Holidays are hard
Posted By: GhostMom on 2008-11-26
In Reply to: What do you do when your husband...sm - blondie_1147
My parents were divorced so my sister and I spent many years shuffling between two houses. When we each got married and had our own families the situation got even more complex. My parents are now deceased and my sister and I are estranged (even though we live in the same town), so in some ways life has gotten simpler. I still get very emotional and depressed around the holidays because of my dysfunctional childhood and negative expectations, but I don't have as much guilt and stress anymore.
My husband's parents and family are back in our hometown 600 miles away, and for the last few years he's gone back there for Thanksgiving and/or Christmas with our youngest child. I don't begrudge him that because his folks are elderly and I don't want him to have any regrets later. I can't go with him because we have a lot of animals to take care of, and frankly, I'm really comfortable just hanging out at home with them anyway. We have adult kids too, and two grandchildren, and I encourage all of them to live their lives without the burden of guilt and feelings of obligation. If they can come by and have dinner or visit that's great, and if not BIG DEAL. Honestly, it's just a day. Things got easier for us when we realized we didn't necessarily have to celebrate a holiday on the exact day it was scheduled.
I really understand your not wanting to let your mom down, and I would feel the same way. Your husband is a big boy and has made a choice, so that's on him, not you. He's probably being a bit immature and stubborn on this one. I hope you'll extend the invitation to your husband one more time, then go to your mom's and enjoy yourself whether he comes along or not.
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Probably a lot of MTs do that who are alone on the holidays. sm
I live alone, but am not alone, and celebrate with my family. I just get in a few hours before light is up. And maybe some later on in the evening. It works out fine. 24 hours in a day, after all.
As far as holidays go
I don't have a problem with kids being taught about different beliefs, but don't take down Christmas decorations, just add some for the other religions. Before I get blasted - this is way I feel this way:
When I was in elementary school, my best friend was Jewish. At Christmas, when she didn't participate in gift-giving, etc., it was awful for her. The kids used to tell me "don't play with her, she's weird". And when we were all singing Christmas carols, she would be in the corner doing her own thing. How awful that must've been for her!!! I don't see why my teacher shouldn't have been able to let my friend tell everyone about how she celebrates. Again, I know some don't agree, but my little friend's face when she was left out is forever burned into my memory!
Holidays
My family is spread across three different states so it is very rare that we get together for the holidays. Most holidays are spent with my husband's family which is absolutely fine because they are wonderful people who make each and every holiday a special one.
Honestly, this year, I am not worried about spend, spend, spend so much as being grateful for what we have this year as 2008 has brought a lot of lessons and blessings into our lives. I will be making homemade gifts for family vs. buying expensive presents. It is the thought that counts after all.
Holidays
I too am dreading the holidays this year, especially Thanksgiving. My son committed suicide last year the Sunday after Thanksgiving. I want to do something different this year than last. My mom wants to go out to eat and my boyfriend wants to cook at home. I can never make them both happy. Christmas will be a challenge too as my boyfriend is laid off. Luckily, my family is small so there aren't a lot of gifts to buy.
working holidays.
I am working Thanksgiving, schedule just fell that way. As far as Christmas goes, I'm am also scheduled to work, didn't request it off, but I work 3rd shift. I did request to work Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve to have a couple of days off for my brother's wedding that is 12/30. Working holidays doesn't bother me too much since I'm 3rd shift, but I could see how it would be a pain for those who are required to work and work days or 2nd.
working holidays
I'm right there with ya! Love that holiday pay! lol
Sadness at the holidays sm
Hi, tried E-mailing you but they would not accept it. I have had horrible Christmas stories such as yours, with parents, a younger sister dying and a dear pet who got killed on New Years Eve. One New Years my husband was in a horrible accident and I had to care for him at home in a hospital bed, then 2 mos. later my trusted surgeon diagnosed me with breast cancer. I am not a born again (although there's nothing wrong with that) but I do believe in prayer and that when you're this low only a higher power or spirituality can get you out of it. You can't do it alone. Just venting on the board should help you. Just know that others have walked in your shoes and relate to you and hopefully are praying for you as they read your post. Believe me, although all looks pretty bleak right now, you will come out of this and things will get better. My thoughts and prayers are with you this day. I had a horrible day yesterday. One of my DIL's has been giving me a hard time for 20 years and she did it again to me and is coming tonight. I went to church alone last evening and prayed for the grace to get through this evening. I lit a candle and prayed to St. Jude (the patron St. of the impossible, I believe). I am not angry anymore and I know I can face her with dignity and strength, no matter what else she does to me. She's a bully and I feel sorry for her, that she can't see how bad she is. I know I'm going to be okay. Your situation is different, I know, I lost my younger sister to cancer, the Christmas was awful knowing she was dying. My Dad also was on Hospice at Christmas and my whole family was fighting. But I'm here this morning writing to you and praying that you will find the strength to get through it all. "Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger" and that's the truth! All my best, and a prayer from my lips to God's ears for you, your family and your pet (I love animals)! God bless you. Still kicking and well - 6 years out, docs scratching their heads - ? misdiagnosed).  There is something greater than ourselves out there - just ask for strength - you'll get it, you'll see!
Man-made holidays...
but you are all so quick to forget that the Bible from which you quote from was in fact man made as well.
And if we are to only quote by the Bible as to what rules to follow to get into Heaven, you exclude a ton of other religions who believe they will get into Heaven or where ever based upon their man-made books as well!
Is the Bible the only true verse? If so, then Christians are the ONLY true believers and will be the only ones to get into Heaven. Bull...
Like I always said though, whatever floats your boat.
Me personally, I do not want anyone in my room preaching to me on my death bed unless I personally asked them to do so.
You mean the glitz is only for the holidays?
Gosh, I have sweaters and blouses I wear some of them year round and they have the bling aspect. I love it.
celebrate the holidays!
You are a very mature, thoughtful person. Just enjoy the holidays and if he is as mature as you are, it should not matter. Go celebrate!
For holidays in my family-
My family, which consists of two brothers, two sisters, many nieces and nephews who are all married and have children and my son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter, started several years ago having our Thanksgivng and Christmas holidays on the Saturday before the actual holiday. That way, they can all stay for the day and then spend the actual holiday with the other side of the family. It works out really well. We really enjoy having everyone stay for the day and they don't have to run around on the holiday either.
My husband's family is another story, ugh! We are expected to be there on Thanksgiving day at noon, Christmas eve at 6:00 p.m. for an immediate family Christmas and then Christmas Day with the entire family. In addition, I always work Thanksgiving and Christmas. It makes for an exciting couple of days. They won't change anything...it's family tradition. Whatever!
Good luck with your plans.
upcoming holidays
Does anyone get stressed out and/or depressed during the holidays? I am already starting to feel down because of finances and the stress Christmas puts on us to spend spend spend, and also just family issues. I never had a Hallmark family, that's for sure. The whole thing is kind of depressing to me.
Holidays - Bah humbug!
I have nice holiday memories. My mom was not the Martha Stewart type but they were filled with lots of food, friends, and family. Very happy times. This will be the first year that I cannot go home for the holidays. We will still spend it with my husband's family but it is not the same for me.
I am also stressing about the holidays because his family is all about the presents and I grew up differently. His family says they are cutting back this year but I wonder what that means. To them, it is probably only $500 per person. I know its the thought that counts and you should only do what you can but I still feel bad and guilty if we cannot do for everyone else. I have suggested putting a limit or drawing names or making gifts to exchange but they look at me like I speak a foreign language.
This is the first year my husband and I will not exchange gifts for each other and our son won't get much either. To top off the financial crisis facing the entire nation, we are also expecting a child in the very early spring so that has added to our expenses and dipping into our savings.
For me this winter came very quickly as well which does not help. I haven't had time to ease into my least favorite season. It's been so gloomy the last few weeks I am glad that I don't have to leave the house to work but know I should leave the house occasionally to feel better. I just want to be a scrooge right now. Soon enough I'll have to put on the happy thanksgiving face to spend the afternoon with my in-laws while missing my family.
Birthdays with holidays.
Sometimes I like that the birthdays are around the holidays because then I can buy extra stuff and look at it all and decide how to split it up between the 2. Other times, like this year, we don't have much $ so I would really prefer them to be separated more but can choose that one!
My husband normally leaves the lights on all night. Turn on when he gets home from work and off in the morning...not this year. I think its reasonable to just do a few hours each evening. I don't think we'll put up as many as we normally do either. Usually we line all the windows, roof, bushes, etc. Probably keep it simple this year.
Did you go into debt over the holidays?
C'mon, fess up!
Did you use credit to buy things for the holidays, or did you pay in cash?
I'm happy to report that for the 13th year, we paid in cash.
We clerical help to them. Yes I work holidays, sm
because I enjoy and count on the holiday pay. But I NEVER make the mistake of thinking that I am really a part of patient care, or my immediate turn around of a document is that important. It is important to the bottom line of the company, but not to patient care. There is absolutely nothing I produce, even in producing documentation of trauma or critical care, that has anything more to do with anything other than company profits. I come to believe this when I get reports, simple discharge summares, on patient who were discharged months ago, and the doctors mark it as a "Stat". LOL. ok. If you think you are that important, then you have been conned.
I never work on major holidays...
because I work for a small company that closes for all major holidays. I've been with them for almost 2 years now and they are definitely one of the best! They even send me a Christmas gift every year! I would never sign up to work for a company that was open on holidays, as I have no desire to work on holidays.
Since when do men deal with all the details of holidays and
x
With the holidays fast approaching...
I am wondering how your kids found out about Santa. My son has never led us to believe he doesn't believe, although we have wondered since he is in middle school now. I found out that he told a young cousin about the truths of Santa, E. Bunny, etc. My husband and I feel like we should approach him about this, not with the intent of being in trouble, but just to let him know that he shouldn't spoil it for the younger kids. Under the circumstances, I think he said it to be spiteful because he didn't want to go to bed for the tooth fairy to come.
I know as a child I was afraid that the holidays would cease to exist if they found out that I (the youngest) knew the truth. It was my older sibling who finally talked me into spilling the beans so no one had to get up early in the morning. I wonder if it may be a similar circumstance. Normally he is very open and honest with us and asks questions and discusses things that most other kids would find embarrasing, etc. He is a very good kid and I was very surprised to find out that he did this.
Not only around Christmas but other holidays as well. Things that can't be explained any other w
nm
Nah - it's not you. Many people are "crabby" and unpleasant around the holidays!
Just think, you probably put a smile on their face when they opened that card. Just because they don't smile at you, does not mean you did not touch them in some meaningful way.
Feel good about yourself, you did a great thing.
Some people find the holiday season very difficult to get through, either depressed, loss of a loved one, and so on. Some do not even realize they are "crabby".
It is just like when you go Christmas shopping and everyone you meet in the mall or store are in a hurry, bump into you without even saying "excuse me" and just plain ole miserable.
Just keep smiling and being your happy self. Don't worry too much about it.
Happy Holidays to you! Here's a hug :-)
i'm athiest and I agree. Christian holidays have been
easter bunny, santa claus. It almost seems like businesses are exploiting your beliefs by pressuring you into buy bigger, buy more for your family than you did last year.
I like it cold for the holidays. Was in Florida last week and...sm
it just did not feel like Christmastime (temps in the 70s--not that I was complaining). However, I wish the temps here in WA State would get above freezing so that I can get my Christmas/birthday shopping done. Some roads are still a sheet of ice. Your 40-50 degrees sound perfect to me.
I am betting the good MTs make a lot more than you do, with paid holidays, too.
x
My family decided last year to just enjoy the holidays
We're all adults, no children, and live in small homes or apartments. I NEED tons of stuff, but have no place to put much of anything, and can't afford to reciprocate with a gift. Same with a couple other siblings. My mom's been impossible to buy gifts for, for probably the last 10 years. I was the first to bow out the year before last. I started the ball rolling because I just plain couldn't afford it anymore, and was too busy working all the time to spend hours on end in a department store. I had a new job, no PTO, and NO money, so I alerted everyone that I wasn't going to play the game that year. Turns out it was a relief to all! And last year, without all the holiday 'getting mauled at the mall' disasters, each of us had quiet, happy, stress-free holidays. So now that we've eliminated the gift-giving aspect of Christmas, I finally can look forward to the season and enjoy it again.
See why working at home, and even covering some hours of holidays is better than inhouse?
We aren't able to keep track of the other office workers, build up resentment against them. Love that inhouse stuff.
Doesn't offend me to hear Happy Holidays, Happy Hannuka...sm
or any way someone wants to greet me. As a basic rule, people use the greeting most comfortable to the speaker. What does burn my butt is when someone tries to tell me that my comfortable greeting of "Merry Christmas" is not appropriate. To those who are not concerned with my comfort, I have no concern for theirs.
Merry Christmas to all.
I know how hard it is......sm
I understand what you're saying. God didn't give us the ability to forget, just the strength to get through it. Have you talked with your husband. Does he seem happy to have this child or has he ever said he was sorry for ever wanting that now that the child is here? Maybe if you could hear him say he was sorry for ever wanting that and couldn't imagine your child not being here, maybe that would help. Seeing true remorse in a person goes a long way in helping you deal with this.
Hard to say
If I had it to do over again, I probably would not have married my husband. He and I are not very well suited to each other at all. But then I wouldn't have my wonderful son, so I can't say I entirely regret it. And after 27 years of marriage, my husband and I finally have a great relationship, with the help of an excellent marriage counselor. What's that saying - I've been happily married for 8 years, but we were married 27 years ago. 
I'm sorry - I know it must be hard for you (sm)
I don't have experience with it, but at lesat she is making the decision and you don't have to make it. There are also assisted living facilities that are not so much a nursing home, if you think that would be an option for her. Best wishes to you.
i know it is hard to believe
but I didn't see a pay phone in the dorm. You can get a room phone installed but it is expensive. I guess that is a thought though.
Even if I could contact AIM, I don't think I would. He is 18 and really I can't tell them not to let him use his free account. He's an adult (at least in terms of the law) even if he isn't acting very mature. The way it is now, I can see if he is online and talk to him. If I did something like that he would jsut make up a new screen name that I wouldn't have at all. I just don't think that is a good idea.
This is so hard
Your dog is beautiful. I know how attached you get and how much love these little guys give us.
We just had to go through much the same thing with our 9-year-old lab, Murphy. He got pancreatitis and was very sick, started to get better, but then really took a turn for the worse. He was unable to get up and walk and just cried and cried. After a couple of days, we all decided it was best to have him euthanized. It was the hardest decision I ever had to make, but none of us could stand to watch him suffer any more. He has had this look in his eyes like he was saying let me go.
Not saying that that is the right decision for you. I think you will know in your heart when it is time. Just try to keep him as comfortable and happy as possible.
My heart goes out to you and Fox.
re: having a hard day/NC MT
It depends on where your degree is from, and where you plan to go to school. If your college credit is from a community college, it should most certainly transfer. You really have to check with a counselor from the school you wish to attend. Good luck!
I'm so sorry...I know it must be so hard (sm)
at least it has only been 8 months though...so you two have no children together, right? No having to beg for sex when you are a newlywed is not normal. I have a lot of marital issues myself thought not similar...please e-mail me if you want to talk!
7 is a hard age sm
Had a 2nd grader who was after much angst by all, diagnosed as gifted. I was able to put him in private school, quieter, excelled at everything, is now an entrepeneur and doctoral candidate. It was not easy to pay the bills, but worked harder than ever. The school had me thinking it was my parenting skills, or lack of them, his behavior, his needing more male positive image, etc., etc. If I had istened to them he would have been put in a special class with those with learning difficulties. All in all, I was crying every day. Took a lot of time and energy. Looking back, his teacher was at fault for mislabeling him and not appreciating his talent. I think he was smarter than she was. We shudder at even the mention of her name. Some don't deserve to be teaching. Don't let her be mislabeled. Thank goodness, I knew someone in the field who tested as I was transcribing his work. It's a very hard road you have in front of you. Don't be discouraged, please. Good luck with it, it's very difficult. Keep examining the whole picture. God bless you.
So sorry. I know this has to be so hard
but she obviously is in a very loving home. Take a little comfort in knowing that you gave her a wonderful life.
it must be hard
person... i mean if you have only felt the need to apologize one time that must be some sort of record. correct me if i'm wrong, but you were apologizing at that particular time even though you were not at fault?
I did it on my own. It was not hard. No one else will
It did take some time to educate myself but it was not difficult. Got Money magazine and started reading. Also read other mags. I did have someone to talk to but could have done it without this person. Also, the investment groups 800 numbers were able to answer questions I had. It was acutally fun, in an odd way, knowing I was taking care of me, without having to pay someone else to do it. And that someone else would also be paid, out of my money, for giving me advice I could find for myself.
It's so hard to know ....
It's so hard to know the truth when these stories are printed in the Enquirer and papers of that kind. I hope this is one of those stories that turn out to be just sensationalism. How sad for him if it isn't!
What's hard is that
we have been keeping all of our kids' college funds in the stockmarket. After a big hit in 2001, they were doing OK. But now that we're really having to use them, the money just isn't there.
I'm wondering if it makes more sense to keep the money in the market (waiting for recovery) and take out a loan for the college tuition.
No wonder it's so hard to get through - and why
And yet US hospitals are trusting confidential data to the people who built that tangled mess. Unbelievable.
It's really hard to tell ...
what the true tones of some of these texts are meant to be.
It seems what I am reading is saying to tell the truth in an abstract way, just not in a personal way.
If anyone cares, my kids are only 4, 5, and 8, so the subject of my experience with alcohol and sex would be totally inappropriate. I was just wondering if anyone had an experience where being truthful with their older kids (18+) about herself was helpful. Apparently not?
me too and its so hard! nm
x
Not too hard for me, either.
I probably only eat meat 3 times a week as it is. I've committed to a vegetarian diet several times before in my life, and kept it up the longest for about 3 years. The thing that pulls me back to the meat eating side is hamburgers. I don't know why, but I love 'em! Really good ones... not fast food "patties". Also, I don't have any issues about not eating animals. I think some animals are quite tasty. But I can do fine without eating them, too. Were I more committed to vegetarian philosophy, I'm sure it would be a different story.
Too hard for me
b
Hard liquor.
Way to go. I know it is hard, did it about 12 years ago (sm)
now my husband who was a die-hard smoker has gone 2 months without.
He finds it great that now when we go anywhere he can relax and not worry about the next location he can light up.
Thoughts are with you. It's a tough fight but you can do it.
Hard drive?
Hello...sorry for the beginner question, but if I purchase a hard drive, are they generic to any computer? Or do they need to be specific for the computer they are going to be put into? It's going to go into an HP Pavilion. I just want to get a 40GB hard drive that doesn't cost too much. Any info. would be appreciated.
I know you're right - it's hard to do though! (sm)
But I think that is what I have to do! Thanks!
WW is hard for about 2 days (sm)
It's hard when you're adjusting your intake amounts and type of food, but it's sound science to lose weight with. However, the biggest key for me was changing my mindset. I had lost and gained several times in the past--65 pounds, then 42 pounds, 5 pounds, 10 pounds, etc. I scared the crud out of myself at age 25 and was finally scared straight.
When I was 25, I had a bunch of weird neurological symptoms and had an MRI done. My neurologist asked me, "Why are you having strokes?" Holy cow--what? I was a healthy, obese woman with two young girls, not having stroke symptoms.
That night I thought about my baby girl and 3-year-old girl. My husband would run off to work in the morning and be gone until 5 p.m. I would be lying motionless on the bed, unable to care for my little girls because I ate my way to a massive stroke. My baby would be crying out for me for food and a pants change. My oldest could throw her some Cheerios but that's about it until my husband came home.
I know it is not completely rational, but that was the catalyst that got me going. I started with my old WW calculator and went down from 235.5 pounds to 112 pounds. I'm 5 feet 5 inches and 28 now. I've kept the weight off for over a year, most of it for 2 years (most of the weight came off in about a year), and even kept it off through a pregnancy. I was at my prepregnancy weight at 3 days postpartum.
Anyway, I'm rambling. My tips for you--don't drink your calories, eat high-fiber cereal every morning, and save some points for whatever you like to eat. I always saved a couple points every night for ice cream. Oh yeah, and weigh every day. That way you'll know what foods affect your weight and which don't.
I haven't counted points for a couple of years. I weigh every day and know when I need to forget a snack for the night by my weight in the morning. I have control of this beast called weight control, and it is a beast.
Be prepared, though. People won't tell an obese person that he or she needs to lose weight, but people will take every liberty to tell a formerly fat person that he or she needs to gain some weight, never mind the health part of weight gain.
Good luck!
It's hard, but be strong for your mom and go.
If this is a family gathering, I'd go and be as polite as I could stomach, and then leave and take it up with her at a later time. Can't say I wouldn't flash her the ol' stinkeye once or twice when no one was looking though.
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