Surviving family holidays can be difficult when you are estranged or have unresolved tensions with your family. Holidays and events can bring deep-seated conflicts to the surface. The pressure to maintain peace can be overwhelming, especially when you're masking feelings of distrust and hurt. Navigating these relationships requires setting firm boundaries while managing the expectations of family members. In this Q&A episode, Whitney answers real questions from callers who are having difficulties with their moms and siblings. She provides insights on how to handle estranged relationships, the strain of pretending everything is fine, and the emotional toll of unresolved conflicts. Whitney also offers strategies for maintaining peace during holidays or events, setting boundaries, and managing the pressure to keep everyone happy.  What You Will Learn: [00:01] Intro and what you will learn [00:29] How to handle dysfunction and pretending among family members  [04:56] How to navigate family events and holidays when estranged  [07:09] Calling Home resources for building new traditions [07:56] Prioritizing your own needs when you're with family Standout Quotes: “Pretending is so hard; pretending that everything is fine when it isn't or your trust or boundary was violated is so really difficult.” [01:41] “Stop trying to make your family be what it was or what you wish it would be, instead find a way to cope and enjoy what you can in the moment.” [07:31] Let’s Connect Have a question for Whitney? Call Home at 866-225-5466.  Join Whitney’s Family Cycle Breakers Club for further support and discussion on family dynamics at CallingHome.co. Follow the Calling Home community on Instagram. Click here to get “Toxic Positivity” on paperback.  Follow Whitney Goodman on Instagram or TikTok.  The Calling Home podcast is not engaged in providing therapy services, mental health advice, or other medical advice or services, is not a substitute for advice from a qualified healthcare provider, and does not create any therapist-patient or other treatment relationship between you and Calling Home or Whitney Goodman. For more information on this, please see Calling Home’s Terms of Service.  Mixing, editing, and show notes provided by Next Day Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices