Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Christmas Arrangements

4 replies

RhiaCc · 22/12/2023 07:39

A bit of background…

For more than 10 years, my partner and I have taken turns spending Christmas with my family, their family, or just the two of us. We sometimes see family on our own or together on Christmas Day, but I'm easygoing either way since we regularly see each other and our families. Generally, I prefer to be together on Christmas Eve and usually spend around 3 to 4 hours with my family nearby on Christmas Day, sometimes swing my partners family later in the day.

Lately, I've been prioritising time with my older and smaller family because time is running out, especially since my partner has a larger, younger family.

It's worth mentioning that we're going on a 5-night holiday with my family in the new year again, because time is precious.

A few weeks ago, my partner mentioned they planned to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with their family on their own. I felt disappointed as I'd rather have spent most of that time together. After expressing this, my partner agreed to visit their family just on Christmas day instead (leaving early in the morning to help with the cooking) and I thought that was a better arrangement.

Yesterday, my partner casually mentioned they they were sticking to the original plan of spending the full two days with their family. I got upset and explained again that I thought it was unreasonable. Looking back, it might not be a big deal, but at the time, I wasn't happy, especially because I thought we had already planned and agreed on things.

So am I being the arsehole here? Is disappearing for the whole of Christmas to see your own family not a problem because your are going on a holiday with your partner and their family thereafter? Or is it reasonable for me to be frustrated?

OP posts:
Coolhwip · 22/12/2023 07:55

Gently, YABU. I understand you want to prioritise your family but your partner is equally entitled to prioritise their family too.

You say your family is older and therefore time is precious, but for your partner, spending time with their family whilst they’re young is equally precious.

I’m doing the same this year, spending it with my family whilst DH spends it with his. I don’t want to leave my mum and DH’s family leave far away, so this is our compromise.

Tell them to have a great time and you do the same, and enjoy the NY holiday together.

LittleOwl153 · 22/12/2023 08:00

I can see where each of you is coming from in terms of time with family. However I would not think much of the last minute change in plans though after things were agreed....

(I would wonder if someone is pulling partners strings there - and what that says about them prioritising you at other times in the relationship)

DisforDarkChocolate · 22/12/2023 08:03

You can't prioritise your family and be annoyed he does the same.

While your family my be older that feeling of it might be their last Christmas can easily last a decade.

BettyBakesCakes · 22/12/2023 16:03

Yalu

New posts on this thread. Refresh page