I don't want to spend holidays with my in-laws - ever

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tell DH you aren't going. Then leave it up to him to talk to his parents. Done.

this except make sure he doesn't make it you the scapegoat

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, I’m so surprised that people just want to spend holidays with their immediate family. I’m with my immediate family every day. The holidays are special because we make memories with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins!

Even if it’s not actually fun when you are there? My inlaws just talk about themselves and don’t try to engage or play with my children in anyway. They get a cursory “Hi John how is school?” And that’s basically it for the rest of the visit. The kids get bored and come ask the adults to play with them and my inlaws seem annoyed the kids are interrupting the audience for their repetitive storytelling. Their own daughter is so annoyed by them but unlike us does not act polite or try to hide it so their bickering is also really awkward.

My mom only talks about my sister and her kids whether they are there or not, and neither of my parents ever want to leave their house.

It’s not much to look forward to.

As a kid, I was so happy when my parents decided we were having Christmas at home. The relatives were all an hour away. Before that, Christmas to us was going from house to house and although we loved our relatives, there was nothing really for us to do there. The boring small talk was just that and other than a few of the same “how is school” questions, we usually had to listen to adults or watch tv. Having a few years of a relaxed Christmas at home before college was so wonderful.