Significant Others for the Holidays

mathmom
Thu, 27 Dec 2012 17:32:10 +0000

I think that often, the question is “will this young couple spend the holiday with his family or her family?” Sometimes, there should be a third option – splitting up, with each spending time with his/her own family.

The things your grown child talks about with you are different depending on whether or not the significant other is present. People need both types of conversations.

I can’t imagine asking couples to split up so you can have alone time with your child. There’s plenty of ways to arrange this without uninviting a spouse or SO.

I’m of the more the merrier school and the for heaven’s sake be flexible school. For a few years, we made long drives to the parents alternating Thanksgiving and Christmas, and then like others upthread we put our foot down and began to host at least some of the celebrations. This year we had my sil and her son here, and will see my Mom and brother(s?) at New Years. We saw my Mom and that whole extended side of the family at Thanksgiving as well.

We no longer spend Christmas with the brother my Mom lives with now because we hate their bizarre Christmas rules. (Among them Christmas elves that gave presents before Christmas and only opening one present a day after Christmas till Twelfth Night.) I enjoy their Boxing Day party (sing carols one last time) and love their New Years Eve dance (great live band) so we just come afterwards now. With any luck they might even open our presents while we are there.