Trouble with husband’s fam at Thanksgiving. What to do?
October 28th, 2010
Brooke asked:
My hubby’s fam guilts us into having Thanksgiving dinner at our house every year. Every year we ask that people from his huge family bring a little something, and then we spend half our saved Christmas money making up the rest. This year, I had my hours cut at work and we have been struggling since we have three kids that are small. My hubby told his fam that we weren’t going to have the dinner here due to financial problems and they assured us that everyone would chip in money. All 30 people. Then, a bunch said they weren’t coming this year. So 2 people chipped in and yesterday the whole fam decided to come after saying they weren’t. I assume they didn’t want to donate to the dinner. Now, we have spent a ton of money on food and plates and utensils and the people who didn’t donate say they will bring a pan of brownies or something. So, my first question is, should I just cook what the $50 from the three of us who donated bought? Should I mention the money when they come? Also, they all complain about health problems, like a stubbed toe that prevents them from working, and all their financial problems, even though they all drive huge SUVs and drink all the time. I don’t think I can handle the whining this year. If they start, should I just go to my momma’s? Or should I remind them that they are eating a free meal and should be thankful? I am so stressed right now. Please help! I know I sound whiny, but I am not whining, I am just furious. They do this all the time. My fam isn’t like this at all and I am not used to it. If you want a good idea of what it is like, think a house full of cousin Eddie’s from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
Clinton
My hubby’s fam guilts us into having Thanksgiving dinner at our house every year. Every year we ask that people from his huge family bring a little something, and then we spend half our saved Christmas money making up the rest. This year, I had my hours cut at work and we have been struggling since we have three kids that are small. My hubby told his fam that we weren’t going to have the dinner here due to financial problems and they assured us that everyone would chip in money. All 30 people. Then, a bunch said they weren’t coming this year. So 2 people chipped in and yesterday the whole fam decided to come after saying they weren’t. I assume they didn’t want to donate to the dinner. Now, we have spent a ton of money on food and plates and utensils and the people who didn’t donate say they will bring a pan of brownies or something. So, my first question is, should I just cook what the $50 from the three of us who donated bought? Should I mention the money when they come? Also, they all complain about health problems, like a stubbed toe that prevents them from working, and all their financial problems, even though they all drive huge SUVs and drink all the time. I don’t think I can handle the whining this year. If they start, should I just go to my momma’s? Or should I remind them that they are eating a free meal and should be thankful? I am so stressed right now. Please help! I know I sound whiny, but I am not whining, I am just furious. They do this all the time. My fam isn’t like this at all and I am not used to it. If you want a good idea of what it is like, think a house full of cousin Eddie’s from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
Clinton
Categories: Family | Tags: Christmas Vacation, National Lampoon, Utensils | 5 Comments
