My MIL Kicked Me and My Kids Out of a Family Photoshoot Because We Weren’t Wearing Matching Christmas Pajamas
Carol assumed no one would notice when she left Ellie’s girls out of the family Christmas photo shoot because they were wearing matching pajamas. However, a touching family portrait and one memorable occasion demonstrated that love and respect are far more important than outward appearances.
Carol’s home always looked like it belonged in a holiday catalog. She transformed it into a winter wonderland every Christmas, replete with garlands hanging over the railings, lights flashing in perfect symmetry, and themed trees in every room. Everything had to be “just so,” according to Carol.
Dinner would already be prepared in the dining room. She referred to it as a “curated menu,” which meant she had complete control over each dish, right down to the final garnish. Perfection took precedence over all other considerations.
After three years of marriage, Eric and I have made it a yearly ritual to spend Christmas at Carol’s. I was determined to leave a positive impression this year.
My first marriage produced two girls, Lily and Mia, who loved Eric’s family. They were calm, gentle females who always made an effort to blend in. But it hadn’t been simple.
With Eric, Carol showered Ben, my young son, with affection as though he were the most precious child. Eric loved to claim that she was “sweet as sugar” to him. But Mia and Lily? It was not the same.
She didn’t treat them cruelly, but it hurt that she ignored them. For example, she gave Lily and Mia coloring pages “to share” in order to make them feel included, even though she had purchased a toy car for Ben’s birthday.
I made an effort to make it unique this year. I selected festive sweaters for all three children because I knew Carol liked matching items. White, green, and red with tiny reindeer. When we got there, I wanted us to appear as a cohesive team.
Eric dismissed the invitation to Carol’s Christmas photo session. He remarked, “You know how Mom gets,” “She’ll want everything picture-perfect.”
I answered resolutely, “Then we’ll be picture-perfect too,” Carol could find no excuse to be critical of us, and I didn’t want that.
My heart fell the instant we entered Carol’s home.
I felt as though I had entered a scene from a holiday film that I was not a part of. Everybody was dressed in the same checkered pajamas in shades of red and green. Carol. Her spouse. Eric’s wife, children, and brother. A matching checkered bandana was put around the neck of the dog as well.
There we were. within our knitwear. It’s bright, mismatched, and totally inappropriate.
I recognized the expression in Carol’s eyes, but her face lighted up as she spotted us. I had come to expect that phony, syrupy compassion.
She put her hand to her chest and exclaimed, “Oh, dear!” I told you about the pajamas, didn’t I? The text must have escaped your notice. How regrettable.
I could feel Mia and Lily look at me with unsure looks. I made an effort to grin.
“Don’t worry, Carol. The sweaters are equally effective.
She hummed, “Mm,” as she examined us. “I suppose they do stand out a bit, don’t they?”
Leaning down, Eric put an arm around me and whispered, “Don’t let her get to you.”
I pretended not to care and nodded. “Where should we put our coats?”
Carol was already looking at Ben when she waived her hand toward the corridor. She said, “Oh, there’s my sweet boy!” as she picked him up. “Benny, are you prepared for pictures? Grandma is really excited to snap some photos of her tiny Christmas angel.
Before Carol escorted Ben to the living area, I kissed his cheek and gave him a brief giggle. I shrugged and silently unbuttoned my coat after Eric gave me a look.
Mia scowled. “Are we gonna be in the pictures?”
“Of course,” I blurted out. “We’re family too.”
In the hopes that he might say something to comfort the children, I looked at Eric. But Carol returned before he could.
“You know,” she continued nonchalantly, “if you want to freshen up, Ben, the bathroom is down the hall.” Pictures will shortly begin.
She spoke in a nice voice, but I could tell when she was dismissive.
“Sure,” I replied as I picked Ben up and made my way down the corridor. “We’ll be right back.”
Ben was clean and happy again within a few minutes. After a final glance in the mirror and smoothing my sweater, I left.
It was quieter than previously in the living room. Carol was tinkering with the camera, adjusting the lighting with her husband.
Then I caught sight of them.
Mia and Lily sat on the couch next to each other, their cheeks smeared with tears and their heads down. Lily wiped at her eyes and sniffled softly as Mia’s tiny hands gripped the hem of her sweater and nervously twisted the fabric.
I felt sick to my stomach.
I whispered softly, “Girls,” and hurried over. “What happened?”
Their lips quivered as they gazed up at me. The first to speak, Mia’s voice was hardly audible above a whisper.
“Grandma said we should go home.”
Lily said, “She said the picture is only for people who match,” her voice breaking. “And we don’t have pajamas, so… we don’t fit.”
“Grandma said that?” Even though I already knew the answer, I was able to ask at last. Hot, piercing anger boiled up in my chest. Carol was standing across the room, fiddling with her camera settings as if nothing had happened, when I turned around.
“Carol,” I whispered as I got to my feet, my voice trembling.
She gave me a quick glance while maintaining her phony smile. “Yes, dear?”
“Are you seriously sending my daughters away because they’re not wearing clothes you didn’t tell us about?” I raised my voice and demanded.
Carol did not even bat an eye. “Oh, don’t be so dramatic,” she said subtly as she brushed back a lock of hair. “Dear, I wish you could have joined us. I must have overlooked texting you. What a shame.
Then she picked up a bag off the floor and smiled smugly. “But don’t worry, I brought Ben and Eric pajamas. They can at least blend in.
She walked over to Ben and held up the small plaid pajamas as if they were a trophy. “All right, my love. These were brought for you by Grandma.
As if I hadn’t been there, she began pulling the top over Ben’s head.
Before I could respond, Eric intervened. He said, “Mom,” and yanked Ben’s pajamas back. There was steel beneath the calmness of his words.
Startled, Carol looked up. “What are you doing?”
Eric lowered himself to Ben’s level and gave him a gentle smile. “You don’t need to wear those, buddy.” He stood up and faced his mother. “Why didn’t you tell my wife and daughters about the pajama plan?”
Carol blinked, obviously taken by surprise. “What?”
Eric responded, “You heard me,” in a stronger voice. “Why didn’t you inform us all? Or was it intentional?
“Oh, don’t be ridiculous, Eric,” Carol sneered, dismissively gesturing with her palm. “I believed I had texted her. I might not have remembered. It’s not a huge concern.
Eric’s mouth clenched. “Not a big deal?” he said softly once again. “You didn’t bother to inform their mother that the two young girls don’t fit into a family portrait because of their pajamas. How is that not a significant issue?
Carol paused her smile. “Well, I—”
Eric stepped forward. “You believe that making fun of my wife and daughters is acceptable? Do you think I’ll just stand here, put Ben in a nice outfit, and act like nothing happened? Not taking place, mother.
There was a dead silence in the room. Everyone was stopped in their stares.
“Eric, don’t,” a frail sibling whispered. “Simply let it go. It’s Christmas.
“No,” Eric firmly stated. This has nothing to do with Christmas. The issue is one of basic decency. You all witnessed the recent event. Does anyone else find this acceptable? Because I would be very interested in hearing whether you are.”
Nobody said anything. Carol was obviously not expecting to be called out, as she stood there with her mouth open but silent.
With a quieter voice, Eric turned to face me. He responded, “C’mon,” and reached for my hand. “If my family isn’t welcome, then neither am I.”
He nodded to Lily and Mia and picked up Ben, who was looking at the tense scenario with wide eyes. “Let’s go.”
I scanned the room for someone, anyone, to speak up, to take the initiative. Awkward squirming and sad eyes were all I noticed, though.
Carol was able to speak at last. She yelled, “Eric, you’re being ridiculous!” “You’re really going to leave over pajamas?”
Eric faced her once more. “No, mother. Your treatment of my wife and daughters is the reason I’m leaving. You ought to feel embarrassed about yourself.
Eric didn’t wait for Carol’s answer, but her face flushed. His voice calm and steady, he led us to the door.
“Let’s go home, guys.”
Eric offered me a faint, weary smile as he drove away. “No one messes with my family.”
Back at home that night, Eric installed the camera in their living room. The children sat close to one another on the couch, still wearing their holiday sweaters. As I cradled Ben in my lap, Eric put his arm around Lily and Mia.
The picture wasn’t flawless. Mia’s hair looked a little untidy, and Ben’s sock was gone. However, the grins were genuine, warm, and loving. “Family isn’t about matching outfits,” Eric wrote as the description for the photo. It has to do with respect and love.
That was the last time Carol tried something similar. She knew she couldn’t cross certain borders after that day.
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