I'm rapidly getting to the point where I am ready to tell both side of my family to drop the presents and food for us. Way too much drama whenever we get together.
Mom's side....
Grandparents raised their kids and most of THEIR kids me included until I was 12. Have been raising the youngest cousin (currently 4yo) since 8 weeks after birth due to my uncle and his newest wife not having their priorities in order. Said cousin was recently diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome (same family as Autism), but my GF still treats him like he is 1. Same cousin pushed my 16 mo old son down when he decided he wanted my son's toy. My aunt handled it VERY well, but my grandfather couldn't stand to see him disciplined. Took strong words and direct eye contact to keep my grandfather out of it. Words like "favoritism" and "not coming for Christmas". He spent most of the time were there after that outside away form everyone else.
Dad's side.......
Where do I start.....drinking, my brother #1 stills owes me money from 6 months ago but somehow found the money to buy a new guitar and pills for all of his inlaws, my 22 year old cousin and 20 year old cousin (unrelated to each other) still live there, brother #2 got fired (justifiably) from the same place I work about 2 weeks before T-giving, my Dad/step-mothers house is disgusting, my son was cranky due to the time of dinner and having been in the car most of the day
Thankfully my inlaws don't do Thanksgiving and the entire extended family come in for Chrsitmas so my wife's parents are usually on their better behavior. MIL is bi-polar but undiagnosed and FIL had a personality changing stroke two years ago. BIL #1 and his son are fairly normal, BIL #2 is ok too, just a little different.
W
