Growing up in a household of alcoholics, the holidays have always been a very traumatic time for me. I feel guilty that I don't have the same love and excitement about them that DH does and he can't understand why I don't. He tried so hard last year to make it better for me, but it's just not in me. I don't know how I am going to handle this year. In the past I have spent the holiday season in counseling and tried to avoid family events. Now with a DH and SD7 its nearly impossible to stay away from it. DH listens to me when I talk about it but he thinks he can fix it and make it better. He was raised in a very close family and they have all of these holiday traditions and family values that I just never had. I don't know how to distance myself from all the events and not hurt DH's feelings. I know he wants to pass down his traditions to SD7 and I don't want to take that away from him but it is too painful for me to be around for. This is our first holiday season since we got married so I'm not sure what to do. Last year was easier because I didn't live here. I can't just "feel better" and get over it. I have tried counseling for many years. I just want to leave town for the next few months!