Hosting headaches

[woebetide8]

I have hosted Christmas for various family members (in-laws and out-laws!) for over twenty five years, but this year I have decided to go away to stay with one of my adult kids. This has not gone down well with my elderly parents. Won't go into the mechanics of their behaviour, but suffice to say they are now using guilting as a mechanism. My father and stepmother chose to live near all her children (all blokes), hours away from me so don't see why they can't pick up the slack for once. I have told them that now that my kids are adults, I will probably be going to them from now on. Am I missing something here? Is it my DUTY to host Christmas forever?

No it's not your duty. Spell things out for them, have an open conversation with them about what they can do instead, how their behaviour has made you feel and tell them your genuine reasons for doing something different this year.

Nope not your problem. You are perfectly entitled to spend Xmas with one of your children. Don't waste your energy feeling guilty.

Ha! Gotta love an adult temper tantrum for what it is and treat it as such.

No, you're not obligated to host, no, you're not responsible for sorting out other adults Christmas arrangements, no, you have absolutely nothing to feel any guilt over.

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas.