I had a rough few weeks arguing with my siblings and my parents over Christmas as I refused to go to visit.
It is a very expensive trip for me and family and we are usually treated to icy accommodations, no hot water and my siblings expect me to take over with looking after very elderly parents while my own family (2 DCs teenagers and DH) sit around in the freezing cold (they can wear extra layers apparently) doing nothing as where my family lives there’s virtually nothing to do in the winter. We have done this in the past but now teenagers kids and DH refuse to come! I also work full time and can’t take much time off around holidays.
Siblings say it’s not their problem and that they look after elderly parents all year and they should relieved during some of the holidays. I can’t go on my own and leave my own family at Christmas... plus I don’t really want to go honestly.
Backstory is that I left home young as I didn’t get on with any of them apart from one sibling and my mum who tried to understand me but disagreed with me and I was told I was a rebel and would never amount to anything good.
With maturity I realise that I am very different from all of them, I am one of those annoying people who are always happy and trying to see good in everything ... I used to feel ashamed of being so cringe but I have come to accept and appreciate the way i am now but they are all the total opposite. Everything is doom and gloom... all is bad and there’s no solution. They are all sick or talking about what sickness they might have. Or how likely is they might lose job and have no way to support themselves.
In reality they all have good homes, good kids and easy jobs. It’s just the constant worry that is always hanging over them.
On the other hand I have much less than them but I am grateful for my work , my health and my family. So when I see them I feel constantly drained. Like I am the lucky one and they are unlucky.
As I live away they imagine I have a splendid life with no problems!
So their attitude to me is that I am selfish and they highly disapprove of me not going. However I have never been able to ask them for help as I know they are too far away and If I ever try to talk about my own problems they are brushed under the carpet with a smirk and saying aren’t you the happy one.... so I never expect them to do something for me. I don’t even expect moral support or a good word saying poor you. Whereas they would just spend hours on the phone talking for hours about what’s wrong with their lives and I have to show sorrow and concerns. And be careful about the words I use as if I try to cheer them up it then becomes “ here we go again! You never grow up you always believe in fairies!”
I know I could just go no contact but I love them and also feel lonely that I don’t have that family relationship that so many have around me. My kids would love to have cousins over and go and see uncles. But we pretty much avoid each other.
Not sure why I am writing this...probably just a rant as in RL nobody would understand or know my struggle and how much it affects me.