TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Thanksgiving can be a beautiful family holiday or so tense you're risking a food fight.
Extra tension in American politics could make that meal touchier still.
There's the Norman Rockwell vision of the perfect family Thanksgiving, and there are the families where the turkey's not the only thing getting roasted in tableside arguments.
This year the aftermath of a bruising election may be stuffing families with extra resentment and leave people just barking at each other.
So how do you avoid brother on brother blow-ups?
"It's really important that we have gratitude to those people in our family."
Psychologist Doctor Dennis Embry tries to ease conflict and build peace through his work with the Paxis Institute.
He suggests banking goodwill with your family with notes of appreciation, and keeping hands off the hot buttons like politics.
"It would be tempting, depending on your political view to turn on Rachel Maddow of Hannity during Thanksgiving. That's probably not a good idea. Better to turn on the parade and enjoy the fun and the laughter."
KGUN9 Facebook users are optimistic about their Thanksgivings.
Christie says, "Politics in our family would not be a good subject so it's off limits."
Tim says, "My family is more focused on being together. We accept the fact that there are different opinions and don't argue about stupid stuff."
And Doctor Embry asks did you really travel all that way to sit down and argue?
