Annoyed with spending every Christmas Eve with my inlaws.
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Anonymous
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My husband expects that we spend every Christmas Eve with his family. It's been 11 years since I've been able to be at home on Christmas Eve doing what I want to do - which is reading a book, drinking hot chocolate, and watching It's A Wonderful Life.
We have a six-year-old, and he has to do the "family tour"; see his grandma and cousins for their quarterly gathering. I'm not fond of my in-laws for several reasons, but I really want to spend Christmas Eve at home, by myself, in peace. Is this too much to ask DH? |
Anonymous
| Are they local or do you travel? |
Anonymous
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Do you spend Christmas Day at home alone?
It is pretty normal to see family over Christmas and sincemany people want Christmas morning at home they often visit on Christmas Eve or the afternoon on Christmas day. |
Anonymous
| Can you stay back while they travel |
Anonymous
Yes! We spend Christmas at home as a family. My family lives in Canada so I only see them about twice per year, but I am expected to spend every major holiday with my inlaws and am tired of it. |
Anonymous
| Why not pick another evening to have as your Winter holiday eve where you read a book, drink hot chocolate, and watch It's A Wonderful Life. You could do that on the 23rd or 25th or 26th etc. |
Anonymous
| Op here - sorry, they are local, about 20 minutes away. |
Anonymous
| I think you're coming down with something. You'll have to stay home. So sorry! |
Anonymous
Does your husband come with you and use his vacation time to visit your family? Or do you go alone? Taking two trips a year and all that PTO to go to another country seems like more of a commitment to your family than holidays with his. |
Anonymous
In that case can you shorten your time with the inlaws and be at home for more of the evening.Start some traditions for your own nuclear family...maybe hot cocoa and a family movie or a special meal you prepare with your child. See you inlaws during the day but have family time I home too. I would feel the way you do, op. I hope you can get a better balance. |
Anonymous
OP here - no they live in Toronto. I usually leave on a Friday and come back on Monday, so I use about 4 PTO days/year of my 24 days. DS usually comes with me. I can't remember the last time DH came with me, sometimes my parents will come down here versus me going there and will stay with us Friday - Monday. DH works in the commercial fishing industry and is gone for months at a time. |
Anonymous
Aw, that's not much time with your family. Why not stay longer in Canada? |
Anonymous
Ridiculous suggestion. OP, tell your DH you’d like to change the tradition and stay home for Christmas. Most people like to be in their own homes, especially when you have your kids and Santa is a big deal. He should understand. |
Anonymous
| How long is the visit with the in laws? Dinner or overnight? |
Anonymous
You want to read a book by yourself, DH wants to be with his family and kid probably wants to do be with cousins. Why can't everybody do what they want? |