Living With Covid Conflict Within Families

Omicron, Christmas and Anti-Vaxxers….

Within families, there are still couples where there are divergent/polar views as to the reality of the pandemic and the value and even purpose of the vaccine.

At this point and although a shrinking minority, those who remain fixed in their contrary views are less and less likely to change. This can be the issue that gives cause for a separation.

To those who seek to maintain the relationship, the answer is simple although the implementation difficult.

Stop discussing it.

The degree to which either side tries to convince the other of the truth of their perspective, it inflames and creates the conditions for that other to only entrench and rebut.

Stop discussing it. Set a boundary. Live your life consistent with your point of view.

Where necessary, put what you need in place, consistent with your views, recognizing it may even mean living apart at times and with different rules.

This, is your realty. This is your situation if you choose to maintain the relationship under these circumstances.

The alternative is continual debate, fights, arguments, hostility. This is about accepting the person, although not their perspective.

That’s where we are at. To stop the hostility, accept the person, or let go the relationship. Return to respectful and civil behavior which doesn’t mean we agree on matters.

Another casualty of the pandemic.

Sorry.

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I am Gary Direnfeld and I am a social worker. Check out all my services and then call me if you need help with a personal issue, mental health concern, child behavior or relationship, divorce or separation issue or even help growing your practice. I am available in person and by video conferencing.

Gary Direnfeld, MSW, RSW

gary@yoursocialworker.com
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Gary Direnfeld is a social worker. Courts in Ontario, Canada, consider him an expert in social work, marital and family therapy, child development, parent-child relations and custody and access matters. Gary is the host of the TV reality show, Newlywed, Nearly Dead, former parenting columnist for the Hamilton Spectator and author of Marriage Rescue: Overcoming the ten deadly sins in failing relationships. Gary maintains a private practice in Georgina Ontario, providing a range of services for people in distress. He speaks at conferences and workshops throughout North America. He consults to mental health professionals as well as to mediators and collaborative law professionals about good practice as well as building their practice.