Reply to How to avoid traveling to in laws every thanksgiving and Xmas

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Like others have said, this is a DH issue like you already know. 
Tell him you enjoy visiting his parents but you won't be preparing the family for both holidays. Pick which one you want and tell in the option is he takes on the other or you stay home for that holiday. 
He takes over one entire holiday and that does mean the entire holiday... Including packing back up to come home and doing all of the laundry for the children when you arrive back home. 
Airfare, packing, snacks, food, transportation, getting kids ready, laundry etc. you pack for yourself and show up. 
But you have to be willing to let him fail. You have to be willing to pack no underwear and have to go to Target in Florida to buy some more. You have to be willing to let him forget sunscreen and have to go buy more. You have to be willing to have your kids wearing this matched outfits. It hurts in the short term but trust me it will free up so much for you. 
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+1.  Although, while he has good arguments so do you.  It isn't reasonable to ask you all to taken on the burden, expense and hassle of traveling at two peak times of the year.

With regard to the loneliness, you'd be surprised.  In our case, my husband's parents have both passed and mine are hundreds of miles away so we only travel for one of those holidays each year.  It feels like it would be lonely because you've never had the opportunity as a nuclear family to create your own traditions.  Fill that time with fun as a family, whatever that means for you.  For us, at Thanksgiving that means a family turkey trot, watching the Macy's parade, eating a fun meal that isn't tied to traditional Thanksgiving foods.  We decorate for Christmas that weekend and do one or two fun outings like museums or more holiday type things like the Downtown Christmas Market or Bull Run Lights.  Invite friends to join you for the meal or for a happy hour at your house on Friday.

Christmas we similarly have a list of things to choose from.  In Off Topic go find the thread about things to do in the holiday season, people have included a lot of outings.  Add in all the at-home stuff like baking cookies and delivering to neighbors, or driving around to look at lights with hot chocolate in your pajamas.

I love family but also think it's really important as a nuclear family to have our own traditions and experiences.

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All of this....it's great to start your own traditions and tbh....FL would get old for me fast. I bet your DH likes it because you and his mom make it a relaxing Vacation for him. Stop doing that. Not saying he can't enjoy himself but he is still a father and a husband..... In Florida. Which means he can do bath times and bedtime routines and make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and throw in a load of laundry and all of the other crap that has to get done. [/quote]

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