'tis the season to be jolly....

[Mamaduke]

I posted this vent on another forum and thought you ladies might want to have a read....

Here we go again.
Christmas is coming and please don't get me wrong, since having the kids Christmas has regained all of it's fun and excitement that it had when I was a child, but it's the dreaded trip to the in laws which has me feeling like a vent!
Every year it's the same thing - Christmas Eve is spent at one of the family members' houses. A couple of years ago our son fell as he got out of the bath and split his lip, DH called and said we were running late because we couldn't stop the bleeding - laughter was all he got from the other end!!!
When we got there everyone was waiting impatiently to begin the yearly ritual of 'funny ha ha' Christmas (no one else in the family knows my name for it)
This is when you buy something for a selected member of the family, and it must be funny. These are not funny people. I got a toy iron because I don't like ironing (hilarious I know) the next year I got a can of Preen (ohhh it just gets funnier!)
Also the table is always set with about 20 lit candles and lollies at my children's height - one year DS took a bite of a chocolate only to realise he didn't want it. He then went to give it to his grandfather (Monty Burns) who wouldn't eat it because DS had taken a bite out of it! I assured him that he'd had all of his shots!
Then comes the riveting part of the evening...
SIL (the Ice princess) and her husband (the toad) do a skit! Yes, my toddlers are told to be quiet while we listen to a story that the princess and the toad have written about Christmas - can't really remember what the last one was about but I did hear 'elves' and I know it went for about 20 minutes!
Then we have the congratulatory speeches by Monty Burns on what wonderful writers the princess and the toad are and how lucky we are to have two such gifted people in our family!
Then we all gather around and marvel at the princess and toad's other amazing creation - their c*cker spaniel.
Well isn't he just fabulous (you know he writes cards to 'Grandma' and 'Grandpa')...he is their baby!
When it comes time to eat something my kids are placed at the other end of the table to me with all sorts of plastic sheeting under them...while that marvelous little creature (the c*cker spaniel) is licking the plates in the dishwasher!!!!
All the fun and frivolity over, we then have to turn up again on Christmas Day after having lunch with my family!
My family isn't perfect but the one thing that happens is...the babies of the family are everything!
We leave a place where our kids are centre of attention to go to 'the bunker'.
Everything is always 'picture perfect' but no no no no don't touch...
One year we walked in and everyone virtually ignored us - ignore me okay, but ignore my kids - bye bye!
DH went over to Monty to tell him that our kids were there and Monty replied "I'll go to them in my own time" WHAT THE....
Then comes present time...the kids get great presents and the camera comes out to take the 'happy snaps' but let's see how far we can shove mum out of the picture - these kids will grow up and think I never spent Christmas at Grandma's with them!
Then comes my present...oh make sure all of the adults are seated at the table with full attention on me...open it up - thanks, it's a pair of leopard print pj's, oh and thanks size 28!!!
(that year was really hurtful, after I'd spent alot of time trying to find a book I'd heard 'smother-in-law' mention that she wanted)
Hurt has now turned to hate...
I love my DH to death but how can I be expected to endure this 'holiday hell' every year - & I can't even say "well, they're great with the kids"
AAAAAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHH

[cobysmummy]

oh my god!! i feel for you... i really do!
they do a skit?? i though that was funny.... :)
i will be thinking of u on xmas eve....

my xmas wont be that bad... my family here at xmas eve... like 50 of us!! and xmas day at my bfs parents with like 10 of us... bit quieter!

then 28th we fly to hamilton island for 10 days!! :D but no bubhub??? :eek: what am i going to do?? :confused:

[Biene]

You poor thing, that just sounds so painful to me, I wouldn't want to go either, reminds me of something you'd see in the movie like 'Meet The Fockers'!

Maybe you could create your own Xmas ritual, like spending Xmas Eve at your place and inviting the in-laws and your family over, or perhaps you can suggest that since you spend every Xmas Eve with the in-laws you'd like to split it up and go one year to the in-laws and one year to your parents.

Good luck, I hope it all turns out well for you :)

[brooke]

you poor thing.. dont you just love in laws....??? :p NOT!

They can be painful but your sound a bit extreme... gave me a giggle but... :D

I guess you have to try and see the funny side or you might just go insane!

The skit thing is a crack up.. i cant believe they do that! insane!
What does your DH say about all of this???

I have to admit Mr Leo (or dog) write on the cards... but i'll admit i am a bit weird!

Good luck.. I think you may need it!
I feel for you though because being at inlaws house is so draining!

[Rainbowbrite]

You poor thing. I also cant believe adults do a skit. Kids I could understand.

Makes me glad my in-laws moved to QLD :)

RB

[nemosmum]

OMG too funny!!!

Sorry I know this is serious lol but OMG that is too funny :D oh hang on I just said that hehehe :p

Your smother in law sounds like my wanna be mother in law (FIL's live in lady firend) the dog is a bit wierd too at least my FIL is very doting on DS but he is a very big tight *** lol so I guess it evens out!

My advice put your foot down and have chrissy eve at your place and chrissy day at your parents and squeeze the inlaws in when you can (maybe they'll get the message) Im doing that this year and DH doesnt mind coz he doesnt want to spend chrissy with wanna be mother in laws family anyway( as FIL wants to play happy families the new Brady Bunch NOT!)

[veve]

Then comes my present...oh make sure all of the adults are seated at the table with full attention on me...open it up - thanks, it's a pair of leopard print pj's, oh and thanks size 28!!!
(that year was really hurtful, after I'd spent alot of time trying to find a book I'd heard 'smother-in-law' mention that she wanted)AAAAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHH

oh dear - sorry to say that you made me laugh too!!!

you DO have my sympathy though... what about boycotting it one year??? take the kids to a resort instead :D

your pjs story reminded me of the clothes that my grandmother got me last year - she said - and I quote ' I tried them on in the dressing room- and they were big on me.. so I figured they would fit you' - I could have said some very naughty words!!!

aren't family members wonderful!!! such a boost to your self-esteem!!!!

xx

[WeThree]

omg i didnt know whether to laugh or cry at your story. i dont really know what to tell you, i mean it would be all we ll and good for me to say 'well tell them just to shove it' cause i know it is definetly not that easy. although my family is by know means as bad as you inlaws i am having some issues this yr about where to spend xmas etc, dh and i would just love to have it here and have people come to us,(for once) seeing as we are the only ones with kids, we are the only ones currently without a car, and its not like my mums is just down the road or anything and my mums place on xmas day really isnt the best place for kids, to many things they can knock over and break and my sister or somebody always telling them 'stop that ,be quiet blah blah' so over it!!!! like you said xmas is supposed to be about your kids, maybe it IS time you made a stand and said your not going, come one we'll do it together:D

[meshan]

I have an idea. This year you do a skit - about just what you have described. Call it 'Our family Christmas' - you can be your MIL your husband can be Monty and the kids can be themselves. Maybe if they are shown how stupid they are they might change.