How do I face the family reunion..

[SmileyBJ]

Each year at Easter we have a family reunion for our relatives along the east coast. I already know that the families I am going to see do not agree with my pregnancy & never liked my Ex.

However they do not know as yet that bubs dad has left and doesnt want to be envolved whatsoever, let alone already engaged to another chick... I have no idea what Im going to say to everyone and I Know that I will be interigated and put down for the entire holiday... :( In there opinion it will be "How on earth could I have made all this happen, its all my fault etc..."

Im feeling really awkward as to even turn up or not...Its an 8 hour drive away :rolleyes: Usually I would not care whatsoever what they thought...and thats easy for me to do while living so far away... But having a whole family against you for the whole of Easter aint going to be fun...

Any suggestions??

[lovingmotheract]

you have family reunions WOW my family don't even talk but what i would do is when everyone is there just say "can i get everyones to look this way please, now i have put on pounds but it's ok as i'm having a baby"

and see what they will say then.

[ideamum]

Try not to listen. Go and then if anyone starts up just say "clearly you dont want me here just to spend time with me, at a nice family time together so i can just as easily drive back home..." If they say no we just care about you or something say "well if you cared about me you would stop talking about me and my pregnancy in a negative way"

But be ready to carry through with it if they stay being jerks..

Actually leave they want to spoil uyour easter so spoil theres

[SmileyBJ]

Lol we have a whole of 10 people including cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents...the rest don't talk to each other :p

They already know im pregnant... thats how I know there so against it, cause ive already been getting flak for 5months...

[Mahjong]

Maybe not go? If it going to be stressful for you, it's not good for your baby or yourself. There's no point driving 8 hours away to have a weekend where you are uncomfortable and no one is supportive of you. Not my idea of a good time.

[OneNowOneLater]

Personally, i wouldnt go. When i was preg, my family gave me a hard time too. With the situation i was in though, i cut them all off. My dd and i didnt need that sort of stress. Now i'm happier for it too

[juzzy]

I just wouldnt go.

There is no way i would want to be berated for the whole Holiday. It is very stressful situation to put both yourself and your baby in.

[Qube]

I wouldn't go, not worth the stress. :hugs::hugs:

[Freya]

I would go, hold your head up high knowing that you are doing a great job.

If anyone says anything I would say that it is none of their business and to stop making judgements when they should be proud.

This is what I did when I went up to my strict catholic grandmothers house to see family.

Good luck.:hugs:

[rjsmummy]

I'm divided on this one (I know that doesn't help hey!). If it wasn't an 8 hour drive each way, I'd say suck it in, be strong and just tell them you're old enough to make your decisions and don't need them ruining what is traditionally a lovely family break.

But... if it does all go pear shaped it's not as simple as jumping back in the car for a short trip home (trust me, 8 hours is a very long drive and when pregnant and stressed, I wouldn't advise it!!)

Maybe it would be better to avoid the confrontation this year and then show up with a baby next year :yes: The presence of a baby usually diffuses the situation as they all oooh and ahhh of him/her :p

Good luck (and happy Easter either way :flowerz:)

[mumx3littlies]

I would go, hold your head up high knowing that you are doing a great job.

If anyone says anything I would say that it is none of their business and to stop making judgements when they should be proud.

This is what I did when I went up to my strict catholic grandmothers house to see family.

Good luck.:hugs:
:iagree: go in there, hold your head up high and choose to ignore any comments that are made that are unecessary. In saying that seeing that its an 8 hour drive I dunno if I wud even go:confused:

[kittykatz]

:hugs: I know how stressful family occasions can be. Don't go if it will upset you too much.

But as for your pregnancy, hold your head up high. A pregnancy is something to be celebrated and if it were me i would walk around with my head up high, a look of peaceful bliss on my face and rubbing my pregnant belly.

Is there a relative you do get on with. I would stick to them like glue (because i'm a sook!)

[Noah_and_Elijah]

Are you proud of your baby?

Are you proud of how far you've come despite the lack of support from your ex?

If so, don't let ANYONE, especially your family make you feel inferior for the choices that you have made. Everyone is always going to have an opinion and criticise but it's how YOU handle that criticism that will show them just how strong and mature you really are! :yes:

All the best. :hugs:

[M O P]

just go-
with your head held high!

let people think what they like

[SmileyBJ]

Thanks for all the advice... I will be going to the reunion... I may also even take a tent, so if things turn sour I'll pitch a tent on the other side of the caravan park or rent my own cabin lol :p

Im going with mum so we can share the driving and im sure she will stick up against there remarks to a certain extent. & I'll try to keep distracted as much as possible...its actually a lovely place to holiday, one of my favourite holiday spots...so it should be a nice getaway besides what the family do and say to me...

[V8]

Good for you, it's none of their business what you do, they should just be polite. I hope you are able to enjoy it despite your reservations. :flowerz:

[blissfullybonkers]

if they say anything just remind them, a child is a blessing no matter how they come into this world eg one parent, 2 parents, ss parents, ivf, natural, egg donor etc...:ecomcity:.(so many ppl cant have kids so be very proud that you can!) and they wont be raising it so why should they have a problem!!

[Lastcenturymum]

I know everyone is entitled to an opinion, but if they think they can get away with expressing negatives to your face.
Im sure they have all done things they would rather have turned out differently in their lives (meaning your ex, not bub)

I think if anything negative is said, speak up and tell em if they can't find something positive to say, don't say it. Family are to encourage and support, not be destructive. Hope you can have some relaxing time.

[MummaBear03]

Sorry, I don't have any advice for you. I don't go to family reunions anymore since they end with someone in the hospital. Last one I went to, my uncle threw a glass alcohol bottle at my father's head, it missed him and hit the wall behind but the glass embedded in his head. It was deserved, but not something I'd like to be to. Similar things happen at each one, it just differs which family member is throwing things at another.

You are very young and very brave and sound like you have the support of your mother at least. It's good that you feel you can go, and fantastic that you have a back-up plan in case things turn sour. Just remember you don't have to put up with it, and whatever they say don't take it to heart. :hugs: have fun! :flowerz: