6 Relationship Tips for a Happier Passover

Pesach is here again!

Passover is an exciting time to enjoy our family’s company and remember the importance of our faith. However, for many households hosting the Seder meal — and the family that will attend — the faith, optimism, and other lessons of Passover are pushed aside as we become focused on the logistics of the event.

We want to present a clean home. We want to keep our children’s spirits up. We want to ensure everyone gets along. At times, preparing for Passover can be absolutely overwhelming!

Take a deep breath. You deserve a relaxing and enjoyable Pesach. Remember the following tips to get you and your spouse through this year’s holiday while keeping your sanity and experiencing the true meaning of Passover.

1. Focus on what Passover means to you.

Why do you celebrate Passover? To renew your faith? To enjoy time with family?

Focus on these objectives, rather than every detail of dinner.

2. Free yourself from the idea of a perfect Passover.

Passover is all about freedom, right? So free yourself from the high expectations you have for this year’s Pesach.

Things will go wrong — something always goes wrong. What’s important is that your family gets to spend time together over the holiday enjoying each other’s company and reflecting on what matters.

3. Take advantage of the family time.

With school, work, and other responsibilities, it’s probably not often that your entire family gets this much time to spend together.

Make the best of it during the weeklong celebration by sitting down and talking. Playing some games. Going out together.

This is your time to catch up and recharge. Embrace it!

4. Ask for help when you need it.

It’s easy to say things like, “Just let it go and enjoy yourself,” but a lot harder to actually do that. Do something else: ask for help. Not only is it allowed, you’re probably the only one who thinks you shouldn’t.

Remember, people won’t know what needs to get done until you tell them. Be specific about the tasks you need help with. You’ll be surprised by how many people are willing to pitch in, which brings me to my next tip…

5. Work as a team.

Sit down together with your family before you start to cook and clean your house. Get them involved in the planning. Discover what’s most important to each family member. Delegate tasks accordingly.

When it is a team effort, everyone will be more invested in making it a successful celebration.

6. Don’t forget to enjoy yourself.

What are you more likely to remember: how polished and organized your living room was or a joke that your spouse tells you? Most likely, the memories that stick are the joyful ones.

The more time you take to laugh, relax, and enjoy the holiday, the easier it will be to get through the stress of cleaning, cooking, and preparing your home for your family.

Chag Sameach! I wish for you an abundance of time to bond with your family.

Rooting for you!

Sara Freed

www.SaraFreed.com