Am I a Bad Child?

The Holiday Season. I love it. I really do. I love shopping for my family and friends, and I love to see their faces when they open up my presents. I love the great food so much that I find myself in the gym twice as much to compensate. I love seeing all of my family members that I do not get a chance to see that much during the year. I love everything about Christmas. So why am I sitting here counting down the hours until I am back in my apartment...away from my family?!

I am in Hilton Head, South Carolina. I've been here since the 22nd, stuck in a small villa with my mom, stepdad, and brothers (well actually one of them escaped yesterday because he brought his car). I have horrible cabin fever. All we've done as a family is play Trivial Pursuit (I suck at that game I have learned), watch movies, and argue about stupid things that do not matter. Sounds like precious family time? Maybe...all I know is that I am ready for us to go our separate ways again. I've slept on a pull-out sofa that is the most uncomfortable thing, been woken up every morning by my parents insisting that I get up and get ready for the day, and if I don't want to do something they want to do - then I am "selfish." Why have vacations become more stressful than everyday life?

When I go to the beach, I don't have a lot planned. The only thing I know for sure is dinner plans...other then that - everything else is a "maybe." But that's not how the world works for my parents. We ALL have to go to the mall and/or movies, and we all have to play games together. It's forced family bonding...and it's stressful. My parents have such high expectations for things so that when we go on vacation we have to see EVERYTHING that place has to offer. You know those books that are named "100 Things To Do in _______", yea that's their vacation Bible. When you go on vacation - you need to chill out. Especially at Christmas-time...you need to remember what you are celebrating. I am not trying to have a religious moment, but you are celebrating your faith. You are celebrating your faith in your family, friends, and whatever you believe in above the clouds. You are celebrating life...so why yell at your child if they don't want to go shopping AGAIN?