Oh, this is my family! My mother demands I play pass the baby, she calls me a bad mother because of the way I do things and he starts when DH sneezes, he's going to really hate the family gatherings! But in some ways yes, he does have to get used to it, but not just yet! At least we have our own car and DH is fine leaving places early.

TBH, DS is more important than not upsetting a group of people I only see twice a year. And he has a good set of lungs (takes after my side LOL) so will be able to tell people to back off - and he will! Baby has a bedtime a little bit before everyone else's so of course baby has to leave early, that's how I play it with parties. I keep DS up as long as he's happy, then when he gets grumpy it's bedtime, I change him into his pyjamas at the party, say night night to everyone then drive home.

Good luck with the comments that are probably about to come! And vent away, I'm always here to listen and join in.