Navigating Marital Conflict During the Holidays: a 10-part Series for Couples

The holiday season can bring both joy and strain, especially in marriage. Between family expectations, financial pressures, packed schedules, and emotional triggers from the past, even strong couples can find themselves facing unexpected marital conflict during the

holidays.

What’s meant to be a time of peace and connection often becomes a source of stress, miscommunication, and unmet expectations.

At Relational Skills, Inc., we understand how the season can amplify relationship challenges. That’s why we’ve created a 10-part blog series to help couples grow closer — not farther apart — during the most demanding time of year.

Each article offers practical insights from marriage and trauma-informed counseling, addressing topics like:

● Conflict resolution when emotions run high

● Healthy communication that builds understanding instead of tension

● Balancing family dynamics and navigating in-laws with grace

● Financial harmony through differing spending habits

● Protecting your emotional health from burnout, grief, and stress

● Creating meaningful connections and new traditions as a couple

These blogs are designed for couples who want to manage holiday stress, prevent emotional disconnection, and strengthen their marriage through empathy, curiosity, and faith-based wisdom.

Whether you’re newly married or decades in, these reflections can help you recognize old patterns, communicate with compassion, and keep your relationship at the center of the season. Each post ends with a short reflection question — a chance to pause, breathe, and realign your heart with what truly matters: love, understanding, and peace.

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