Pulling double duty on holidays

[Anonymous]

For a long time my immediate family household did double duty on Thanksgiving (and sometimes still do). His family in Alexandria for the noon meal and my family for the evening meal. (The families wouldn't have mixed well together).

Well, now that I have more siblings married now, we are in the process of planning for this year. My SIL has announce that she will do Christmas with the Fairfax family and Thanksgiving with her Springfield family (that is Springfield, VA). WTF? Is it too far to do both? And there are multiple days to Christmas (and thanksgiving). I'm fine with my other SIL saying that, she's juggling New England and Fairfax (and my mom is fairly cool with that - she knows the holidays are tough, and g'ma/mom goes to soccer games when she can and other random visits). Meanwhile, I'm trying to juggle inlaws now in Warrenton and my parents Fairfax. Suck it up and make all the parents all happy and show up to both if you can. Besides, I want to see my nieces and nephews and my brothers. (because I have my own baseball games on the weekend and don't make it to yours on a "normal" day)

[Anonymous]

Alternating holidays is pretty standard. (Honestly, your post gave me anticipatory heartburn! )

Find an alternate time to exchange Christmas gifts with your nieces and nephews. Accept that you might not all be together all at once every holiday. Do the best you can with what you have!

[Anonymous]

Ah, wait, I see that they're doing Thanksgiving with her family. All right, easy, you don't see that side for Thanksgiving.

That's it. They don't have to be two places at once.

[Anonymous]

Two Thanksgiving Day meals on the same day? Ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Why the hell do you need to eat two rushed meals? Just rotate! It would save everyone a lot of hassle and you will enjoy your holidays more.

I have a friend who does 4 Thanksgivings (2 sets of divorced parents)- makes me cry just thinking about it.

[Anonymous]

She's trying to make it easiest on her immediate family and I don't blame her. Your version of thanksgiving sounds hellish.

[Anonymous]

Would you seriously expect them to eat Thanksgiving dinner twice? That's pretty nutty.

[Anonymous]

She's trying to make it easiest on her immediate family and I don't blame her. Your version of thanksgiving sounds hellish.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't want to spend time with you either. You sound like a grade A bitch

[Anonymous]

If you want to juggle two families and locations on one holiday, go for it. Don't presume to speak for someone else who may not feel up for that. Holidays can be exhausting as it is without all that rushing around. And two Thanksgiving meals in one day is just nuts. If your parents are that upset about not seeing kids/grandkids for one freaking day when they live within a thirty minute drive and can see them any other day, they can suck it up and learn to get along with your husband's parents.

[Anonymous]

Juggling is a lot to handle. Especially once they have kids. Accept it or you will make an enemy out of your SIL. Yes, it sucks to not be with your family for every holiday, if that's what you're used to, but we all have to adjust as families change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She's trying to make it easiest on her immediate family and I don't blame her. Your version of thanksgiving sounds hellish.

+1

stop trying to be a control freak and let people live their own lives.

[Anonymous]

OP, just because you are a ridiculous people pleaser who can't say no doesn't mean everyone is. Maybe you should take a hint from your SIL and stop being such a doormat.

[Anonymous]

I tend to agree with the OP. It's Fairfax and Springfield. What are we talking 5 or 8 miles? Are there babies and nap times involved? You don't have to eat at both places. Say visit and have dessert. Fairfax and Springfield are closer than most people's office commutes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two Thanksgiving Day meals on the same day? Ridiculous.

i have the pleasure of doing about 3-4 holiday meals a day with dh's relatives when we are in town. usually a breakfast with his dad, lunch with his mom, dinner with family friends, and late night back with his dad.

can't wait for thanksgiving.