My husband and I have always tried to keep the holidays as equal as possible with Thanksgiving & Christmas Eve with one side and Christmas Day with the other. We now have come across and extremely inconvenient and problematic situation. Since Christmases on my side have always been at Grandma's house (an hour and half away) that is where we do Christmas Eve, when it is our turn with them. My husband has to work at our church's Christmas Eve service until almost 7:00 p.m. then we are now expected to load up two kids (5 & 14 months) and take them out of town for approximately 2 hours to turn around and come back home for Christmas Day here. My aunt and uncle, who care for Grandma, won't budge and move the celebration to my house or my mom's here in town. What should we do?
2006-11-12 11:04:54 · 5 answers · asked by alicia0821 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Other - Holidays
When my kids were that young, a friend told me a rule that she had for her family: while the kids are young enough to believe in Santa, they would wake up in their own beds. Holy cow, did that change my life. We made that our rule, and Christmas has been peaceful and beautiful since. Our extended families schedule Christmas on different weekends because of this, OR they come spend Christmas Eve and morning at our house, and we travel Christmas afternoon. Quit the alternating business...too much of a hassle. MIL and mom were put out for a couple of years, but they dealt with it. Now, my kids are 11 and 13, not believing in Santa, but loving Christmas morning at OUR HOME.
2006-11-12 11:10:22 · answer #1 · answered by just browsin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the others that you should find out what your husband and older son prefer. When I was growing up, we laways had all the actual holidays at our houses and then did family gatherings either a few days before or after the holidays. It worked out well because then no one was put out over who to share the holidays with. Good luck to you all.
2006-11-12 20:43:22 · answer #2 · answered by favrtdtr 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell your family that you and your family will be celebrating the holidays at your place this year and that they are more than welcome to join them, but that you will not be traveling.
Then suggest getting together for dinner a couple of days after the holidays when things have calmed down a bit.
2006-11-12 19:08:38 · answer #3 · answered by t433_sd 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your first responsibility is to your family. That would be your husband and your children.
Loading up young children after a long day can't be any fun for them. Or you!
But also you can't expect everyone to change their plans to accomodate you.
I would let them know that y'all are staying home that night. And that they are more than welcome to join you. And if they don't, then let them know that you will think of them fondly as y'all are establishing your own holiday traditions.
2006-11-12 19:48:18 · answer #4 · answered by mrssamikeyp 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What does your husband think about this? You both need to come to an agreement about what is best for him (and you), then your children. Until you have come to an agreement and this question is completely answered, put all other parties out of your mind. Your most important people are your husband and then your children; for your husband, his most important people are you and your children. Period! Once you have discussed and answered this question, you will have the answer to all other questions.
2006-11-12 19:17:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋