AIBU to find family zoom chats in Christmas Day stressful

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Children 18m & 3.5 both siblings are having quiet Christmasses with just their respective spouses, and I'm trying to zoom whilst having thr kids around, and my parents, and open presents and not get behind on Christmas lunch.

Because we couldn't possibly zoom after our Christmas dinner as they'd be coming (and couldn't possibly cook Christmas dinner for 2 at the same time) or after, as they'd be too full.

When they are round for real at least they can pop in the kitchen with you, and your aren't all in a screen.

It was good to see them but my goodness it was hard work, and much more so for us than them.

Just to cheer you up, I was in bed for mine. I’m the one alone, and I was hungover so not paying too much attention to my surroundings.

Family back home put me on the 55” TV.

As I got up to go and let the nephews talk to my dogs, one pipes up ‘what’s that thing that looks like a willy’

Guess what it was. Displayed to my entire family on big screen TV, and lovingly pointed out by my darling nephew

I totally agree, I pushed all calls this year back to Boxing Day.

We did a family quiz with my brother and his family last night and it was fun but stressful. My 21 year old daughter downed a full glass of rum and coke in 30 mins - she said due to stress ( yeah right!)

I just wish after 10 or so years of Skype and such like people would realise only one person can talk at a time........

I never video, loathe it. My eldest prefers landline too, she finds it relaxing after forced work-video-meetings. I’ve only ever had Christmas Day on my own, I find it so relaxing, I wouldn’t change it with forced-gaiety-via-zoom, but I’m an introvert.

DH did WhatsApp calls with his older children and grandchildren; DMiL did a call to one of her sister’s but none of it during mealtimes. DH did suggest we call my family but it’s not really a thing in our family so I wasn’t keen - especially, if you haven’t planned it for a specific time or preceded it with a message to make sure they’re not busy, people generally ARE very busy on Christmas Day and don’t need their rhythm interrupted to watch 2 16 month old boys either having a meltdown, bashing each other/us, ignoring everything or sleeping!! My sister and I will chat sometime when we’re free and, if our families are around they’ll be drawn in to the conversation too!!

YADNBU.

We had my SIL’s family over for Christmas which was lovely, but MiL insisted on zooming while they opened presents, while we ate lunch (literally laptop at the end of the table) and then again afterwards when the kids opened more presents.

I totally understand it’s their first Christmas apart from their grandkids but it did make the day a bit too clunky. Too much technology is not always a good thing!

We've done it for over 10 years, around the year, not just at Christmas time.

The pandemic is irrelevant, and Zoom isn't the only video calling software.

YABU.

We did one with my parents and siblings and it was very stressful as my young nieces were making a racket and everyone was trying to talk at once. There were a few awkward moments too after a while where we ran out of things to say and there were awkward silences. I’d probably refuse to do one next year but hopefully we can all meet up face to face instead then anyway

One word : excruciating

I did one yesterday and it was too much hassle! Only did it because my grandma is dying and I would do anything for her.

I have found that brevity is most definitely the key to a harmonious family Zoom call 😀

I hate crowded Zooms at the best of times so I declined the invite. Zoom with kids is a nightmare!

@ImRealHonest

Just to cheer you up, I was in bed for mine. I’m the one alone, and I was hungover so not paying too much attention to my surroundings.

Family back home put me on the 55” TV.

As I got up to go and let the nephews talk to my dogs, one pipes up ‘what’s that thing that looks like a willy’

Guess what it was. Displayed to my entire family on big screen TV, and lovingly pointed out by my darling nephew

So what WAS the thing that looked like a silly???

I genuinely can’t think of anything worse, I use zoom all day for work and refuse to use it socially. I don’t do anything I don’t want to do and I dont care that it’s selfish, it makes my life so much easier. Just decline!

Well personally I think you could have had a worse day all of you..

My Ddad died in May, and My Mum doesn't do technology, neither does my MIL.

MIL has been told by her eldest son she's shouldn't be going out, but it seems to be fine all of them going to see her.

My Mum went to my sisters for the day, she won't come here today as planned, because of the virus and that I work in a school.
She and sister go out and have coffee/food shopping etc but that ok apparently..

So I sat and ate Christmas dinner on my own as neither of my lads and or 'D'h sat with me they sat in the lounge.. to watch Tv..
And yes I did ask but as per usual they're selfish little buggers.

@OTannenbaum

SpaceOp how lovely for your DD and MIL to both enjoy the chat over Zoom that much 😂 That’s really sweet!

It really is. MIL is either genuinely gripped during her conversations with DD or she missed her calling as an oscar-worthy actress!

We did a family zoom and it was chaos. And I had other things to be getting on with while this was taking place it was bedlam.