Holiday crunch

[cola_keeper]

I'm so excited to be going home for Christmas. But, while I can't wait, there is always a catch. This year it is squishing in all the people I need and want to see in about 6 days. I've decided to get organized, and start booking in times with certain people so I make sure I get to see them and don't overtax myself. There's the afternoon in

Comments

[bold_text]

I've had to do this when I'm going home too and people are always resistant and are like "oh I'll see you sometime." But you have it right, if you don't schedule at least some of those people you'll never fit them all in. I'm kind of glad I'm skipping all family this year.

[cola_keeper]

Pete doesn't understand at all. I mean when he goes back he just sees his immediate family and a friend or two. So no problem. Me, I've got lots of relatives I am close to, I have friends flying into town at the same time, I have obligations with my mom and the list never ends. I wish I was only going to see four or five people - but I'm not. So I'm scheduling. If I leave it to the last minute I will be pulling my hair out when people don't understand I ran out of time.

[cha_charisma]

You're definitely being sensible trying to schedule people in.

I can totally feel your frustration, because it's hard to say "Stop wanting me so much!" but hopefully your mom will appreciate your time together more when she realises you have so many people to see!

[cola_keeper]

Hopefully mom will be ok. But she gets like this during most of my visits. I spend lots of time with her, but she has to learn the trip home is about seeing all the family - not just her.

[theyellowline]

Just keep on scheduling. And when it looks like you may fall over from exhaustion tell them that you will see them at the Christmas party. Give your mom two or three days as options and tell her she has to pick one so you'll make sure that you'll spend only that day with her.

[cola_keeper]

See I'll spend all Christmas Eve with mom, All Christmas Day with mom, All boxing day with mom plus all the first day I return with her. That's not including when I visit other family members and I take mom with me. Sigh. Pete isn't sure scheduling is the right way to handle this - but I really hate trying to corral people when I am in town and they keep saying I'll see you later and then it's the last day and 10,000 people want to see you. I wish the holidays didn't have to be so stressful.