Why my Thanksgiving will be no fun

[Zippa D Doodah]

OK... I love Thanksgiving, but I hav been dreading tomorrow long enough . DW, the little Doodahs, and I will drive four hours, eat lunch, and then drive four hours back home. Why would we do this, you ask? We are eating with the inlaws -and nobody (not even DW) enjoys spending much time with the the inlaws. This year we are "sacrificing" Thanksgiving so we can have a relaxed Christmas -yet still do our holiday "duty". I'll be going with a sunny attitude and a smile on my face, determined to make the best of things. Most of all I'll just try to be good support for DW and run interference for her because all this is more stressful for her than it is for little old me.

There... I feel better for having gotten that off my chest.

 

[Tinks]

Jusr remember: You're a good man for taking this holiday for the team. Christmas will be so much more relaxing!

 

[KristinBelle]

oooh what a bummer. Hope it goes by as quickly and painless as possible!

 

[GeorgeG]

I understand completely (been there, done that). I guess we all have to suck it up once in a while. I hope your Thanksgiving is a good one and your Christmas even better.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Better now than later. Taking one for the team.

 

[NMAmy]

, the little Doodahs

Oh, just keep thinking about this little phrase! That made me laugh right out loud.

Just one not so fun day means big fun at Christmas! I hope you have as good a day as possible. You all should reward yourselves with something fun this weekend.

 

[Mugg Mann]

Been there and done that, and it's definitely tough taking one for the team like that, but you'll be a lot happier for it come Christmas.

Reading the comment just above that highlighted the phrase "the little doodahs" made me think; If one of them grows up and marries a descendant of Doris Day, at future family reunions you'd have "All the Doodah-Day's" in the same room!!

 

[DaisyD]

We began a long time ago to start our own traditions. We do not travel on Christmas or Thanksgiving. We'd rather stay home and not have the hassle of driving anywhere. Anyone is more then welcome to come to our house because that is where we will be!

 

[roseprincess]

As the saying goes, you can choose your friends, not your family.
I know how it is to be with disfunctional family members. For us, both sides, my side of the family and DH's side. Tomorrow we are having Thanksgiving dinner at home, I , Dh, ds, and dd. Maybe hanging out on the DIS, too!

 

[EthansMom]

We began a long time ago to start our own traditions. We do not travel on Christmas or Thanksgiving. We'd rather stay home and not have the hassle of driving anywhere. Anyone is more then welcome to come to our house because that is where we will be!

That's what we started when DH and I first married, also. I'd always travelled to be with my family at the holidays. However, the first holidays DH and I were married, we stayed home and told everyone that they were more than welcome to join us for the holidays. Turns out no one wanted to travel over the holidays anymore than we did. We haven't flown or taken a road trip over any major holidays since.

We now live in the same small town as the ILs. Four of us couples, with all of the women stay-at-home. Can't get any of the other women to hostess a holiday meal to save my life. They all play a massive game of chicken, waiting for someone else to make and serve them dinner. This year, I'll be hostessing dinner on Christmas Eve. I refused to slave away for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Been there, done that.

OP, my sympathies go out to you and your family.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Maybe you don't want to be with them but it doesn't have to ruin your day. Here is my 2 cents on how I deal with willfully difficult people. Spend the time in your car reliving good family times instead of dreading your lunch. When you get there you can try what I do to people who REALLY annoy me, smile really big at them and gush the nicest hellos and compliments you can muster even if the situation doesn't deserve it Believe me, the harder someone tries to ignore me the nicer I get and it baffles some people to the point they forget to be rude and end up being polite even when they don't want to be Yeah, maybe its not sincere but I am not the sort of person who will allow someone else to govern my mood. Give it a try, in an odd way its empowering.

Before you know it you'll be on your way home and can try and enjoy the 4 hours with the people you like, reliving the looks on the in-laws faces when you confused them with kindness. When you are on your way home no-one will feel guilty and you can smile to yourself for getting control of the situation.

There is a reason for the saying "Kill them with kindness".

 

[ilovepcot]

Maybe you don't want to be with them but it doesn't have to ruin your day. Here is my 2 cents on how I deal with willfully difficult people. Spend the time in your car reliving good family times instead of dreading your lunch. When you get there you can try what I do to people who REALLY annoy me, smile really big at them and gush the nicest hellos and compliments you can muster even if the situation doesn't deserve it Believe me, the harder someone tries to ignore me the nicer I get and it baffles some people to the point they forget to be rude and end up being polite even when they don't want to be Yeah, maybe its not sincere but I am not the sort of person who will allow someone else to govern my mood. Give it a try, in an odd way its empowering.

Before you know it you'll be on your way home and can try and enjoy the 4 hours with the people you like, reliving the looks on the in-laws faces when you confused them with kindness. When you are on your way home no-one will feel guilty and you can smile to yourself for getting control of the situation.

There is a reason for the saying "Kill them with kindness".

I like this! And I have to agree with another poster...the "little doodahs" is funny!

 

[HOGFAN]

I too will be spending the day with relations I do not care to spend time with.

 

[Evil Genius]

You are a great husband for doing this. Just keep thinking how wonderful Christmas is going to be.

"Little Doodahs"

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I have had a revelation! I will put a nice bottle of White Zinfandel in the fridge and enjoy when we get back home tomorrow night.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Hugs! I feel for you. We have to spend time with family that I honestly LOATHE and I can't get out of it since my parents house is only 1 mile away. Sigh....

Gosh, maybe you will wake up tomorrow and the car won't start...