How to let loved ones know your Thanksgiving gathering is off

GREEN BAY, Wis (NBC 26) — The choice of whether to get together with extended family on Thanksgiving is a tough decision for many. It’s a discussion that healthcare professionals and psychologists are talking about in regard to how to get the conversation going with family before it gets too late.Meeting up with friends and family on Thanksgiving will likely not happen for millions of Americans this year. But that being said, there will be folks who can’t let go of the tradition even in light of the pandemic.

Ryan Martin, a professor of psychology at UWGB says when you’re telling loved ones you’re having limited or no company this year, the last thing you want to do is tell folks is how their job or social life is concerning.

“What someone might hear is, I’m not living my life the way I should. So it becomes a thing people end up taking more personally than they probably should.”

Martin says to focus the conversation on where you are coming from, and how your feelings are the furthest thing from a personal statement about someone else. He adds that you should plan ahead for the uncomfortable conversation by preparing what you want to convey in an open and honest way.

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