Easter dilemma - is it okay to skip family gatherings from time to time?

passar3588 · April 2011

My DH and I live about 50 minutes from my parents. It's close enough that we see them for every holiday and in fact, my parents come over usually one day per week to spend time with the kids. It's a win/win because I can get out of the house, run errands, get my hair cut, go to appts., etc. I'm pretty close to my parents and think they are pretty great.

This year, we are having my DD's birthday party the day before Easter because it's her actual birthday and because everyone has stuff going on the weekends before and after. So, I'm contemplating not going to my parents' house for Easter and just having Easter with my DH and kids at our house because we'll see everyone the day before.

Is that horrible? What is your opinion on spending holidays with just your really immediate family (DH and kids) from time to time even though your parents/siblings are relatively close? Or, do you feel compelled to spend holidays with extended family? I just think that sometimes it would be nice to spend a nice quiet holiday alone at home.

Stacyc625 · April 2011

I am ALL FOR skipping extended family stuff.

I am skipping all Easter celebrations with my family. I don't feel the least bit guilty.

Hell- I am even CHOOSING to go visit my best friends' family on Easter for part of the day. That is just how i choose to do things.

Natalie_may · April 2011

Go ahead and skip! Have some alone time with just your immediate family and enjoy

lms_bride · April 2011

We are doing almost the exact same thing. Saturday before Easter is my FIL's 70th birthday. His wife is throwing a big shindig at their house (10 min away) that we are attending in the afternoon. All the nearby family will be there.

For Easter we were invited to go to my husband's aunt/uncle's house about an hour away for Easter brunch. We love spending time with them and always have a great time (there are cousins/children of various ages) but we will have just seen everyone the day before and we'd like to do a small Easter celebration here at home and an egg hunt here. So we are skipping it.

It is not horrible at all. I say skip it. They will understand, and if not, that's ok too. To me it's completely logical that you'd change the tradition this year given your daughter's birthday. (of course logic rarely factors into holiday decisions!)

Jerseygirl16 · April 2011

I am all for a quiet family holiday and with our family 2 hours away we do that from time to time but if it's important to either side we make the trip. My Mom loves to do Easter dinner and DH's parents like to have all the cousins over in their Easter best for an egg hunt and brunch. So, even though we'll be out in NJ the weekend before for our nephew and nieces bday party and we'll see them all the weekend after for Sarah's party (we moved it to May 1st) we'll still be going out for Easter. It's also our anniversary on Easter Sunday but that is getting pushed aside this year since we are so busy. I'm hoping we can have a romantic dinner after the kids go to bed on the 25th to celebrate.

littlemermaid · April 2011

I don't see anything wrong with what you are wanting to do. You are spending the day prior with the whole family.

mir322 · April 2011

I'm going to go against the grain here and say you should go. They come down every week to help you out and see DD. They'll be there (along with maybe other family?) the day before for the party, bring gifts, etc. Taking that into consideration, I'd say the least you can do is make the drive.

I'm with you on wanting a quiet holiday. I came from a big family and married into one. Quiet holidays don't exist with us

Have fun celebrating your DD's party...kids' parties are so great

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Easter dilemma - is it okay to skip family gatherings from time to time?

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