Earlier, my SIL came round to deliver my Christmas presents, and collect hers.
First off, she casts eyes over my 3ft tree. "Not very big, is it?" she said. I gave some half-hearted "It's the perfecdt size for my son" response. Who am I kidding? I would have loved a 6 ft tree, full decorations, yada, yada.
Anyway, we got talking. And as she was sat there, she started flicking through my photos. Yes, make yourself at home, dear. (You usually do)Anyway, she cames across a photo from last years christmas, where I'd taken a picture of the Christmas tree, with all the presents around it. It had been my son's first Christmas, and I wanted as many photos as possible. At the time, we were with my ex, so had presents from his family too. And she said "How come he doesn't have as many presents this year?" She knows the answer. She knows those family members aren't bothering keeping in touch
But in the entire run up to Christmas, she's been the same. The other day she was on about how her mother had spent £100 on her daughters christmas present, how she'd spent x amount on her mother, her brother, nan, daughter, my brother etc.
And I'd love to be able to say the same, I would. Just to shut her up. I'd love to be able to splash out on my son, but at the moment, I'm in no position to do so. And if the tables were turned, I wouldn't be rubbing it in her face. Is it too much to for her to learn when to shut up for a bit?