If you’re going to see your family for the holidays, then you’re lucky — a lot of people work or are just too far away to be able to make the trip. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t come with its struggles. Family might include people that we love, but it also includes the people that make us crazy! Here are 10 challenges you’ll likely face this holiday season:
- Traveling is expensive and stressful. If you don’t live close to your family, then chances are you’re starting your vacation on crowded public transportation. When you finally get there, you’re already going to be wanting a nap. Also, it probably cost you a ton because it’s the holidays. Ugh!
- You’ll have to answer pressing questions about your love life. If you’re single, then your family might ask why and if you’ve been trying to find someone. If you’re taken, then they may ask when you’re getting married. If you’re married, then they’ll ask when you’re having kids. It’s really a lose-lose situation and no way to avoid it.
- You’re still treated like you’re still a kid. This could be a good thing, since no one else in our life truly wants to take care of us like our parents. But when they start asking where you’re going when you want to go out for a little while (to get away from them, probably), then this can turn sour. You’ll never truly be a grown up in their eyes, and it’s a tough thing to remember.
- Your parents find some way to guilt trip you. Every parent’s super power is the guilt trip. No matter how good you are to them, they’ll find a way to make you feel bad. Maybe one of them will bring up how little you visit even though you have a job. Maybe it’s about not giving them that grandchild they’re so desperate to meet. Either way, you’ll just have to try and evade the situation. Hey, we can’t always please them!
- Someone inevitably brings up an old argument and ruins the mood. When family comes together, memories come up, whether they are good or bad. Ideally everyone would just put aside things for the sake of having a good time, but chances are, family drama will rear its ugly head.
- You can’t drink to your heart’s content. This could depend of the family, but you’ll probably try to not be stumbling drunk around your family, even though they’re the ones that make us want to drink. Perhaps hold things off and make plans to go to the bar afterwards if you need a release.
- Everyone fights for your time. If you have a big and close family, then chances are your schedule is going to be one big mess on the holidays. Instead of just staying at one place, you’re going to multiple people’s houses, and even then you might have to leave someone out and you’ll feel bad about it.
- Figuring out what to give your parents seems impossible. What do you give the people who have probably been your biggest supporters in life? Not only do all of the gifts you could give them not seem enough, but if you’re broke, this answer might be even harder. Well, it’s the thought that counts!
- You have to put up with the family member that says stupid things. We all know that family member that will reliably ruin things by voicing their terrible opinions. Will you have enough strength to bite your tongue or completely shut them down? Only time will tell.
- Knowing that the vacation will have to end is so sad. Although we like to complain about all the struggles of visiting family, we never want to leave when it’s time. Being able to spend time with the people you love is really a gift that not everyone can have. So all we can do is say bye and try to plan to do it all over again next year.
