Dear Eric: You always give great advice, and I have learned a lot by reading your column.

I would like to offer an additional suggestion to “ Our Last Reunion ”, who is getting together with siblings at Thanksgiving and does not want to spend time rehashing resentments and complaints about their parents.

When I get together with my siblings this happens quite often as well. I have found that having a safe word or phrase that the group all knows helps a lot.

When one of us realizes that the conversation has turned in the wrong direction we say the safe word. Everyone stops, has a good laugh at being caught and the subject changes.

– Password

Dear Password: What a great suggestion. It can be so easy to fall back into old patterns or wander into dangerous conversational territory. A

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