My MiL has flounced out of Christmas

[ItsOhSoQuietThisChristmas]

Sorry to mention the Christmas word, but…

I’m kind of annoyed, but I also think it’s funny.

Every blinking year, I have to invited my PIL and extended in-law family for Christmas, and then at least another dinner. MIL is someone who wants everyone together. This usually ends up with me doing a lot of work as they stay over!

There have been a few years I’ve got out of it. Once we went skiing with my DC at Christmas and we got hell over it. So we’ve not done it since.

Over the past few years my DH has been all, “it’s family. It’s just a few days. Christmas is about family”. That’s my MIL talking, not him. He’s been very sentimental over it, and I’ve felt emotionally blackmailed. Basically they all have a lovely time, and my Christmas is shite.

So, a few weeks ago my MIL announced she and FIL aren’t spending Christmas with any of their adult DC or DGC and are going on holiday for 2.5 weeks. It’s basically from a week before Christmas till double digits in Jan.

She’s flounced because she’s in a huff that no one is paying them enough attention, including them etc. She basically has to be the centre of attention, or you are punished. It’s a spiteful move. Her DC will be upset that they aren’t seeing them at Christmas at all. They’ve all got FOG.

On one hand I think it’s hilarious. I even played happy songs and sang along in my car I was so tickled. On the other I’m kind of pissed that I’ve had to suck up crappy Christmas for “family”, forgoing what I want to do (go somewhere Caribbean 😝)

DH mentioned about extended in-law family and Christmas but that’s a big fat NO from me, and I mean it.

I looked at my work schedule for before and after they leave. In Jan I’ll be well back to work and hibernating.

AIBU to go online and book up my early Dec with gorgeous Christmas things to do for us and DC so MIL can not only have her flouncy Christmas holiday, she can whistle for the rest of Dec too?

Feels amazing... I feel liberated !!!! 😂

Well done! Great decision!

Well done @Cece54 ! Be clear with them before you go that everyone pays for themselves, you’re not stumping up as penance for not cooking.

Oh that's been made clear!! They've had a free ride long enough... I should have done it years ago !!! The big girl pants are on for good!!! 😂

I'm so jealous!

But I suspect between now and the actual holiday there will be alot more drama.

Please keep us updated!

There is no need to be spiteful. Now you know your MIL won’t be around at Christmas simply get on and enjoy making your own arrangements. Don’t give her another thought.

FOG = F Off Grandparents
(Not really, it's Fear, Obligation & Guilt, but I like mine better...)

i’m struggling to understand why you would continue to use a waste disposal system for a job it clearly cannot cope with.

After one occasion of vegetable peelings blocking the pipe work I’d have started putting them in a paper bag and putting them in the compost bin.

Nobody else does it because, with respect, why on earth would you spend 45 years doing the same thing with the same unwanted result?

I had a mil like this. Exhausting and she has a very lonely old age now everyone is sick of her antics.

My mother’s name was Elizabeth.
My SIL nicknamed her “Saint Elizabeth” because of the way my brother constantly talked her up and said stuff like “my mum does it like this” and “my mum cooks it like” and “my mum folds them like” hahaha.

Your SIL is a saint herself that must grate after a while.