Family Holidays
By katsmeow1213
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
United States
December 19, 2008 5:43pm CST
Do you look forward to seeing your family on the holidays?
I used to, but not since I've been married, lol.
My family is no longer with us, and those that are left have gone their seperate ways. The only one I'm in contact with anymore is my brother, and he's married and has holidays with his wife's family.
I have holidays with hubby's family. Our first few years we went to his sister's house, so she could show of how much more money than us she has. But every holiday with her was a disaster. She never made a traditional meal, it was never at a decent hour, and the kids were usually extremely bored the whole time.
Since she divorced she's stopped having the holidays, and now it's on us to entertain the in laws. Sadly I'd rather be back at SIL's house. I can't stand my husband's parents, we don't get along at all!
I know it's important to hubby and to the kids to have them here, so I just deal. Luckily they don't hang around very long, and I keep myself busy enough until they leave, with the cooking, preparing, and cleaning up. So aside from the time we actually spend at the table, I don't have to speak with them much and it's just hubby and the kids spending time with them.
Is there someone in your family you don't get along with, but you put up with them for the holidays anyways?
7 responses
@Barb42 (4214)
• United States
20 Dec 08
I think everyone has someone in their family they have problems with! I prefer not to go around the one that really bother me AND my entire family! It has kept me away from my brother, but that's okay, too. We used to be close when he was married the first time and for the many years he was divorced, but not anymore. I deal with it nicely when we are around one another, but don't have much to do with them at any other time. I've been told off one time too many and so has my daughter(who used to be his favorite) and her daughter. We can do without such!
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
20 Dec 08
So this is your brother's wife you're talking about? What a shame, and he takes her side when she's telling people off? Do you see them at the holidays?
@Barb42 (4214)
• United States
20 Dec 08
Yes, but he didn't hear what she said to us. He said he did, but when she left a phone call for me, I doubt he heard the things she said. He hears HER tell him her side. This is his second wife - he and his first wife divorced after 25 years and 2 kids that were grown. He and this one have been married 21 and have never been in my house since. We've been in theirs several times, but it's been years. I got the word that she said she never went to anyone's house unless she was invited. SO I decided I'd never invite them because I felt that meant she never wanted to come to see us on her own, unlike the way we've always done when we REALLY CARE for someone.
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
20 Dec 08
As someone was saying to me the other night, the trouble with christmas is that families seem to be forced to get together for this one day. It is like it is expected that everyone spends a whole day together over xmas lol! The only day we are having family over is on boxing day, my mum and dad are coming for their dinner and that will be the first time I have cooked for them over christmas in about 10 years or more!! I never have any one over for christmas day it is a mad house as it is without having visitors as well lol.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
20 Dec 08
My relationship with the in laws has been a rollercoaster since day 1, and let me tell you there have been times when the downs were so bad, I would have considered a divorce just to get away from them.
During those times I told hubby there was no way we'd be having them over for the holidays. I wasn't going to completely ruin my holiday just to invite them, why should I? We should all be able to enjoy our holiday.
Well ya know, the thing of it is, for me it doesn't feel like a special holiday when it's just us. It feels like just any other day. So last Christmas just as I was about to serve dinner I said to hubby to call his parents and invite them over, I wanted it to at least feel like a holiday.
@ravinskye (8237)
• United States
26 Dec 08
The only thing I don't like about getting together with all the families is all the traveling we have to do. Dragging all the kids around is tiresome. Today was dinner 3 of 5 for us. We go to my in laws tomorrow and then my parents on saturday. Things were a little tense at my grandmothers this year though. things blew up between us over the summer because i got tired of her making me feel like i wasn't good enough. she made a comment about my parenting and i'd had it. plus i found that she had written some not so nice things about me in her journal. (long story). So things were tense there but we got through it ok. I have a lot of issues with my hubby's parents too but I can fake it long enough to get through time spent with them.
@bam001 (940)
• United States
20 Dec 08
I do enjoy getting together with my friends and family at Christmas and Thanksgiving. I cook Thanksgiving dinner (a tradition turkey and dressing meal) and have both family and close friends over. Most everyone I invite comes. I do have one aunt and her husband that always say they will come, but always cancel at the last minute.
At Christmas, my parents, sister, myself and a close friend and her family get together a few days before Christmas to celebrate. Then on Christmas Eve, my Dad's side of the family has a great celebration. Christmas Day is usually low key with just my parents, sister and Grandmother getting together for breakfast and also lunch. We then spend the day just hanging around the house --usually still in pajamas.
