Family Day is Just Another Holiday

For all of you who live in one of the provinces with a government who was trying desperately to buy some votes so they could stay in power for another 4 years, you have today off as a holiday. I'm not sure who this all includes but I know for sure it is Alberta (who started the trend), then Saskatchewan jumped on board and now Ontario and Manitoba did too. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining...I love any holiday you can throw my way. The thing I find funny is what they actually named the holiday here in Saskatchewan...Family Day.

I can see how maybe they had trouble coming up with a good name for this excuse for a day off. I mean seriously, the holiday is in the middle of February so what else are you going to call it..."We Need a Break Day" or "It's Just Too Cold Day" or maybe "Get Your Butt in Gear As the Summer Is Approaching and Those 6-Pack Abs Aren't Going To Happen On Their Own Day (although I'm personally still holding out for a miracle!)

The part I find funny is that because it is named Family Day, everyone is feeling pressured to spend that day with their families. I mean, just because it is named Family Day that doesn't mean you have to go out and spend time with your family. Do you personally spend time remembering Victoria on Victoria Day, or working twice as hard as before on Labour Day?!? I've heard it multiple times already today. I was at the Field House playing badminton for the last 3 hours (and my arm is going to feel it for the next 3 days!) and I ran into someone who was there with their family because they felt they should do something with the kids since it was Family Day. Then I also heard of other people that were getting together for a "Family Day" in the evening because it was Family Day. And don't forget about the party happening down at the Speed Skating Oval where there is free skating and hot chocolate...but you have to be there as a family*.

Now don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with spending time with your family and I should probably spend more time with mine, but what the government doesn't realize is that by calling it Family Day they have opened up another can of worms and created more internal conflict within families. Now newlywed and other couples have to once again have the big discussion about whose parents they are going to go visit on Family Day. All their extended family wants them to come visit and so now just like Christmas and Thanksgiving they have to once again figure out where they should go. This supposedly great holiday could easily turn into a heated argument, hurt feelings and in-laws that think you hate them because you decided to not come by for this years Family Day.

To you married couples...I feel sorry for you and best of luck. To the government, why don't you just rename the holiday to something else so people can just stay at home and relax without the pressure of visiting their families again. I think "Do What You Want Day" is an excellent choice...that sounds more like it! Excuse me while I go do just that and drink a Coke!

Any other ideas for what this holiday should be named?

*Single people can come and claim themselves as a family of one so they can skate and get free hot chocolate