What a dysfunctional Christmas for me

[Lenape85]

OK, as usual, every year, I have to spend my christmas at my older cousin's house. Now, they are not the problem, the children (whom I have secretly nicknamed "the little shits") are. For 2 and a half hours, I have to hear them screaming like little banshees and it just disgusts me.

When I'm driving home, my father then tells me that one of my older cousins has cancer and to top it all off, she got pregnant for the fourth or fifth time (probably from a one-night stand). She can't get radiation because there is something growing inside of her, and I fear that 2005 will be a really dysfunctional year.

End of rant, time to start drinking.

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. How sad

what kind of cancer?

[Lenape85]

2. Probably lung

She's a chain smoker

[SheilaT]

3. Why do you have to spend Christmas there?

Next year, make alternative arrangements. Get a job that requires working that day, or volunteer to work in a homeless shelter on that day. Or just tell the family that you prefer to be alone.

Sounds like you don't have kids, and when you don't, other people's children are endlessly irritating, even the supposedly well-behaved ones. Don't feel apologetic about it. Just remember that the parents who live with these kids are so used to the behavior that they don't really notice it. I'm not doubting that these two are truly terrible -- I'm hoping this is coming across as sympathetic. But it's torture to endure screaming kids when you don't have any (when you do, you're more used to these things and it doesn't seem so bad).

Good luck during the coming year.

This is why we live far away from most family.

[Skittles]

5. I don't understand the feeling of obligation either

I don't care if it's family, if it's not worth it DON'T DO IT!

as far as kids being irritating, those of us without kids can very much tell the difference between disciplined children and little f***ing brats.

[American Tragedy]

7. Some children really aren't bad at all - in relatively small doses

I've never been much on kids, but I have to admit that my nieces, 4 and 6, are very sweet, fairly quiet, and non-destructive.

They're funny, too. Earlier, I was laying on the bed reading something, when the four year old, a tiny, feisty critter with an explosion of curly blonde hair, caught a glimpse of my naval piercing. It was the first body piercing she had ever seen and it boggled her mind. Her jaw dropped, she knelt down and poked at it, and exclaimed, "If I was your age, I would never dare do something like that!"

[OldLeftieLawyer]

4. As a parent, I must give you this

The secret Three Little Words that get us adults through the holidays:

Children's Chewable Quaaludes.

(OK, OK, I'm kidding.)

(But you're laughing, aren't you?)

[Lenape85]

6. Yes I am

[davsand]

8. Where can I get some of those?

Except I want them for ME. I'll just multiply the dose to cover my greater body mass and the holiday with the family will be MUCH improved. Do they come in nifty grape or is it bubble gum flavor? :)


Laura

Better livin with chemistry!