Christmas...am I being unreasonable to want to spend it in my own house again this year?
I've just broached the subject of Christmas with my dad, who lives with my brother since my mum died five years ago.
Last year, due to Covid restrictions, for the first time in my entire life, I spent Christmas with my 'own' family in my home - and while I appreciate many people had difficult Christmases last year, for us, it was peaceful and relaxing for the first time. Prior to this, we drove all over the country - first to in-laws then up north to spend Christmas Day there with my dad - which really, we'd grown to dislike - too much driving, we ended up doing all the organising in both locations, and we both work full-time and need a bloody break!
This year, because of the way the dates fall, we're (DH and I) broaching the idea of visiting all elder relatives (DH's parents included) in the preceding week before Christmas, with us being in our house on the day itself - so we can see and keep it fair for both sets of parents, and also so that once we've shut the door on Christmas Eve, we then have the following week to ourselves.
My dad...is very unhappy with this idea. He's never once left his house to visit me or anyone else at Christmas (and tbf, he's getting on now so I wouldn't expect it) so doesn't really get the effort. His response was 'I hope you're going to be here on Christmas Day' and I said 'no, we think it's better to visit the week before, so we can relax - like we did last year'. When I asked why he wanted me there - he said, because you're my daughter and I hardly see you - this is from a man who probably couldn't tell you the name of the company I work for. Plus we've seen him three times in as many months - and DH's parents just once this year.
I feel like I've kicked a puppy. WWYD? Stick to plan A or cave in?
DH wants us to spend Christmas at home too.