Family Christmas

Yep, so we've made it through another Christmas.

As a single childless person, it seemed to be a big job to finagle a way to get to the family Christmas. All the married with children coworkers get priority for holiday time and it can be expensive to get there, nevermind the gifts.

Then you meet "the one" (she said, sardonically) and now you have to juggle your holiday time between two families. Do we go go to my mother's or his on C day?

Then the kids come and it seems even more important for them to spend time with extended family over the holidays.

Then you get divorced. That changes a lot. You no longer spend time with his family, some you're glad about, lol... But some not because you miss them. So you juggle the children to ensure that both parents get to see the children equally. Then you try to fill the empty days with no kids. Parties? Home renos? Stay in bed with a bottle of wine and movies?

Then life moves forward. You meet someone new, with children, extended family, etc. So take the above and multiply it by 2 or more. How can you schedule everyone and everything so everyone gets to do everything? And on time? The answer is simple. You don't. You just do your best. Sometimes people are missing from events. Sometimes you're late. Sometimes you didn't get to make that dish you promised a month ago to bring. Or you did make it but in the chaos, you forgot it by the door, or you had a migraine and you're just barely making it to the event at all.

What I propose in the midst of all this is to chill. If everyone knows that the snacks are being served at 3, then serve them at 3. Even if people are late. The late people will likely appreciate that you didn't wait because they are late for a reason, reasons that are probably due to falling behind because of the juggling and the stress. The last thing they need is to feel guilty because THEY made YOU wait. They aren't expecting you to wait. They know the time. They know they are late. Don't text them a million times asking where they are. You'll just make it worse. They are doing their best to fit you into their very busy holiday schedule. You're lucky they are coming at all. Lol

Try to schedule a day or two over the holidays where you don't do anything. How can it be a holiday if you never relax? Take time for that. :)

I could write more but I must get back to my boxing day of relaxing. :)

I miss my kids. They are with dad today.

But I am with my Honey and three of his kids. He really adds so much value to our lives. <3