Craig was meant to go back to Cornwall for Christmas and I was meant to spend Christmas with my family here. However, Craig couldn't afford the coach journeys so Mum said she'd pay for him to go as her present to him "so he could see his family" (so she said). The journeys turned out to be a load of hassle and came to way too much (£100+) so I told mum that Craig couldn't go as there's no way mum would stretch to that kind of cash. I asked if he could spend Christmas with us and she kicked off saying how much my bro had been looking forward to a Christmas just Mum, Dad and kids like the old days ("And, to be honest, so was I.")

Suddenly, Mum's little "I'll pay for your journey to spend Christmas with your parents." has turned into "I'll pay for you to not be here and ruin my Christmas." Even if she relented and let him come over, I can't spend all of Christmas morning watching her side-eye him over her morning coffee, wishing he wasn't there. She wouldn't WANT him there, she'd just be PUTTING UP WITH HIM so she could have me there and my God, does she even realise how shitty that would make ME feel???

Parents can be so fucking thoughtless, I swear.

Well fine, mum. Craig and I will be spending Christmas day on our own and leave you to your idyllic little Christmas with your precious son who would be OH SO HURT AND UPSET if my partner came over to join in.

Fuck you.