Removing Drama from Your life...funny Stories About "Family" and Holidays...

The way I always avoided the drama on my side of the family at the gatherings? Leave when the banjo came out! For real. My family had some REALLY big drinkers on my side. When they had consumed enough to think that we needed to hear grandpa play the banjo - that also signaled that enough had been consumed for the "telling of the truths and the airing of the grievances."

So I learned that as soon as I heard the banjo music, it was my cue to find an excuse to gather up the kiddos and scoot out the door.

Try putting a bunch of Asians with a bunch of Ukrainians in the same room all in the name of an American holiday, and you'll get some laughs whether you try to or not.

My husband and I have no idea if we've ever been embroiled in family holiday drama when we get together b/c noone speaks the same language.

Asians are very communal. Ukrainians are very suspicious. That means the Asians aren't very friendly to those not related to them, and the Ukrainians wonder what they are up to.

I get jealous reading everyone's family dramas...at least all your families speak English!

Avoid, ignore, smile and nod your head. Keep conversation very light! Yep, that's about it!

"Leave when the banjo comes out." Bridgette, that is priceless.:)

My folks always wonder "why don't you come visit for Christmas?". I really do love them, but what I would like to tell them:

"Remember Christmas '01, when I visited you in California? Remember when you wouldn't let my boyfriend come for Christmas day because "Dad was traumatized by all the jerks his daughters dated"? Remember when I had to go the ER the day before Christmas Eve for a horrible bladder infection that was making me cry? Remember stepmom chiding me all Christmas Eve for "not participating" because I was *in bed resting* per doctors orders? Remember the big giant guilt trip about "Dad really wants us all to go to Christmas Eve services at the (totally hateful and judgmental not-Christian-at-all) church", and even after I went, how Christmas Eve night at 11 pm, stepmom came into my room and asked what 'my attitude' was all about and how I "wasn't making an effort" and began to psychoanalyze me (without my permission, and certainly without a license or any objectivity)? Remember Christmas morning when stepmom and sister argued and started a bitchy/squabbling marathon which lasted all day? This is why I do not visit during holidays because a few of you get passive aggressive and a bit c-r-a-z-y."

I've been with the 'possibly traumatizing boyfriend' for the last 10 years and have since celebrated every Christmas with him, at home, far far away from family. ;)

I'm a WASP. I married a family of rednecks. Never fails that something will erupt at the Thanksgiving table. I handle it like a WASP. I smile huge and change the subject. I compliment the table setting and talk about how great the weather has been and how lovely the turkey looks and give that person a look that says - shut the hell up, you're making everyone uncomfortable. The moment passes and everyone goes back to passing the potatoes. All is forgiven and we go about our business.

Usually works. But when my one brother brings his biotch of a wife around - I'm the one they need to shoot "the look" to. We eff-ing hate that broad. ;0 I don't hate all my sils. 3 of them are my very best friends. But that one girl is plain white trash putting my borther and the kids through hell. I'm afraid my disdain for her shows on my face. We just ignore her. When she speaks, we look at her and then go back to our conversation. I hate to be that way, but there's no making it work with that trick.

The years my SIL avoided us were soooo pleasant. Now she is coming around again and I know it will be the same

Funny stories? My MIL accused me of sneaking some teens a cell phone so they could call me without her knowing. She nearly assalted my niece wrestling the box out of her hands. It was a GIFT FOR MY MIL! We all laughed.

I too have a SIL who avoided...now she's baaaccckkk. :(

Well....will there be wine? That helps.

Oh! And master the art of a thoughtful "Ooooooh...." or "Uh-huuuuuuh" or "Interesting....." and TRY not to let your eyes glaze over OR roll visibly.

EMBRACE the dysfunction! Look for the humor.

Sorry-that's all I've got.
(But wine helps! In extreme cases--break out the tequila!))

I avoid them and they still stalk me! LOL... No seriously distance has always worked.. Good for you enjoy!

I agree with you. Distance has always worked for me. Its either made them change, or stay away from me. Both are ok in my book ;)

Well my ex was the source of drama, so.....well he is my ex, so no more drama.

What is pathetic is he is engaged, apparently money can buy you an woman, so my kids are going to tell me the drama and I can't wait. I feel bad but then on the other hand it will be amusing to hear someone else go through the hell that is the holidays at my ex in laws. :p

Oh funny stories, really the funniest stories were when my kids were kids and it drove their grandma to fits! Like one year her stupid dog kept running across the pool cover and she is screaming to save him. It is the kind of pool cover that is like a trampoline. So me son runs out and the cover sinks enough that he is wet from the waste up and the dog is doggie paddling to the side.

Ya know it is hard to find funny with that lot!