Thanksgiving with nparents

[Roxie]

I had to spend the afternoon with them and I have been fighting suicidal ideas ever since.  How do they push me to this place?  I did stop contact with my parents for the summer when they wounded me so emotionally I could not physically find my voice to answer their phone calls.  
My parents care more about my pets well being than mine.  Last year my cat was too fat, this she is "bone thin".  And according to my mom I just need to find a good home for my cat, and my dog is lonely so I should take her to doggy day care like they do with their perfect dog.  I hate how they make me feel.  My life is really so much better without them.  I really am considering going on a vacation to avoid them at Christmas.  I can't keep doing this to myself.  They make me feel like a stupid 18 year old child, I'm 36 and do nothing right.  It has gotten so bad since my mother retired.  I just needed someone to know how screwed up I feel.  My therapist is out of town.

[bunny]

Vent heard. Yes, take a vacation away from them for Christmas. Who needs to be berated and criticized on that day?

By the way, when she talks about your dog, she is really talking about herself. The dog symbolizes unacceptable parts of her.

Have a Merry Christmas somewhere else!

Bunny

[Ellie as guest]

Hi Roxie,
We began having Thanksgiving at a ski resort over 5 years ago. It was the best thing my family could have ever done! H, my kids and I spend time together and do not have to interact with any family at all. We just had a great vacation this week. I can thank my dysfunctional Nfamily for pushing me to this. H's mother called the day after and had not had a good day herself. Her family had treated her badly. I could only think how happy I was that I do not feel obligated to spend holidays with sicko family members.

Have a great Christmas vacation!