Sunday Lunch

If I remember right, you said you found Boxing Day rather difficult when everyone was together as there was little conversation.

If you and your parents are happy to meet up on Sundays, fine, at a time to suit them and you, but maybe not too regularly.

If son and girlfriend can join occasionally, also fine, but I dare say the youngsters are not too bothered about a weekly lunch date with parents and GP’s.

You might be keen for a family gathering, but are they?

Invite your parents for a meal once a month at a time to suit them; every week is overpowering.

Oh dear just ask your parents for a midday meal and son and girlfriend can join in on any times they can get off
Do you not think weekly is OTT I wouldn’t like to have to go somewhere every week without fail especially if you ve never had this routine before
Are you sure the son and girlfriend will want a meal EVERY Sunday with elderly family aren’t they out and about themselves after work ?
I would dislike eating at 7 pm although if that’s their habit it will be fine
I d hate to be tied down to do the same thing every week as well but that’s just me
I d checked with everyone involved and do it once a month to start with or now and then

If you want everyone to be included, I'd ask your parents to join you at around 5.30pm for a pre-dinner drink, and a catch-up, then have dinner at around 7.00pm when your son arrives home from work. His girlfriend can join you as early as she likes. Seems that due to their working hours, you would only be able to get everyone together for dinner at 7.00pm, as lunchtime wouldn't be possible for your son & his GF.
The only other solution, if your parents are quite old, and don't like to eat so late, then I'd do a late lunch/early dinner with them, maybe around 4.00pm, and they could spend an hour or so with your son, and his girlfriend, when he gets home from work, and you'd just have to plate up a dinner for them to eat at 7.00pm.

Oreo is right. Ask your parents to come every week and ask your son and his girlfriend to come on their weekends off. But don’t worry if there are some weekends when either your son and girlfriend, or your parents are doing something else, or not well enough to come. Just do the lunch and let those who want to come join you.
It’s a lovely gesture to provide Sunday lunch and family time for your parents and son. I always had my mother round for Sunday lunch when she was alive, or we took her with us if we were going to any of our adult children’s homes for Sunday lunch.

How old are your parents? Do they prefer eating at lunchtime rather than the evening?
Do they need taking home?

Quite a few things to consider.

When I had all the family on Sundays (pre DGSs) it was always for dinner, as both DDS worked as did a SinL depending on his shift pattern. The meal was just to finish as they all arrived, so we’d eat just before 7pm. I did it every week for years to fit in with them.

Any reason why you can’t do Sunday dinner instead of lunch? We never have a big meal at lunchtime.

Could your son's girlfriend not book a Friday off? Although I realise this isn't a permanent solution.

Alternatively why don't you invite your parents to Sunday lunch and then do a light supper around 7pm when your son gets home. The girlfriend may or may not want to join in but at least your parents get some time with your son and a nice lunch with you and your husband. It's better than nothing!

Surely you can sort this out! For me , I would hate to have this weekly commitment - but that is just me ! I recognize that . Just get your heads together and come to an arrangement that suits you all , surely not all that difficult?

Simples.
Forget what your son and girlfriend are doing and ask your parents to come to Sunday lunch with you.They’re your parents and it’s you they want to see.