The whole idea of having our parents here for Xmas dinner was so that we didnt have to be obliged to see them all over the rest of the christmas period (my OH only gets a few days off and we wanted to spend it with our girls).

So... James's mum wants us to go to boxing day there. I said we would pop in for an hour, but that is it.

Now... my dad has just called and said 'oh, are you not coming over on boxing day then?' and sounded really miffed.

Why cant people just accept that I am doing them all dinner tomorrow as well as having a toddler and a four week old!

x

Ahhhh sounds like my bah humbug post the other day Laura I'm right there with ya - have long since decided we have our little family Christmas and making the most of hubby being off work; can't be doing with fitting in visits / visitors.

With a four week old too though it's simply nuts. It's also the perfect excuse though. Smile sweetly / say sweetly "no we're staying home with the girls". If they push the point say "maybe next year".

Have a lovely Christmas xxx

Tell em as they are all coming to you crimbo day you are having a quiet boxing day with james and the girls, if they wanna see you they can pop in for a cuppa. You got two tinies you need some you time too

I hate the whole dividing time thing. To me you are an absolute saint to be entertaining parents on xmas day. Last year my MIL cried because I refused to have my 1st xmas dinner as a family at hers.

This year we are doing the same as last year... FIL & SMIL called this afternoon for cpl hrs and got to see Caitlin open their presents. Tomorrow morning we see my family for an hr or 2 in morning, then MIL & SIL for an hr at lunch and then from about 2pm the day is ours!!! Well last year MIL & SIL called in evening for an hr to see Caitlin but hoping that doesnt happen this year....

Boxing day we go to my aunts for dinner for cpl hrs only eg 4-7pm and at New Year we go to his aunty for the afternoon. Done.

Actually reading that back i think I give up a hell of alot of my xmas to family. I think the fact you are entertaining them on the big day should give you extra credits for being due a break the next day! Its not like you only calling in with each for an hr on xmas morning!

I never even said that I would go to my dads on boxing day, they just assumed. We normally do, as we dont see them on Xmas day, but I just thought I would get them all here together and then nobody can moan that they didnt see us or the girls and they have all been treated equally.

Now I feel so bad that I have upset my dad.

Argh, its such a nightmare trying to please everybody!

Next year I am shutting the front door on Xmas eve and not opening it until the 27th - not even for visitors

If I am on here saying how I am cooking again next year - hunt me down and shoot me!

x

We are spending 10-6 tommorrow at mum and s/dads, 10-6 sunday at FIL/MIL and neils back at work monday and im entertaining my dad and s/mum. I cant wait for neils next day off after for it to be just us and him