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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:
Scribblegirl · 20/12/2016 09:16

Oh I love a happy ending! Well done OP Grin

Now get prepping those sprouts - you've only got 5 days to go!!

DartmoorDoughnut · 20/12/2016 09:16

Yay a massive fun family Christmas!! Hopefully your mum will relax and enjoy herself now she's not hosting or having to worry about breakages/mess

WanderingNotLost · 20/12/2016 09:21

Oh, Tabby this thread has made my morning! Xmas Grin

Rrross1ges · 20/12/2016 09:23

Oh so you've been perched on the kiddy table every Christmas with DN. Were you only allowed off it when you had your own children? Wink

YellowCrocus · 20/12/2016 09:35

I love this thread! People put up with unsatisfactory situations far too often, well done for taking the bull by the horns! Your new plans sound wonderful. Have a great day!

SnugglySnerd · 20/12/2016 10:14

That's great news, they will enjoy seeing the children open their presents. Hope you all have a wonderful time.

SparklyMagpie · 20/12/2016 10:25

Aww fantastic! That's great news ! And tbh I couldn't see DM & DF turning up so what a surprise and lovely they want to stay the night before

Good luck with it all OP and I hope you all have such a wonderful day, especially DN Grin

ShowMeTheElf · 20/12/2016 10:32

Congrats and seasonal felicitations on getting a happy result for all. I'm sure that your Mum will enjoy herself once she gets used to the change.

...I have to ask though, for completeness....before DN was born, were you made to sit at the children's table alone or were you allowed to sit at the mahogany table with the rest of your family?

ChasedByBees · 20/12/2016 10:38

Glad there's a change because this is too sad:

Littlest one: "does that mean we can pull our crackers with you and mum this year?"

honeysucklejasmine · 20/12/2016 10:51

Bravo Tabby, well done for forcing a change.

MrsJayy · 20/12/2016 11:04

Just read your update what a hoha did lol @ mummy gollum Grin I hope you all have a lovely Christmas and your neice gets suitibley tipsy

GinAndTeaForMe · 20/12/2016 11:08

Have a lovely Christmas OP.

TheQueenSnortsAvocados · 20/12/2016 11:11

and a Jane Austen quote!

Falalalafffffffttt · 20/12/2016 11:31

I've been lurking on this thread and am so chuffed at the outcome. Nothing like a satisfactorily harmonious (we hope) resolution through diplomacy and assertiveness. And it sounds like it will be a really lovely day OP! Can we come to yours too?
I'll be thinking of your lovely oak table groaning with food surrounded by all ages!

WhereYouLeftIt · 20/12/2016 11:38

Great result! It's even possible your mum might enjoy it more, given that there will be mess but it won't be mess at her house - she can return to her unchaotic house afterwards. I sense the start of a new tradition ...

Lessthanaballpark · 20/12/2016 11:49

Excellent news! Let's hope that DM gets sloshed and eases up a bit.

That DN relishes her bottle of Prosecco and that XP has a lovely meal with her parents and later with you and doesn't feel too lonely during her part-childless Christmas.

That the cats are happy and that your DC enjoy pulling open their Christmas crackers with their parents!

Oh and that DB new GF one day finds out that her arrival in the family has ushered in a new era of family Christmases!

Bravo OP! Xmas Grin

Eaglesandbeagles · 20/12/2016 11:56

Another idea. If Dbrothers kids are with their mum Boxing Day can you all have a Boxing Day Christmas dinner at hers/at yours with her and the kids invited? We sometimes do a thing called tree presents in my exes family where you get a small present on Boxing Day. I don't know the rules on the presents but I think it was because my exes parents were split up so it made for two Christmas days (one with each parent). You can have DN at the adult table and no worries about "mess" you can have your cats or whatever and more of a relaxed day?

RTKangaSANTAMummy · 20/12/2016 12:19

@TabbyLady TabbyLady please update us with what the outcome is?

Smile
RTKangaSANTAMummy · 20/12/2016 12:22

Oops sorry

Silly iPad only gave me the thread to 18/12 until I posted then it gave me the updates

BlushBlushBlushBlushBlushBlushBlush

SILfoundmyusername · 20/12/2016 13:50

Best thread ever, love that you get a proper relaxed noisy mesh family Christmas. Your children will thank k you know end and won't be posting later in life about how miserable their childhood Christmases were

ImtheChristmasCarcass · 20/12/2016 14:00

Result!!!!

I'm still saying that when it's all over DM will be wondering what on earth she made such a big fuss about! She may never admit it, but she'll know she was wrong to be such a pill.

GlobalTechIndustries · 20/12/2016 14:08

This thread has to be a classic.

TeaMeBasil · 20/12/2016 14:20

Love this thread! I'm late going back to my desk from lunch because of this! Grin

Love the sound of your Christmas - we'll be needing an update of course! Will DM be PA &a snarky about the new regime - or will she be quietly furious that she finds she actually enjoys it??

tempester28 · 20/12/2016 15:06

Poor girl, in our family she would have graduated to the boozers table years ago! I think that the three year age gap between her and her dads new girlfriend vis a vis the childs dinner table is just asking for sarcastic comment. I would chat to your parents and Brother as she is old enough to not come at all if she feels uncomfortable.

Lessthanaballpark · 20/12/2016 15:08

I also want to know how DN reacts to finally having the freedom to drink at Christmas and be on the big table!

Let's hope she doesn't get trollied and start dancing on the table out of sheer euphoria as she'll be promptly sent back to the kids' table Grin