I am at a standby as to what to do about Christmas. Tradition has it that we have breakfast with our parents (lots of food), lunch at my hubby's parents and supper at my Aunt's which is an hour away.
Anyway, last year's Christmas was horrible for me - I was ready to be hospitalized with postpartum depression so I was in really bad shape. John picked fights with me that day and it was the worst. I felt so horrible on the way home I just cried. It was awful.
So this year, we're expected to do the same darn thing. Big breakfast, huge lunch and huge supper. I don't have a problem with the meals, but I do have a problem with cramming it all into one day! We don't get much time with either family, the kids need a nap and if they don't get it they're miserable.
So if we leave lunch early for naptime, we hardly see John's family. But at least the kids are happy for my Aunt's. If we stay longer, and skip the nap, they are miserable at my Aunt's.
It's a really big day for a 3 year old and a 1 year old. They will be exhausted by the end of the day and they do not travel the hour home very well when they're worn out. You'd think they'd sleep but no.
So if I make everybody and do what's expected of me, I have a miserable day because the kids are miserable. So I tried to change things a bit this year. I asked if we could skip the breakfast since we see both sets of parents that day anyway. My Dad might be hurt. I even tried and offered my HOUSE for my hubby's family to use for Christmas. It's tons bigger, with two huge farm tables that will easily seat 24 people (we eat off the floor at hubby's family farm), and a huge kitchen. My house would hold more people much more comfortably, and my babies could have their nap. Much to my hurt feelings, after they accepted my offer, they turned around and decided to hold it at the farm.
So if we go to my hubby's family, that's great, but they're hurt because we have to leave. So if we don't go to my Aunt's she'll be hurt. My Aunt is kinda in lunar orbit and doesn't really understand much anymore. I tried asking my Mother if she'd go for Christmas on another day and she said absolutely not. I'm trying desperately to sort this out but it's driving me nuts. No matter what I do I hit a brick wall and I'll have another nutty Christmas.
So what do I do now? Shut up and have another miserable holiday? I broached the subject with hubby and he couldn't understand my logic from the other options and how if would make anything any better. So I'm really on my own on this.
Advice?
-------------------- Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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