Do any of you have Holiday conflicts? You know inlaws etc.? How do you handle everyone wanting you at the same time? I'm very flexible, and don't want to add stress to the kids, but some of the inlaws are very demanding. How do you all handle this?

What do you mean saying that you don't want to add stress on the children? I don't know exactly how your in-laws treat your children but on my family, Christmas time is a very exciting time. Although everyone will get to be tired, its really worth it for everyone will have a good time. It is also a time for the children to be with their cousins who they have not seen yet.

So on my part only, there is not such thing as holiday conflict. Anyway, its only done on holidays and not everyday.

I don't have any kids involved, but I agree that sometimes the holidays can become rough. The problem is that I am already very tired with 2 serious jobs, so I cannot enjoy the celebration too much. The good thing is that I am also too tired to demand anything, all is OK with me, at least I can rest :D

My parents were always big fans of "we have the grandkids you come here" method. It worked better because I was the only grandchild, but it could work just as well modified. You could also pick a house to all meet at or a couple to meet at. Boundaries are important because if you get upset your kids will too probably.

I am lucky somehow it seems I can always juggle going between my family and my others family. This year I think we will take it easy and just have it at our place to go ahead and make everyone travel so we can take a break!

I try to be the 'flexible' one, and work around others...but some inlaws can be VERY demanding...it's really up to the kids to say, 'NO' it doesn't have to be this way....and make time at each others families...but I have heard some horror stories!

These occasions should have been planned months before it takes place so that we could tell everyone where we are going for that time. Making alternate visits will make it better for the in-laws on both sides of the family.