The politics of the holidays

We are in the throes of trying to be just and fair where we spend the holidays. It is by far the most stressful undertaking of the year.

Both sides of the family are in the area so that presents the problem of where to spend the day. My side of the family is usually content to celebrate the day or two after a holiday. Well except for Christmas morning and then we all get together bright and early. That morning is so fun and soooo noisy. In addition to my 6 kids, my brother has 4 girls and my sister has 2 boys and one girl. All under the age of 12. Gift wrap is flying everywhere and the air is punctuated by screams of delight.

Anyway, my grandparents are now in the mix. They've always lived a couple of hours away but now they live just 30 minutes away. All of their kids live far away so they are alone on the holidays. I hate the thought of them spending special holiday's alone but how can we be in three places at once?

We have the only kids on Brian's side of the family. The only kids in Oregon. Brian's brother doesn't have any kids. One of his cousins in Idaho has 8 kids, I think, and I would love to meet them.

I really think that when your kids are grown you forget how tiring having little ones can be. My dad gets tired out just watching all of his 13 grandchildren play but he doesn't have to go home with them. ;) I mean Brian and I haven't had a full night sleep in years. We're awake every couple of hours every night. For years now.

We're also not super portable. When we go to a relative's house, we have so much stuff to bring. Lots of toys and busy stuff so Graedon doesn't knock stuff over in his quest to climb higher and higher and then jump off anything that will hold him. ;) Oh and two of the kids take naps - much needed naps - so we factor that in as well.

I really want everyone to be happy and get the most from this holiday season. So how do you balance making everyone happy with keeping your sanity? What does your family do for the holidays and extended family?