I’m 30. I’m single. I live in the same general area that I grew up in, about 30 minutes from my parents.
My family is very close. My brother and sister are two of my best friends. I love my parents to death and I love spending time with them.
Here it comes…
BUT
During the holidays, my parents still expect me to stay at their house on “the eve” – Thanksgiving Eve and Christmas Eve – especially Christmas Eve. And here’s the BUT – I really, really, REALLY don’t want to. I haven’t wanted to for the past few years, but I continue to just do it because, I don’t feel like I have a good excuse not to – aside from the fact that I am a college graduate with a mortgage. Plus I know my parents would be sad/disappointed.
I don’t like sleeping on the couch (well, not when it’s on purpose), and that’s where I sleep when I stay at my parents. I like my house and my bed (both that I BOUGHT); I like waking up and having (a lot) of coffee before interacting with people, and I like my own shower and not having to pack a bag to go a half an hour away.
Don’t get me wrong – I love spending the holidays with my family, and wouldn’t want it any other way. But I wonder, how much longer can this go on? Will I have to sleep there on the eve for the rest of my life if I decide not to get married and/or have kids? Will I be leaving my dentures in a cup on the table next to the couch? The majority of my friends are married, and most with kids at this point, so they aren’t expected to stay at home on “the eve.” But I’m the same age as them.
So I think this might be the year. I’m going to take a stand!!
Who am I kidding – I’m going to drink 12 gimlets on Christmas Eve and pass out on the couch and end up having to stay anyway.
But really – this doesn’t just apply to Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve – there are tons of examples of situations where, if I was married, would have totally different expectations. When does that change?
– Erin
SHEality 