Anonymous wrote:Already. I do not like my ILs. They are opinionated, insulting and treat my DH like he's still their baby. I am dreading it. Help I need real advice how to get through the holidays.
Why do you have to spend the holidays with them?
"Because they're family and it's expected"?
What a wimpy, spineless answer that would be. Get a backbone and tell your DH that your family -- meaning you, him and your kids -- need a holiday that is just you, this year. Leave town if you must, to get the in-laws off your backs.
If DH is such a mama's baby that he can't handle that, and puts his parents ahead of you and your children in his priorities: You and he have much bigger issues that last all year long, not just over the holidays.
If the in-laws are local, see them on your terms, not theirs. If they fuss and fume that you're not coming on ONE specific day or for ONE specific event, smile a huge smile and make sure you all see them at another time of your choosing, so they cannot ever say you "don't see us."
Take charge of your own time and your own happiness. If you can't discuss this rationally with your DH and can't get him to compromise, you and he need couples counseling. Like I said -- much bigger issues here than unpleasant holidays, if you suffer like this just to keep the peace with him.
This site is full of vents about holidays with in-laws. I'd like to see some of the people who post them take responsibility for themselves, stop venting, and start telling their spouses, "Not this year."