Relations who drive you up the wall but are not toxic and you don't hate them. How do you deal?

[AfterEightMintyy]

Please explain to me!

I am thinking in particular of people who drive you nuts just because of the type of person they are, but you need (and kind of want to) keep them close.

All and any tips (about deep breathing into paper bags etc) gratefully received.

Alcohol

Fill them with sherry, if that doesnt work, fill yourself with brandy.

Loving your thinking but its not always possible . I am particularly thinking of relatives who drive you nuts all year round, not just at Christmas!

Best thing really is to have plenty of escape plans, don't ever trap yourself with them for long periods without nice plausible excuses to get away often.

Alcohol is not just for Christmas - I use it all year round and it works just as well as at other times of the year!

Both DH's and my family drive me mad in different ways.

I only see my family all together occasionally and only for a day at most. I grin and bare it, but feel very stressed and upset for a day or too afterwards, and poor DH has to listen to me winge about them

With my DHs family I have to spend several days in their company as we stay over quite often. I find them incredibly suffocating and sometimes have escape to my room for a bit. I also make DH agree to at least trip out without them so I get some breathing space.

Alcohol can make things worse IME as annoying people can be even more annoying when drunk, and I'm less likely to hide my true feelings well.

PS. I can handle my family individually it's just when we're all together that makes me :(

Alcohol

Taking and deep breathe and trying very very hard to see where they are coming from.

Having jobs to so so they can feel needed and wanted (this depends on the person).

Stay in a hotel if you are visiting from a distance away, meaning no long intense visits in their house.