Switched-On Magazine

December has arrived and that can only mean one thing to all students: winter break. This much-needed rest is typically the last two weeks of December with students not returning back until after the New Year. Two weeks can be either not enough time or way too much time at home. Family togetherness is good and all, but even the spirit of the holidays cannot be enough to salvage some family time overload. Without school to occupy their time, some teens might not know how to spend their vacation at home, which can lead to unwanted tension. Yes, the holidays are a magical time that should be shared with loved ones, but depending on what exact holidays are celebrated that might only be a couple days. That means that the rest of the break it is just teens at home with their parents, and that is not always a healthy combination. Everyone knows that if a teenager spends time with his or her parents/siblings that it is only a matter of time before conflict arises.

Winter break is specifically designed to take place during festivities so that time can be spent at home, and that time is definitely action packed. Those two weeks can be full of emotions, visiting relatives, rough weather conditions, and holiday ensued chaos at home. This instability at home can also be followed by tension between family members and the feeling of suffocation by these surroundings. Family conflicts are no strangers to holidays so here are a couple of tips to avoid or escape unwanted confrontations this season:

• Remember that you are not the only one out there. All the other students are on break as well so enjoy some time with friends.
• Get out of the house for a while and avoid being in the way of any conflict. Whether it snows or not (depending on your location) there is always fun to be had doing outside activities.
• Set up an activity that involves the whole family. Decorating the house inside and out with lights and building gingerbread houses is always fun.
• Cities and towns typically have festivals, parades, and activities around to entertain people throughout the month so make the best of them.

The bottom line is that being cooped up at home with the family for two weeks is just asking for unnecessary trouble. Avoid the turmoil and a family civil war this season by keeping busy and actually enjoying a well-deserved vacation.