Oh yes, one more year of having the skids open their gifts, look at their dad and say, "Is this JUST from you?"

Yes, my DH calls them on it every single year. And the following year it's the same shit. I just let them drop trau and show their asses because frankly I don't care anymore -- we include DH's parents on the Christmas when skids are here so the inlaws get to witness the skids' holiday cheer towards me. They're old enough to know better (16), and old enough for others to recognize that they're disrespectful beyond all belief and repair.

*sigh* And my DH wonders why his parents always make a point of telling us how polite, respectful, and downright enjoyable MY kids are to have around. In a way I feel sorry for the grandparents, as the skids are their ONLY grandchildren (biologically) and I know the grandparents are totally disappointed in the skids' behaviors. What's even more unfortunate is that no matter WHO calls the skids out on their behaviors towards me and my children, it doesn't change.

Happy Freakin' Holidays

I love, love, love the holidays and am determined not to let ss or inlaws ruin it for me. We are going out of town for T-giving-so I am totally bypassing inlaws AND ss so I've got a free pass on that one. SS13 is not currently visiting our home-by his choice, mil's choice, my choice-i guess pretty much everyone's choice at this point except perhaps dh (at least not a choice he'd ever admit to)-but I am thinking that dh will want to spend time with him at xmas. So I am not sure yet how I am going to handle that one. I admit I think it would make me feel a bit vomitous if after 6 months of ss not wanting to visit, dh not be willing to address his behaviors that make ME want him not to visit, he all of a sudden comes over here and visits for xmas (to get presents of course)

I just dont think that is right and sends a horrible message and I am afraid it could potentially ruin my xmas to include him like a part of our immediate family when no one has bothered to be motivated to do that for over 6 months. Howver, I can also see dh saying something along the lines of "it's christmas-isnt it time to set aside any bad feelings and move forward"-so I need to start preparing a well thought out answer to that one. I definitely do not want my inlaws here-I am still recovering from the death stare that psycho mil shot me in walmart about a month ago and I dont think I should have to put up with that crap in my own home, my sil refuses to even speak to dh so dont have to worry about her, I am still smarting over my fil asking to borrow thousands of dollars (which amazingly he either came up with or never really needed as the situation has resolved itself)-so a family gathering with them would be pure torture.

It is so sad that we have to take the most special times of the year and share them with the people that hate us the most. I wonder if our dh's even grasp what sacrifices we make for them.

"is this JUST from you or is it from you and HER?"
"is this IT??!!"
"i hate my presents you gave me. . .WAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Response one: "It's from both of us. . .we're a TEAM!"

Response two: "Not in the least! I"ve signed you up to do volunteer work at the local shelter this year!"

Response three: "Oh good then I'll take them back and use the money for stuff *I* want" or "I'm sure the local charity will appreciate them if you don't; hand them back please!"

Holidays have gotten so much worse!!!!!!I used to be so happy and excited for christmas, my holiday cheer would start in september and last straight through. Loved decorating loved the music and shopping. Now i'm always miserable can't even enjoy christmas. What I have learned to do is make sure we have seperate christmases for my kids and for the skids. But they are never happy anyway....and the skids BM is always sure to buy them the most expensive gift she can even if they are too young for it or can't use it she will buy it and send it with them to our house so they can rub it in my BD's face. We can't get one for my BD because we have to spend soooo much money shopping to please the UNGREATFUL little brats. And the good kid that actually deserves it can get it because of the never able to please skids.....Try your best to get back that love for the holidays it is important. I miss it and it's just another reason that makes divorce look like a good option........to be happy again.....Good Luck

All holidays were stressful.The SDs are never happy(and never will be) with any
schedule,arrangement,gift or decorations so I finally stopped beating myself up,trying to make everything perfect for them and decided that I would take care of the holidays according to my schedule,my menu choices, my decorating taste and my gift choices.SDs get mall gift cards and if I had it my way they would receive lumps of coal.If they don't like it, they can leave.Last year they showed up,collected their loot and promptly left.Perfect

Skids have two house and get two Christmas's. I have one. I'm going to do it my way, f*** 'em!

We cut Christmas guilt after our first two Christmas's were spent in misery.We agree on an amount to spend on the children.I buy my son's gifts and he is responsible for his daughter's gifts.If he can't find her things she likes then he give her the money instead.His problem,not mine.
I decorate how i want,serve the dinner Dh and I choose and Christmas is once again a joyful occasion.MIL has already been schooled and beaten down on the fact that SD does NOT need her to buy double christmas presents (a set for BM's house and a set for ours) that she can just buy gifts and keep them at BM's.
None of the other children in our family get double christmas's so that little brat isn't going to either.

~jingle bells,jingle bells,jingle all the way...oh what fun it is to be a bitch on christmas day HEY!~