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How To Not Be The Creepy Aunt Or Grandpa This Season

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Manage episode 518213468 series 3394077
Content provided by Marcy Backhus. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Marcy Backhus or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Holiday lights are on, travel is messy, and family dynamics are about to get real. We’re choosing connection over perfection and sharing the exact moves that turn “creepy elder energy” into warm, genuine bonds with the kids and teens who make these gatherings worth it. No guilt, no lectures—just practical ways to show up as the grown‑up they actually want to sit next to.
We break down how to meet younger family members where they are: recognizing the names and trends that matter to them, asking better questions that spark conversation, and bringing low‑stakes, high‑fun activities like simple Lego builds to the table. You’ll hear why compliments work better than critiques, how to use humor when a child points out your “crunchy” hands or a mole, and why respecting boundaries—especially around hugs—builds lasting trust. We also share our “Guestzilla” commandments for holiday etiquette: arrive with something thoughtful, offer help without taking over, skip politics, and say thank you twice.
Underneath it all is a mindset shift: you earn attention by giving it first. Following a niece’s team on Instagram, texting encouragement during finals, or asking a teen to DJ a few songs lays groundwork all year so the holiday feels easy. When plans slip, laugh. When conversations stall, pivot to gratitude. The recipe is equal parts curiosity, kindness, and letting go of control, and it turns chaos into connection fast. If you’re ready to swap awkward small talk for real moments of joy, pull up a chair—we’ve saved you a seat.
If this resonated, tap follow, share it with a friend who needs a holiday reset, and leave a quick review telling us the tip you’ll try first. Your notes help more families find a warmer way to gather.

  continue reading

Chapters

1. Holiday Whiplash And Season Set‑Up (00:00:00)

2. Shutdown, Travel, And Giving Back (00:01:02)

3. Main Theme: Don’t Be The Creepy Elder (00:02:08)

4. Building Real Bonds With Kids (00:04:48)

5. Ghost Of Christmas Awkward (00:06:34)

6. Meet Them At Their Level (00:08:20)

7. Be Approachable: Questions That Work (00:11:08)

8. Respect Boundaries: No Forced Hugs (00:14:24)

9. The Guestzilla Commandments (00:16:04)

103 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 518213468 series 3394077
Content provided by Marcy Backhus. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Marcy Backhus or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Holiday lights are on, travel is messy, and family dynamics are about to get real. We’re choosing connection over perfection and sharing the exact moves that turn “creepy elder energy” into warm, genuine bonds with the kids and teens who make these gatherings worth it. No guilt, no lectures—just practical ways to show up as the grown‑up they actually want to sit next to.
We break down how to meet younger family members where they are: recognizing the names and trends that matter to them, asking better questions that spark conversation, and bringing low‑stakes, high‑fun activities like simple Lego builds to the table. You’ll hear why compliments work better than critiques, how to use humor when a child points out your “crunchy” hands or a mole, and why respecting boundaries—especially around hugs—builds lasting trust. We also share our “Guestzilla” commandments for holiday etiquette: arrive with something thoughtful, offer help without taking over, skip politics, and say thank you twice.
Underneath it all is a mindset shift: you earn attention by giving it first. Following a niece’s team on Instagram, texting encouragement during finals, or asking a teen to DJ a few songs lays groundwork all year so the holiday feels easy. When plans slip, laugh. When conversations stall, pivot to gratitude. The recipe is equal parts curiosity, kindness, and letting go of control, and it turns chaos into connection fast. If you’re ready to swap awkward small talk for real moments of joy, pull up a chair—we’ve saved you a seat.
If this resonated, tap follow, share it with a friend who needs a holiday reset, and leave a quick review telling us the tip you’ll try first. Your notes help more families find a warmer way to gather.

  continue reading

Chapters

1. Holiday Whiplash And Season Set‑Up (00:00:00)

2. Shutdown, Travel, And Giving Back (00:01:02)

3. Main Theme: Don’t Be The Creepy Elder (00:02:08)

4. Building Real Bonds With Kids (00:04:48)

5. Ghost Of Christmas Awkward (00:06:34)

6. Meet Them At Their Level (00:08:20)

7. Be Approachable: Questions That Work (00:11:08)

8. Respect Boundaries: No Forced Hugs (00:14:24)

9. The Guestzilla Commandments (00:16:04)

103 episodes

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