BellaOnline Forums Relationships Married No Kids Holidays and little kids-how do you deal?

Well, it's almost that time of year. When you get to visit loved ones, eat good food, relax by the fire, listen to children screaming...wait a second, that doesn't sound fun at all! I must admit, I am considering faking the flu this year so I don't have to visit my bf's family. Last year there were 7 kids under the age of 8 there, not well-behaved, and I had to get drunk just to deal with it. So they think I'm a lush now, lol!! And the one mom that was there breastfed her 2 1/2 year old at the Christmas dinner table! I felt like asking my bf if he needed cream in his coffee! haha! Anyway, I don't how I'm going to deal with it this year. If that kid is still breastfeeding, oh man... I'll need to dip into the Vicodin... <img src="/images/graemlins/beamedup.gif" alt="" />

It's usually not the kids that bother me, but the constant conversations about the kids. I remember one Thanksgiving when I was single and most of my cousins were married with kids - they talked for hours about mind numbing stuff, like each child's, shall we say, diaper habits. I was completely disgusted and bored and left the room to go watch football with my father, uncles, and male cousins. I hate football, but prefered it to the female conversation. Thanksgiving tends to be segregated by sex in my family. Gee, I wonder why.

This year I'll be there with my DH, so I'll talk with him, or maybe we'll bore everyone by talking about our travels and adventures!

Galaxy, maybe the kids have matured and will be better behaved. Well, one can hope!

"Holidays and little kids-how do you deal?"

I usually roast them over an open fire. <img src="/images/graemlins/devil.gif" alt="" />



In my extended family, the customary practice is for everyone to gather for the meal -- grownups at one table, kids at another table in a separate room. An older child watches the younger ones and makes sure they stay quiet. In addition, children are not allowed to stay up late, and grownups use this time to catch up with one another. In a daytime, non meal situation, children are sent outside to play, or if it's a blizzard or something, they are sent to a room to play and leave the adults alone.

Now, this was all what happened when I was a kid. I haven't seen my extended family in ages, and I don't usually go to holiday parties. I see my mother and adult sister, and that's about it.

This one should be especially awkward, to say the least. Husband called his parents and told them all about his recent vasectomy (why, I don't know!). He and his brother are adopted, as his parents weren't able to have children on their own. So I'm a tad bit nervous, even though we've always gotten along. I just hope they don't feel I 'put him up to it.' as he's wanted to do this for years.

As for the children, I vascillate between enjoying them and wanting to run screaming out of the house. His brother has SIX of them. By the end of the day, I love the quiet and the fact we are childfree.

Galaxy, I used to employ wine to deal with DH's step-mother - it helped immensely!

As for the kids, I generally enjoy them for a while and then am really glad to get back to my quiet bubble of life. Growing up, our family always did the adult table/kid table thing - since I was the oldest grandchild, it was me who was "in charge" of the kiddie table. I was also the only one who was remotely tolerant of the youngest cousin (I was 16 when she was born) and so we spent a lot of time together. Our tradition included breaking out the construction paper before dinner (while the side dishes were still cooking) and making a Thanksgiving cut-out picture/collage thing. It kept her busy while the adults were prepping the food, and I didn't mind at all. She and I are still close because of the things we did together on holidays.

Thankfully, I was the youngest growing up, so everyone had to deal with me, and all I did was hang out with the guys and watch football. I love football. Now, with my sister's 5 and my brother's 2, I'm surprised it isn't too bad. But my sister doesn't take much shananigans(??). Now we only do Christmas with the all the kids around. And I like that. they are all getting older now, so it's fun to watch their reactions to gifts. The looks are hysterical. But it's sssssooooooooo nice when everyone leaves and my hubby and I can sit and chat with my mom. She's the inn for us during the holidays. There aren't any crumbsnatchers on my hubby's side yet. He was the oldest and they all just got married within the last year. It's only a matter of time. Yikes. But I will agree, a bottle of wine nearby makes it a little more enjoyable!

Boxed wine. Works every time <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Seriously, before the festivities begin I show up at my Mom's early and she and I proceed to get rather toasty before the screaming hoardes arrive. It's the only way we can deal with family.

Thankfully, my in-laws were baby-busters and only had two...and my sister-in-law is childless. The real trouble comes in when I remember that my sister-in-law is a psychotic first grade teacher that won't shut up about her kids, and because they are her only means of socializing, TALKS like her kids. (High pitched voice, stupid inflections, whiney, grumpy, and a few decibles too loud.)

I think I'll get a 'headache' or something and stay in our room.

Usually I just lurk around. Thought I would post.
How do I deal with the kids? Hmmmm...I keep telling myself that this too shall pass, and watch alot football until it is time to go home. This year DH and I will be taking our 5 month old puppy to his parents house. That will be interesting. She has TONS of energy too. Forget the kids this year. I have a feeling this year DH and I will have our revenge. HEE HEE.

Well, I'm avoiding the entire complexity of the situation and just not going at all!

My husband and I have decided to take his dad out to Steak 'N Ale, I've made reservations for 2 o'clock. My poor mom, who is my best freind, is BEGGING me to come, but I refuse. I'm just not going to subject myself to yet another pain-in-the-a ss family get together - Thanksgiving or not. I have done it with mom for the past three years and just can't tolerate it another year. I told her last year that this year we were going out to dinner and her and dad were welcome. I still am going to help her cook some stuff on Wednesday and will do anything she wants me to in preperation...but I will be dining quietly and peacefully with my husband and his dad.

My SIL's boys are unBEARable and I will NOT miss the little whining -------'s!!

Hail to Steak 'N Ale!!!!

Fire