Bloody MIL!

[gemmiegoatlegs]

This is our first christmas in our lovely new house, and hence the first year we can really accomodate guests. We have invited my mum and grandad,(mum's side. my parents are divorced so christmas is always complicated) my aunt, cousin and uncle (dad's side but game for a laugh)and DH's mum and dad. We invited them about six weeks ago and they all said yes, meaniing we would be having 11 people to dinner in all.

Now MIL has ambushed me, asking dh WHILE I WAS AWAY, if I would mind if they went to his sister's for christmas instead as she would only be having dinner for 6 otherwise and we have so many coming.

This is such a set up, she waited until she was babysitting for us last night (so I'm already indebted to her, you see) to bring it up with me and says "you don't mind do you?"

Like I can say Yes. I think you are a wicked old harridan with bad manners and you have set me up. So i have to smile and oh yeah yeah blah.

I hope she chokes on her turkey.

(but only needs a vigorous heimlich. I don't actually want her to die or anything)

Thank you for listening

do you really mind though? I think you have got away with that one, myself and I would be patting myself on the back. Just me though.

I wouldn't worry tbh. Surely you'll have a better time without her and it's not as if she's sprung in on you on Christmas Eve?

Result!! She was coming, and now she's not!

Don't over analyse it. Just be quietly happy about it. But not too obviously in case you lose your babysitter.

Are you upset because you really like her and you are sad not to have her company on christmas day?

I do mind! I had Norman Rockwell imaginings for this Christmas! We were all going to get along! Dh would prepare all the veg! Nobody would bring crappy cheap wine! Everyone would adore all their carefully chosen gifts! The children woyuld be angelic and everyone would comment on how spoilt they're not!

In reality my mother will prattle on incessantly after a glass of vino. Me and dh will have a row over the best way to carve a turkey. I will NOT get round to doing my make up and will look permanently terrible in any photographs taken. The children will get overexcited, refuse to eat and at least one will go to bed screaming. We will slump on the sofa with the bloody matchmakers that someone brought as a gift at 9pm and watch the latest awful french and Saunders.We will vow 'never again'

I'm so glad to escape all this stuff - my BIL has a pub so we all just go there! Strangely there are no arguments! I don't quite get what is you're upset about? You've ended up with Xmas with your family without actually having to do or say anything that could upset anyone...

Hut yes, we enjoy their company, and its the first time we have had the chance to all get together in 5 years. She has spent the last 4 Christmases with dh's sister.

*But

gemmie, I repeat - you have had a lucky escape! You have one less set of people to have a row with/ witness you rowing with your DH - hurrah! Takes the pressure off having to have the "perfect Christmas" as well - usually the worst ones IME.

LOL ay awful photos. Every single one of my dd opening her presents in her earliest years has been marred by the inclusion of me, in my dressing gown looking hungover shit.

maybe sil is having a strop about it

There's probably another post somewhere saying "oh no, thought I'd palmed off the parents on db this year and now they've decided they're f**ing coming to us" AIBU etc etc

no Portofino ! They were stolen I tell you! There must have been stroppage I am certain.

I only hope I can exert the same force over my beloved dd when she is all grown up...."you mussent go to the in laws dahling. mummy would be quite lonely"

I agree gemmie! Xmas at our house will be SOOO exciting that dd will always come to us. (actually it's a bit boring at the mo but i have about 16 years or so to come up with a plan.....)And of course I will always be charming to the fuckwit darling boy that dd chooses to marry...