Aw,its a lot clearer now..well,how about the MIL goes to visit her sister a week or 2 at xmas so that the son& his family can either,a) go with her but holiday at same time,maybe in their own acommodation,or b) go somewhere else entirely,but at same time so they dont have to worry over MIL.? And as for other problems they seem to have,well i can say you do need to evaluate your whole relationship- i for 1 wouldnt want to be in a marriage like that,and also,a child does NOT need its father in order to be happy.in fact would indeed be better for him if he wasnt in middle of a situation where both parents seem greatly unhappy together,also its not a good role model for him to have a dad whose a mummys boy.sorry to harsh.but the truth hurts.please sort the relationship,then the holiday plans will take care of themselves probably.