Wondering If I Am Being Too "Sensitive." ETA

ooh I understand....it's like when I go to California to visit and can't see everyone I want to see...

I think that as long as THEY are communicating and knows what's going on? It's up to them since they are adults? Kinda hard to demand it...but I so get what you are feeling...

I hope it all fits and they all get to see each other...

I would be a tad disappointed with the one who is close to the airport and doesn't want to make the effort....but that's on her...NOT YOU.

I hate airports.
When it comes to them I want to get going and get gone - either way - coming or going.

As such - I know it's emotional for you to see him first thing right off the plane - but I don't see it as the ideal venue for a grand reunion.
The airport is a busy crowded place and they don't appreciate extraneous people being there either.
With terrorist threats and such it's just that many more people security has to keep their eyes on and they are busy enough as it is.

People getting off the plane have luggage to claim and often need to de-stress after the flight (you don't know if some kid was screaming the whole flight or not) and then there's the parking and traffic to/from the airport.
They want a shower, some sleep, adjust to any jet lag they are feeling - and THEN they feel human again and ready to face the world and relatives.

You are the mama - the emotional impact is for you and it's not the same for siblings.
Cut everyone some slack - they'll catch up with him sometime over the next few weeks - and let the vision go.

Unfortunately, I think you are being too sensitive. Many people HATE airports. During Christmas? It's going to be a madhouse so a 30 minute drive might turn into a 90 minute drive.

I totally get not wanting to be late picking up my child.

I come from a fairly large family. We actually didn't live that far from the airport growing up. When my siblings would come home for the holidays from wherever they were, we did not all pile into the station wagon to collect them. The drive from the airport - was usually bonding time between my parent and my sibling - before the mad rush of all the rest of us.

We would wait for them at home, by the fire, having fun, doing food prep, and they would meet and greet us in our family home - surrounded by the hustle and bustle there - not in the gross airport.

I don't know - but we liked that far better, and I liked that far better - when I flew in.

Not everyone likes airports, and maybe view it as some alone time before the chaos of the holidays. Your other grown kids have busy hectic schedules too - it's not that they don't love your son.

Yes, I think you are being too sensitive. You should go and greet your son at the airport...maybe do something fun like make a sign and have some balloons. Your kids (who are able to) will all see each other over the holidays.

I understand your feelings. You want it to to be special for your returning son. I also think you have been the captain of this ship for so long, as well as the social director, and it's hard to let go of that. I think your kids are adults, and it's time to let go a little bit. You've raised them well, and it's time to loosen up a bit. It's up to them to have relationships with their own siblings. I also think that airports are tough, with traffic and crowds and delays and impersonal settings, so if he kids want to do different things, you have to let them. Maybe it's better for them to have some one-on-one with him too, and avoid the crowd and (possibly) step away a bit from their mom organizing everything as if they are kids and teens. It's one less thing for you to orchestrate. If they don't all see him, let them all miss it and let your son tell them he missed them. Meantime, enjoy the somewhat more private time with him instead of the big hoopla that makes a splash but doesn't let anyone complete a sentence. It will be okay.

Sorry to break it to you but not only reasons you find "valid" are in fact valid. Airport traffic is nasty at the best of times, parking, waiting on delayed flights etc are never fun. Collecting ones child or attending an event they already had scheduled are more then valid enough reasons to miss being at the airport for a 5 minute hello before you all have to pile back into your cars for long trips back to your lives. Also, siblings are not always as close as parents think or hope. I would have zero interest in driving out of my way just to say hello to my sister, someone who has never been nice to me. Your children have their own relationships with their siblings and that is not your issue to worry about.

In short, yes you are being overly sensitize about something that really should be a non-issue.

They are adults. And I can tell you, you love your children, but they make their own choices. My siblings have never once met me at an airport. Of course, my siblings are jackasses, but that’s another story. Ask yourself, if the roles were reversed, would he go with you to meet them? My brother wouldn’t, no matter how often I’ve reached out to him. Some people are just like that.

I agree with B - you are the mother, the impact of his arrival home is not the same for adult siblings. It's not a youtube video where small children run and jump into his arms...and that's okay!!

Let this frustration go and enjoy YOUR time with him.

I think you are being a little too sensitive. Just think since the other's can't come you get to have your son all to yourself. You can't make adults do what you want them too. I think they will find a way to spend time with your son while he is home. Just enjoy the time you all have together and don't worry so much about what the others can or can't do. I am happy for you that your son will be here to spend the holidays with you. Happy Holidays to you and your family.

yes.
seriously?
khairete
S.

Um, no, I wouldn't expect the siblings (or anyone else) to show up at the airport. Aren't they going to see him at Christmas?

You invited them all to join you at the airport to welcome your son home, that's all you can do. They are adults, and they now make their own choices. It's not up to anyone else to judge their choices/schedules/reasons as valid or not. Your children's relationships with one another are going to be what they each put into them. The more people in a group, the more difficult it is to get everyone on the same page, no matter what. Sometimes you just have to focus on enjoying the company of the people who are present. Don't spend too much time being disappointed in what you can't change. Smaller groups can also be special in a way a large group cannot. It's good to have some of both in families.