Not sure I’m going to make it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are teens always sullen when we hope they will be most helpful and cooperative?

The same reason OP is hiding in the bathroom. It can be a stressful day for everyone.

Because for me my mom couldn’t say no to grandfather and step grandmother visiting and so would come home from school and get kicked to some random place to sleep in the house. Plus they made things miserable and my brother and I were supposed to grin and nod. Every freaking holiday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need to stop expecting that you are somehow supposed to provide conversation. You're not. You agreed to feed them. That's all. Dial down your engagement, do your own thing, and focus on the meal. That's what I do, and I never thought I needed to do anything else.

+1 you’re busy in the kitchen. Turn on the football games or another inoffensive program and let them talk amongst themselves.

[Anonymous]

OP back: I survived. It was the same old same old from seeing these people year after year, but I made it to other side (Friday) and I’m thankful for that. Now to lay around for most of the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are teens always sullen when we hope they will be most helpful and cooperative?

The same reason OP is hiding in the bathroom. It can be a stressful day for everyone.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are a superhero for hosting OP.
I had great memories as a child of big Thanksgivings and I am sure there was family drama going on I was never aware of.
You are doing great just by having people over and putting out food.
If I were you I’d have a beverage and enjoy the dry turkey and boring relatives 🦃

+1 Making great memories for your children is important, although sometimes thankless. They'll appreciate it all more as adults.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are teens always sullen when we hope they will be most helpful and cooperative?

The same reason OP is hiding in the bathroom. It can be a stressful day for everyone.

Because for me my mom couldn’t say no to grandfather and step grandmother visiting and so would come home from school and get kicked to some random place to sleep in the house. Plus they made things miserable and my brother and I were supposed to grin and nod. Every freaking holiday.

That's part of being a family. Be glad you had one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are teens always sullen when we hope they will be most helpful and cooperative?

The same reason OP is hiding in the bathroom. It can be a stressful day for everyone.

Because for me my mom couldn’t say no to grandfather and step grandmother visiting and so would come home from school and get kicked to some random place to sleep in the house. Plus they made things miserable and my brother and I were supposed to grin and nod. Every freaking holiday.

That's part of being a family. Be glad you had one.

(DP)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm so sorry. I know the feeling.

I literally "cancelled" Christmas a few years ago with less than 48 hours notice. I was on the floor in my bedroom crying at the very thought of it all, and my DH said "I'll call all of them. It's alright." You are in it now, unfortunately -- but all you have to do is get through it. And you don't have to get through it perfectly, hell, you don't even need to get through it gracefully. Watch the clock. Hide in bathroom when you must. Know that an end is in sight. And DO NOT do it again. I sure as hell won't. We are going out -- only DH and I, no in laws -- today (as we have for a few years now). They invite us to their place, and we decline. I ain't doin' it. There was backlash at first, but now they tolerate it. Do what you need to do to protect your peace. And give the teens some room to be sullnen -- they don't like it either, lol.

My lord you are a fragile person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need to stop expecting that you are somehow supposed to provide conversation. You're not. You agreed to feed them. That's all. Dial down your engagement, do your own thing, and focus on the meal. That's what I do, and I never thought I needed to do anything else.

I am going to remember this for next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Find a good playlist and turn up the volume.

Watch that SNL skit. "Thank you, Adele."

[Anonymous]

OP: just smile. You have organized a feast. Enough.
-DP