“It’s Her Tradition”: MIL Blows Up At Son And His Wife Over Pumpkin Patch Betrayal
Halloween is nearly upon us and with it, plenty of fun and spooky activities. Whether you find pumpkins funny or spooky-looking (maybe not before they’re carved), it’s likely that you might enjoy a visit to a nearby pumpkin patch.
The redditor u/QueenBeeJackie1’s family seemingly does. But their yearly trip to the patch was interrupted by a change of plans, which evolved into an argument of larger proportions. Scroll down to find the full story below.
Planning outings with the extended family can be quite difficult
Image credits: Wavebreakmedia (not the actual photo)
This redditor used to visit a pumpkin patch every year with her husband’s family until an argument put a stop to that
Image credits: deriabinanatalia (not the actual photo)
Image credits: QueenBeeJackie1
Quite a few Americans seem to enjoy celebrating Halloween
Come fall, you can see a rather swift change from summertime activities to something more specific to the succeeding colorful season. Quite often, the change is accompanied by an emergence of all sorts of Halloween-related matters, as quite a few people seem to really enjoy the spooky time of the year.
Statista found that over 70% of Americans are planning on celebrating Halloween this year. The origins of the now widely celebrated festivity, taking place on the 31st of October, reportedly stem from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain; that’s when people would light bonfires and wear all sorts of costumes to ward off ghosts.
According to the History Channel, in the eighth century, November 1st was declared the time to honor all saints, which over time incorporated some of the traditions of the Samhain festival. It pointed out that the evening before November 1st, titled All Hallows Eve, eventually turned into Halloween and integrated all sorts of activities, such as trick-or-treating or carving jack-o-lanterns. (According to Statista, the two are the most popular things to do on Halloween.)
With pumpkins taking center stage during the spooky season, it’s not surprising that people immerse themselves in all sorts of orange vegetable-based activities (and flavors likewise; needless to say that it’s also the time for all things pumpkin spice-flavored). For example, nearly 155 million Americans are planning on carving a pumpkin this year; more than in any of the last five years.
People visiting a pumpkin patch can be beneficial for both the visitor and the farmer
Another popular thing to do, whether to commemorate the spooky festivity or simply to take part in the seasonal joys fall brings, is visiting a pumpkin patch. Seemingly enjoyed by many, including the OP’s family, the activity is not only a way to spend quality time with your loved ones but a method to boost the economy as well; well, the sector of agritourism, at least.
A piece on FarmdocDaily covering the link between pumpkins and the aforementioned sector emphasized that pumpkin patches and similar attractions can be mutually beneficial for both the visitor and the farmer. It suggested that agrotourism allows customers to build a connection with a certain producer or product by familiarizing themselves better with it and taking part in on-farm activities. For farmers, incorporating bits of tourism in their farms can bear economic and social benefits.
According to the US Department of Agriculture, all states in the country produce pumpkins, but six of them stand out among the rest: Illinois, California, Indiana, Michigan, Texas, and Virginia; back in 2017, as much as 40% of pumpkin acres were harvested in these six states. As of September this year, there are reportedly close to 5000 pumpkin patches scattered all over the US.
With such an abundance of locations to choose from, it’s arguably safe to assume that quite a few families visit them during the fall months. And even though the OP was no longer going with the people she used to, she wasn’t willing to end the family tradition altogether.
People in the comments shared their views on the situation, most of them didn’t think the OP was a jerk
One believed everyone was at fault here
All this over some pumpkins. And frankly, the kids won't remember who was there, they will just want Mummy and Daddy and a fun time.
NTA - This isn’t about a Pumpkin Patch. It’s about control. How dare you suggest something to make life a little easier for you and your kids - while you were pregnant! You said it in the beginning, your family always did everything to abide by their schedule. You had the nerve to challenge that control and clearly needed to be punished. Grandma can’t do this with the whole family thing was supposed to make you feel guilty. Again, you didn’t play their game and took her at her word and moved on. Blocking is just another way to make you feel guilty. Don’t let it!
There is a lot of strong feelings on both sides here. As a father who had his son young I was often in a position where I couldn't express myself as these silly fights happened. With experience and age, I'll offer my opinion.... it's a pumpkin patch. Not first Christmas morning, not Even the trick or treating part... it's a pumpkin patch. I remember a fight over going to the mall with my exs mother because we took our son to see Santa without her, not the holiday itself but visiting the costume photographer... set your own traditions. These are your kids not their kids. If YOU choose to kindly allow HER to attend the event you've chosen to do with your kids that day she can be happy. If not she can STFU. Next year you organize a trip to the pumpkin patch for you. Then you tell your mom his mom and the sister when you are going and say "If you'd like to join us all are welcome". If they don't like it then they don't come.
All this over some pumpkins. And frankly, the kids won't remember who was there, they will just want Mummy and Daddy and a fun time.
NTA - This isn’t about a Pumpkin Patch. It’s about control. How dare you suggest something to make life a little easier for you and your kids - while you were pregnant! You said it in the beginning, your family always did everything to abide by their schedule. You had the nerve to challenge that control and clearly needed to be punished. Grandma can’t do this with the whole family thing was supposed to make you feel guilty. Again, you didn’t play their game and took her at her word and moved on. Blocking is just another way to make you feel guilty. Don’t let it!
There is a lot of strong feelings on both sides here. As a father who had his son young I was often in a position where I couldn't express myself as these silly fights happened. With experience and age, I'll offer my opinion.... it's a pumpkin patch. Not first Christmas morning, not Even the trick or treating part... it's a pumpkin patch. I remember a fight over going to the mall with my exs mother because we took our son to see Santa without her, not the holiday itself but visiting the costume photographer... set your own traditions. These are your kids not their kids. If YOU choose to kindly allow HER to attend the event you've chosen to do with your kids that day she can be happy. If not she can STFU. Next year you organize a trip to the pumpkin patch for you. Then you tell your mom his mom and the sister when you are going and say "If you'd like to join us all are welcome". If they don't like it then they don't come.
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