That's interesting that your GF has the same reaction my BF has. If he doesn't want to come to my mother's for dinner, I totally understand - I usually don't want to go either, why would he?! I'm glad that you actually like spending time with your GF's family now.

We had a talk about it tonight. I didn't tell him that I was thinking of bailing, but I did suggest we go the day after Christmas, which he seems amenable to (a first- I have suggested this before). He came up with the idea of spending one night at his parents, one night with his friend, and then the next night with his parents - which really would limit the amount of time we spend with them.

I do not enjoy his family at all. His father is an alcoholic narcissist. My BF and his mother just pretend not to notice when the father is passing out drunk at the dinner table. They knew that he was driving drunk, but I had to figure it out for myself a few years down the road. I will no longer get in a car if he is driving.

He gave me food poisoning one year. I started to bring my own food because of that - and because they don't eat three meals a day! They skip at least one meal, sometimes two - and the portions would be more appropriate for two people, not four. Due to control issues his father has, us cooking for everyone is not an option - I wish it was!

I just hate going there. My boyfriend is the only one who stays in touch. His siblings are estranged from their parents. If he accepts them not going, why do I have to??

When we first started going, my BF would start playing with his phone, ignoring his parents so I had to talk to them. One year I told him that I would be leaving the room when he did that -- and followed through. Ha ha, it worked!