Family drama - Page 3

JoyFilled Warrior · ‎09-02-2022

I cant explain it.

I've never been able to figure out about family & Thanksgiving Dinner, except -->

-> Thanksgiving Eve, family members are ->

But at the stroke of Midnight, Thanksgiving Day, family members begin behaving as ugly as midnight-fed gremlins ..

.. esp flaming at the prospective Host/Hostess, who are merely attempting to try to plan a lovely, generous, family, Thanksgiving Dinner.

I've never been able to figure this evil metamorphosis out, except the predictable midnight "gremlin" excuse above. And seems almost always inevitable.

And the Host/Hostess? ->

I've never found a solution when it involves the mix of family & Thanksgiving. If it's not one thing, it's another. So I turned it over, when I was finally ready.

"Don’t forget to be kind to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!" TLB

Group 5 minus 1 · ‎03-11-2010

If a family member calls during mealtime (they all have a special ring) the call will be answered.

CalminHeart · ‎03-09-2010

@chrystaltree wrote:

It sounds like it was a good thing his parents weren't present.

I do feel sorry for your SIL though. It must be tough to have such difficult parents.

RetRN · ‎10-01-2013

I wonder if the young man is an only child, if not I wonder how his siblings handle the parents.

manny2 · ‎05-24-2010

Family drama requires both parties to participate. It’s a two-way street. When someone is creating drama and it is unreasonable, don’t participate.

It’s not up to the son to guess what the problem is. It is up to the parents to speak up and tell their son what the issue is.

Excluding them from a vacation isn’t reasonable. That is manipulation, and it will not resolve a conflict. If the parents are not willing to communicate the issue. I would assume it isn’t important.

Family drama requires a dead-end street approach. The family member trying to manipulate has no choice but to turn around. There is no way to proceed and it is only a one way direction.

jubilant · ‎06-10-2010

As far a the phone calls while eating ....Years ago my husband asked that all phones be turned off just while eating. Never since has that been a problem!

I had a very difficult mother-in-law. Down through the years, I learned to speak my piece in a tone that might not rile her. Sometimes, however it did...sometimes it didn't. When I didn't react as she wanted....in about a week she would call to talk to my husband and tell him she had baked a pumpkin pie for the family

(which she knew was my favorite). I would know it was her way of apologizing and whatever the subject we disagreed on was dropped. She died at almost 95 yrs. old... was still fiesty but before she died she asked for me in the hospital. She said she wanted to hear from me because I always told her the truth.

The moral of this story....to me....is "speak the truth in love" with firmness mixed with kindness.

That way one has done the best they could.

Before my MIL died she told me she loved me which was another big shock!! I certainly don't think I'm always right but I must not have done everything wrong. All those delicious pumpkin pies must have meant something!!! I guess what I'm saying is "say your piece kindly and let it rest in their basket"!

Teddixat · ‎10-04-2010

@Janey2 I think the OP was just relating her holiday experience, Maybe just venting

occasionalrain · ‎03-10-2010

Phones should not be answered during dinner, even more unacceptable when guests are involved. It's rude and disrespectful to prioritize a phone call over those in attendance.

No reason a return call couldn't have been made afterward.