Choosing to spend Christmas quietly at home, one couple hoped to finally escape years of exhausting holiday travel. But not everyone in the family was on board—especially a mother-in-law who’s become increasingly dependent since her husband passed away. Despite clear, early communication and offers to compromise, she’s pushing hard for a visit, even threatening to bring her dog along (which stresses out their elderly cat). The couple’s struggle to maintain boundaries is sparking a lot of debate: Should you give in to family pressure, or protect your own peace? How do you handle these tricky holiday dynamics? #Relationships #FamilyBoundaries #HolidayStress