Should Your Husband Stop Expecting You to Attend All His Family Gatherings?
Chloe and Edwin are at odds over Chloe's attendance at family events. Chloe, who grew up in a more isolated household, values her independence and alone time. She feels pressured into attending gatherings as if she's an accessory, rather than being included as an equal.
On the other hand, Edwin comes from a big Colombian family where inclusion is paramount. He wants to bring his partner into their tight-knit group, but Chloe sees it as an expectation rather than an invitation. The problem lies in the fact that they're coming from different cultural backgrounds.
Edwin genuinely wants Chloe to be part of the family unit, but he fails to see her point of view. When she had to leave a birthday party to attend her best friend's celebration, Edwin was annoyed, claiming it was rude. However, Chloe thinks it's thoughtless to expect her to attend every gathering as if she's just an afterthought.
This dynamic is particularly challenging because Edwin and Chloe only see their father twice a year, which may explain why he has trouble understanding Chloe's need for space. However, Edwin feels embarrassed when his family asks about Chloe's absence at gatherings, while Chloe would rather be excused to take care of herself than stay silent.
The jury of Guardian readers is split on whether Edwin should put less pressure on Chloe. Some believe she has the right to rest and attend events that are important to her friends, while others think Edwin needs to explain his expectations to his family to avoid resentment down the line.
Ultimately, it's about finding a balance between being part of a close-knit group and respecting individual boundaries. The question remains: should Edwin stop expecting Chloe to come to all his family gatherings?
Chloe and Edwin are at odds over Chloe's attendance at family events. Chloe, who grew up in a more isolated household, values her independence and alone time. She feels pressured into attending gatherings as if she's an accessory, rather than being included as an equal.
On the other hand, Edwin comes from a big Colombian family where inclusion is paramount. He wants to bring his partner into their tight-knit group, but Chloe sees it as an expectation rather than an invitation. The problem lies in the fact that they're coming from different cultural backgrounds.
Edwin genuinely wants Chloe to be part of the family unit, but he fails to see her point of view. When she had to leave a birthday party to attend her best friend's celebration, Edwin was annoyed, claiming it was rude. However, Chloe thinks it's thoughtless to expect her to attend every gathering as if she's just an afterthought.
This dynamic is particularly challenging because Edwin and Chloe only see their father twice a year, which may explain why he has trouble understanding Chloe's need for space. However, Edwin feels embarrassed when his family asks about Chloe's absence at gatherings, while Chloe would rather be excused to take care of herself than stay silent.
The jury of Guardian readers is split on whether Edwin should put less pressure on Chloe. Some believe she has the right to rest and attend events that are important to her friends, while others think Edwin needs to explain his expectations to his family to avoid resentment down the line.
Ultimately, it's about finding a balance between being part of a close-knit group and respecting individual boundaries. The question remains: should Edwin stop expecting Chloe to come to all his family gatherings?
. I get why he wants his partner to be part of the family, but comes on too strong sometimes. Chloe's not trying to sabotage anything or show up as an afterthought 
. She has her own stuff going on and needs some space to breathe.
- just because he wants to include Chloe in everything doesn't mean she'll be all about it too 
. He should try being more understanding and give her the freedom to choose what makes her happy, not just his family's needs 
.
. Edwin can ask his family if Chloe's feeling overwhelmed and maybe they can come up with a solution that works for everyone 
. That way, he won't be left feeling embarrassed and she'll get the space she needs 
.
I think Edwin needs to have an open chat with his family about how important his partner feels her alone time is 
. He's got a good point that in his Colombian upbringing, family is everything, but everyone's different and some people need space too 
. It's not about being rude or thoughtless, it's just about respecting each other's boundaries 
. Maybe Edwin can explain to his family how Chloe feels about attending every gathering, like, "Hey guys, she'd love to come, but sometimes I need a day to myself, you know?" 
.
. I think Edwin needs to understand that just 'cause he wants her to be part of the family doesn't mean she has to drop everything for him 
. It's all about respect, you know? 
That's just embarrassing! I'd rather see Edwin take care of his family's feelings instead of expecting her to be this perfect guest 
. Maybe they could have a convo with their dad together? 
. I get that it's coming from a place of love, but she's got a point about feeling like an accessory instead of being included as an equal. I mean, who wouldn't want some alone time or personal space now and then? It's not about not wanting to be part of the family, it's about finding a balance between being present and taking care of herself. And honestly, I think Edwin needs to have an open convo with his family about boundaries... not because Chloe is always ghosting them, but because she's been made to feel like she's just expected to show up without any consideration for her own needs 
. That way, everyone can find a compromise and respect each other's space. Or maybe just chill out about the whole thing and let Chloe do her own thang 