AIBU?
Missing out on my family Christmas again
ChristmasbloodyChristmas · 25/11/2019 15:40
I've name changed as this could be quite outing. This is first married Christmas with DH, obviously not our first Christmas, we've been together for six years. We live in The Midlands and the whole of my family live in Scotland, about seven hours drive. DH has two adult children (18 and 20) and I don't have children. Every year I've visited my family either between Christmas and New Year or in January as I understand how important it is for a father to see his children at Christmas. As we're around for Christmas we do see the rest of his family on Christmas Eve or Boxing Day, making the whole of Christmas a DH family event, while I don't get to see my family until after the event. I'll be honest, its not ideal but it's one of the perks of being a childfree stepmum. This year, his children have their own plans, girlfriends/friends but we still can't change the plans, we still have to be around for all of his family events, while I don't get to see my parents, siblings, nieces and nephews until after all the lovely Christmas feeling is over.
AIBU? Please please don't say I chose this life when I met him. Six years ago when I met him I wouldn't have expected to have to give up seeing my own family at Christmas forever. It simply wasn't the choice I made.
Owlypants · 25/11/2019 15:59
Visit your family without him. Tell him its unfair that you miss out every year, his children are adults with their own plans and you don't want to hang around on the off chance that they might want to visit on a random day between Christmas eve and hogmanay. One year with your family then the next with his seems fair
ChristmasbloodyChristmas · 25/11/2019 16:01
I've tried negotiating with him but he simply won't budge. He says I don't understand as I don't have children, but I do have my own family. He won't compromise. I travel up on my own regularly outside of Christmas but really don't want to go up alone for Christmas.
MonaLisaDoesntSmile · 25/11/2019 16:05
Sorry just read up the whole post. Go on your own. Beign with someone is about a compromise, and it should work both ways, not just one way!
Is there a way you could all go with his kids? Even rent a b&b or airb&B for two/three days if you can's all stay with your family?
Jupiters · 25/11/2019 16:09
If his kids have other plans, it absolutely should be the year you both travel to your side of the family this!
You shouldn't have to forgo seeing your family because his children might be able to fit you in at some point.
If it was me I'd make plans to see my family and let him decide what he's doing. I wonder if he just assumes you'll do as he says and this would show him that you won't just follow him all the time.
shiningstar2 · 25/11/2019 16:11
I think that you have been a very considerate sm all through the part of your dh's children's childhood. [quite rightly but not everybody is as considerate as you have been regarding Christmas and sc] Now their childhood is over and it's time for your dh to consider you.
ChristmasbloodyChristmas · 25/11/2019 16:12
@edwinbear - I hadn't thought of it like that! I suppose I am a much older adult than they are, they're only just beyond the child phase but even so.
I am leaning towards making my plans and seeing what happens but would hate it if he decides to stay and I go alone. It's sort of like asking him to choose and I know the choice would always be his children, even though they never put him first.
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