Anyone else get depressed around the hollidays?

[GeorgeG.]

That's a whole different topic.

I'm saying that growing up with divorced parents doesn't mean you have to hate the holidays, especially now that you're grown up. It's really easy to be depressed at any time if you focus on negative shit and secretly (and maybe subconsciously) enjoy feeling sorry for yourself. With all of the awesome shit going on during the holidays, why point out and focus on the negative things? Heck, even some of those negative things could actually be positive things just depending on the way you look at them. I know some people can't help being depressed, but a lot of people just seem to be more comfortable when they're down in the dumps. Maybe they think having a cheerful outlook is too much work, or maybe it's cheesy and they're too cool for it, or they just haven't really tried to be positive. To each his/her own, just try not to ruin the fun for your kids or the people around you.

ah, yeah, that's pretty spot on. I know sometimes I have to work at not seeing the negative things and to stop and identify (and enjoy) the positive things.

I agree with Jared. This is my favorite time of year, but the two worst periods of my life have happened in the middle of it. Sometimes you just need to roll with the punches and get a fresh outlook. What's that saying about instead of picking up the pieces and trying to put them back together, just leave them on the ground and go build something completely new?

[FunFordCobra]

It becomes a burdon. It was great as a kid but now I'm obligated to drive all across texas and have 10 thanksgiving and Christmas dinners..

[Mach1]

I love Halloween and Thanksgiving, but I hate Christmas, because I am the antichrist

[jluv]

I don't think it's always that easy. I think it's a proven fact that many times kids of divorced parents end up being divorced themselves. I'm not saying it's not possible, but it's common that this is the case.

That's a whole different topic.

I'm saying that growing up with divorced parents doesn't mean you have to hate the holidays, especially now that you're grown up. It's really easy to be depressed at any time if you focus on negative shit and secretly (and maybe subconsciously) enjoy feeling sorry for yourself. With all of the awesome shit going on during the holidays, why point out and focus on the negative things? Heck, even some of those negative things could actually be positive things just depending on the way you look at them. I know some people can't help being depressed, but a lot of people just seem to be more comfortable when they're down in the dumps. Maybe they think having a cheerful outlook is too much work, or maybe it's cheesy and they're too cool for it, or they just haven't really tried to be positive. To each his/her own, just try not to ruin the fun for your kids or the people around you.

[GeorgeG.]

Lots of people had to deal with the divorced parent thing but they don't let it get them down, especially now that they're grown up. Let it go!

I don't think it's always that easy. I think it's a proven fact that many times kids of divorced parents end up being divorced themselves. I'm not saying it's not possible, but it's common that this is the case.

[jluv]

Lots of people had to deal with the divorced parent thing but they don't let it get them down, especially now that they're grown up. Let it go!

lets all just show up at talis new crib one saturday night!

god bless.

I'll deficate on that handsome mug of yours fuckface.

[YALE]

Yes. Back 9 likely.

I heard we were having a kegger at your house. Sup?

So are we doing a Christmas party, or what?

Yes. Back 9 likely.

[GeorgeG.]

I'm sure the divorced parents and being a kid at the time have a lot to do with it. Hopefully you can break that cycyle so that your kids aren't going through the same thing.

As far as visiting 3 families on Thanksgiving and Christmas, that must be brutal! Have you considered maybe celebrating one holiday with one family and the other holiday with the other? That's pretty much what we've been doing since forever. I've been tempted to invite both my wifes side and my side of the families to our house but I'm not sure how that would end up

And as far as everyone else, you just have to not let it get to you. The wife likes to do the black friday, I'm not about to get out there and deal with all that BS to save a few bucks. We also tend to finish Christmas shopping long before Thanksgiving gets here so we don't really deal with any more bad attitudes and rude people than what is normally found at Walmart.

I've also learned to set my expectations ahead of time. I would set my mind, back when our kids were smaller, that going to see Santa at the mall was going to eat up a few hours of my time for a few minutes of pleasure for the kids (unless they were scared of Santa when they got their turn, then my frustration level slowly started to climb).

Good luck man and happy holiday!

[ELVIS]

So are we doing a Christmas party, or what?

lets all just show up at talis new crib one saturday night!

god bless.

[YALE]

So are we doing a Christmas party, or what?

[Roscoe]

I love the holidays. Twice. True story.

[bcoop]

I don't get depressed, really. But I am ALWAYS sick on Thanksgiving. For the last 8 years I've worked 15-18 hour days for a week leading up to Thanksgiving, busting my ass with Turkey Fry at work. It's a lot of hard work and boozing, and takes a toll on my body. We aren't doing it this year though, so that's nice.

Still getting used to the changes and not being with the kids all day on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day since the divorce. I have them part of each day, and she has them part of each day. It's a real pain in the ass to schedule and coordinate. And I do kind of miss waking up, making breakfast and the wife coffee, and watching them open presents with the ex, in laws, and my parents. It's really the only part of the marriage that I miss.