Christmas in car
Q: I lashed out on my parents ( Mom and Stepdad ) and have no regrets. They are ruining family traditions this holiday season and keep hurting me emotionally. They want to make a 8 hour round trip on Christmas to see some family for 2 maybe 3-4 hours and I pretty much lashed out on them saying how its not even good for holiday or Christmas to spend the whole day in a car, and not even be abel to celebrate the true meaning behind Christmas. Yes I want to see my grandparents and older siblings (whom are adults) but feels useless to spend the whole day in a car.
Am I in the wrong much or is my point valid? ( not to mention im a child of divorced parents who still fight over holiday visitation and just make me not wanna celebrate anything anymore ).
A: Yes you were wrong. First step is to try to tell them both how you feel. Esp about the in-fighting. Tell them they need to create a set holiday plan so it is the same every year and they need to ensure their side of the family needs to accomodate and adjust for the situation. There are still your parents together or not they both get a say in what you do and where you go. They are the authority over the home. And you have to submit to and follow their lead. But you can have a sit down meeting and ask to create a policy so the fighting stops.
As followers of Christ, we are called to honor our parents so I think you should apologize for lashing out and instead try to have a talk with them and try to help them understand your side of the situation, it’s important to stay calm, not let emotions run your life, and try not to care too much about these things and give the burdens to God. Remember the devil doesn’t even have to attack us because we encounter problems common to all men and cant let our emotions cause commotion; so be careful not to listen to your emotions and instead trust in God and ask him for help, and submit to His Will. He is always doing and working something and it is for good. Even if something bad happens or we feel a situation is not pleasant.
Our family is far away. It takes time and money and planning. It takes 7 hrs to get there and sometimes we dont stay overnight. When we do, we leave the next day after church and head home. Been like this many yrs since I was a kid. I am almost 50 now and I have good memories because of it...and I miss it. But... you should cherish visits (even short ones) with family esp on holidays bcuz no one knows how long someone will live, (and if family lived long, they have less time now). Instead of regrets over this later... find the positive bcuz you can always celebrate 🎉🎄.
We spent Christmas with family the weekend before and with the family the day of or weekend after. Before my stepdads parents died (his dad and step mom) we did one weekend with them, one weekend w moms parents & family and if Christmas was during the week we opened home gifts in the morning of (if it and we stayed home, if it was on a weekend we left after short am time at home w the gifts). I dont recall a christmas we were ever at home after early am, but back then it was only an hour drive to see family. Your parents likely have a limited work situation if they dont have Monday off (or due to divorce seperation) so theyre trying to juggle things (you dont understand yet) so be gracious and go with the flow. After those family pass away it will just be your family at home 🥺. Advice... Cherish variety while you have it. And create a car tradition.
I am sure You can celebrate in the car playing and singing Christmas songs, listening to the reading of the Christmas story from Scripture, watching or listening to the Nativity movie or play Christmas sermons, playing I spy something green, red, white, gold. Make paper trees and Christmas ornaments to "sticky" onto the seats and side of inner car door areas and dashboard. Color Christmas themed stuff on a device tablet and play Christmas maze and word puzzles there too. You can hand out tracts when you stop, and tract spots that folk can find on their travels (make it slightly like a easter egg hunt). And back in the car 😀share excitedly where you left some. And have a fav rest stop snack pit stop, try diff eateries or the same ine. We used to stop at peggy sues, a fun 50s diner burgers and shakes place, on our way to Vegas (whether entering or leaving) and its another tradition. And things like that. Some other ideas below. Look into ideas, put something together, and then ask them if it can be something you do going forward [from now on] like a car tradition. I am sure they will be glad to accommodate to help have a good time and make good memories.
God bless!
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