Does your family stay happy around the holidays or does it turn into a battlefield?

[Finchie40]

I try to stay happy and positive around the holidays but somehow some way it gets ruined , always someone complaining about something, always miserable and unhappy , you go out of your way to make Christmas nice for everyone , but it’s never good enough, for once I would love to experience a happy peaceful Christmas with positive people , but unfortunately I’m surrounded with negative spoiled rotten people. How are your holidays?

[TrueConfection]

Holidays used to be fun and something we all looked forward to, but one of my kids married a miserable person who has turned every holiday into a battlefield dividing our family members. The anticipation of drama for everyone got to the point that I started cancelling our celebrations.

This year, I called a family meeting without the couple. We all agreed that we want to enjoy our holidays as we once did and we all agreed that no matter what, we are a unit and we are not going to let anyone manipulate us with their toxic behavior.

So far, we made it through Thanksgiving for the first time in three years. I’m hoping for Christmas to turn out well too. But man, this individual is toxic and relentless!!! Still trying, but I’m determined to not allow the enemy to win.

[Finchie40]

Yea that sounds similar to what I have experienced, my ex is constantly negative and miserable , never satisfied with anything , she is doing everything she can to ruin Christmas for our kids’

[TrueConfection]

That’s tough! How old are your kiddos?

[Finchie40]

They are in their early 20’s now and they were excited for Christmas until my psychotic ex started ruining it because she thinks nothing is about her , the girl is a complete wack job , I told my kids’ we will celebrate it without her , but I know she will cause chaos

[Finchie40]

It seems every Christmas I experienced chaos and drama, so for once I would love to experience a happy peaceful Christmas, but for whatever reason , I got dealt shitty cards

[TrueConfection]

I wish I could give you the right advice my friend! I’m trying desperately to save holidays for my kids too. It feels like a juggling act, but it’s worth not allowing their holidays end up being bad memories.

[Proudblondewoman]

All of my family has always been very close and always has gotten along very well all the time.

[Finchie40]

Lucky

[Purpleronnie]

Ha.. if I was around what’s left my ‘my’ family it would be filled with awkwardness and sniping, then eventually alcohol fueled arguments I’m sure.. but the last few years I have chosen to be with my partners family. They know me better than, take interest in what’s going on with me and we actually get a long a whole lot better. My “chosen” family I call them.

[AviatorTom]

My family lives all over the place so it's not often that we get together. When we do, for Thanksgiving and Christmas and the rare family reunion, we have one rule that everyone agrees to: no discussing religion, politics, or economics.

[exitseven]

When my kids were little and my parents were still alive it would be a really miserable ordeal. My parents were divorced and they both did their best to make my life a living hell. My wife would try extra hard to make a big spread and my kids would want to go and hang out with their friends, Then WW3 would start. Then we would spend the next 11 months paying off all the credit cards.

All these years later I still get a little sick in the pit of my stomach right after Halloween.

[NathanDavis]

fortunately, never been a battlefield at neither side of the family

[RandomGirl42]

Amazingly for as large as a family as we are the battles are usually at a minimum. Even political or religious debates are more like football "trash talking" than any actual angry fighting. I am so very blessed with many happy memories and more in the making every year.

There may be a little family bickering here and there but there is so much more love , laughter and home made booze! 😊

[Crimsyjo]

I'm on my own this year so I guess if I'm around negativity it's of my own doing.

But yeah normally my mum is about and always complaining about something.

[FunkyMonkee]

When I had a family, there MIGHT be a few sparks flying but on a very minor scale that'd only last a moment or two and usually about simple shit that didn't mean much to anybody else.

[GeorgePulchri]

I haven’t been around the fam for holidays for 6 years… last time I did, I did not feel peace or like I could rest at “home”.

[Skyros]

No offense, but that’s just sad.

[GeorgePulchri]

@Skyros I mean yeah.

But I’m introverted so being alone is actually relaxing and refreshing for me.

[Anonymous]

Warzone. I married my sister's ex and it didn't work out for her with thd guy she was cheating with and left him for.

[Xawyx-2]

It's balanced, some family members are happy, some are grumpy.

[MJVillarama]

For us, it’s a mix. mostly happy, but a few tense moments here and there.

[Jltakk]

Usually they are fine. We only have each other. This year things are going horribly so we are unable to celebrate. It is what it is.

[ineedaname9]

No, but I was there when it happened. One guy was sleeping with his brother's wife and was caught; ther e was fist flying.

[Anonymous]

I totally agree
It's never happy
And what I have learned is to avoid alcohol
And persuade the children to avoid alcohol too

[robocop666]

My family is always the same.

[Raydergman26]

At times