote yourself to making positive changes.

Thanksgiving is often a time to reflect on family history, stories, and personalities with loved ones. You can also take time to reflect on how you can make positive changes. Drawing from past criticisms from the other spouse and your own family history and dynamics, you may find that change can be good for everyone in the family.

Listen to your loved one.

Most Thanksgiving tables involve a lot of talking, but listening? As a Spartanburg family lawyer, I often hear a client say the other spouse never took the time to listen. Listen before it is too late.

Be willing to compromise.

Cranberry sauce or whole cranberries, roasted turkey or fried turkey – if great-aunt Eunice insists on the cranberry sauce over the whole cranberries, it might be worth keeping peace at the feast to forego your love of the whole cranberry. Some things are not worth fighting over. And it behooves us to choose wisely when to stand and when to bend.