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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Christmas AIBU

91 replies

mauvaisereputation · 16/10/2019 12:50

This year will be my DH's and my first Christmas after having our lovely baby. In previous years we've done Christmas separately - I've gone to my parents, he has gone to his (a bit unusual but it's worked well for us!). This year, we obviously both want to be together with our daughter. So in order to avoid choosing between our families, we have decided to offer to host it at our house.

My family are delighted with this. The issue is my DMiL is clearly very unhappy with the situation, and it's stressing me out.

DMiL is a lovely person and we both make an effort to get on well with each other, despite some differences of opinion in some areas. She is a SAHM/homemaker with a wealthy husband (DFiL) and a lovely big house in the countryside with dogs and land surrounding it etc and she makes a big deal about how busy and exhausting and dangerous London is whenever she visits. My DH and I both work (though DH is on paternity leave at the moment) and have a non-fancy but perfectly nice small house in an area of London that we think is lovely but is definitely a far cry from the ILs' country shire.

When we said to DPiLs that my family were coming over for Christmas and they were welcome to join too, her first reaction was "YOU CAN'T!" and then seeing my Hmm face started raising objections like our dining table isn't big enough (we have another we can put on the end and there's plenty of space), our kitchen and oven aren't big enough to prepare a Christmas dinner (not true), it will be too much work with the baby, etc.

TBH I was planning on getting quite a bit of food in pre-prepared (canapes etc) and my mum and dad and my DSis and her boyfriend have already said they are happy to contribute dishes, so it had occurred to me that my and DH might not want to prepare the entire meal from scratch on Xmas morning. But we are perfectly capable of putting together a nice meal and have had guests over for Sunday lunch on other occasions without major incident.

Since mentioning it, the ILs haven't confirmed whether they will be coming (not an issue in itself as obviously there's plenty of time) but my MiL keeps calling my DH to say stuff like either we need to get my parents (who live nearby) to cook the turkey and bring it over or we should not do turkey etc.

I'm now realising that every time they come over to see our baby (they didn't visit us before we had the baby), she brings lunch for everyone, despite assurances that she doesn't need to. I thought it was a nice gesture but now I think it's because she doesn't want to eat our food! (She is a bit phobic about food and every meal involves exclamations about how much there is to eat and how unhealthy it is, but that's another story).

I am just feeling quite grumpy about the whole thing and wish I could uninvite the PILs (obviously I won't). I have suggested that they don't come and instead we go to them on Boxing day but tbh now I don't even want to do that, as I just don't like the feeling that they think they are providing us with a "proper" Christmas (though again, I won't pull out of the offer).

AIBU to think that it's not actually that shocking that DH and I would want to do Christmas as a family, even if I'm not really the home-maker type or an accomplished cook, and even if the alternative on offer is the ILs hosting at their posh and fancy house. I never thought I'd be one of those people with MiL rivalry. I'm usually hugely unbothered about what people think of my home-making skills. Really want to feel zen about this and don't want it to overshadow Xmas.

OP posts:
namechangenumber2 · 16/10/2019 13:56

Stand your ground @mauvaisereputation !

I'm in a similar situation this year, the difference being that I don't have a baby, instead I have two children who have never had a Christmas at home as "mum would be too upset" or " you know they won't like Christmas unless at our house " Hmm etc!

I've stood my ground this year, my boys are no longer little and I've never had a Christmas with them how I'd like it Sad. My parents live in luxury, we live in a more modest normal family home! Apparently we won't manage, it won't be good enough etc. I really wish we'd done it years ago!

dustyphoenix · 16/10/2019 13:58

I'd find this so upsetting and annoying OP! It's the faux concern that bothers me about this sort of mithering, it appears to be about concern for you but is actually all about the other person and their control issues.

Can your DP ask them to lay off. Just say "We'd really like to host, if you'd like to bring a dish then let us know what you'd like to bring but we'd really like to be left alone to sort the details ourselves."

Camomila · 16/10/2019 13:58

TeenPlusTwenties idea sounds brilliant, you still get your Christmas lunch and MIL still gets to come visit and bring her own food.

merrygoround51 · 16/10/2019 14:02

Your MIL is finding it difficult to give up her position as the hostess and the centre of the festivities and source of all good meals and keeper of the best home!

That is somewhat understandable - it must be very difficult to have to back away from what was effectively your lifes work - my MIL and DM both struggled with this.

The Mother and Mother in law who manage to graciously step aside and accept that they are no longer the centre of festivities are rare indeed.

I hope we all learn this lesson when our time comes!!

Howlovely · 16/10/2019 14:03

It sounds like she doesn't like the idea if being mother hen and is literally getting in a flap about it. But do not back down! But don't make it an issue either. Just say, the invitation is there, you are welcome to come or not, and leave it with her. You will still have a lovely family Christmas whether she decides to come or not.

countrybump · 16/10/2019 14:06

I had a similar situation a few years back and we resolved it by making plans to be at home and sticking to it. Now it's normal for us to be in our own home on Christmas Day and we usually still go to PILs for a Christmas celebration but it is either before or after Xmas and never on the day itself.

The thing is, my ILs have a lovely and very big house and my MIL absolutely loves hosting. I know she looks back on the time when everyone came to her very fondly and would love things to be like that again. But, things have changed, and she has accepted that. But, we do still make the effort to go there for at least a day although usually a couple, when my SIL can also be there and we have a celebration where MIL can host and she decorates the house, cooks a special meal, does stockings for us all and we play daft games etc. It's not on Xmas Day, but it has become part of our tradition now. My DC adore it of course and actually, it means the Xmas celebrations last longer. We have our day at home but also another one before or after which keeps everyone happy and means we have no guilt about keeping Xmas Day itself just for us!

Dontaskmeihaventaclue · 16/10/2019 14:08

I hosted 22 for dinner a few years ago. Came home from a nightshift and put Turkey in the oven. Had a few hours sleep then got up. Turkey came out, the prepared veg went on to cook. No drama! Had a lovely dinner. So long as you have a plan I don't think you will struggle at all

PicaK · 16/10/2019 14:09

Definitely stick to your guns and keep being polite but firm. I will say tho that Xmas meal can be hard with a baby - you may find you don't get chance to sit and eat it etc. My advice would be to cheat big time. Get a turkey crown. Preroast the veg and potatoes or get aunt bessies!! , buy in bits prepared. Celebrate being with family not slaving over the meal. Unless you really want to!

Erismorn · 16/10/2019 14:09

@namechangenumber2 keep sticking to your guns - you will love it. Me and DH are terribly mean, and have stuck to our guns since DD was born that Christmas Day is the three of us in our home. Last year my brother came and had brunch with us and the year before my parents popped in for coffee but other than that the 25th is our day. We do my family on Boxing Day.

We get zero pressure from my side, FIL is a different matter as everyone knows now that we will keep doing the same.

GPatz · 16/10/2019 14:09

You are doing exactly what we did. DH and I had separate Christmas with our respective families until DS came along. Now both families come to ours for Christmas and Boxing Day (plus or minus the sisters) and it's a wonderful new tradition.

caringcarer · 16/10/2019 14:18

I would stand firm that Xmas is at your house this year but would take MiL aside and ask if she would like to come early and help to prepare the food but tell her which bits your sister and Mum are doing. It would leave you with more time to play with your child and make her feel more involved. I have a fantastic MiL and would do almost anything to keep her happy as she always puts us first. She came to us before FiL became too ill to travel far and was in her element cooking in my kitchen. I poured myself a large glass of wine and let her get on with it.I put it down to her never having a career and always being a SAHM and needing something tlike cooking Xmas dinner to validate herself.

merrygoround51 · 16/10/2019 14:24

Countrybump that is why I feel so sorry for my DM and DMIL.

I too love hosting and I know that when it is time for my home to no longer be the centre of festivities, i will find it difficult but hope I will be self aware enough to understand that we each have our moments as 'Mother Hen'

PuppyMonkey · 16/10/2019 14:24

“Hi MIL, sorry you can’t make it. See you in the new year. Love, mauvaise xx”

And repeat.Grin

DarlingNikita · 16/10/2019 14:25

She is too used to being Lady of the Manor imo.
I agree with this. Get your DH to cut her short when she starts up about the arrangements: 'That's not for you to worry about, Mum, you're a guest' and change the subject.

Give her a deadline to respond by, with a clear reason and consequences ie 'we need to know if you're coming by x Dec so we can make sure we have enough of y and z; otherwise we won't be able to have you guys as we obviously don't want to undercater.'

starfishmummy · 16/10/2019 14:27

I agree with a pp. Stick to your guns.

NewFoneWhoDis · 16/10/2019 14:32

The first year we had DS we nearly crashed the car on icy roads trying to appease both grandmothers.
I said fuck that and we stayed home ever since.

Having seen my brother alternate and never having a single year for him and his family, and my sister get every second Christmas ruined by her toxic mil, I decreed we stay put for Christmas day. Santa Claus comes here. Anyone is welcome to join us but Christmas is for DS now in his own home.

With a new baby it's the perfect natural break in previous habits to form new traditions. Stick to your guns, you'll be so glad in years to come that you did.

FreshwaterBay · 16/10/2019 14:38

She is a SAHM/homemaker with a wealthy husband (DFiL) and a lovely big house in the countryside with dogs and land surrounding it etc and she makes a big deal about how busy and exhausting and dangerous London is whenever she visits.

Bet her wealthy husband made his money in the big city too!

AgathaTheAardvark · 16/10/2019 14:39

Obviously YANBU. What a batshit reaction. I do think it's the adjustment from her house being the centre. Some people are frankly a bit weird about London too. I know a couple of people who are like this and won't even take the tube unaccompanied. Adults I mean, who are otherwise perfectly normal. Also, when people have enormous, beautiful houses, they do get a bit sniffy about going to a less beautiful one.

If you have a house in a nice area of London, you're doing better than most people in term of accommodation! So all in all, yanbu at all.

ModreB · 16/10/2019 14:42

YANBU. DS and his partner bought their first home together earlier this year, and when he spoke to me about Xmas arrangements, I said that while they were both welcome at our house, I had assumed that they would want to spend their first Xmas in their new home. We agreed to visit at some point that suited them between Xmas and New Year.

He seemed relieved, and said that a lot of his friends had trouble with their families when saying they wanted to stay in their own homes for Xmas.

Children grow up, and at different points in their lives have different needs and wants. Parents need to accept this.

Bluntness100 · 16/10/2019 14:43

I'd agree, stick to your guns, if they don't come, they don't come.

On a seperate note though, do you understand her food issues, is there any way to ensure whatever she's got going on needs wise is met?

The other thing that occurs to me is do they have to stay over with you, or are you expecting them to drive to you and then drive back after dinner?

timshelthechoice · 16/10/2019 14:45

No matter what her issues are, they are hers. Stick to your guns and don't go over there or alter your plans. If she wants to bring a turkey she can eat that herself and you serve yours.

You invited them, they can come or not.

AgathaTheAardvark · 16/10/2019 14:46

Well said ModreB. My dad has mainly been the same. Tbh, my ILs went through this with my DH's older sibling. So, by the time it came to us wanting christmas in our own home, we didn't have any issues, thank fuck.

We also had a family bereavement and also a birth right before christmas, two years in a row. So we get the "Christmas is a strange time" card. And it's actually true. Too many traumatic memories and a child's birthday to think about all at once. I'm so grateful my in laws are understanding about it.

FaFoutis · 16/10/2019 14:57

I'd go to the ILs.
Sitting on your arse in a posh & fancy house and being served dinner. God, I'd love that. As for MIL being slightly difficult - wine raises the tolerance levels, I find.

PumpkinSpiceWoman · 16/10/2019 14:59

I may be well out of order saying this but it sounds a bit like to me that she has a bit of aphobia about being in London. Like a real phobia, and that it makes her stressed being there.

OkayGo · 16/10/2019 14:59

Stick to your guns op