I am sooo looking forward to xmas with my husband and children. I come from a very close family and we will all be visiting each other over the xmas period and every year it is just lovely. However, my husbands family is totally different. In the 15 years I have known him I have never had a meal at their house. He has siblings and neices and nephews that he hasnt seen for years because nobody in the family makes an effort. I no longer have contact with any of his family due to loads of things that have happened over the years. This was not an easy thing to do because it really did hurt my husband but the problems they caused us just meant that the best way to deal with them was to cut all ties. My husband still goes to see them regularly (they dont live far away) yet if he didnt go then I know that they would not get in touch. Our children do not go to see them because they will only go if I do, so, on Xmas day I always make the effort for my husbands sake. I sit there whilst no-one talks to me and cant wait to get out. Anyway, this year it is my turn to cook xmas dinner, for my sister, her dh, children and my parents and I am quite looking forward to it. However, my husband says that he wants us all to go to see his family for a few hours on xmas day. I am willing to do this, however, they wont have visitors until after 10.30am because they go out on xmas eve and we cant go early because they will be in bed. I said to hubby that its gona be awkward then because I cant leave the house for 2 hrs at midday if I'm doing xmas lunch. His family dont drive so I suggested that he pick them up about 11ish and bring them here for a drink and to see our children and I could be in the kitchen doing xmas dinner for my family who will arrive about 1pm (way after hubbys family have left). He has put this to his mum and she has refused. I said to hubby that he should just say to her that he understands and we will pop over on Boxing Day but for some reason he is feeling sorry for his mum (who has never cooked for hubby in her life and who has never said she loves him and he has no recolection of any kisses cuddles when he was younger) and he said to me that he really wants to go to his mums on xmas day with our children. Should I stick to my guns and say no. (oh, and I had thought about letting him take them on his own but I just know that his mum will parade them all round her friends houses who live close by and they will all be drunk, smoking and swearing). God only knows how hubby turned out so normal and well adjusted.
Sorry for the long post, just wanted some opinions please.