I always thought the arrival of my son (now 3yo) would bring back the Christmas spirit to our small family, just us three and parents in law. Since he was born, naturally we started all spending more time together, with them coming to visit. I didn't know them that well before and after DS was born I never thought about them as hands on grandparents. FIL almost never shows up. MIL was never able even to change a nappy... She tried, never went well. And now she always forgets to take him to the toilet as he is being potty trained. Also doesn't care much about meal time. Sweets would do for the day (he will compensate on dinner at home she says even when he takes a packed lunch that she never takes out of the bag). I don't like when she takes him but to avoid disagreement with my husband I allow it every now and then. You are wondering where I am going with this. I just feel the whole situation absolutely exhausting as they are an old lonely retired couple and they have nothing to talk about apart from being incredible opinionated about our son and the decisions we make for him. If he is going through a more clingy period she will look at me as if it's something wrong I am doing. In fact FIL said it's due to be in nursery every afternoon. A nearly 3 year old is too young to be away from mummy... (His words) And at every visit they bombard us with questions about the most random uninteresting subjects such as what food we ate last time we went out and what we drank?! True story! Regarding holidays we don't even mention if we take little breaks away as it's an endless conversation about the most little details. It's incredible draining and gosh they are loud. I really just wanted a peaceful Christmas. I thought about going away next year just us, even DH said it would be nice but they would stay alone and we don't have the heart to do it ...