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Rate Your Holiday Season
Our plans for the Holiday season are definitely different from many, (we don't take time off for it), however I have to say that my plans were thrown out the window. We had intended to continue with school, especially since our holiday is reserved during a time of year that everyone else is in school, but that just didn't seem to work.
My 24 year old son happened to get 5 straight days off work, totally awesome and he stayed with us the entire time. Love to have him, but school just isn't practical when he's here. Things are loud, lots of wresting, in fact he and his twin broke the bedroom window (resulting in stitches!!!) Good times, we all laughed at how many windows used to break when they both lived at home, and my son piped up, "Except nobody ever got hurt!" Good times, for sure!
Well the second week a friend needed someone to care for her daughter who was off school and she had to work so we re-scheduled to accommodate, then it turned out the neighbor could help out and my kids weren't hearing anything about doing school anyway (they had plans to play games all week!!)
My mom visited for 16 days right before the start of the holiday so in reality my kids got 5 weeks off from school, with an academic field trip to the tide pools one day while my mom was here!
So much for plans! How about you guys?
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I like the idea of not having plans for the holidays. I have memories as a young mother and wife when I was first entering this so-called adult world. I made plans for just about everything. And every time they clashed with someone elses!
As you may guess there were lots of frustrated feelings in those days. I could really relate to holiday stress.
But gradually the plans got easier and easier to let go. Till one day I found that plans were not needed at all...
Of course it doesn't hurt that now I am Grandma and I can pay a surprise visit. It certainly is nice to have grandchildren and children who will re-arrange their routines for those of us who choose to not have plans.
So this grandma says out with the old "plans" and in with spontaneous fun.
Catch me if you can has become my motto!
But I do love to be caught, especially by those I love.
How about it everyone? Are you ready for the fun of being spontaneous?
Happy New Year!
P.S. By the way my Holiday was a Five St
Sally Stoneking
http://www.nature-and-flower-pictures.com
I too came from big families. I was the first grandchild on one side and 2nd on another, but I had cousins being born constantly so it was never such a big deal to be one place or another for the holidays. That's why my husband's family bewilders me.
I don't know when another grandbaby will be born (besides my baby). My BIL and SIL don't seem to be in any hurry whatsoever and the other BIL is recently divorced with no kids--although he is dating again and it seems serious. It'd be perfect if someone would be having one by next Christmas!
I just wanted to share that when I was younger I was one of many grandchildren, but there was one thing that was very obvious. My grandparents placed a high demand on my mom to always bring us kids around, then my cousin was born and we no longer existed. Funny thing!
They still loved us, but the new demand was now on the new grandchild. You are safe in thinking that once more grandchildren are born your burden will be lifted, especially if they live closer. Grin
It's funny how things work. I think you are wise to not make such a stressful trip while the new baby is little. There is enough going on with a new baby to not add the stress of dramatic holiday travel.
I just wanted to share that when I was younger I was one of many grandchildren, but there was one thing that was very obvious. My grandparents placed a high demand on my mom to always bring us kids around, then my cousin was born and we no longer existed. Funny thing!
They still loved us, but the new demand was now on the new grandchild. You are safe in thinking that once more grandchildren are born your burden will be lifted, especially if they live closer. Grin
It's funny how things work. I think you are wise to not make such a stressful trip while the new baby is little. There is enough going on with a new baby to not add the stress of dramatic holiday travel.
Mikki Hogan
Publisher of UniqueParenting.com
Our Christmas holiday was fabulous, that's why I put a 5-star...However, Thanksgiving was decidedly unhappy. The problem is that my IL's make the holiday about them, instead of about the kids. Aiden and my husband's cousins 2 boys who were 9 and 14 are the only kids there. There is one place for them to play in my MIL's house...the playroom, which is located upstairs. But she barred them from upstairs because she heard them jumping up there or something. So they were forced downstairs for the day where people are cooking and the rest of the group is crowded into the living room. The result was that Aiden kept getting underfoot in the kitchen and getting yelled at...I don't know where else they expected him to go! There are no toys and outside wasn't fun for long because it was only 20 degrees out. The kids hate it, our generation hates it--because she has a thing where she insists that our generation does all the dishes (as well as helping to prepare the dinner) and insists on using fine china that has to be hand washed. There are over 20 people at this gathering, so you can imagine the number of plates there are to wash. Combine that with the fact that the older boys were looking forward to going to a movie, but their parents were being forced to wash dishes and almost couldn't take them (I made them go--told them I'd do the dishes for them)...and I get mad b/c my 2 BIL's (who have no kids)slink off after dinner and disappear and then all the people who are doing dishes are the people who have married in to the family (except for my hubby who knows I'd be livid if he left me with the dishes alone). Needless to say, it's not relaxing and after driving for 2 days to get there and facing a 2 day drive home...We hate it.
Thankfully, we alternate our holidays with family. One year we'll spend Thanksgiving with my hubby's side and Christmas with my side, and then we switch. This worked fine before kids, but Aiden (as I've said before here) never traveled well. It has become much easier now that he's 3, but we've decided that we aren't doing the long trip with 2 kids next year...When the baby is 3, we'll probably travel again, but until then we're going to make it clear that hubby's family is welcome at our house for their holiday, but we just don't want to travel with a really little baby. If they choose to come, great, and if they can't make it, we completely understand. Unfortunately, because of who they are, this is going to cause a lot of anger on their part and frustration on ours...but it's just how it's going to have to be, I suppose.
Christmas was a much better affair. We took our time opening presents and enjoying the morning in our own home. Then we packed up and headed to my parents who are about an hour and a half away. We showed up at my parents house for a laid-back dinner. There is a playroom upstairs packed with toys that my mom never got rid of and he entertains himself with those. He can be a boy and no one gets mad at him or scolds him. We go by my brother and SIL's house on our way home. They decided years ago that they weren't leaving the house on Christmas. Our family understands and completely respects their decision. There were no fights or hurt feelings, it's just how it is...
I'm learning how to deal...I do feel like we are the only ones who give...But that will change...Hopefully things will get better as more grandchildren are born into the family--The biggest thing is they want Aiden in their home...So hopefully when they have more grandchildren it won't be as big of a deal if we're in their home or not...That's my hope
Our holiday's are usually catch and go! We just sort of go with it, and if we miss something we give our apologies. The holiday is busy enough without trying to keep to my own plans, besides I don't think anyone else will change theirs, so might as well just go with it.
That is too funny. And since it will be a new grand baby they will certainly have plenty to be excited about! Well, congrats to them!
Mikki Hogan
Publisher of UniqueParenting.com
so this is funny...Last night my hubby's brother called with the happy news that they're pregnant! I guess sometimes God is working things out before I need to even start worrying about them. With their new baby being there for Christmas this coming year, there might only be a dull roar over our not making the trip out there.
I too came from big families. I was the first grandchild on one side and 2nd on another, but I had cousins being born constantly so it was never such a big deal to be one place or another for the holidays. That's why my husband's family bewilders me.
I don't know when another grandbaby will be born (besides my baby). My BIL and SIL don't seem to be in any hurry whatsoever and the other BIL is recently divorced with no kids--although he is dating again and it seems serious. It'd be perfect if someone would be having one by next Christmas!
I just wanted to share that when I was younger I was one of many grandchildren, but there was one thing that was very obvious. My grandparents placed a high demand on my mom to always bring us kids around, then my cousin was born and we no longer existed. Funny thing!
They still loved us, but the new demand was now on the new grandchild. You are safe in thinking that once more grandchildren are born your burden will be lifted, especially if they live closer. Grin
It's funny how things work. I think you are wise to not make such a stressful trip while the new baby is little. There is enough going on with a new baby to not add the stress of dramatic holiday travel.
Mikki Hogan
Publisher of UniqueParenting.com
Our Christmas holiday was fabulous, that's why I put a 5-star...However, Thanksgiving was decidedly unhappy. The problem is that my IL's make the holiday about them, instead of about the kids. Aiden and my husband's cousins 2 boys who were 9 and 14 are the only kids there. There is one place for them to play in my MIL's house...the playroom, which is located upstairs. But she barred them from upstairs because she heard them jumping up there or something. So they were forced downstairs for the day where people are cooking and the rest of the group is crowded into the living room. The result was that Aiden kept getting underfoot in the kitchen and getting yelled at...I don't know where else they expected him to go! There are no toys and outside wasn't fun for long because it was only 20 degrees out. The kids hate it, our generation hates it--because she has a thing where she insists that our generation does all the dishes (as well as helping to prepare the dinner) and insists on using fine china that has to be hand washed. There are over 20 people at this gathering, so you can imagine the number of plates there are to wash. Combine that with the fact that the older boys were looking forward to going to a movie, but their parents were being forced to wash dishes and almost couldn't take them (I made them go--told them I'd do the dishes for them)...and I get mad b/c my 2 BIL's (who have no kids)slink off after dinner and disappear and then all the people who are doing dishes are the people who have married in to the family (except for my hubby who knows I'd be livid if he left me with the dishes alone). Needless to say, it's not relaxing and after driving for 2 days to get there and facing a 2 day drive home...We hate it.
Thankfully, we alternate our holidays with family. One year we'll spend Thanksgiving with my hubby's side and Christmas with my side, and then we switch. This worked fine before kids, but Aiden (as I've said before here) never traveled well. It has become much easier now that he's 3, but we've decided that we aren't doing the long trip with 2 kids next year...When the baby is 3, we'll probably travel again, but until then we're going to make it clear that hubby's family is welcome at our house for their holiday, but we just don't want to travel with a really little baby. If they choose to come, great, and if they can't make it, we completely understand. Unfortunately, because of who they are, this is going to cause a lot of anger on their part and frustration on ours...but it's just how it's going to have to be, I suppose.
Christmas was a much better affair. We took our time opening presents and enjoying the morning in our own home. Then we packed up and headed to my parents who are about an hour and a half away. We showed up at my parents house for a laid-back dinner. There is a playroom upstairs packed with toys that my mom never got rid of and he entertains himself with those. He can be a boy and no one gets mad at him or scolds him. We go by my brother and SIL's house on our way home. They decided years ago that they weren't leaving the house on Christmas. Our family understands and completely respects their decision. There were no fights or hurt feelings, it's just how it is...
I'm learning how to deal...I do feel like we are the only ones who give...But that will change...Hopefully things will get better as more grandchildren are born into the family--The biggest thing is they want Aiden in their home...So hopefully when they have more grandchildren it won't be as big of a deal if we're in their home or not...That's my hope