Carolyn Hax: All I want for Christmas is for you to do what I want for Christmas

[conuly]

Dear Carolyn: My husband and I have only one child, who just got married this year. We have always spent Christmas Eve together, just she and her now-husband, and Christmas Day with our extended family.

This year they want to still spend Christmas Eve with us but not Christmas Day. It's not to be with his family, as I said we would host everyone from his small family, though not mine, as it is too large to host during a pandemic. They have decided they want to spend Christmas Day alone.

I have never been so hurt. My husband and I will be alone on Christmas Day. We told them let's skip Christmas Eve and get together on Christmas Day, but they said no.

We would never leave them alone. I find this to be a very selfish act, as we are getting up in years. I feel Valentine's Day is for couples but Christmas is for families. I can't begin to tell you how sad and hurt I am. Am I wrong?

— Heartbroken

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(no subject)

[conuly]

DEAR ABBY: My family is getting torn apart by my older brother's issue with me. It has become worse over the years, even after his marriage.

He seems to be upset with how my life is progressing, and to upset me, he has been copying everything I do. He got engaged and married around the same time I did. He also got a dog right after I did, bought a car right after me and decided he wanted to start a family as soon as my wife and I announced we are having a baby.

My parents constantly make excuses about why his actions are justified. I no longer know what to do. I tried to reconcile with him, but he rebuffed me and says he hates me. It has reached the point that I don't want to be around any of my family anymore because they defend him on everything, despite the facts. What should I do? I seem to be the only person trying to reconcile the relationship and fix/reunite my family. -- SAD SIBLING IN NEW JERSEY

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Care & Feeding: My Mom Won’t Stop Harassing Me About Coming Home for Christmas

[minoanmiss]

She’s always been overbearing, but this is too much.

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Dear Prudence: "In-Law Unit Help"

[minoanmiss]

(That is a totally non-indicative title, but I can't come up with a proper one either.)

My son is at college and his former high school boyfriend, “Max,” still has a year to go before graduation. They broke up but are still friends. Max lives nearby. Max has had it hard because of his new stepmother, “Nadine” (she isn’t actually married to Max’s father but she introduces herself that way). ( Read more... )