Don't much like brother or his family. What to do?

Yes HettyMaud I know just how you feel. Luckily for me I don't have see or have anything to do with my sibling. She was exactly the same, patronising, boastful and just up herself. Wouldn't have her as a friend.

Suggest you just let them in and then either go to a different part of the house and leave them to it or go out for half an hour or so and leave them to it.

I know exactly how you feel Hetty Maud! There are some people in my life who I can't stand (that is putting it mildly) believe you me! Can you busy yourself in the kitchen, making coffee, anything that does not involve you having to be in their company much. If they say anything unkind just smile and walk away. I am going to try and do that too!!

If your Mum lives with you I am guessing the two of you are close so - for her sake, zone out, take in the tea tray, pour and with pop in and out or disappear to the kitchen saying how busy you are and letting them catch up on their own. Reading between the lines, perhaps, lots of us have brothers who leave us to it and turn up like “the golden boy”. If this is the case consider it your gift to your mum to keep calm and carry on. I know what that is like - grind your teeth and treat yourself when you close the door behind them.

N&G I so agree. As parents we want nothing more than for our children to get on with each other. Try for your mum’d sake to ignore all the comments. Let them pass by and let your mum have a happy Christmas

How long will they be there for?
Can you do some baking in the kitchen/keep busy with something else in another room? Go to a bedroom with a bad headache [read a book]. Tell them you are brewing a bad cold.
Or just go for a walk/visit a nearby friend who has invited you for a seasonal visit.

It's tough dealing with this sort of situation. Someone in my circle irritates us all every year. However it's me she latches onto more so [never stops talking] and I cannot enjoy my GC and my son's company. It can make me quite upset. She has been told about it by her daughter more than once, but just ignores her.

This year I'm going somewhere else.

But it’s not about you is it ? It’s about your Mum .. is she happy to see him ?

If she is then you just have to grin and bear it. Leave him to visit with her if you truly can’t bear his company .

If your Mum feels the same as you then that’s a whole different ball game .