Hi Allison,

The good news is you’re out of the country! The bad news is you’re out of the country.

Here’s a thought. Every OTHER year do the dutiful daughter routine and visit them. But every OTHER year insist they visit you! Open your home up but be working during the day. They will sight see. Then make a great dinner and take them to a show. Do activities and go to movies so there’s no room for banality. Pretend you’re a tour guide.

I hear you about having *those* relatives. Everyone goes through this. Holidays, ugh.

So that’s my strategy!

Inky