On Christmas day the only thing I’m thinking about is spending time with my family, eating amazing food and exchanging presents with the people I love. However, most of my family has a completely different idea of how to spend the holidays.
From the second I walk through the door on Thanksgiving I’m interrogated with a million different questions until December 25. First come the general questions like, “How’s school?” “How’s your car?” “How are the grades looking?” As I struggle to come up with conversation-moving answers the only thing I can think to respond is “good.” School is un-amusing, my car is still running and my grades…well they could be better but that’s really none of their business. What do they expect me to say?
After that comes, what I like to call, the life-changers. I must choose my responses wisely because my answers to these questions will affect the way my entire family views me until I see them again next Christmas.
First is the unavoidable, awkward, and uncomfortable “So…do you have a boyfriend?” My only response to this is “no comment.”
Then comes the monumental, ever-so popular, “So how’s the college search going?” They ask this as if I actually know the answer. The struggle to keep myself together without breaking down into tears to is all too real. College is stressful enough without a bunch of your family trying to sway your decisions. “Back in my day [insert random college here] was the place to go! We had a grand old time!” “Have you checked out [insert random college here] yet?” “We’ll take you on a tour of [insert random college here]’s campus if you want!” This is the last thing I want to hear as I try to open presents. Contrary to popular belief, the decision is mine to make. Not theirs.
I know they’re only saying these things for my own good but sometimes it’s a little overwhelming. I appreciate the effort in trying to get to know me but maybe if they spread out the questionnaire over the other 364 days of the year it wouldn’t seem so unreasonable.
My family wonders why I enjoy spending more of my time at the ‘kids table’ than with the adults. Maybe it’s because I don’t have to struggle to talk to the toddlers and I know they won’t judge me based on my life choices.
So wish me luck this holiday season. Here’s to hoping I can make it through yet another awkward month without ripping out my hair and throwing the Christmas tree across the room.