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What plans trump?

My sister has been through a lot and is finally graudating from nursing school (on a Friday). My mother made this a mandatory event. All of DH & his friends all are turning/turned 40 this year and are trying to plan a weekend fishing trip. 2 dates were suggested, 1 happens to be the weekend of my sister's grad the other is the weekend of a charity event everyone else is attending/organizing/sponsering. They all live in a different state (TX) than we do.

This is the problem, the place they want to fish is a plan ride away for DH and for his friends (LA). There are great fishing places that DH could fly to their state and fish and everyone could attend the charity event (TX)or they could all fly up here and fish and DH could still attend my sister's grad (CO). But, all of his friends want to fish in LA.

Should I insist that he makes his plans around my sister's grad or should we just deal with the fall out of him not attending it?

 

«1

Re: What plans trump?

  • I don't know, but your mother making this mandatory is rubbing me the wrong way.
    image
  • In my family most parties are come if you can. My sister has been through a lot (bipolar, homelessness, etc) and has turned her life around so this is a BIG deal that she is graduating and my mom has told us that we need to be there.
  • imageReturnOfKuus:
    I don't know, but your mother making this mandatory is rubbing me the wrong way.
    This.  And in turn, you want to try and make (how many?) DH friends ALL change where they take their trip because your mom, ONE person, has dictated this event is mandatory.

    Is she holding a gun to your head?  If not, then guess what?  You have a choice.  Send DH off w/ his buddies and you go see your sister graduate. 

    "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."
    ~Benjamin Franklin

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  • imageFlyfish:
    In my family most parties are come if you can. My sister has been through a lot (bipolar, homelessness, etc) and has turned her life around so this is a BIG deal that she is graduating and my mom has told us that we need to be there.
    So what?  Your sister turning her life around is great, but this doesn't mean that your DH and ALL OF HIS friends lives should be dictated by this.
    "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."
    ~Benjamin Franklin

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  • When you get married your mom kinda loses the authority to make events mandatory.  And it's a graduation it's not a wedding or the birth of her first kid.  Tell your h to do what ever works and either way YOU can still go to the graduation and "represent" for both of you, let your sister know ahead of time that he won't be able to come but that you'll be there and I doubt that she'll have a problem with it. Have your H call her even to let her know so that she's clear that he still loves her and all that.  Let your mom know after you tell your sister.

    You're grown ups now though, you can make your own decisions. 

  • Why can't you go to your sister's graduation ane let your DH have his fishing trip.  Also if you/DH are or near 40 how is it that your mother can make an event mandatory to you?  You and hubby are both adults if you don't want to attend your mother can't make you.
    "You cannot protect yourself from sadness without protecting yourself from happiness."
  • imageEastCoastBride:
    imageFlyfish:
    In my family most parties are come if you can. My sister has been through a lot (bipolar, homelessness, etc) and has turned her life around so this is a BIG deal that she is graduating and my mom has told us that we need to be there.
    So what?  Your sister turning her life around is great, but this doesn't mean that your DH and ALL OF HIS friends lives should be dictated by this.

    But isn't graduating (which happens on a specifc day) more important than a trip that can happen any other weekend.

    ETA: My mom does not ask a lot of us, we do whatever we want for holidays, vacations, etc... this is the one thing she has ever asked of us in our adult lives.

  • imageFlyfish:
    In my family most parties are come if you can. My sister has been through a lot (bipolar, homelessness, etc) and has turned her life around so this is a BIG deal that she is graduating and my mom has told us that we need to be there.

    I still don't see why you can't go by yourself and let your H go with his friends, you're still supporting her.

  • imageFlyfish:

    imageEastCoastBride:
    imageFlyfish:
    In my family most parties are come if you can. My sister has been through a lot (bipolar, homelessness, etc) and has turned her life around so this is a BIG deal that she is graduating and my mom has told us that we need to be there.
    So what?  Your sister turning her life around is great, but this doesn't mean that your DH and ALL OF HIS friends lives should be dictated by this.

    But isn't graduating (which happens on a specifc day) more important than a trip that can happen any other weekend.

    It doesn't sound like it can happen any other weekend. It sounds like there are two weekends it could happen, and the second weekend actually wouldn't work for most anyway.

    I don't understand why you can't go alone.

  • I don't think you should be insisting anything. DH is a grown man with all of the facts and information. I presume he knows what your sister's been through and what this graduation means to her. I presume he also works hard and has to make lots of tough decisions about where to spend his free time and how to treat his friends.

    So, you let him decide and support however it comes out. I often find that "fallout" isn't so bad or severe when I look my mother in the eye and treat myself as an adult who doesn't deserve a scolding.

  • imageFlyfish:

    But isn't graduating (which happens on a specifc day) more important than a trip that can happen any other weekend.

    ETA: My mom does not ask a lot of us, we do whatever we want for holidays, vacations, etc... this is the one thing she has ever asked of us in our adult lives.

    To you and your DH, perhaps.  but to his friends?  No.  That's my issue w/ this.  You're trying to get ALL of his friends to change their plans because your mom wants you both at graduation.  That's not fair.  And planning a group trip is hard.  It's really next to impossible to find a time that is truly perfect for everyone

    Right now it's you all that have a conflict.  but if they pick a weekend that works for you, it might not work for someone else.

    The question here really seems to be "Should my DH go on this trip or not?". 

     

    "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."
    ~Benjamin Franklin

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    DS dx with celiac disease 5/28/10

  • imageReturnOfKuus:
    I don't know, but your mother making this mandatory is rubbing me the wrong way.

     

    Ditto

  • First off I would say the graduation trumps a fishing trip.

    But that being said, about the fishing: explain to them that fresh mountain-caught trout tastes way better than whatever catfish is caught in LA. (I might be biased on that opinion, but it's worth a shot!)

  • I'm sorry, are you 12?  Your mommy made it mandatory?  Ummm, no.  If you want to go and support your sis, do so, but not because mommy said so.  And I would let your DH decide.  Your sister's not going to be heart broken if he doesn't make it.
  • imageFlyfish:

    imageEastCoastBride:
    imageFlyfish:
    In my family most parties are come if you can. My sister has been through a lot (bipolar, homelessness, etc) and has turned her life around so this is a BIG deal that she is graduating and my mom has told us that we need to be there.
    So what?  Your sister turning her life around is great, but this doesn't mean that your DH and ALL OF HIS friends lives should be dictated by this.

    But isn't graduating (which happens on a specifc day) more important than a trip that can happen any other weekend.

    ETA: My mom does not ask a lot of us, we do whatever we want for holidays, vacations, etc... this is the one thing she has ever asked of us in our adult lives.

    NO ... graduating is NOT on the same level.  It's awesome that you can go and want to please your mom, but don't let your mom dictate your life.  If you can and want to go.  Don't force it on your husband.  It would be silly for everyone to arrange all their plans around this.  It's not like you can't go, he can't.  Difference.

  • Your mom can't "make" your H do anything or go anywhere.  Let him take his fishing trip and you can go see your sister graduate.  I think she'd be happier to have you there no matter what, whether her BIL is there or not.
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  • mandatory my ass. YOU decide if you want to go or not and DH does the same. your mom will have to get over it.
    Friday, December 28 2012. The day I had emergency appendix surgery in Mexico and quit smoking. Proof that everything has a good side!! DH and I are happily child-free!! No due date or toddler tickers here!! my read shelf:
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  • Thanks for your replies. Yes I know we are not 12, it's just a little different when this is the only thing that your mother asks of you, and told you about 6 months ago. I know that DH can do whatever he wants and I understand that planning a group trip is hard, but it also requires flexibilty for every one who wants to go.

  • imageReturnOfKuus:
    I don't know, but your mother making this mandatory is rubbing me the wrong way.
      This.  Your mom might have requested that you call come, but your life doesn't stop because your sister is graduating from nursing school. Go by yourself and congratulate her.  Your H not coming doesn't mean he's any less happy or supportive of her.
  • imageFlyfish:

    Thanks for your replies. Yes I know we are not 12, it's just a little different when this is the only thing that your mother asks of you, and told you about 6 months ago. I know that DH can do whatever he wants and I understand that planning a group trip is hard, but it also requires flexibilty for every one who wants to go.

     

    But if everyone else wants to go that particular weekend, then your DH is the one who needs to be flexible, Majority rules n all.

  • DH will chose to go to my sister's grad (and not complain about it). I just wanted to see if there was a way that he could do both and put some more pressure on his friends and their choice of where to go.
  • imageFlyfish:
    DH will chose to go to my sister's grad (and not complain about it)..

    You sound like your mom....just say'n

  • imageFlyfish:
    DH will chose to go to my sister's grad (and not complain about it). I just wanted to see if there was a way that he could do both and put some more pressure on his friends and their choice of where to go.

    I fail to see how this is the better question.

    2 IVFs & 1 FET. Welcome home baby girl!
  • imageLil'BlackDress:

    imageFlyfish:
    DH will chose to go to my sister's grad (and not complain about it)..

    You sound like your mom....just say'n

    yep.

     

     

    I don't get why your H has to be there. YOU go and he can go with his friends.

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  • IMO dh's "group" seems to have left him behind.  There are only TWO weekends that work for them, and they MUST go to LA, even though it doesn't work for your DH?  And they can't work around him?  I understand that your dh is only one person in the group, but he seems willing to be flexible.

    I would not miss my sister's graduation, and would be there for one of DH's siblings or nephews if I were invited.  I realize all families are different, but that is something that dh and I would do. 

     

    image "Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self esteem, first make sure you are not, in fact, just surrounded by assholes.
  • DH can miss... he already has plans... simple as that.
    Jill * Married to Steven 11/9/03 * DS Samuel 4/4/05* DS #2 Jeffrey 6/13/2009
  • Your mom can't make it mandatory.  You go, DH fishes.  Very easy solution here.
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  • imageFlyfish:
    DH will chose to go to my sister's grad (and not complain about it). I just wanted to see if there was a way that he could do both and put some more pressure on his friends and their choice of where to go.

    or face the consequences.

  • imageEastCoastBride:

    imageReturnOfKuus:
    I don't know, but your mother making this mandatory is rubbing me the wrong way.
    This.  And in turn, you want to try and make (how many?) DH friends ALL change where they take their trip because your mom, ONE person, has dictated this event is mandatory.

    Is she holding a gun to your head?  If not, then guess what?  You have a choice.  Send DH off w/ his buddies and you go see your sister graduate. 

    This.  Just the fact that my mom (or whoever in my family) was telling me something was mandatory would be ridiculous enough, but asking multiple people to plan around something they have nothing to do w/ isn't fair to them, either.

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  • I've graduated from nursing school. It really isn't all that. It lasted maybe 2 hours and then we went to dinner. Your DH doesn't need to be there. Believe me, going on a trip with my closest friends is something I'd pick instead too.

    Your still sister needs to take her NCLEX (certification test), which is much more important that walking the stage. When she passes it, you and your DH can take her out to celebrate.

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