Christmas Day Dilemma

Tell you kids that Aunt & Uncle had other plans and you'll see them another day after Christmas....and.....for you....STAY OUT OF IT! LOL

I'd just tell him "We decided to do it different this time." Not a lie, but he doesn't need to know the whole truth, either. And he'll probably be pretty distracted by presents, so no need to dwell on it.

I would just tell them they had other plans and be done with it. It is annoying to be sure when others disputes effect us.

Just tell them that they couldn't make it today or had other plans.

Just say your sister & BIL can't make it on Christmas day so are coming Christmas Eve instead. That simple and not a lie.

Do you think you could approach your dad? Maybe ask him to reconsider? Without using your son, you could mention to your father that it's confusing to little ones and maybe he could set a good example by letting it go and reaching out to his SIL.

I'm a big believer in family is family. We need to not let those kinds of things get to us. It's just not worth it. We try very hard not to let those little things bother us for too long. Our kids love their cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents. Any little spats we have need to stay just that. Our kids are too important.

You don't need to give a reason - just say that they won't be there. Let him know that they'll be coming by your house instead. If he asks why, say something vague like, "They're just doing things differently this year," and leave it at that. If you're very calm and matter of fact, he'll think nothing of it. If he senses that you're upset or that there's a big secret, he'll imagine all sorts of things and spin the scenario bigger and bigger (and less accurately!) in his head.

I would just say they were sick.

I don't think little kids need to know about or be brought in to the adult family drama. It's a burden they don't need to carry.

Well, I know this is easier said than done but I wouldn't say anything to your child. I would speak to your father and tell him that life is too short and he's a grown man (have your sis talk to her husband too). Your dad should be the first (the bigger person) to pick up the phone and apologize for uninviting him to Christmas. They should agree to disagree, apologize and leave it at that. No one benefits from asinine arguments that affect the rest of the family. What are they going to do, avoid each other for the rest of their lives? The faster they put this to rest, the less awkward it will be in the long run. If your attempt doesn't work, just tell your son that your BIL and sis had something to do. I agree with being honest with your children but I don't think you need to make a big deal out of this with your son. Just make up and excuse. I have a 7 yr old too and even though they are bright at this age, I don't think they will get it.

Isnt' it awful that people can't find a way to get along even though they disagree or have a dispute? Just tell your kids that "Aunt Tilly & Uncle Johnny" had already made plans to go somewhere else Christmas day - that other firends or family were very eager to see them if he presses for a "why". You never know, at age 7 his memory of the actual chronological events of last Christmas may not be as crisp as you think - so it might not even come up.

I agree with GG that the solution is for grown-ups to act like grown-ups. not that we always get that in this world, but.... if it really was a disagreement over silly stuff, then it's totally appropriate for you to approach first your sister and get her perspective on this, and then the two of you can work together to figure out how to approach your dad and her husband. someone owes someone an apology, it's probably a mutual apology at this point, and then they need to suck it up and act like grown-ups because it's Christmas and there are actual children, not just adult children, involved. not that I'd say it like that, but sheesh. grow up. right?

just remember that you and your sister are probably going to have to tread very lightly, smooth the egos, and mend the fence (don't take sides, don't exacerbate the situation, don't call the argument "silly"), because clearly your father particularly is far more interested in making a point than doing what's right. so take that at face value and tread appropriately.

if that fails, I'm sorry. tell your son that the plans changed, and he'll see aunt and uncle on one day and grandparents on another. if he presses, just tell him it's their plans and they changed. keeps pressing? sometimes things happen that we can't control, it's not a big deal, plans change. lather, rinse, repeat. keep it simple.

good luck. that sucks.