Christmas with the in-laws can feel like a mix of twinkle lights, nostalgia, and quiet tension — and somehow you and your spouse are expected to keep the peace no matter what happens. In this Enneagram Edition of Imperfectly Married, Michael and Heather walk through how each of the nine Enneagram types uniquely experiences in-law dynamics during the holidays and how understanding those differences can protect your marriage instead of straining it.They break down what each type is secretly thinking when family stress shows up, how healthy versus challenging in-law relationships affect each personality, and practical ways to nurture your spouse based on their wiring. From the Type One trying to keep everything “right,” to the Type Two overextending to feel loved, to the Type Five hiding in the bathroom to recharge, to the Type Nine disappearing just to keep the peace — this episode helps you recognize patterns before they turn into conflict.You’ll also hear practical tools for every couple, including setting boundaries before gatherings, using code words when things feel overwhelming, checking in with your spouse before and after events, and debriefing together so future holidays feel safer and more connected. Rooted in faith, humor, and real-life experience, this conversation reminds couples that the Enneagram isn’t a limitation — it’s a map. And when you use it with grace and intentionality, even the most challenging in-law dynamics can become opportunities for unity, understanding, and growth.Find us online:Website: https://imperfectlymarriedpodcast.com/Merch: https://imperfectlymarriedpodcast.com/storeInstagram: imperfectlymarried_thepodcast Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576918626044TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@imperfectly_married

The holidays bring family together — but they can also bring tension, unmet expectations, and pressure from in-laws that quietly strain a marriage. In this episode of Imperfectly Married, Michael and Heather talk through how to handle in-laws during the holidays with clarity, unity, and healthy boundaries that protect your relationship instead of dividing it.

They unpack why family dynamics feel more intense this time of year, how differences in traditions, communication styles, and expectations create conflict, and what happens when couples don’t talk through these issues ahead of time. You’ll learn how to have proactive conversations before gatherings, set boundaries that are loving but firm, support your spouse when family dynamics are difficult, and avoid the resentment that builds when one partner feels caught in the middle.

Rooted in faith and practical wisdom, this conversation reminds couples that boundaries aren’t about control or distance — they’re about protection. When spouses choose each other first and approach family situations as a team, the holidays can become a season of peace instead of pressure. If you want to enjoy time with extended family without sacrificing the health of your marriage, this episode will give you a clear, realistic framework to do just that.

Find us online:Website: https://imperfectlymarriedpodcast.com/Merch: https://imperfectlymarriedpodcast.com/storeInstagram: imperfectlymarried_thepodcast Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576918626044TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@imperfectly_married

The holidays bring beauty, but they also bring stress — expectations, family dynamics, travel, finances, grief, and totally disrupted routines. In this Enneagram Edition of Imperfectly Married, Michael and Heather walk through how each of the nine Enneagram types uniquely experiences the holiday season and how understanding your wiring (and your spouse’s) can actually protect your marriage when things get busy and tense. Instead of assuming your spouse “should just handle it,” you’ll learn how core motivations, fears, and longings get amplified under holiday pressure and how that shows up in the way each type hosts, plans, spends, avoids, or over-functions.

You’ll also hear big-picture tools you can use no matter what your number is: pre-holiday “huddles” to talk through budget, expectations, travel, and traditions; mini check-ins before and during events so neither of you feels alone or blindsided; and rhythms of rest, intimacy, and faith that help you return to what the season is truly about. Rooted in their relationship with Jesus, Michael and Heather remind us that peace is a Person, not a perfect plan, and that grace is the greatest gift you can give each other this year. If you want this holiday season to draw you closer instead of tearing you apart, this episode will help you honor each other’s wiring, lower the stress, and protect what matters most: your marriage.

Website: https://imperfectlymarriedpodcast.com/Merch: https://imperfectlymarriedpodcast.com/storeInstagram: imperfectlymarried_thepodcast Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576918626044TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@imperfectly_married#Enneagram #MarriageAdvice #HolidayStress #ChristianMarriage #RelationshipTools #ImperfectlyMarried #ImperfectlyMarriedThePodcast #ProtectYourMarriage