384: Office Hours Meets the Holiday Family Gathering (& Accompanying Emotions)

Join us for this special Office Hour edition of Latter Day Struggles, recorded right before the bustling holiday season of 2025. Our conversation dives deep into the complex world of family relationships during the holidays while on a faith journey. We explore three family dynamics: the “Adaptive” family structure, prioritizing connection over control, the “Authoritarian” family structure emphasizing obedience, and a unique “Adherent-Apologetic” dynamic, anxiously navigating loyalty to LDS church beliefs while trying to stay gracious with their faith-journeying family members. 

This Office Hours is packed with compassionate and no-nonsense ways to look at your own family dynamics as well as real-life questions and answers from many Friday Fellowship participants–all geared to helping you balance your growth and family connection. Tune in to gain insights and practical tips for a more peaceful holiday experience!

https://valeriehamaker.com/downloads/navigating-family-faith-during-the-holidays/

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction and Context Setting

00:41 – Navigating Family Relationships During Holidays

02:30 – The Emotional Complexity of Faith Expansion

04:35 – Understanding Family Dynamics: Adaptive vs. Authoritarian

07:15 – Characteristics of Adaptive Families

10:00 – Authoritarian Family Dynamics and Their Impact
12:46 – The Adherent Apologetic Family Dynamic

16:00 – Navigating Guilt, Shame, and Family Harmony

19:30 – Hidden Dynamics: Harmony vs. True Connection

22:00 – Grief, Sorrow, and Relational Rupture

24:17 – Practical Advice and Personal Experiences

27:00 – Setting Boundaries and Restructuring Traditions
30:00 – Grieving Lost Depth and Finding New Ways to Connect

33:49 – Q&A: Balancing Traditions and Beliefs
37:00 – Inclusivity and Intentionality in Family Rituals

40:00 – Navigating Discomfort and Encouraging Authentic Expression

43:00 – Raising Children in Mixed-Faith Families

46:00 – Addressing Family Approaches with Compassion

50:16 – Conclusion and Upcoming Content

52:00 – Final Reflections and Farewell