
For the past few days, the famous Barretto clan had been the talk of the town due to a continuing family conflict surrounding the siblings Claudine, Gretchen, and Marjorie, which started during the wake of their late father Miguel Barretto.
WATCH: Ang mala-telenovelang iringan ng Barretto sisters
And while disagreements are a healthy part of life, ongoing conflict and tension can cause stress and damage to relationships especially if it's been going on for years.
Which begs the question, how do you amicably resolve family conflicts once it's getting out of hand?
According to psychologist and family counselor Dr. Camille Garcia, there are ways to effectively negotiate and compromise in order to reach a resolution.
Here we break down the tips she's shared in Unang Hirit:
As an adult, the eldest in the family should set the tone and find ways to resolve any problems to inhibit further conflicts with future generations.
Whether you are the parent or the eldest sibling, try to have compassion for the members involved and understand what's causing them to react as they do.
She claimed, “Ang nararapat diyan ay kung sino ang mas nakakatanda ang gagawa ng paraan para maayos ito.
“Dahil kasi, 'pag sinabi mong sila-sila lang, ang tendency ay talagang lalala o kaya naman magkakampihan hanggang sa next generation sasali sa away.”
#Palaban: Controversial posts ng mga Barretto
Like any form of debate, Dr. Garcia said it's normal for family members to take sides.
But when members find it difficult to manage their feelings and become aggressive, then that becomes a red flag for future disputes.
Unlike the parties involved, parents should avoid taking sides and set aside their emotions during times of stress in order to make logical decisions to solve these situations.
“Ideally, hindi dapat pero nagkakaroon ng pagkakataon na mayroon talagang kumakampe.
“And it even comes to a point na pati siya mismo na magulang pwede niyang masiraan 'yung anak niya. It happens,” Garcia said.
READ: Marjorie and Gretchen Barretto exchange tirades following alleged scuffle at their dad's wake
As the saying goes, “time heals all wounds,” so we cannot expect family members to resolve an issue easily at a snap of a finger.
The psychologist claimed that by trying to take the time to calm down before revisiting an issue is important.
She said, “Panahon nga talaga ang magsasabi kung talagang magkakaroon ng pagkakataon na maayos ito.
“Pero, panahon rin ang magsasabi na dapat tigilan na ito.
“At kung titigilan ito, siguro isipin niyo na dapat may respeto kayo sa isa't isa.
“Kasi, kung wala kayong respeto sa isa't isa, ang tendency magiging malala ito.”
WATCH: Gretchen Barretto reunites with family at her father's wake
As we've pointed out, unresolved family conflicts bring additional stress.
But nothing can be quite stressful than addressing a situation during a family gathering.
As per Garcia's suggestion, try to be civil and be diplomatic with one another whatever the situation.
“Ang punto dito is maging civil sila. 'Yung parang diplomatic ang pamamaraan ng pag-uusap.
“Hindi tayo aabot sa punto na magkakaroon ng hidwaan, hindi tayo mag-uusap, o aabot sa walang pakielamanan.”
Julia Barretto apologizes to late grandpa after wake turned to 'circus'
Lastly, and most importantly, take the situation for exactly that--simply a situation rather than association a mistake with your overall judgment of a loved one.
“Kailangan isipin natin na pamilya is pamilya,” Garcia said.
“Walang masama sa pagiging humble, walang masama na ibaba ang pride dahil 'yun ang makakatulong para maging maayos ang pamilya niyo.”
Although it can be difficult to accept, just as any other individual, members of our families are not perfect.
Reminding ourselves of this can be an effective way of managing conflict among our family members and give them as much slack as to any individual.