So I changed up Thanksgiving tradition this year and honestly, I loved it! I spent the morning talking to friends who feel like family. I started to decorate for Christmas and took down Thanksgiving (after we had our version of Thanksgiving meal) and had the best time!
The kids slept late – typical teenagers – and I was ok with it. I woke them up in time for brunch and that was perfect. It was so refreshing on a holiday to not have to get up and make food and bring it somewhere or be rushing around because company was coming. OMG! It was like a dream come true because I enjoyed staying in my sweatpants all day and so did my kids!
But with this choice, I had some backlash. My brother and his family were acting cold. I texted Happy Thanksgiving with love emojiis and received the routine reply minus the love emojiis. I’m no fool. I knew it was deliberate because I chose to not go there for Thanksgiving, so I was being punished. I called to verify and I was right. He, his wife and kids were still hurt and disappointed and his kids said that we don’t love them because we weren’t coming to their house for Thanksgiving.
Let’s be clear. I asked them to my house for Thanksgiving, but he didn’t want to leave his armchair football and beer to drive to my house. So when I told him we weren’t coming, I asked him to understand that I was feeling the same way (minus the beer). But that didn’t go over well because he wanted us all together. He could give the excuse, but I wasn’t allowed to use it too.
He went on to say that it wasn’t really my problem and that he and his sad family would have to process their feelings. He added that he appreciated that I called to acknowledge that they were missing us. Then he said that the kids are getting older and we don’t have many more holidays with them all together. While I get what he’s saying in a guilt riddled way, I felt like I was allowed to choose what I wanted to do this year. And yes, he’s right. It’s for him and his family to process and allow me to do what I feel is needed this year. Because I no longer have a boss. The ex and his family are long gone from my life. I don’t often have my kids for Thanksgiving and we (as a family of 3) decided to just enjoy each other’s company for once on a holiday. And I feel like I deserve to be able to decide how my family and I spend the holiday.
If I didn’t think he’d throw an even bigger fit, I’d have told him that I don’t like going there because his kids fight, dinner’s never ready nor warm when served and although I like hanging out there for a few hours, I really enjoy peace and quiet and hanging out with my own kids. But that’s not going to happen any time soon because honestly, I wouldn’t want to hurt his feelings.
He and I are all we have left for family. Siblings who get along, but don’t. He’s a good guy, but there’s this weird vibe since childhood that gets ugly when I don’t follow his suggestions so he gets annoyed and twists everything. Add to the fact that he continues to defend the ex-husband (I still have a sneaky suspicion they may be a little friendly), and so I don’t feel like I trust my brother completely.
The best part of the day? At dinner my kids told me that this was the best holiday in a long time because even though we’ve been through hell together, we’re still together and so much closer because of all the ugly stuff that the divorce left in its wake. They told me, we have each other and that’s all that we need. It was a great Mom moment!
Thanks for letting me tell you about my weekend. I don’t know if anyone else had family issues this weekend, but I hope you didn’t. And if you did, I suggest staying home and relaxing next year. It’s really wonderful!
♥
Yay! Glad you did what you wanted and it worked out. 💖
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Thanks Paula! I had my fingers crossed that it would work out…and it did! Because I held my ground. Baby steps I guess…but I’m progressing! 🙂 I hope you had a lovely holiday too! ♥
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I did, thanks. No drama ❤️
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Gotta love that and be grateful for it! I’m happy for you! ♥
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The first big holiday we spent without family around was one of the best we’ve ever had. It was just Hubby, the kids and me. The freedom for all of us to just BE and enjoy the holiday instead of the never ending drama of either not being what was expected or not being yourself in an effort to conform to those expectations was such a massive relief. For the most part, that is the norm for our holidays now because it is what is right for us and our kids. I said years and years ago when I made the decision to divorce my ex that I’d much rather be alone and content with my life than miserable with someone else. It took way to long to realize that this applies to family as well.
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Thank you TJ because it’s taken me a long time to realize that about family as well. Especially because my brother is the only blood family (besides my kids) I have left. But I loved the relaxing day we had and I wouldn’t have traded it for anything! I am so glad you had a good Thanksgiving with your family!!
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So happy you three had a great Thanksgiving together❤️. Proud of you.
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Thank you Dwight! That means a lot because it was hard to say I was choosing to stay home. But it was really wonderful! I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful too. ♥
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I totally get this. I actually got into a huge fight with my mom once because we didn’t spend one holiday with her
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I think it happens more often than people admit because nobody wants to make a fuss on a holiday. I’m sorry you got in a fight with your mom. That stinks…
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Not this year…this was like 8 years ago
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But you made it through! That’s great. Hopefully it hasn’t happened again since!
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No it hasn’t!
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I’m pleased you had a great time with your kids Janie, your brother likes to guilt trip you doesn’t he 😂🤣 . They mustn’t like there own company 😄
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Very true Elaine! He likes the distraction I bring to his family so he doesn’t have to deal with them. LOL
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How much happier do you feel this year when you think back to last year ❤️
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I know! I remember how sad I was last year. This year was so much happier. Thanks for remembering Elaine and for reminding me…you are such a sweet friend to me. I hope you’re feeling great! xo
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I am good thank you, I’m really pleased that you are happier Janie you deserve lots of happiness ❤️
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Thank you Elaine. You deserve good health and happiness as well….you’ve been a great help to my healing and I appreciate you xo
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We are all here for each other xxx
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Yes we are! xoxo
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