We're on the road. Visiting our siblings and parents - all of whom live out of town. My side of the family this weekend.
It is challenging to be physically with your relatives - even those you grew up with - when you haven't had that kind of relationship for some time. We've spent most of the last decade away from them and we've all changed and grown-up (and had six kids between me and my two sisters). I left home when my sisters were 10 and 13. Sometimes I feel like they are strangers. Now we have husbands and small children getting reacquainted seems like a large abyss that is hard to cross.
Is it just me or once you have kids it gets even more difficult to be with relatives? Everyone has different ideas and standards and when you are closely related you feel less inhibited in imposing your ideas on others.
Not to say that we've having a terrible time. Just that it is yet another adjustment we have to make. Another one that people often forget about.
Tomorrow we're having my family's Christmas Day - present exchanges, big meal, etc. Next week on the actual day we'll be with David's family. More people to relate to and live with for a short time.
At least I don't have to cook Christmas dinner this year. It was fun this morning to be in the kitchen again with Mum, like old times! And tomorrow won't be lonely - as our Christmases in Japan can tend towards.
18 December, 2009
Adjusting to Christmas with family
We're on the road. Visiting our siblings and parents - all of whom live out of town. My side of the family this weekend.
It is challenging to be physically with your relatives - even those you grew up with - when you haven't had that kind of relationship for some time. We've spent most of the last decade away from them and we've all changed and grown-up (and had six kids between me and my two sisters). I left home when my sisters were 10 and 13. Sometimes I feel like they are strangers. Now we have husbands and small children getting reacquainted seems like a large abyss that is hard to cross.
Is it just me or once you have kids it gets even more difficult to be with relatives? Everyone has different ideas and standards and when you are closely related you feel less inhibited in imposing your ideas on others.
Not to say that we've having a terrible time. Just that it is yet another adjustment we have to make. Another one that people often forget about.
Tomorrow we're having my family's Christmas Day - present exchanges, big meal, etc. Next week on the actual day we'll be with David's family. More people to relate to and live with for a short time.
At least I don't have to cook Christmas dinner this year. It was fun this morning to be in the kitchen again with Mum, like old times! And tomorrow won't be lonely - as our Christmases in Japan can tend towards.
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2 comments:
I remember many Christmas' in Japan I sorely missed my parents and sister...but you are right, you kind of get used to it and it seems funny to be with famiy for holidays....we are kind of used to it just us 5. Hope you can bridge some of those gaps.
Visiting relatives can be awkward at the best of times! I hope you have an enjoyable Christmas regardless.
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