Where Do You Have Family Holidays?

Dear MrsM-My husband and I are having a horrible time agreeing on where to spend Christmas.  He wants to go to his parents house, but they live 3 hours away and I don’t want to have to pack the kids in the car and drive so far away, especially in the snow!  Also, we have spent every year since the kids were born at my parent’s house so I know they are expecting us-and I don’t want to disappoint them.  What do we do?

I understand wanting to spend the holidays with your family-but I imagine your husband feels much the same way.  As far as traveling goes, you will probably travel much farther than 3 hours with your children at some point in their lives…and family road trips are often one of the best childhood memories a person has!  It’s a great way to spend time together bonding.  If you are worried about being safe in the snow, then make sure to travel during the daylight hours and stay on main roads as much as possible because they are almost always salted for safety.

I can understand why you are worried your parents will be upset at the break in tradition.  I’m sure they enjoy having all of the kids and grandkids every year for Christmas.  However, you say that you haven’t spent Christmas with your husband’s family since before your children were born-I don’t know how long ago that was, but I imagine it has been a while, and a holiday visit to your inlaws is well overdue.  They have just as much reason to want to see their kids and grandchildren on Christmas, and they haven’t had that luxery in several years.  Make the trip!

In the future, I would recommend setting it up so that there is a system in place for holidays.  For example-you spend Thanksgiving with your family, then Christmas with his, and then switch the next year (Thanksgiving with the inlaws and Christmas with your parents).  That way no one gets left out in the snow when it comes to holiday family time.