Hello! Here's hoping most people are having a lovely Christmas.
I live alone (with responsibility for two rescue dogs) and for years it's been 'my turn' to have the parents (now just Mum) for xmas while my bro exercises his right to a relaxing holiday. I'd like her to live nearer me - she won't (long story). Picking her up and taking her back home involves 11 to 14 hours' driving for a round trip depending on conditions, plus making arrangements for the dogs.
Mum is here with me now, snoozing. My catering standards are modest but I can honestly say I've knocked myself out to provide a nice xmas for her. She wanted to attend midnight mass = big struggle to get her ready, washed and with her teeth brushed (she's horribly neglectful of personal hygiene, also incontinent and has toilet breath). Christmas dinner hardly seemed to register with her, she was so busy picking at a dirty old handbag, spitting on it, scrubbing the spit (euw) and complaining that it got stained at her day care centre. If only she cared so much about her own cleanliness...everything I did to please her was met with 'I'm not bothered' and it was the most soul-destroying holiday ever. Christmas carols didn't please, telly didn't please, dinner didn't please. I suggested she change into clean clothes for xmas dinner and was told she didn't need to, nobody who mattered would see her.
I don't think I want to repeat this experience. It all seems completely pointless and (for me) just one long emotional battering. There's no chance brother will do his share. i'm thinking maybe I could book an xmas hotel package, let someone else take the strain. Has anyone here ever done this? Is it a good idea?
I live alone (with responsibility for two rescue dogs) and for years it's been 'my turn' to have the parents (now just Mum) for xmas while my bro exercises his right to a relaxing holiday. I'd like her to live nearer me - she won't (long story). Picking her up and taking her back home involves 11 to 14 hours' driving for a round trip depending on conditions, plus making arrangements for the dogs.
Mum is here with me now, snoozing. My catering standards are modest but I can honestly say I've knocked myself out to provide a nice xmas for her. She wanted to attend midnight mass = big struggle to get her ready, washed and with her teeth brushed (she's horribly neglectful of personal hygiene, also incontinent and has toilet breath). Christmas dinner hardly seemed to register with her, she was so busy picking at a dirty old handbag, spitting on it, scrubbing the spit (euw) and complaining that it got stained at her day care centre. If only she cared so much about her own cleanliness...everything I did to please her was met with 'I'm not bothered' and it was the most soul-destroying holiday ever. Christmas carols didn't please, telly didn't please, dinner didn't please. I suggested she change into clean clothes for xmas dinner and was told she didn't need to, nobody who mattered would see her.
I don't think I want to repeat this experience. It all seems completely pointless and (for me) just one long emotional battering. There's no chance brother will do his share. i'm thinking maybe I could book an xmas hotel package, let someone else take the strain. Has anyone here ever done this? Is it a good idea?