You guys are going to love this. On top of every man-crushing indignity, the leader of the pack, my MIL - would pay for rooms on an Island Resort near the Canadian border (that was the lure, subsidized vacation) and then either her, or one of her daughters would proceed to pitch a fit, and have yelling, screaming, fighting matches. This was never taken behind closed doors, but public. Here you are paying for the gas, food, then tons also of booze, and apparel from the gift shop - plus your hard earned PTO, to watch a family dramatically tussle, when you should be relaxing. The MIL’s mom was one of the angriest, meanest people I’ve ever met - now passed, and I can see the mom, her daughters (3)- one of them my wife, all shot through with dramatic, publicly displayed, fights. This has gone on for over 15 years, and several years either myself or other extended family have refused to go. Not to mention the Christmases, Birthdays, etc. where there’s always somebody on the “outs” and crying. I sat on the deck with my son, who is autistic, and brilliant, and craves peace above all else, and he too related how he just loathed the drama. My parents had disagreements, and a fight every year or two, as observed, but they had the good sense to take true problems behind closed doors. I’m meeting with an attorney tomorrow, going to try for Mediation 1st, but this is a wicked, angry bunch….. Anyone out there finding along with the pain, sorrow, fear and regret, that there’s actually a 60% of total relief, an unexplainable ability to actually breathe, as you know you’re letting yourself out of the nut house?