Thanksgiving and Family Drama
By Raine38
@Raine38 (12387)
United States
November 14, 2020 12:03pm CST
I mentioned on some previous discussion, or at least alluded, that my husband and I will be celebrating Thanksgiving outside the state, while travelling and visiting with his other relatives. This year, we want to get out of town and avoid the brewing family drama brought on by his older brother's new and much younger wife from the Philippines.
A little bit of background - his older brother married a woman 20 years his junior, brought her and her daughter from a previous relationship here and that started some bit of friction with his grown daughters. His eldest daughter is only 6 years younger than his new wife. He seemed so happy, but he started being a little unreasonable when it comes to his new family.
My husband and I are caught in the middle; we like his nieces but we also do not want to alienate anyone by taking sides. It was not a nasty family drama, but there are lots of backhanded and subtle jabs here and there. For instance, during his brother's birthday celebration at a restaurant, he was given a free sundae. When he asked who wants it (because he's already full), his youngest daughter claimed it, saying that she's the biological daughter so she has more right to it than anyone else. Husband and I just looked at each other, and he asked his brother something to divert the attention and conversation after his niece threw that comment.
Another instance was during the funeral of their aunt, we were looking for their grandma. His niece, who is the eldest daughter of his brother, said that wherever their grandma is she knows that it will not be with her dad because he's busy with his new family now.
Last night, husband's niece texted him to ask him if we have plans for Thanksgiving. He was not able to respond immediately because he's in the gym. Then his brother called him asking if we have plans for Thanksgiving. He was just glad to be able to tell them both that yes, we already made plans and we will be out of town for days.
Now, we cannot escape Christmas dinner. Last year, we hosted it. I am not sure whose turn it is this year, but maybe we can say we are isolating after our trip due to the virus so we will be just staying in, I don't know. I hate to be in this situation. Hopefully they all resolve whatever issues they have with each other. Getting along and resolving conflicts will be something that I will be praying for, and will be thankful of.
5 people like this
4 responses
@prinzcy (32299)
• Malaysia
15 Nov 20
That's an awkward situation to be in with. Been there, done that. My young uncle eloped. They're both young at the time. He's 20, she's 16. They're married because she's pregnant and he wanted to be responsible. When he brought his wife for a visit the first time after that during family feast. My aunt, unable to take it, started nagging in a loud voice, telling him off. It was embarrassing for both of them, and even embarrassing for me to listen. My aunt is not even his mom, yet I think she told him off more than his mom. It took a while for the couple to visit my aunt after that. Even I took time to visit my aunt after that.
If I were you, I might use the virus as a reason of not meeting them for a while. It will always be an awkward meeting until they resolve the issue.
1 person likes this
@Raine38 (12387)
• United States
15 Nov 20
Oh my, that was very awkward! I am glad they have put the past behind them now. I am hoping and praying the same for our family. But seeing as I am only in this family through marriage, I feel like whatever needs to be said or done is not up to me. Sure, if any of our nieces came to me for advice, I can give them some.
I am also from the Philippines, so I sort of sympathize with the new wife, being in a new country and all. But she's made her choice, she knew what she is getting herself into. She should be ready.
But at the end of the day, we're all family. We may fight, we may argue, but we will never cease being a family.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (209044)
• United States
14 Nov 20
Sometimes it is good to break the routine.
1 person likes this





