Happy Thanksgiving, Grandma … guess what? I’m quitting my job to raise chickens

Thanksgiving is often a time to share big news. The entire family, maybe some relatives you rarely see, is there to celebrate when you announce, “I’m getting married!” or “I’ve been promoted!”On the flip side, Thanksgiving is also when some people drop bombshells — news that is likely to upset or surprise some family members. “We’re getting a divorce,” “I’m gay,” or “We’re moving,” are a few examples.You can deliver news like this in a way that makes it less stressful for yourself and gentler on your loved ones, says Emanuel Maidenberg, a clinical professor of psychiatry and director of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Clinic at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA.Is there a best time to drop news that might be upsetting for some during Thanksgiving?From the standpoint of the deliverer, the earlier the better. It shortens the anticipatory anxiety stage, the worry about people ’s reactions and possible negative judgment. You could wait until after dessert, but then you will have spent most of your time distracted by what you’re planning to say. Sharing news earlier gives everyone time to digest it and share their reactions.Is it better to share the news ahead of time with several key family members or close friends instead of the entire group at once?It ’s always best to disclose your news to the closest family members first, because they are more likely to be genuine in their response, whatever it may be. It’...
Source: UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences - Category: Universities & Medical Training Source Type: news