AIBU to not feel guilty?

[Horcrux]

That we’ve decided not to travel to see families this Christmas?

I have a full time job for the 1st time since my 10yr old was born. I’m a newly qualified teacher and have found the last 18 months pretty full on with studying, work, 2 children and a dh who works away.

He was away all of Christmas last yr so I went to In-laws 3hrs away on the East coast for christmas day and then my mum’s 3hrs away in Wales for New Year.

Previous to last year we’ve always gone to In laws at some point before or after Christmas too.

This year I don’t want to go anywhere! I’m knackered, dh is home which is great! We want to stay here just the 4 of us.

Ny mum’s not bothered but my in laws are guilt tripping us about how we won’t have a nice dinner together or won’t see our nephew. My dc are guilt tripping us as they get totally spoilt at grandma’s house!!

But I really don’t want to go!!

Is there a reason they can’t travel to you between Christmas and New Year?

Ah, shit! Just seen that there’s a similar thread 😬
Feel free to read and run! Or just run 😀

@Gatehouse77 my in laws like to stay close to home as my sil split from her dh a couple of yrs ago so they don’t like to leave her. She’d be fine! But they molly coddle her! (Phrase said right??!!)

My mum works in a supermarket so only gets 2 days off ☹️

Of course you should stay home if you want to. Have a lovely time🍾🎄

No just stand firm, maybe suggest a date for your ILs to visit you in the New Year.

It’s a crazy time of year to be travelling round the country, so glad my ILs & DPs never put pressure on us to visit and as mum to an only DS I hope I will never put him under any pressure to have to visit us at Christmas.

Stay home!
If it's 3hrs to them it would be easy enough to meet roughly halfway. For a nice pub lunch and perhaps a walk. On once of the days around xmas. Then noone has too long a journey. You could suggest it & if they're not keen then thats up to them.

christmas, demanding families bah humbug, arrange for them to visit you at some point. christmas won't fall apart just because you don't eat a dinner together.
have a great time at home.

Nah. Stick to your plans and sod the in laws guilt tripping you. Its a one Christmas where yous just want a quiet one and thats fine.

It’s then one day of the year everyone treats really special so dont spoil it doing something you cant be arsed to do just for the sake of pleasing others. Plus, it’ll be lovely just the 4 of you having each other to yourselves! In laws will get over it!

If the in laws arent willing to travel to you for a change then they don’t really have a say in the matter. As for your mum, if shes being understanding then thats good. Plenty more Christmas’s to share with everyone else?

Enjoy it! X

That’s a really good idea @holly40 thanks!

Are they travelling to see you? Do they feel guilty? If not, why should you? You did it last year, do what makes you happy! Have a fab Christmas

God all these demanding parents and in-laws. I would hate my daughter to be worried about where to go. She always knew she could come if she wanted but also that she was fully entitled to start her own little Xmas traditions.