My birthday is Dec 18 and DS's is Jan 2, with Christmas, obviously right in between
We have three "sets" of DS's first family that visit, and all want to come during the holidays and/or near his birthday.
One SIL + family moved to our area last year, and the other SIL + family are in the process of moving here, my parents and my brother and his DD all live here, and of course all want family get togethers at the holidays. And even if they could do without seeing me and DH, EVERYONE wants to see DS of course.
It was just me and DH for over a decade when we lived in another state away from both families, and we did what we wanted during the holidays. Sometimes that included traveling to see family, but not very often. Mostly it was just us, quietly, or we would get a mountain cabin or something, or eat dinner out instead of cooking.
Now that we have all these people around, and a much bigger family with DS and his first family, I feel stressed and crazy already! Any suggestions on having good holidays without ripping my hair out?
That's a tough one! My
That's a tough one! My husband and I already had that issue BEFORE we adopted! So, you can imagine...that issue quadupled in size when we adopted our little girl. What we do now is this: at Thanksgiving...we spend with my husband's family. The weekend after Thanksgiving, we set up visits with the birthfamilies and that becomes our special Holiday with them (Christmas presents exchanged, etc.). Christmas is spent with my family (which is a LOT bigger than my husband's family) and our friends. So far...this is working out great. No one is jealous about which Holiday they get...just they we are spending A holiday with them.
Good luck to you!
Oh, this is so familiar!
Oh, this is so familiar!
We've decided to institute visit-free days, and let everyone know what they are far in advance. We can then have people over or go see people on other days in a first call, first serve sort of fashion. But we will hold certain days 'sacred' for our family.
Now, we'll see how it works!
Please let me know how that
Please let me know how that goes over with your family. Sounds like a great idea to me!