My family is driving me crazy

[alarimer]

I know now why I live so far away. Since I have gotten here, I have had not a moment's peace, espcecially from my niece and nephew who for some reason will not leave my alone. I try to stay in my room with the door shut but they come in without even knocking. I had hoped to get some work on my thesis done but no such luck apparently. I still have two weeks to go; I am going to change my plane reservation to the day after Christmas instead of New Year's. I hate the holidays. I want to go home so badly.

[Greyhound]

1. Isn't that what families are for? n/t

[ashling]

7. Damn! That is exactly what I was going to say.

Remember when you are travelling to the relatives and stuck in traffic, and it seems like forever, that time spent on the road is better than times spent with relatives.

[Shine]

2. Hang in there and welcome to the holiday season.

being driven crazy by our families this time of year comes with the territory!! The kids mean well, they just want to be near you.

Good luck! :hi:

[alarimer]

3. Yes I know

I finally had to say something. I am not used to there being so many people in the house. I live alone (and for good reason) and I know my tolerance level is very low. They're good kids but still. And also when I got here I was informed that I would be babysitting Saturday night because everyone else was going to an office party. I thought that was kind of a crummy thing to do. How did they know I didn't have plans (I didn't but still). Fortunately my sister came over and did most of it. They are 6 and 7 so they are not too small, thank God.

I just really miss my own bed.

[Shine]

4. Hey, you think YOU've got it bad? Listen to this....

We've got 5 family houseguests coming to stay, in our home, for 8 consecutive nights, starting next Thursday. Our house is NOT that big, trust me, but we manage to pull it off and live like sardines for a week cuz it's Family. It's what we do. Nobody has the extra money to stay at hotels, so there you have it. My two kids are 9 and 12 now, but even so, there's never a dull moment. My sister's coming up with her hubby and 18 mos old daughter, who is adorable, but VERY high-maintenance. You get the picture. I'm gonna try and be as lo-stress as possible.

Where's the wine?? :)

[alarimer]

5. good luck

I may get into the wine too. We have my sister and her two kids (who are living here right now), my mom and dad, one stupid English cocker dog named Tristan (who is a pretty good dog but begs incessantly), plus my brother in law and brother are coming on Tuesday. I guess someone (probably my brother) is sleeping on the couch. Plus I got caught up in all that lousy weather Wednesday and missed all my connections so it took actually two days to fly here.

I am not doing this again next year (as I say every year).

[skygazer]

6. I'm so glad my family all lives at least 1500 miles away

Most of them are farther than that. I love them all but they exhaust me within minutes of being in their company. Perhaps someday I'll regret the time I didn't spend with them but right now it's a blessed relief to spend the holidays alone with my SO and our cat!

Hang in there. :hug:

[Mizmoon]

8. Take a deep breath and listen to me

They are the people you got stuck with by chance.
Like it or not you have to figure out how to love them
or you will never be quite right.

Do all the tacky Christmas stuff -
drive around to see the lights.
make a gingerbread house.
Play Christmas music.
Listen to Aunt Polly tell you about her thyroid problem.
Eat too much.

Life is what we make it.

Peace :pals:

[alarimer]

9. Thanks. I know you are right

But I think I really made a mistake in spending so much time here. But it was a couple hundred dollars cheaper at least.

[babylonsister]

10. Run, don't walk, to the nearest library. I'll bet the

relatives won't be following you, and might just get the message.

[alarimer]

11. I plan on that actually

But I have no car so I have to take my mom to work. THe kids are in school all week (the week before Christmas??? whatever) so I could actually get some things done. Tomorrow I have to do all the rest of my shopping. Not my favorite thing even when it isn't Christmas.