ARGUING OVER OUR CHRISTMAS ARRANGEMENTS

Dear Coleen

I’m a woman in my early 40s and have two siblings, and we all have kids. My problem is that my siblings and their families want to spend Christmas with my parents, which, due to Covid, means I’ll have go to my in-laws if we want to see any family over the holidays.

The problem with that is my husband is an only child, so my daughter will have no cousins to play with and she’s been desperate to see them.

I think my siblings are being selfish – even though they’ve come up with countless reasons about why they should be first in line, the main one being that my family and I always spend Christmas with my folks.

Do they have a point?

Coleen says

Well, maybe they do. This year is unlike any other and if your siblings often spend the holidays with the other side of their families, then I guess I can see why they might want to see your parents this time.

I see your point of view too – traditionally you’ve been the ones to spend Christmas with your folks, so why shouldn’t you do that again this year?

I think there are going to be a lot of these debates going on around the country at the moment. What I would say is, have a family Zoom call and talk it out, but ask yourself if it’s really worth falling out with your siblings over this. It’s just one year (hopefully) and I think the most important thing is to remember why we celebrate Christmas – peace, love and goodwill to all men.

This year, more than ever, we need the support of family, so don’t make this into something bigger than it needs to be.