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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Christmas table controversy

463 replies

Tabbylady · 18/12/2016 17:47

We always spend christmas with my parents. Me and DH, our 2 DSs, Dsis and her family and DB and his. There are big age gaps between us siblings and therefore the cousins.

Since kids came on the scene they've been at a separate "kids" table for reasons of space and my parents being OTT about "mess" (plastic tablecloths, no alcohol, kids crackers etc)

My sister's daughter is much older than the other kids and has selflessly put up with this for years and we've always had a little private joke about how silly it is. She's nearly 22. This year, my DB (aged 40) split with his long term partner and is planning on bringing his new girlfriend, aged 25...

My DN was a bit Xmas Shock about all this, being quite close with DB, but has lost the plot about the ongoing table arrangements. I think she's probably projecting anger about other stuff onto this situation (loss of DBs partner who we all liked etc) but she is threatening not to come if new GF gets "treated like a grown up" while she's subjected to a boozeless christmas dinner with the little ones.

I am actually quite supportive of her- there must be a more inclusive way to do it all- and have said so to DPs who are having none of it. This silly thing is threatening a bit of a rift- me, DH, DSis and BIL and DN all on same side with the rest of them on the other. Suspect DBs new GF has no clue.

AIBU to support my DN in this admittedly a bit silly fuss? How would you resolve it?

OP posts:
EmpressOfTheSpartacusOceans · 19/12/2016 09:08

The mum could fix things so easily just by agreeing to mix up the tables. Maybe this will be the push that makes her agree to that.

Laiste · 19/12/2016 09:37

Meh. We reap what we sow. (re: posters who feel sorry for the mother).

The mother has dug her heels in and done it all her (weird) way for years and it's back firing now. She's learning the hard way sadly.

While we're waiting for an update ...
my situation is that i've got grown up DDs (18, 21 and 23) plus a toddler DD (2). I've hosted xmas every year since DD1 was born. Both the older 2DDs have long term BFs and now i've gained the 2 boyfriends for xmas day every year. Add husband, mum and an elderly aunt and now i find i'm up to catering for min of 9 adults + DD4 each year. I do find it quite stressful. It feels like only yesterday DDs were all tiny and it was so easy!

Eldest DD has her own home this year for the first time and I've been harboring sneeky thoughts about the year when DH and i are invited to one of the DDs homes for xmas day and i finally don't have to host ...

NOPE! My hopes are dashed! Three eldest were chatting together a few days ago about xmas and i over heard the conversation. It went thus:

DD2 to DD1: So, you doing xmas at your own house this year?

DD1: ... nah - i'm coming here as usual. BF can come if he wants again. Or he can go to his mums. I thought about doing my own xmas but i can't see me ever doing it. You lot'll be here and i'll miss you all and i don't want to cook!

DD2: Good. Yeah. I can't see me and BF doing anything except coming here even when i've got my own place to be honest.

DD3: Me neither. It'll be good if we all just keep coming here then. When we've all got kids everyone will be all together here for the day and it'll be nice. It's settled then

DD1 and DD2: Yep. Settled!

Me: (silently out of sight) Agggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

The OP MILs ''turning into a leather handbag abroad every year'' approach is sounding quite good to me! Grin Nice to know i'm doing something right though.

Blatherskite · 19/12/2016 09:49

Sis's solution undoes all your planning!!

TheEmmaDilemma · 19/12/2016 09:52

Can't wait to see what DM is going to say..

Tabbylady · 19/12/2016 10:44

Surprising response from DB, who is usually on DM's "side" in any dispute

He thinks it's a nice idea, will give DM a break and he has suggested it will be better for his DCs as it will save carting them around the country - they can stay at home for presents, XP can drop them for dinner and then he has offered to take DPs home in the evening, at which point XP can pop back, spend christmas night with the kids/us and take them home whenever time she feels is ready.

It will also give a "more relaxed" atmosphere for his new GF- AHA, that's why he's on board isn't it!

He has however offered to discuss with DM including telling her that "this will allow some 1:1 time so parents can get to know new GF." So I can't make fun of him too much...

OP posts:
Tabbylady · 19/12/2016 11:12

I don't know if anyone is still here, but oh christ. She's checked her emails.

OP posts:
Blatherskite · 19/12/2016 11:15

Ha ha! Love the picture :)

girlywhirly · 19/12/2016 11:18

Please let us know the response from DM!

anotherdayanothersquabble · 19/12/2016 11:27

What did she say??

DN 14 is a hilarious.

CheddarGorgeous · 19/12/2016 11:33

Of course we're still here! This thread is the only thing getting me through the day! Grin

CoraPirbright · 19/12/2016 11:34

Uh-oh that is one ominous picture. What's happening OP?!

BlackeyedSusan · 19/12/2016 11:36

well?

come on op has she replied?

Scribblegirl · 19/12/2016 11:37

Ooh great response from DB, even if it is a bit self-interested Grin

Go on... how's DM reacted?

(FWIW I am with the pretty much unanimous view of the thread that your DN is a saint and bloody well deserves to sit with the grown ups and have prosecco at 22 years old!)

Pipistrelle40 · 19/12/2016 11:39

Oh no got to go out. Will have to wait until i get home now to find out what has happened. Stomps off huffing n puffing.

xStefx · 19/12/2016 11:47

If I were your niece I would say "well then im not coming unless I can sit with the adults " your parents are out of order. You should tell them straight up.

girlywhirly · 19/12/2016 11:48

The more family members who support you the better.

It sounds to me that DM has OCD, for which she can get help. Otherwise she will be spending a lot of time at home, never visiting anyone for fear of unclean homes and lack of control.

If everyone else comes to yours for the lunch, I suppose you could all go to the DP'S later for a while.

I can't see a future for the rigid Christmas as it takes no account of the natural evolution of people growing up, new partners, moving away, new children, too many to fit around tables and taking no steps to rectify, and DN is right to raise the issue and be acknowledged as an adult.

storminabuttercup · 19/12/2016 11:59

Come on it's nearly an hour since you says she had checked her emails!!

Tabbylady · 19/12/2016 12:04

2 missed calls, garbled "why do you want to ruin christmas" voicemail and an all caps text demanding I phone immediately.

Going to take an early lunch and ring her back from the car. ..

OP posts:
DartmoorDoughnut · 19/12/2016 12:05

Oooo the drama!

Scribblegirl · 19/12/2016 12:06

God, she sounds exhausting. Sympathies OP! Flowers

ChristmasEvePJs · 19/12/2016 12:12

She sounds a tad unhinged.

NoCapes · 19/12/2016 12:14

To be fair, if I was meant to have a house full for Christmas, then a few days before it someone changed all the plans I'd be pretty stressed about it too, she'll have been planning for weeks
Be gentle with her OP

AQuietMind · 19/12/2016 12:29

Good luck op!

Ncbecauseitshard · 19/12/2016 12:31

Good luck.
Does sound like your brother is thinking of his kids as well as his girlfriend which helps a lot.

GenghisCalm · 19/12/2016 12:33

Good luck

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