https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 25 Apr 2026 08:21:34 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-prefer-for-family-gatherings#post-2425771 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 11:29:19 +0000 regberadaisy 2425771@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: I know. :/ We go through spurts where we make up excuses to not invite them. But it's pretty much the only way our girls see them. After two weeks my older one starts asking about everyone. Then we feel guilty for not giving her an opportunity to see them because of our own adult hang ups. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-prefer-for-family-gatherings#post-2425747 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 11:08:57 +0000 ShootingStar 2425747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: I would just stop inviting them over. But then, every other week with my ILs would be way too much for me. If they don't reciprocate, then there's no need to keep making an effort. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-prefer-for-family-gatherings#post-2425626 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 10:15:16 +0000 snowjewelz 2425626@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I flip flop! I def hate getting my home "messed up" but at the same time it's easier for DD to be at home, nap whenever, etc. Going out is definitely "stress free" except you gotta pack all the kid(s) stuff, entertain them, be aware of nap/bed times, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-prefer-for-family-gatherings#post-2425598 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 09:57:06 +0000 Mommy Finger 2425598@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Since my boys are young, I prefer to host so that I don't feel rushed and can just put them to bed when necessary. I'm a stickler on bed times so I hate having to leave early to get the boys to bed. That being said, my parents live about 7 minutes away from us so it's nice to go over there. I prefer to host my inlaws since they're 2 hours away and it's a huge hassle to stay the night. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-prefer-for-family-gatherings#post-2424603 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 11:08:01 +0000 youboots 2424603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A mix of all three! I feel like MIL tells us the time she wants us to be over say 4 pm then dinner is not till 6:30 because she wants to hang out. I can always count on dinner being at least an hour later. That annoys me so we tend to have them over. I've been better at saying hey we are leaving at 7 sharp for the baby's bedtime. My parents take us out 1-2 times a month. They almost exclusively eat out and I don't love having them here at night because my Dad drinks too much, wants us to open more wine and overstays his welcome. My Mom only really hosts/cooks in the summer since they have a pool. We host most big holidays since both sets of parents attend and we have the biggest house and I like to host. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-prefer-for-family-gatherings#post-2424488 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 07:01:07 +0000 Tanjowen 2424488@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We split it between my parents, our house, and my brother's place. My sister is a terrible host (last time we went over at 5 pm to hang out when she asked, and she was like, you want food? I didn't plan on dinner - WTH?) and my little brother's place is tiny. </p> <p>We have a comfortable system going where we always eat tacos and everyone knows what to contribute, and my family is kind enough to have dinner early enough where we can leave to put LO to bed at his normal time too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-prefer-for-family-gatherings#post-2424479 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 06:04:15 +0000 Truth Bombs 2424479@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We don't live near our families so we don't get the opportunity to host big gatherings with them. But when we get together with friends I love hosting. We have the biggest/most open house for everyone to hang out, and we have a main floor play room so the kids are close but entertained and not right underfoot. Plus we have space upstairs to spread kids out and put them all to sleep if we want to hang out late. But my friends are amazing and we always split the food/booze duties and they never leave my house until everything is all cleaned up. Just yesterday one of my best friends texted me to inform me that her husband decided we are hosting everyone for the Super Bowl 😂 I was thrilled! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-prefer-for-family-gatherings#post-2424468 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 04:04:32 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2424468@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In theory I'd like to go over someone else's home. (Grocery shopping &amp; clean up suck :sad: ) The reality is my family and ILs are not great hosts, so I get frustrated when they do it. Come on people you knew guests were coming. Be prepared!</p> <p>We'll probably do more hosting since we are the neutral house tbough. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-prefer-for-family-gatherings#post-2424455 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 01:06:21 +0000 Kimberlybee 2424455@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really can't host a big party due to space limitations because of condo living. I can invite 1 or 2 families but DH's side is huge so it's not possible. Luckily, his aunt likes to host and has the space to accommodate everyone so it's never an issue. Her driveway is wide and long and is on the side of the house so it fits 12 cars easily. We always bring a dish or chip in money and everyone helps with cleanup. Even though she enjoys it, we still rotate with other relatives too or meet at a restaurant. It's too stressful and unfair if one couple always has to host, spend the time &amp; money, and clean up too. </p> <p>@regberadaisy: I don't think you are being unreasonable at all. I would definitely need a break from hosting if it's always on us. Throwing parties or hosting adds up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-prefer-for-family-gatherings#post-2424444 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 23:00:01 +0000 Veggiemama 2424444@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ha seems like I am one of the few commenting who would rather not host! Part of it is that we're vegetarian so we don't have or cook any meat in our house. For the holidays it seems like everyone has expectations for the meal and for sure would either try to bring meat or make comments about a vegetarian meal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-prefer-for-family-gatherings#post-2424436 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 22:54:18 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2424436@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like to have everyone rotate hosting duties. I don't mind hosting but I don't want to do it every time. I think everyone should take their turn! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-prefer-for-family-gatherings#post-2424411 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 21:53:29 +0000 sapphire 2424411@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like to host. Easier for LO for naps/bedtime. But our families are good about bringing something and it's certainly not every time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-prefer-for-family-gatherings#post-2424371 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 20:56:24 +0000 regberadaisy 2424371@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: haha exactly. There is something very nice about just getting the girls in the car. Eat dinner. Help clean up. Oh, sorry! The girls have to get home for bedtime. Thanks for dinner! Ok, bye! 😆 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-prefer-for-family-gatherings#post-2424370 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 20:54:46 +0000 regberadaisy 2424370@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: long story, but no. My inlaws are picky eaters and MIL has back issues so we can't go anywhere that doesn't have padded bench / banquette seating. We went out for brunch a few months ago and it was so stressful finding somewhere we would want to spend our money on, but also had menu times that were in law friendly AND had padded bench seating.</p> <p>@Ajsmommy: we actually do enjoy hosting and having parties. We're the only ones on either side to host extended family get togetherness. But. We get together with my inlaws, BIL &amp; his gF every other week or so. We host every.single.time. We cook and prep everything. 75% of the time we also clean up everything afterwards. If it was a once in a while thing? No problem. A regular basis thing where people call DH and are like so what's your work schedule? When's the next time we're getting together? What they really mean is when is the next time you're inviting us over for dinner? No one offers to host. BIL and his gf had mentioned they don't mind hosting and taking turns. But have hosted once in the last year, that included us. Otherwise they host a football game when DH has to work but never extend the invite to the girls and I.</p> <p>I'm just having one of those im so over hosting everyone once every other week. It's tiring when you're the one hosting all the time. We go through periods where I just tell DH to tell them I'm not feeling well because I just don't want to. But it sucks because it's the only time the girls see them.</p> <p>Blah. I sound like a whiny bi@tch. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-prefer-for-family-gatherings#post-2424362 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 20:51:41 +0000 blackbird 2424362@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love that we never have to host. I bring an elaborate dish most of the time (whatever the host requests), the kids play (ages newborn through 8), we relax and have a drink, then drive home to a still clean house :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-prefer-for-family-gatherings#post-2424359 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 20:47:15 +0000 yellowbird 2424359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would LOVE to be the host. So convient for naps and toys and baby safe areas. We don't live near family though, so we're always at someone else's house </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-prefer-for-family-gatherings#post-2424351 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 20:43:30 +0000 Caly 2424351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I prefer to have it at our house, it's just easier with two LO's...I don't feel put upon since other family members always offer and always bring food or I insist on taking care of the food. My family is very flexible and honestly just wants to help and make things easier for everyone and since having it at our house is usually easy on evergone, it works out great. Plus, as much as I hate it, it forces us to clean. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-prefer-for-family-gatherings#post-2424339 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 20:19:55 +0000 gingerbebe 2424339@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I usually prefer to host. We don't mess with our son's bedtime and I like being able to just put him down. Potlucks annoy me because people never bring what they are supposed to so its easier for me to just provide the meal. It's annoying to clean up before and afterwards but on the other hand it gives us a reason to straighten up the house and it's cleaner after the get together is over. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-prefer-for-family-gatherings#post-2424335 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 20:18:28 +0000 Foodnerd81 2424335@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Eh it depends. We definitely don't have the best set up for hosting- our place feels so small with more than two or three extra people. But going to someone's house who doesn't have small kids is really hard since we end up chasing the toddler the whole time, plus people without kids don't always get that we are on a schedule and saying "dinner at 6" means we are planning on eating at six, for real. Twice we went to BIL's house for a BBQ and I ended up leaving to put the toddler to bed around the time they put the burgers on the grill. And I was pregnant and wanted a damn burger!! </p> <p>So I guess both are good and bad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-prefer-for-family-gatherings#post-2424334 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 20:18:04 +0000 Rocker2014 2424334@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I prefer to host. In addition to it being easier with LO, I like knowing what I'm eating. I have very severe food allergies and some family members still don't get it, so I can't trust that whatever I'm served will be safe. It is extraordinary stressful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-prefer-for-family-gatherings#post-2424331 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 20:15:55 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2424331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Right now my sister is the only one who has a space large enough to accommodate our entire family. My goal when we decide to buy a home is to have a space large enough for family events so we can host too!<br /> I will say that the burden doesn't fall on just my sister. Everyone brings a dish to share, and it's typically my dad bringing the meat - which is the expensive part of a meal for a family as large as ours. We all help with kitchen clean up after we eat as well.<br /> We also help clean up the play room before we leave too so it doesn't fall on my sister/nephew. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-prefer-for-family-gatherings#post-2424328 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 20:11:31 +0000 NovBaby1112 2424328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I prefer to host, just bc it's easier having the kids stuff in the house, can work around nap/bedtime, and we don't have to lug the kids anywhere. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-prefer-for-family-gatherings#post-2424322 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 20:01:29 +0000 Ajsmommy 2424322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I prefer and love to host, dh on the other hand HATES it.... He hates any kind of get together and he makes a huge fit every time!!! It's so annoying. I can always count on a huge fight whenever something is coming up </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-prefer-for-family-gatherings#post-2424314 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 19:56:57 +0000 MrsRcCar 2424314@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mum and grandmother prefer to host at their homes. Our place is small and not great for hosting. Once we move into a bigger place I would be ok with hosting sometimes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-prefer-for-family-gatherings#post-2424307 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 19:48:51 +0000 autumnleaves 2424307@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My sister refuses to host. She won't have the family over even if it's just take out. She has the best house for hosting, she doesn't work, and her daughter is 15.<br /> So we end up eating out or her family comes over to my place. We definitely do not have a good relationship though. I wish she'd be open to sharing hosting responsibilities but she's not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-prefer-for-family-gatherings#post-2424295 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 19:38:50 +0000 mrbee 2424295@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I prefer to mix it up! Otherwise it starts to feel unfair...</p> <p>@regberadaisy: As a fallback, would a restaurant or cafe maybe work for an afternoon meetup? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-prefer-for-family-gatherings#post-2424293 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 19:37:07 +0000 regberadaisy 2424293@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you prefer to host in the convenience of your own home?<br /> Or do you prefer to go out or to someone else's home so you don't have to deal with the prep and clean up?</p> <p>As a parent I can definitely see pros and cons to both sides. But I am so over hosting every single time. The annoying part is no one EVER offers to host and always assume we will host. People only bring stuff when they feel like it. Otherwise it's just the booze they drink. Which is of absolutely no value to me because I very rarely drink.</p> <p>Most days I'm ok with it. But tonight I'm just so over it. </p>