Asking her daughter if she’s upset when she very clearly wasn’t. And then looking disappointed that she wasn’t upset just shows that she purposely wanted to hurt her.
I came into my in-laws with full hair and makeup done for a family wedding we were driving together, just needed my dress on (which was at the in-laws house already, known by everyone).. anyway, I walk in and she looks at me and says “well if you still need to shower I’ll bring a clean towel for you”. No I don’t need to shower, how nice of you though..
She is angry at Jen for bonding with Katie. Barb feels left out and insecure that she will be forgotten or replaced by someone else. Too bad her respones to these feelings end up making that a reality and not just a bad fantasy.
Yep! My daughter did the same thing with her Grandmother. It’s super sad though when children realise they are behaving better than an adult! We are no contact now with my in-laws and and when we told our kids about it, they were so relieved as they had been done with her behaviour towards me for quite sometime, they just didn’t want to hurt their dad. My husband though has always stood up for me 💯 % of the time, but it’s always taken as I’m “making” him do it 🙄 Our lives have been much happier and stress free since! My husband said we should have done it years ago 😂
The bit that gets me is that Frank is often a quiet bystander in the room when Barb is telling Greg how handsome he is and is essentially saying that her husband was never handsome, etc. The constant denigration of Frank has worn him down to the point that he is almost invisible. We need to liberate Frank!
I was hoping for a redemption arc but sometimes it really takes overthinking for people to manifest their own worst nightmare, Barb was so scared of being the last to know that she will forever be the last to know
My father was always the last to find out anything because of stuff like this. He literally cannot keep his mouth shut and is very narcissistic and emotionalky/mentally/verbally abusive. We have gone no contact tact with him recently becuz of his toxicity
I take it more as: realistically people who have made it that far in life to be aweful, simply don’t WANT to be good people. They genuinely don’t care who they hurt and they will immediately gaslight themselves into thinking they are the victim. It’s the reason they like meeting new people because it’s easier to manipulate folks who don’t yet realize they are insane.
johns sad ‘that’s nice’ after katie says she’ll get to dance with her son made me gasp. it’s such a shame that their mother is so self centred that she’s missing out on all these lovely moments she could have had with her children
We can relate. My MIL didn't come to our wedding, and in fact tried to stop it. So he didn't get to dance with his Mom. His wonderful Aunt stepped up and danced with my husband.
Oh, I clocked that one, too. We had a small wedding. And it was like pulling teeth to get his mother to even want to come, let alone participate. Even if we’d had a larger wedding? I can promise she wouldn’t have danced with her son.
Deedee and Katie will be more than enough to make up for barbs hopeful absence. Also, very glad to see that although he isnt very present, Frank also sees Barb and all her nastiness ALSO ALSO love the lil daughter in all her autonomy shes my favorite
At first, I thought Barb was just reacting and not thinking about what she was saying but then seeing her literally calculate the response to make it pointed. Just unreal... I'm so glad you posted the whole thing so I didn't have to leave on that cliffhanger for a couple days!
"the monster really liked that" and "shawna would be cackling with laughter right now" are hilarious and really sum up the amazing relationship they have grown
that was a fast 11:03 minutes... I need more lol 😊Oh my goodness I cried when Barb did that. It breaks my heart to see her do that to Jennifer...and yes I know it's a skit but Shawna has such an amazing way of bringing everyone to life. You forget that it's her playing all the parts. I'm happy Frank let Barb have it in his own way.
Right? I feel so emotionally attached to these characters, even Barb to a certain extent. Shawna does such an incredible job personifying complex behaviours in a way that we can empathize with and understand why Barb acts this way while also easily agreeing she's wrong for lashing out. I really hope she's able to learn to do better so she can fully be in her family's lives, but this is going to be hard to recover from.
I have to say I really appreciate that Jennifer is maturing but still very Jennifer 😂 "Do you really think I would turn down a party whose theme is literally 'All Eyes On Jennifer'?" Gold hahaha
She’s so real for that 😂 having that much attention would be a total nightmare for me but there’s something weirdly admirable about someone who loves that attention and is self-aware about it.
jeez, barb really did shit the bed w this one. that was probably the worst thing she’s ever done and i’m glad they all held true and left her to think about what she’d done and didn’t let her come. she deserved that. frank sealed the deal, too. great episode!!!!
@kiwigirlNZ This gave me a flashbavk of doing a weekly book review along with vocabulary words in elementary school. - Read every few chapters each week. Do the necessary work. If needed I would skip more chapters. Only reading the first couple of pages of those chapters. - Even though I didn't read all the pages, the work I did implied I did. I spent a little more time for the final chapter. This was before the internet and bluebook versions of books. I despised reading until my freshman year. "Clockwork Orange" was my maiden voyage into the infinite space of sci-fi.
@@kiwigirlNZno offense but the comments are for discussing the happenings in the video lol. You really shouldn’t look if you don’t want to know what’s happened
I loved this segment, but it was so sad. Some people just cannot see that they are the ones sabotaging their own happiness. I know this is just a story, but it hits home so hard. I know people just like Barb. It’s just so sad.
Sadly there's WAY too many people of that generation who behave like that, & feel like everyone just has to deal with it because that's who they are. It's fantastic that they all walked out on Barb. I only wish Frank could've gone with them! 🥺
@ericachacon8337 In someways you feel sorry for him because his wife is the reason he is missing out on actually being part of his kids special moments however this was the same man who watched his daughter and wife treat his sons partner and the mother of his grandkids like crap and did not call it out either.
@@ericachacon8337 Unfortunately there are people of every generation who are like that. I think as they get older it shows more and they get emboldened by getting away with it for so long....so it probably gets worse. And, becomes normalized which is sooo bad. 😢 Hopefully more of the younger generations will nip this behavior in the bud and put down boundaries which will either force those people to stop the behavior...or miss out on family and friends. It is so toxic to everyone.
@@ericachacon8337 Not just that generation we have to remember that growing up wasn't easy for them either. For example my mom grew up being told she was unwanted by her own mother because she's the result of my grandfather forcing himself on my grandmother.
@@Geekabibble This like my cousin is like this and what for. To gain the love attention and even having his mom defend his actions. I've seen more people in my family including myself hurt by that dynamite his actions.
Right? Kind of wonder if that wasn't the last straw for him and the beginning of the end. She literally just took the surprise and joy of the proposal away from their daughter and soon-to-be son-in-law (or tried to), just because she was mad and feeling left out because their daughter JUST HAPPENED to end up having an important moment when Barb didn't happen to be there. Like, what the actual fuck, Barb?! You allegedly love your daughter; you apparently like Greg and think he's good for her; this was EXPLICITLY and OBVIOUSLY done SOLELY TO HURT THEM BOTH. A MUCH better reaction would be to thank Katie for being there to look after your baby girl when she was having such a stressful moment, and being relieved that she's got somebody else to count on when your aren't available. You could have had an ALLY. But noooOOOo. Fuck you, Barb. And I'm calling it now: this is the beginning of the end for her marriage, as well as of the kids going low to no contact. Well done, Shawna! Great writing, acting, editing, everything! And thanks for the fantastic Christmas present! Merry Christmas! :D
Whoa. Tears literally sprang to my eyes when Frank got Greg’s attention and nodded. Everyone supporting them… And the tears in Greg’s eyes. Thank you!! And thank you for this Christmas gift!!!
New head cannon for Frank. Dude pays a lot more attention than people think. He's aware of everything. He's just incredibly shy and anti social and isn't good at expressing himself
As an adult, I am constantly silently rebuking myself when some every day bit if business slips out to my own mother. It happens so easily because I didn't notice as a kid that, like Barb, those everyday life bits of business very frequently get turned around and used against me and mine. The jealousy is over the top too. When I gave birth my mother called a cousin I was estranged from, and told that cousin that I'd had a baby, and so that cousin came to the hospital. Not out of an attempt to create unity. But because my husband's family is close knit, where my family isn't, so it was a competition thing. I never would have thought seeing my own mother's behavior in a skit, would feel so validating. I'm not alone...
You aren't alone, I too walk the same fine line as you. Trying to give enough info so that she thinks she's "involved" in my life, but not so much that she's causing chaos. Over the summer I had a busy few weeks and OMG! I didn’t talk to her for a few days. My sister was also unavailable so mother dearest decided that NoBoDy LoVeS hEr and stopped taking her insulin, blood pressure, and anti-depression for the week. She narrowly escaped a trip to the ER and she got her damn attention she wanted so badly. 🙄 Anyways, not alone.
My take on this situation. It seemed to be one of those, "everyone got caught up in the moment" and so missed the intial signs of Barb regressing. Therefore, there wasn't a way to correct. Barb was super excited about knowing a secret. Then, when everyone started complimenting Katie as a good mom, the return of the feeling, "Im not a good mother." Started to rear up. It was slightky diminished when it was just the Nutcracker tickets, but then the rest of the present led to the lashing out. John did notice after the initial burble died down, but also still didn’t full get that it wasn’t just that Katie was the first to find out about the pregnancy. To be clear, NONE of what I just said is making an excuse for Barb. Barb lashed out as she does, but it wasn’t /just/ because of spite. It was from pain and guilt and she wanted others to feel the same. She 💯needed that final reaction from everyone leaving. I'm so glad the proposal still happened and that Barb was too wrapped up in her "I am hurt and therefore everyone should be hurt" that she missed it. Love these skits so much and how much depth is being added to these characters.
Yeah, I was actually feeling really bad for Barb as point after point was made praising Katie and Jennifer made it very clear how much she sees her as a mum and how wonderful a mum she thinks she is. I actually even felt it crossed a little into insensitive towards Barb. The subtext "you're s much better mum than Barb" was actually there, rather than Barb fabricating it. But that in Jo way excuses the awful thing Barb did
@jaycievictory8461 DeeDee is Shawna's mom. Katie is Greg's mom. It's even harder as we almost had a redemption arc with Barb after Thanksgiving. But there wasn't e ough of a change from Barb...
@Kaladelia Thanks, changed it! Yeah, I really liked the Thanksgiving episode. But I also really liked how DeeDee identified how much Barb had done to host Thanksgiving I.e. recognised and praised all her unpaid labour. And I found myself wondering how often John, Jennifer and Frank recognised how much she did, or if it was taken for granted. Again, they have good reason to be wary/distant/disinclined to praise Barb, but I like the nuances I think Shauna is drawing
I agree and disagree. Barb likes the attention on her, and can’t handle when she’s not the center. For many of the reasons you mentioned, but even before Greg and his mom showed up she was so heavy handed with the hints that I was surprised no one started putting two and two together. Greg went to her with a special secret and Barb was trying to make a point that she knew a special surprise and let the cat out of the bag, without letting the cat out of the bag, before she actually did...let the cat out of the bag, lol. Barb was afraid that Greg’s mom would have that “special moment” of the proposal being at an event planned by her, instead of by Barb herself, so she deliberately make sure that no one would have that “special moment.” It was a very cruel move.
@jordie6688 that is also true. I do think though that she would have kept the secret u til Greg proposed, unless something else triggered the jealousy. But the desire to know a secret, but not say is also bad. Her joy at being told the secret was more that no one else knew (except Frank) and that not that Greg was going to propose and Je nifer would be happy. While she was happy he was going to propose, the joy was more focused on the secret and that he might propose while at her house. I think someone else had commented this, but it was also a way for her to use it later if the proposal happened at her house. She could say forever, "remember that time Greg proposed to you..."
My jaw LITERALLY dropped and I had to pause the video. I saw the short of Barb and Frank and Greg discussing the proposal earlier and I was so excited for a happy moment and then THIS?! Ain't no way Barb is getting back into the life of her daughter and perhaps even her son and grandkids without some SERIOUS work and therapy.
THERAPY is the only redemption arc that’s going to fix this woman and heal their family. Everyone has given her their time and their tears and it’s meant nothing to her. At some point, it’s up to the abuser to take responsibility for their own behavior and the hurt they have caused everyone else by daring to trust her and hope things could ever be different. I can’t even imagine how much she must have terrorized John and Jennifer when they were just children, looking for someone to love and protect them unconditionally. Barb isn’t just quirky and out of touch; she has some RECKONING to do. Much love to all the families out there who have experienced anything similar, I know your numbers are heartbreakingly many. 😭 And if this BARB of a person won’t step up and truly rectify the place they’ve taken their relationships, it’s okay to let go of the fairytale that someday they will, and to No Contact so you can have some real and lasting peace in your life. Merry Christmas, folks. Goodwill to you all. 😔
This is awesome!! I love that even Frank stood up to Barb and didnt just go get a cookie. He is MAD. Which of course he his! He wanted to see his daughter get engaged too and she ruined it. I love that Shawna and John did not make their daughter say please because Barb clearly did not deserve any respect at that moment. I think she understood at least that barb upset her aunt
Go Greg!!! Our (literal) Barb narc’ blew up similarly last night and we’re having a without the toxicity celebration today-happy and healthy holidays to all! 🎄
Love that they all held Barb accountable and moved Christmas elsewhere. Also loved Jennifer not letting Barb see that she's upset. Congrats Jen and Greg! ✨🌙💛✨
Was just thinking that. Shawna does such a good job of raising the stakes and keeping them there and making us all root for all of them. Not to mention creating such distinct characters!
Ok but jennifer and Greg's sidebar about how they're feeling post-barb-shitting-the-bed made me cry! Jen's worry about greg being stuck with her was so real, and his response was so loving, and the 'shawna would be cackling' showing how far their relationship has improved, and the fact that he just had to ask because the love was so big in that moment i just 🥹🥹🥹 And on a separate note i love that shawna's daughter hates grandma barb's vibes out the gate, she has her pegged and is already sick of her crap as a toddler 😂
@@Min-vq3kq😢 I hope not, but my days of giving Barb the benefit of the doubt are quite possibly maxed out at this point. I just hope Shawna Junior is super observant, and not wise from her own personal experience.
I'm so disappointed in Barbs choices. I really hope being alone on christmas puts perspective on things. Oh my god Shawna you killed this Christmas special!! Extremely well done, merry Christmas to you and yours ❤💚
I've thoroughly enjoyed everything you've done, but this Christmas video is the best work you've done to date. It was so uplifting and a wonderful story. I've especially enjoyed watching the growth & maturation of Jennifer and in this episode I saw that Frank isn't standoffish, stoic or uninvolved, he's just quiet and soft spoken. Good work. May you continue for many years to come.
It may not be the proposal he expected, but sometimes it’s the unexpected that are the most memorable down the road. Jen got her proposal, the family still celebrated, and Barb got put in her place. Shawna playing all parts is amazing 🤩
I knew when Jen was all snotty and red faced, but taking that deep breath and composing herself so beautifully that Greg was going to take one look at her and realize he didn't want to wait one more second.
If I were him. I'd go with them or go out by myself. Leave her to herself for a while. Not to mention I bet he was pissed to not see his daughter get engaged because of his wife. Probably would have needed to cool off
I have totally thought that Barb and Frank divorced years ago. I thought that he was only there at the holidays to support his children, more in spite of Barb, than for her.
Am I the only one who laughs and cries and gets mad with all of these characters? You are so talented and honestly work so hard at every skit you do. Congratulations ♥️ Merry Christmas!
I literally got tears in my eyes when Greg asked Jen to marry him. Such amazing acting and characters. And scripting! Love the kids and Katie. So much work and such amazing payoff. ❤❤❤❤❤❤
This is the comic relief I need! My mom did something very similar for the 100th time in August. I haven’t spoken to her since and today I get a text from her husband telling me to find forgiveness in my heart bc somehow she’s the victim AGAIN!!!
I'm sorry. That is hard We chose to express it differently. We chose to forgive - not because they had changed, not because the next time will be diffrent but because we realized that this is who they have always been and it was not something new or hidden about them and it was our fault on putting an expectation that they behave and treat us in a way they have no capability or intention in actually doing. But although we have forgiven them we will not be taking steps in reestablishing a relationship with them as that is not the type of person we want to associate with in our lives anymore. That we wish them the best with the rest of their lives but they will no longer be a part of ours.
WHY AM I LITERALLY CRYING?? Shawna, you have NAILED IT once again! Barb literally does not learn and some people are just like that. And to think I was literally rooting for her... And now Jennifer and Greg are getting MARRIED!! AAAAAAAA OHMYGOSH I'm SO EXCITED!! Jen really REALLY changed for the better (thanks to Greg and motherhood LOL) and I'm so proud of her development. And Katie seems like THE BEST mother-in-law to have!! Feel bad for Greg on that part lol. Best Christmas ever!! Seriously though, your acting is AMAZING and I am WAY too invested in this series now. No turning back!
i love how in depth this whole story seems!! you can tell barb was kind of thinking of the best way to be the center of attention again and prevent being the last to know and spoiled the surprise, but at the same time, you can feel that she could’ve actually not meant to blurt it out and might’ve forgotten she wasn’t supposed to say it! it really got me!! it was meant to be her daughters moment but she, once again, wanted to be a bigger part of it than she was. i’m so glad greg proposed in private now! who knows what barb would’ve done to be the center of attention again lol Happy holidays everyone!
I knew things were gonna go off the rails when Barb found out Greg's mom was there when Jennifer found out she was pregnant. 😬 I LOVE that Barb faced real consequences for her actions.
That has EWWWWWW written allll over it. And you're exactly right in your guess. I could very well see that happening. They could run away and elope, but they'd be hearing about that for the rest of their lives!
Damn, Barb... that was fucking COLD. Narcissists CAN change, ive seen it, its a behavioral pattern and not always something innate, but its very rarely linear or fast. Maybe some real, concrete consequences for her fuckery will actually wake Barb up.
@@jfinney225but the consequences can’t be taken in hopes that they will change. They need to be set as firm boundaries, ones that can be upheld longterm as though change is never coming. It’s such a heartbreaking truth, but sometimes the only way to save yourself from ongoing agonizing pain is to let hope die -hope that they will ever change, that is. Please don’t give up on hope that you can and will be able to live a peaceful and fulfilling life -without them.
you can see the peace in Jen’s eyes. Not just that she’s ready for forever with Greg, but that she’s finally let go of the expectation that her mom will change. she’s free.
The fact we are all so moved by this! Shawna, your acting! Really feels like a true family of people. It being all you is so easy to forget! Thank you for your content! ❤❤
MAN I KNEW GREG SHOULDN'T HAVE ASKED BARB 😭 but honestly, good for Frank for saying something at the end!!! And I'm so glad that Greg reassured Jen he's in love with her, and the happy ending more than made up for what we expected Barb to do. Absolutely beautiful.
I thought, after Thanksgiving, that Barb could have some redemption arc. But NOOOOO, she had to go and ruin it! What a horrible woman. Love the little nod from Frank!
Honestly that's how narcissists are every time they make you think they've changed, give you hope things are better. They ruin everything again and again, especially if they aren't getting their way.
@@AggroGizmounfortunately this is exactly the case. I tried with my mother for years and years. Last time I tried, I told her I will give her a year to try and be good for once or she will not have the right to call me her daughter again. Well she managed to break that less than two weeks later and now even though we live in the same house we barely exchange 10 words a week and it’s all her fault.
I truly love your videos. I never thought about being a mom ever as i don't think i will ever be able to have one. However, your videos are truly amazing for so many different people. From moments of pain to absolute laughter you truly have opened my eyes with navigating life in so many ways. you are an absolute legend with your ability to make every character feel both real and like they are completely different people. My boyfriend and I binge watched all of your videos and we have to remind ourselves that it is just one person doing everything. Just wanted to say from the bottom of my heart that I appreciate you and what you do. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Everyone
My mom was a bit like Barb in that she would turn things that you confided in her against you. She wouldn't do it in front of anyone else though. And she would almost ALWAYS sabotage holidays/celebrations.
I feel that one. My egg donour makes Barb look loving and respectful! She would act like we were such a happy, loving family when in fact, we made her her pay us kids £100 each for our performance and we’d only stick to 2 hour’s. We caught on fast 😈. I went NC 30+ years ago and it’s been blissful. She was the last to know I got married. NO! She was not invited. She didn’t even know I was pregnant until after I gave birth and received an announcement. With all three. She’s never seen our children unsupervised and that was only a handful of times. No need to expose them to evil! Bless you and stay strong, you got this 💚🙏
It took years of estrangement, her finding the right meds, & for her health to start failing, before my mother finally began acting like a human being, on holidays. I am happy to say that she has really tried to make up for it, over the last several years. Like, genuinely. It took her son moving to the other side of the country and me walking away from our relationship completely, before she honestly evaluated her relationships w/ her children & grandson... but I'm glad she got there.
I never did go NC because her health started failing and I was the kid who had a medical background, I was the caregiver. She lived with me and my son. She realized after a few years that she had been wrong and apologized and changed her ways. A few months before she died (almost 11 years ago) she said that she was the luckiest woman in the world because her daughter was not only that, but also her best friend. Sorchia, I'm sorry that your relationship is so toxic. 🫂
My MIL is like that. For a woman that lives in our house she barely knows anything of substance that is happening in our lives. My kids and I all learnt the hard way why se should never tell her anything that mattered.
Also Frank saying; "Why'd you do it Barb?" Jennifer is definitely a daddy's girl, and most cases, not all cases, but most cases a father/daughter relationship is if anyone messes with their baby girl, regardless of who it is, it's not going to fly, and dads will come in swinging. At least that's how my dad is with me and my uncles were with their baby girls.
I've been watching this series for a while. I KNOW Barb is the way she is. I like to think I'm at least semi-decent at character analysis. I was completely blindsided by Barb doing that. I was sure she would hold her tongue and then brag later. MAJOR props for this episode. It's rare that stories catch me so off-guard, much less where every beat of it feels 100% correct and in character. Edit: oh, and Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays everyone!
Merry Christmas everyone, and thank you Shawna!! 👏🤩 Such a brilliant bunch of individually recognisable (and relatable) fully-formed characters, that you've created & performed so beautifully!! Amazing job 👏😘 Wishing you a wonderful new year ahead too 💗
I had seen bits and pieces but seeing the whole thing was great! You have real talent... both in creating the story and dialogue, but also acting it out.
🎶Awesome🎶. How DID i know that Barb would ruin everything 😂 Glad Frank called her out. And loved the granddaughter giving her gma "the glare"! Oh Merry Christmas to us from Shawna!
Not the main point, but i really like how Jen said "Shawna would've cackled w laughter at that" - just shows you how close Jen and Shawna are! I dont wanna say that she thought of Shawna during this very emotional moment, but that she mentioned an inside joke between them like this when shawna isn't there just makes me really happy.
Barb reminds me so much of my own mother whom I went NC this year. The finally straw was my wedding. We (my partner and I) had been planning it for two years and my mother showed little to no interest that her last daughter was finally getting married. I kept her in the loop and was even having the ceremony in the state she (and my sisters) lived in to make it easier on her. With my other sisters she was overly involved but with me, I feel like she kept quiet because she was worried I would ask for money. I still told her everything even if she was not listening, sent pictures of locations, and updated her with dates/times etc. I even invited her and my sisters to a wedding dress try on, which served drinks and snacks. She showed up 1 hour late to a 2 hour time slot. The last two months prior to the wedding, she asked "So what are the plans for the wedding?" I was like "What do you mean? It is happening on X date at X time at X place. You just need to show up. What else is there to know?" She responds with "No, what are the plans FOR ME for the wedding?" I was like "???? What?" Turns out my mother wanted to walk me down the aisle, to stay at the airbnb that myself, my partner and several of our wedding party were staying at (She lived within driving distance and we didn't have any other room for people), wanted to get ready with the wedding party, wanted to get her hair done with me (of course with the assumption I was paying), wanted to bring her dogs to the wedding, and asked me what she should wear to it. I told her No to all of those things. She told me and I quote: "Oh, so this is about you having your little time with your friends and having a popularity contest huh?" The logic behind it. Yes, mother. My wedding day is about me and my partner and celebrating us. Not you. The logic! The entitlement!
Well done, my dear! I applaud you for your story telling and portrayal abilities! Chef's kiss, top notch!!! Thank you for your hard work and commitment, it is a lovely gift to us all ❤️
Loved it! So glad that Barb's true colors showed. And hearing Jen's comments about her mother. No denial allowed. Now they can go low or preferably No Contact with Barb so they can plan their wedding. Maybe sic Katie and Mama D on guard duty for the wedding? We could see Barb trying to snoop out wedding plans and being constantly thwarted! And at the wedding venue Barb showing true colors OUTSIDE the venue (not invited/actually on a keep out list) to all the guests. Outside so bride and groom don't have any additional stress before the ceremony and only hear funny stories about the drama during dinner or reception.
Wow!🤯 That was FANTASTIC and FABULOUS!! I laughed, got angry, teared up, and cheered! This was better than a Hallmark movie! Me scrolling down to see the next video! 😂 Shawna you rock! You need to write for Hallmark or Hulu! I LOVED this! ❤❤
She was SO CLOSE to becoming a better person. But she chose to dive head-first into driving her family away instead with her pathological need to be the center of attention.
Though she was completely wrong and deserves to be called out for ruining the surprise, I still hold on to the hope that Barb has at least a glimmer of selflessness inside and will find a way to make this situation right for everyone else, even if it means eating a little crow 🐦⬛😂... and let me say that I'm so very grateful for you and especially your Christmas video because it literally is the icing on the cake of my Christmas day ❤🎄✨🎄❤️
sitting at home alone on Christmas and enjoying this video with my cat made me feel amazing. your acting is superb and thanks so much for posting the whole thing here too
I loved this episode! I liked everything about it and we got to see more Frank. Yay! I would love to see Frank interact with his kids. I also liked to see Barb being exposed 🤭. Good thing Greg saw that early on. I'm still trying to figure out Barb. She hates liars (doesn't want to be lied to), is afraid of being left out and being the last to know something, projects her selfiness onto others (she seems to not like selfish people), orders others around (like Frank) yet deeply respects male authority (or she gives them that authority?). She seems to have passed on to Jennifer the need to make things about herself, perhaps in an effort to be seen by others. Maybe that is why she blurts these things out on purpose. I wished there was an episode explaining her personality and her childhood. Great work ❤
I think it would be fascinating to see a deep dive on her, but at this point, I think it may be giving her too much credit. She called Greg a liar to be hurtful, I don’t think she thought for a minute he lied. She just didn’t like what was going down and withdrew her blessing to be as controlling and spiteful as possible.
@At0micAllison I do think she considered it a lie, she looked very serious (and upset) about it. Earlier, when Greg was asking for their blessing, she asked if he would propose during Christmas (day). His response was noncommittal, however, she took it as an affirmative because it was what she wanted. When he didn't seem to go through with it on Christmas day (right when she wanted him to), she was hurt and offended at his "lie". Perhaps she thought he did it on purpose to show her up, placate her, make fun of her, or more likely not letting her witness it first. She acted like the lie (and therefore pain he caused her) had been on purpose, so she punished and let off some stress by telling his secret and venting her frustration. But that is just what I saw in their reactions 😅. What did you see?
I grew up in a legalistic church environment where a lot of people talked about male authority but actually lived more egalitarian (or the wife actually dictated everything) when it came down to it. As for Barb obsessed with not being left out, she reminds me of my grandma when my mom's family fell apart and half of them stopped talking to all of us. She would get worked up if we didn't include her for every holiday and family vacation, accusing us of leaving her out. When in reality, she was upset that the celebrations and get togethers weren't going the way SHE was envisioning (ie celebrating Christmas the weekend before or after instead of the actual day). It was her way of compensating for the fact that she was iced out of seeing half of her kids and grandkids (it totally wasn't her fault, btw. The family fell apart because of estate disagreements after my grandpa died).
Don’t forget the hats! I am amazed especially that the men in these videos are so very distinct in personality that you can tell them apart even in different clothes and without checking the color of their hats.
I LOVE the compilations. I know that the skits are longer on Insta & T.T. but I’m a pretty loyal UA-cam fan, so I always see them here first (in their edited versions), so to have the whole scene unfold in a single video is 👌🧑🍳💋
Proposing to her in private was, of course, the best idea. Otherwise, there would have been another event that would have been sabotaged by Barb and made all about her. Honestly, one would have thought that there would be some character development after the Thanksgiving episode, but I guess some people never change.😞
Good on everyone for standing up to Barb, but the nail in the coffin was Frank….”why did you do it Barb?” I really enjoyed that
❤ and kiddo finally choosing to speak to her only when it was time for 'goodbye' 😂
Me too! And the little girl clocking her evil
ME too 🤣
That was so worth it! Good for Frank!
@@susanvinson2667right? Like now I’m on team Frank apparently now too?!? What is happening?!
Asking her daughter if she’s upset when she very clearly wasn’t. And then looking disappointed that she wasn’t upset just shows that she purposely wanted to hurt her.
Oh wow 😢
🤢🤮 Unfortunately...this is my own mother as well. Low contact for now...hoping she and dad move to another state now that they are in retirement.
I'll never for the life of me understand wanting to actively hurt your kids
I came into my in-laws with full hair and makeup done for a family wedding we were driving together, just needed my dress on (which was at the in-laws house already, known by everyone).. anyway, I walk in and she looks at me and says “well if you still need to shower I’ll bring a clean towel for you”. No I don’t need to shower, how nice of you though..
She is angry at Jen for bonding with Katie. Barb feels left out and insecure that she will be forgotten or replaced by someone else. Too bad her respones to these feelings end up making that a reality and not just a bad fantasy.
I love that Shawna’s daughter does not put up with barb’s bs, that’s so relatable and I love that she sticks up for her mommy
She was so happy to leave too like "✨️bye grandma✨️😇"
"Goodbye, Grandmother," had me in shambles 🤣
I love her little neurodivergent self, she knows what's up
Yes I spotted that as well and thought it spoke volumes to Barbs character.
Yep! My daughter did the same thing with her Grandmother. It’s super sad though when children realise they are behaving better than an adult! We are no contact now with my in-laws and and when we told our kids about it, they were so relieved as they had been done with her behaviour towards me for quite sometime, they just didn’t want to hurt their dad. My husband though has always stood up for me 💯 % of the time, but it’s always taken as I’m “making” him do it 🙄 Our lives have been much happier and stress free since! My husband said we should have done it years ago 😂
The bit that gets me is that Frank is often a quiet bystander in the room when Barb is telling Greg how handsome he is and is essentially saying that her husband was never handsome, etc. The constant denigration of Frank has worn him down to the point that he is almost invisible. We need to liberate Frank!
Yes! It’s clear that he deals with a lot of verbal and emotional abuse
That's 100% my dad. He won't be liberated though.
FREE FRANK!! FREE FRANK!! 😂
Yes! And I felt so bad knowing Frank had to be punished with Barb. What a shame.
May 2025 be the year of Frank❤
I was hoping for a redemption arc but sometimes it really takes overthinking for people to manifest their own worst nightmare, Barb was so scared of being the last to know that she will forever be the last to know
My father was always the last to find out anything because of stuff like this. He literally cannot keep his mouth shut and is very narcissistic and emotionalky/mentally/verbally abusive. We have gone no contact tact with him recently becuz of his toxicity
@@amothersmagikSorry for your loss. It's for the best though🙏🏼💕
I think Jen was going to be the redeemed person in this scenario, while Barb will be...Barb. But yeah, you're exactly right!
Self fulfilling prophecy!!!
I take it more as: realistically people who have made it that far in life to be aweful, simply don’t WANT to be good people. They genuinely don’t care who they hurt and they will immediately gaslight themselves into thinking they are the victim. It’s the reason they like meeting new people because it’s easier to manipulate folks who don’t yet realize they are insane.
johns sad ‘that’s nice’ after katie says she’ll get to dance with her son made me gasp. it’s such a shame that their mother is so self centred that she’s missing out on all these lovely moments she could have had with her children
Oh I didn't even notice that. 😢that's so sad.
We can relate. My MIL didn't come to our wedding, and in fact tried to stop it. So he didn't get to dance with his Mom. His wonderful Aunt stepped up and danced with my husband.
I saw that too! Its so sad but also details like that make this channel so good
Oh, I clocked that one, too.
We had a small wedding. And it was like pulling teeth to get his mother to even want to come, let alone participate. Even if we’d had a larger wedding? I can promise she wouldn’t have danced with her son.
I wonder if Barb ruined the dance with John at his wedding?
Deedee and Katie will be more than enough to make up for barbs hopeful absence. Also, very glad to see that although he isnt very present, Frank also sees Barb and all her nastiness ALSO ALSO love the lil daughter in all her autonomy shes my favorite
Father I need your lap.
It seems that the little daughter knows her grandma Barb can be very mean sometimes and wants none of it. So very perceptive!
Kids are very good at recognizing bullies
That’s exactly how my little sister was with my awful awful grandma
That's exactly why Frank is largely absent/in his own world.
At first, I thought Barb was just reacting and not thinking about what she was saying but then seeing her literally calculate the response to make it pointed. Just unreal... I'm so glad you posted the whole thing so I didn't have to leave on that cliffhanger for a couple days!
It was definitely the, "wait you look happy, why are you not upset" reaction when Greg and Jennifer emerged that really sends that point home
Barb was being reactionary that's the MO of a narcissistic person. They are stuck on their triggers and got stuck along the way to becoming an adult
"the monster really liked that" and "shawna would be cackling with laughter right now" are hilarious and really sum up the amazing relationship they have grown
Jen’s growing self-awareness is an honest to god delight!
I really love to see it! It's also so fun to see Jennifer becoming less and less like barb the more aware of how cruel she can be!
that was a fast 11:03 minutes... I need more lol 😊Oh my goodness I cried when Barb did that. It breaks my heart to see her do that to Jennifer...and yes I know it's a skit but Shawna has such an amazing way of bringing everyone to life. You forget that it's her playing all the parts. I'm happy Frank let Barb have it in his own way.
Right?
I knowww! Don’t forget the kiddos too! 😂A nice Christmas story! ❤
It's just like with audiobooks, you know it is the same voice actor but you're still getting the immersive feels as if it is real.
Right? I feel so emotionally attached to these characters, even Barb to a certain extent. Shawna does such an incredible job personifying complex behaviours in a way that we can empathize with and understand why Barb acts this way while also easily agreeing she's wrong for lashing out. I really hope she's able to learn to do better so she can fully be in her family's lives, but this is going to be hard to recover from.
You took the words right out of my head. Well said! This was absolutely amazing!
John's little gasp of hope when Greg said he wants a best man 🥹
It was precious. I'm sure John and Shawna's wedding was a train wreck thanks to Barb, so...this will be better without her.
I have to say I really appreciate that Jennifer is maturing but still very Jennifer 😂 "Do you really think I would turn down a party whose theme is literally 'All Eyes On Jennifer'?" Gold hahaha
That's me. I am pretty insufferable at times, but I try to at least be self aware.
She’s so real for that 😂 having that much attention would be a total nightmare for me but there’s something weirdly admirable about someone who loves that attention and is self-aware about it.
I appreciated how Dee Dee soothed Barb on Thanksgiving but am so happy that everyone (including the nod from Frank) let Barb know her error this time.
…wondering if we’ll ever get a Dee Dee meets Katie scene…
That’s a great example of gentle parenting vs boundaries. ☺️🎯
It's not really an error for her, people like this do this stuff on purpose and they're incapable of change
Well, that made me cry. I'm going to be a snotty sobbing mess at the wedding and Katie isn't going to be there to wipe my nose on her sleeve.
Oh man, I definitely cried too 😭
I admit I shed a few tears 😢
Oh phew I am still trying to stop crying!!! 😅
jeez, barb really did shit the bed w this one. that was probably the worst thing she’s ever done and i’m glad they all held true and left her to think about what she’d done and didn’t let her come. she deserved that. frank sealed the deal, too. great episode!!!!
I haven’t finished watching, but I wish I didn’t read the comments. For me, *you* pulled a Barb in the comment section.
Damnit 😂
@kiwigirlNZ This gave me a flashbavk of doing a weekly book review along with vocabulary words in elementary school.
- Read every few chapters each week. Do the necessary work. If needed I would skip more chapters. Only reading the first couple of pages of those chapters.
- Even though I didn't read all the pages, the work I did implied I did.
I spent a little more time for the final chapter.
This was before the internet and bluebook versions of books.
I despised reading until my freshman year. "Clockwork Orange" was my maiden voyage into the infinite space of sci-fi.
Oh my gosh... I'm so invested in this! Thank you, Shawna, for the drama and fun and love!! ❤
@@kiwigirlNZno offense but the comments are for discussing the happenings in the video lol. You really shouldn’t look if you don’t want to know what’s happened
@ @phoenixfeather It was unintentional. Clicked on the vid, and *one* comment was exposed.
The one I commented on.
The nod from Frank 😭❤️ edit: ALSO HE STOOD UP TO BARB, HECK YEAH!! 👏
i was searching for this comment! ♥
Finally, Barb gets the treatment she has deserved for ages! Also, I love that granddaughter sees right through evil grandma.
the granddaughter was AMAZING. stole the show tbh.
I loved this segment, but it was so sad. Some people just cannot see that they are the ones sabotaging their own happiness. I know this is just a story, but it hits home so hard. I know people just like Barb. It’s just so sad.
Sadly there's WAY too many people of that generation who behave like that, & feel like everyone just has to deal with it because that's who they are. It's fantastic that they all walked out on Barb. I only wish Frank could've gone with them! 🥺
@ericachacon8337 In someways you feel sorry for him because his wife is the reason he is missing out on actually being part of his kids special moments however this was the same man who watched his daughter and wife treat his sons partner and the mother of his grandkids like crap and did not call it out either.
@@ericachacon8337 Unfortunately there are people of every generation who are like that. I think as they get older it shows more and they get emboldened by getting away with it for so long....so it probably gets worse. And, becomes normalized which is sooo bad. 😢 Hopefully more of the younger generations will nip this behavior in the bud and put down boundaries which will either force those people to stop the behavior...or miss out on family and friends. It is so toxic to everyone.
@@ericachacon8337 Not just that generation we have to remember that growing up wasn't easy for them either. For example my mom grew up being told she was unwanted by her own mother because she's the result of my grandfather forcing himself on my grandmother.
@@Geekabibble This like my cousin is like this and what for. To gain the love attention and even having his mom defend his actions. I've seen more people in my family including myself hurt by that dynamite his actions.
Frank asking barb why she did it gave me literal chills!!!!! That was so good!!!!!
💯💯💯
Right? Kind of wonder if that wasn't the last straw for him and the beginning of the end. She literally just took the surprise and joy of the proposal away from their daughter and soon-to-be son-in-law (or tried to), just because she was mad and feeling left out because their daughter JUST HAPPENED to end up having an important moment when Barb didn't happen to be there. Like, what the actual fuck, Barb?! You allegedly love your daughter; you apparently like Greg and think he's good for her; this was EXPLICITLY and OBVIOUSLY done SOLELY TO HURT THEM BOTH.
A MUCH better reaction would be to thank Katie for being there to look after your baby girl when she was having such a stressful moment, and being relieved that she's got somebody else to count on when your aren't available. You could have had an ALLY. But noooOOOo.
Fuck you, Barb. And I'm calling it now: this is the beginning of the end for her marriage, as well as of the kids going low to no contact.
Well done, Shawna! Great writing, acting, editing, everything! And thanks for the fantastic Christmas present! Merry Christmas! :D
@@KryssLaBrynthat's wishcasting and there may be several more twists before that, if it ever does, happen.
Whoa. Tears literally sprang to my eyes when Frank got Greg’s attention and nodded.
Everyone supporting them…
And the tears in Greg’s eyes.
Thank you!!
And thank you for this Christmas gift!!!
Omg the tears in Greg’s eyes 😢
Master class in how to navigate around a narcissist. This was brilliant! Empowering.
New head cannon for Frank. Dude pays a lot more attention than people think. He's aware of everything. He's just incredibly shy and anti social and isn't good at expressing himself
As an adult, I am constantly silently rebuking myself when some every day bit if business slips out to my own mother. It happens so easily because I didn't notice as a kid that, like Barb, those everyday life bits of business very frequently get turned around and used against me and mine.
The jealousy is over the top too. When I gave birth my mother called a cousin I was estranged from, and told that cousin that I'd had a baby, and so that cousin came to the hospital. Not out of an attempt to create unity. But because my husband's family is close knit, where my family isn't, so it was a competition thing.
I never would have thought seeing my own mother's behavior in a skit, would feel so validating. I'm not alone...
You aren't alone, I too walk the same fine line as you. Trying to give enough info so that she thinks she's "involved" in my life, but not so much that she's causing chaos. Over the summer I had a busy few weeks and OMG! I didn’t talk to her for a few days. My sister was also unavailable so mother dearest decided that NoBoDy LoVeS hEr and stopped taking her insulin, blood pressure, and anti-depression for the week. She narrowly escaped a trip to the ER and she got her damn attention she wanted so badly. 🙄
Anyways, not alone.
The fact that i got tearful over fictional characters all played by ONE PERSON 😂. You did an amazing job, merry Christmas!
This! So much this!
Gotham has a new super villian
And it's Barb!
That line was hilarious!
My take on this situation. It seemed to be one of those, "everyone got caught up in the moment" and so missed the intial signs of Barb regressing. Therefore, there wasn't a way to correct.
Barb was super excited about knowing a secret. Then, when everyone started complimenting Katie as a good mom, the return of the feeling, "Im not a good mother." Started to rear up. It was slightky diminished when it was just the Nutcracker tickets, but then the rest of the present led to the lashing out. John did notice after the initial burble died down, but also still didn’t full get that it wasn’t just that Katie was the first to find out about the pregnancy.
To be clear, NONE of what I just said is making an excuse for Barb. Barb lashed out as she does, but it wasn’t /just/ because of spite. It was from pain and guilt and she wanted others to feel the same. She 💯needed that final reaction from everyone leaving.
I'm so glad the proposal still happened and that Barb was too wrapped up in her "I am hurt and therefore everyone should be hurt" that she missed it.
Love these skits so much and how much depth is being added to these characters.
Yeah, I was actually feeling really bad for Barb as point after point was made praising Katie and Jennifer made it very clear how much she sees her as a mum and how wonderful a mum she thinks she is. I actually even felt it crossed a little into insensitive towards Barb. The subtext "you're s much better mum than Barb" was actually there, rather than Barb fabricating it. But that in Jo way excuses the awful thing Barb did
@jaycievictory8461 DeeDee is Shawna's mom. Katie is Greg's mom.
It's even harder as we almost had a redemption arc with Barb after Thanksgiving. But there wasn't e ough of a change from Barb...
@Kaladelia Thanks, changed it!
Yeah, I really liked the Thanksgiving episode. But I also really liked how DeeDee identified how much Barb had done to host Thanksgiving I.e. recognised and praised all her unpaid labour. And I found myself wondering how often John, Jennifer and Frank recognised how much she did, or if it was taken for granted. Again, they have good reason to be wary/distant/disinclined to praise Barb, but I like the nuances I think Shauna is drawing
I agree and disagree. Barb likes the attention on her, and can’t handle when she’s not the center. For many of the reasons you mentioned, but even before Greg and his mom showed up she was so heavy handed with the hints that I was surprised no one started putting two and two together. Greg went to her with a special secret and Barb was trying to make a point that she knew a special surprise and let the cat out of the bag, without letting the cat out of the bag, before she actually did...let the cat out of the bag, lol. Barb was afraid that Greg’s mom would have that “special moment” of the proposal being at an event planned by her, instead of by Barb herself, so she deliberately make sure that no one would have that “special moment.” It was a very cruel move.
@jordie6688 that is also true. I do think though that she would have kept the secret u til Greg proposed, unless something else triggered the jealousy. But the desire to know a secret, but not say is also bad.
Her joy at being told the secret was more that no one else knew (except Frank) and that not that Greg was going to propose and Je nifer would be happy. While she was happy he was going to propose, the joy was more focused on the secret and that he might propose while at her house.
I think someone else had commented this, but it was also a way for her to use it later if the proposal happened at her house. She could say forever, "remember that time Greg proposed to you..."
It wasn't a test, but Barb made it a test by failing.
I just LOVEE the looks Jen gives Shawna!!!!!
I've loved every moment since they became friends ❤️
I am so glad to see Jennifer forming healthy bonds with other women and healing her inner child by setting boundaries.
Your acting is getting so good. I genuinely hate barb. They are all so different
And I wish they’d have an engagement party at Bistro Huddy
I started watching Bistro Huddy from comments here and now I understand the calls for a collab. It would be epic.
Omg. Nicole vs. Barb. Omg 😳🤣
This family at Bistro Huddy might make the world collapse 😂😂😂
Oooh, Nicole from Bistro Huddy would ABSOLUTELY destroy Barb!!!
An engagement party or dress rehersal dinner at Bistro Huddy would be EPIC
My jaw LITERALLY dropped and I had to pause the video. I saw the short of Barb and Frank and Greg discussing the proposal earlier and I was so excited for a happy moment and then THIS?! Ain't no way Barb is getting back into the life of her daughter and perhaps even her son and grandkids without some SERIOUS work and therapy.
THERAPY is the only redemption arc that’s going to fix this woman and heal their family. Everyone has given her their time and their tears and it’s meant nothing to her. At some point, it’s up to the abuser to take responsibility for their own behavior and the hurt they have caused everyone else by daring to trust her and hope things could ever be different. I can’t even imagine how much she must have terrorized John and Jennifer when they were just children, looking for someone to love and protect them unconditionally. Barb isn’t just quirky and out of touch; she has some RECKONING to do. Much love to all the families out there who have experienced anything similar, I know your numbers are heartbreakingly many. 😭
And if this BARB of a person won’t step up and truly rectify the place they’ve taken their relationships, it’s okay to let go of the fairytale that someday they will, and to No Contact so you can have some real and lasting peace in your life. Merry Christmas, folks. Goodwill to you all. 😔
So did I!! I gasped so hard at her audacity. I seen it flying down hill when they shared the knick names tho.
This is awesome!! I love that even Frank stood up to Barb and didnt just go get a cookie. He is MAD. Which of course he his! He wanted to see his daughter get engaged too and she ruined it. I love that Shawna and John did not make their daughter say please because Barb clearly did not deserve any respect at that moment. I think she understood at least that barb upset her aunt
Go Greg!!!
Our (literal) Barb narc’ blew up similarly last night and we’re having a without the toxicity celebration today-happy and healthy holidays to all! 🎄
God, seeing Jennifer break down crying after all the bs Barb pulled was so heartbreaking. I'm so glad she has Greg and the others to support her. 💜
BARB NOOOOOO! I literally screamed. I’m so glad no one told barb. Even Frank. Go Frank.
Stooppp... I'm literally crying at 12:30 am at Jennifer's apology to Greg, then happy tears at Greg's response, and then more happy tears at the end.
Love that they all held Barb accountable and moved Christmas elsewhere. Also loved Jennifer not letting Barb see that she's upset. Congrats Jen and Greg! ✨🌙💛✨
BARB!!! WOW. I was kinda rooting for her. Even Frank was disappointed. 🤷🏿♀️
I am way too invested in basically the same person.
Was just thinking that. Shawna does such a good job of raising the stakes and keeping them there and making us all root for all of them. Not to mention creating such distinct characters!
@@kemhug2623 you are not alone in being so invested in this.
Ok but jennifer and Greg's sidebar about how they're feeling post-barb-shitting-the-bed made me cry! Jen's worry about greg being stuck with her was so real, and his response was so loving, and the 'shawna would be cackling' showing how far their relationship has improved, and the fact that he just had to ask because the love was so big in that moment i just 🥹🥹🥹
And on a separate note i love that shawna's daughter hates grandma barb's vibes out the gate, she has her pegged and is already sick of her crap as a toddler 😂
Love that kid. 😆
I get the feeling that Barb is the type of grandma that is only nice to her grandsons and purposely mean to the granddaughters. Idk
@@Min-vq3kq😢 I hope not, but my days of giving Barb the benefit of the doubt are quite possibly maxed out at this point. I just hope Shawna Junior is super observant, and not wise from her own personal experience.
THAT HAIR 😂😂😂 👧
I'm so disappointed in Barbs choices. I really hope being alone on christmas puts perspective on things. Oh my god Shawna you killed this Christmas special!! Extremely well done, merry Christmas to you and yours ❤💚
I've thoroughly enjoyed everything you've done, but this Christmas video is the best work you've done to date. It was so uplifting and a wonderful story. I've especially enjoyed watching the growth & maturation of Jennifer and in this episode I saw that Frank isn't standoffish, stoic or uninvolved, he's just quiet and soft spoken. Good work. May you continue for many years to come.
I get the vibe that Frank has been so manipulated and emotionally abused that he just hides in plain sight to survive. 😢
It may not be the proposal he expected, but sometimes it’s the unexpected that are the most memorable down the road. Jen got her proposal, the family still celebrated, and Barb got put in her place. Shawna playing all parts is amazing 🤩
I still need to see the moment Barb finds out it was done out of her view…I’m a glutton for schadenfreude for people like that 😜
I knew when Jen was all snotty and red faced, but taking that deep breath and composing herself so beautifully that Greg was going to take one look at her and realize he didn't want to wait one more second.
Oh wow... she really shit the bed... on purpose... so happy for Greg and Jen, but man... poor Frank stuck home with Barb after that shit show.
If I were him. I'd go with them or go out by myself. Leave her to herself for a while. Not to mention I bet he was pissed to not see his daughter get engaged because of his wife. Probably would have needed to cool off
I have totally thought that Barb and Frank divorced years ago. I thought that he was only there at the holidays to support his children, more in spite of Barb, than for her.
Your storytelling, acting, character arcs, scriptwriting ... SUPERB! Just excellent.
Second this ☝️! All day...Everyday!
👏👏👏
Am I the only one who laughs and cries and gets mad with all of these characters? You are so talented and honestly work so hard at every skit you do. Congratulations ♥️ Merry Christmas!
No! I laugh, cry, get pissed along with them all lol It's as if they are real people I know haha
I’m AMAZED at how believable the dialogue is! SHAWNATHEMOM is an artiste!
I literally got tears in my eyes when Greg asked Jen to marry him. Such amazing acting and characters. And scripting! Love the kids and Katie. So much work and such amazing payoff. ❤❤❤❤❤❤
I am SO INVESTED. Jennifer standing up for herself and not letting Barb steal her joy!!! You go girl!
This is the comic relief I need! My mom did something very similar for the 100th time in August. I haven’t spoken to her since and today I get a text from her husband telling me to find forgiveness in my heart bc somehow she’s the victim AGAIN!!!
I’m so very sorry
I'm sorry. That is hard
We chose to express it differently. We chose to forgive - not because they had changed, not because the next time will be diffrent but because we realized that this is who they have always been and it was not something new or hidden about them and it was our fault on putting an expectation that they behave and treat us in a way they have no capability or intention in actually doing.
But although we have forgiven them we will not be taking steps in reestablishing a relationship with them as that is not the type of person we want to associate with in our lives anymore. That we wish them the best with the rest of their lives but they will no longer be a part of ours.
Why am I so invested in this story and these characters when it's just a stranger effectively talking to herself?! 😹 LOVE! ❤
Like for real. So invested...
WHY AM I LITERALLY CRYING?? Shawna, you have NAILED IT once again! Barb literally does not learn and some people are just like that. And to think I was literally rooting for her... And now Jennifer and Greg are getting MARRIED!! AAAAAAAA OHMYGOSH I'm SO EXCITED!! Jen really REALLY changed for the better (thanks to Greg and motherhood LOL) and I'm so proud of her development. And Katie seems like THE BEST mother-in-law to have!! Feel bad for Greg on that part lol. Best Christmas ever!!
Seriously though, your acting is AMAZING and I am WAY too invested in this series now. No turning back!
i love how in depth this whole story seems!!
you can tell barb was kind of thinking of the best way to be the center of attention again and prevent being the last to know and spoiled the surprise, but at the same time, you can feel that she could’ve actually not meant to blurt it out and might’ve forgotten she wasn’t supposed to say it! it really got me!!
it was meant to be her daughters moment but she, once again, wanted to be a bigger part of it than she was. i’m so glad greg proposed in private now! who knows what barb would’ve done to be the center of attention again lol
Happy holidays everyone!
I knew things were gonna go off the rails when Barb found out Greg's mom was there when Jennifer found out she was pregnant. 😬 I LOVE that Barb faced real consequences for her actions.
I gasped aloud when Barb spoiled the surprise! And they cried at the proposal. Such a drama rollercoaster! ❤🎉
I can tell you right now, Barb is going to want to dance with Greg at the wedding before Katie.
I hope she gets put on a no-entry list. I was truly hoping she'd get a redemption arc after Thanksgiving, but sometimes people just will not change.
I was thinking the same thing. Not sure if she’s getting invited to the wedding.
That has EWWWWWW written allll over it. And you're exactly right in your guess. I could very well see that happening. They could run away and elope, but they'd be hearing about that for the rest of their lives!
She will want to dance with Greg before JENNIFER!!! 😡😂
Barb should not be invited. That will fit her victim narrative better anyway.
OH MY WORD …The best Christmas show! Brilliant everything, characters, script, staging n editing. Loved it. Merry Christmas Everyone 👏👏👏🥰😍❣️
i love Shawna's and Jen's relationship now. And frank actually speaking up?!?! YESSSSS!
THE NOD FROM FRANK😭 We all love Greg!
Damn, Barb... that was fucking COLD. Narcissists CAN change, ive seen it, its a behavioral pattern and not always something innate, but its very rarely linear or fast. Maybe some real, concrete consequences for her fuckery will actually wake Barb up.
I was thinking the same thing. Consequences sometimes work. I hope they do in her case, but I’m not so sure after this…
@@jfinney225but the consequences can’t be taken in hopes that they will change. They need to be set as firm boundaries, ones that can be upheld longterm as though change is never coming. It’s such a heartbreaking truth, but sometimes the only way to save yourself from ongoing agonizing pain is to let hope die -hope that they will ever change, that is. Please don’t give up on hope that you can and will be able to live a peaceful and fulfilling life -without them.
Literally crying. 😭
Perfection.
Love how they all celebrated afterwards, and chose to honour right action.
Oh we love a Christmas gift from Mama Shawna!!
you can see the peace in Jen’s eyes. Not just that she’s ready for forever with Greg, but that she’s finally let go of the expectation that her mom will change. she’s free.
The fact we are all so moved by this! Shawna, your acting! Really feels like a true family of people. It being all you is so easy to forget! Thank you for your content! ❤❤
MAN I KNEW GREG SHOULDN'T HAVE ASKED BARB 😭 but honestly, good for Frank for saying something at the end!!! And I'm so glad that Greg reassured Jen he's in love with her, and the happy ending more than made up for what we expected Barb to do.
Absolutely beautiful.
These are so well done. I appreciate not sugar coating how real and toxic some family can be as it is a very real experience for many of us.💔🎄
I thought, after Thanksgiving, that Barb could have some redemption arc. But NOOOOO, she had to go and ruin it! What a horrible woman.
Love the little nod from Frank!
Honestly that's how narcissists are every time they make you think they've changed, give you hope things are better. They ruin everything again and again, especially if they aren't getting their way.
Sameeeeee
@@AggroGizmo thisssss
@@AggroGizmounfortunately this is exactly the case. I tried with my mother for years and years. Last time I tried, I told her I will give her a year to try and be good for once or she will not have the right to call me her daughter again. Well she managed to break that less than two weeks later and now even though we live in the same house we barely exchange 10 words a week and it’s all her fault.
Omg this was a masterpiece. I wish I could be a fly on the wall in barbs house when everyone left.
I truly love your videos. I never thought about being a mom ever as i don't think i will ever be able to have one. However, your videos are truly amazing for so many different people. From moments of pain to absolute laughter you truly have opened my eyes with navigating life in so many ways. you are an absolute legend with your ability to make every character feel both real and like they are completely different people. My boyfriend and I binge watched all of your videos and we have to remind ourselves that it is just one person doing everything. Just wanted to say from the bottom of my heart that I appreciate you and what you do. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Everyone
My mom was a bit like Barb in that she would turn things that you confided in her against you. She wouldn't do it in front of anyone else though. And she would almost ALWAYS sabotage holidays/celebrations.
I feel that one. My egg donour makes Barb look loving and respectful! She would act like we were such a happy, loving family when in fact, we made her her pay us kids £100 each for our performance and we’d only stick to 2 hour’s. We caught on fast 😈. I went NC 30+ years ago and it’s been blissful. She was the last to know I got married. NO! She was not invited. She didn’t even know I was pregnant until after I gave birth and received an announcement. With all three. She’s never seen our children unsupervised and that was only a handful of times. No need to expose them to evil! Bless you and stay strong, you got this 💚🙏
It took years of estrangement, her finding the right meds, & for her health to start failing, before my mother finally began acting like a human being, on holidays. I am happy to say that she has really tried to make up for it, over the last several years. Like, genuinely. It took her son moving to the other side of the country and me walking away from our relationship completely, before she honestly evaluated her relationships w/ her children & grandson... but I'm glad she got there.
I never did go NC because her health started failing and I was the kid who had a medical background, I was the caregiver. She lived with me and my son.
She realized after a few years that she had been wrong and apologized and changed her ways. A few months before she died (almost 11 years ago) she said that she was the luckiest woman in the world because her daughter was not only that, but also her best friend.
Sorchia, I'm sorry that your relationship is so toxic. 🫂
My MIL is like that. For a woman that lives in our house she barely knows anything of substance that is happening in our lives. My kids and I all learnt the hard way why se should never tell her anything that mattered.
I’ve been dealing with my own mother’s regression into some terrible behaviours and I found this really healing and wholesome. Thank you.
Also Frank saying; "Why'd you do it Barb?" Jennifer is definitely a daddy's girl, and most cases, not all cases, but most cases a father/daughter relationship is if anyone messes with their baby girl, regardless of who it is, it's not going to fly, and dads will come in swinging. At least that's how my dad is with me and my uncles were with their baby girls.
I've been watching this series for a while. I KNOW Barb is the way she is. I like to think I'm at least semi-decent at character analysis. I was completely blindsided by Barb doing that. I was sure she would hold her tongue and then brag later.
MAJOR props for this episode. It's rare that stories catch me so off-guard, much less where every beat of it feels 100% correct and in character.
Edit: oh, and Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays everyone!
it only takes one rotten apple to ruin the cider
Watched it twice cuz its just that good❤
Loved this, honestly your characters are amazing and I look forward to these videos so much! The long compilations are great ❤
Merry Christmas everyone, and thank you Shawna!! 👏🤩
Such a brilliant bunch of individually recognisable (and relatable) fully-formed characters, that you've created & performed so beautifully!! Amazing job 👏😘 Wishing you a wonderful new year ahead too 💗
The tears that I cried watching this!!! I’m obsessed with this channel I’m so glad I found you this is truly incredible
I had seen bits and pieces but seeing the whole thing was great! You have real talent... both in creating the story and dialogue, but also acting it out.
This was a treat to watch! Stellar acting as always. Glad to see everyone standing up to Barb.
🎶Awesome🎶. How DID i know that Barb would ruin everything 😂
Glad Frank called her out. And loved the granddaughter giving her gma "the glare"!
Oh Merry Christmas to us from Shawna!
That kid and her HAIR I love it
The proposal got me all teary eyed. Now they *just* have to keep Barb from messing up the wedding!
Way to go Frank and Jen! Love this so much!
Barb, you got to learn!
PRAYING on Barb's downfall. So glad Katie girl is the maternal figure Jen deserves 😭😭 I love them
Not the main point, but i really like how Jen said "Shawna would've cackled w laughter at that" - just shows you how close Jen and Shawna are! I dont wanna say that she thought of Shawna during this very emotional moment, but that she mentioned an inside joke between them like this when shawna isn't there just makes me really happy.
Barb reminds me so much of my own mother whom I went NC this year. The finally straw was my wedding. We (my partner and I) had been planning it for two years and my mother showed little to no interest that her last daughter was finally getting married. I kept her in the loop and was even having the ceremony in the state she (and my sisters) lived in to make it easier on her. With my other sisters she was overly involved but with me, I feel like she kept quiet because she was worried I would ask for money. I still told her everything even if she was not listening, sent pictures of locations, and updated her with dates/times etc. I even invited her and my sisters to a wedding dress try on, which served drinks and snacks. She showed up 1 hour late to a 2 hour time slot. The last two months prior to the wedding, she asked "So what are the plans for the wedding?" I was like "What do you mean? It is happening on X date at X time at X place. You just need to show up. What else is there to know?" She responds with "No, what are the plans FOR ME for the wedding?" I was like "???? What?" Turns out my mother wanted to walk me down the aisle, to stay at the airbnb that myself, my partner and several of our wedding party were staying at (She lived within driving distance and we didn't have any other room for people), wanted to get ready with the wedding party, wanted to get her hair done with me (of course with the assumption I was paying), wanted to bring her dogs to the wedding, and asked me what she should wear to it. I told her No to all of those things. She told me and I quote: "Oh, so this is about you having your little time with your friends and having a popularity contest huh?" The logic behind it. Yes, mother. My wedding day is about me and my partner and celebrating us. Not you. The logic! The entitlement!
Well done, my dear! I applaud you for your story telling and portrayal abilities! Chef's kiss, top notch!!! Thank you for your hard work and commitment, it is a lovely gift to us all ❤️
Loved it! So glad that Barb's true colors showed. And hearing Jen's comments about her mother. No denial allowed. Now they can go low or preferably No Contact with Barb so they can plan their wedding. Maybe sic Katie and Mama D on guard duty for the wedding? We could see Barb trying to snoop out wedding plans and being constantly thwarted! And at the wedding venue Barb showing true colors OUTSIDE the venue (not invited/actually on a keep out list) to all the guests. Outside so bride and groom don't have any additional stress before the ceremony and only hear funny stories about the drama during dinner or reception.
Wow!🤯 That was FANTASTIC and FABULOUS!! I laughed, got angry, teared up, and cheered! This was better than a Hallmark movie! Me scrolling down to see the next video! 😂 Shawna you rock! You need to write for Hallmark or Hulu! I LOVED this! ❤❤
The fact that I'm so pissed at barb and hate her so much, knowing it's a fictional character 😂 Girl you are KILLING it with these skits
She was SO CLOSE to becoming a better person. But she chose to dive head-first into driving her family away instead with her pathological need to be the center of attention.
The granddaughter is perfect. She read the room completely and eff Barb.
Though she was completely wrong and deserves to be called out for ruining the surprise, I still hold on to the hope that Barb has at least a glimmer of selflessness inside and will find a way to make this situation right for everyone else, even if it means eating a little crow 🐦⬛😂... and let me say that I'm so very grateful for you and especially your Christmas video because it literally is the icing on the cake of my Christmas day ❤🎄✨🎄❤️
This woman will only be eating crow to worm her way back into their good graces. I don’t think so. :(
sitting at home alone on Christmas and enjoying this video with my cat made me feel amazing. your acting is superb and thanks so much for posting the whole thing here too
I loved this episode! I liked everything about it and we got to see more Frank. Yay! I would love to see Frank interact with his kids.
I also liked to see Barb being exposed 🤭. Good thing Greg saw that early on.
I'm still trying to figure out Barb.
She hates liars (doesn't want to be lied to), is afraid of being left out and being the last to know something, projects her selfiness onto others (she seems to not like selfish people), orders others around (like Frank) yet deeply respects male authority (or she gives them that authority?). She seems to have passed on to Jennifer the need to make things about herself, perhaps in an effort to be seen by others. Maybe that is why she blurts these things out on purpose.
I wished there was an episode explaining her personality and her childhood.
Great work ❤
I think it would be fascinating to see a deep dive on her, but at this point, I think it may be giving her too much credit. She called Greg a liar to be hurtful, I don’t think she thought for a minute he lied. She just didn’t like what was going down and withdrew her blessing to be as controlling and spiteful as possible.
@At0micAllison I do think she considered it a lie, she looked very serious (and upset) about it.
Earlier, when Greg was asking for their blessing, she asked if he would propose during Christmas (day). His response was noncommittal, however, she took it as an affirmative because it was what she wanted. When he didn't seem to go through with it on Christmas day (right when she wanted him to), she was hurt and offended at his "lie".
Perhaps she thought he did it on purpose to show her up, placate her, make fun of her, or more likely not letting her witness it first. She acted like the lie (and therefore pain he caused her) had been on purpose, so she punished and let off some stress by telling his secret and venting her frustration.
But that is just what I saw in their reactions 😅. What did you see?
I grew up in a legalistic church environment where a lot of people talked about male authority but actually lived more egalitarian (or the wife actually dictated everything) when it came down to it. As for Barb obsessed with not being left out, she reminds me of my grandma when my mom's family fell apart and half of them stopped talking to all of us. She would get worked up if we didn't include her for every holiday and family vacation, accusing us of leaving her out. When in reality, she was upset that the celebrations and get togethers weren't going the way SHE was envisioning (ie celebrating Christmas the weekend before or after instead of the actual day). It was her way of compensating for the fact that she was iced out of seeing half of her kids and grandkids (it totally wasn't her fault, btw. The family fell apart because of estate disagreements after my grandpa died).
Oh this was amazing!!!!! Even frank stepped up. This was just awesome!!
i am so happy for all of these people who are just one woman in different outfits and wigs 😭😭😭
Don’t forget the hats! I am amazed especially that the men in these videos are so very distinct in personality that you can tell them apart even in different clothes and without checking the color of their hats.
I'm curious as to how many hours it took to produce this multifaceted video. Excellent work btw. Brava!
Omg, that "Why'd ya do it, Barb," from Frank hit *hard*.
I love how Shawna gives us a few bits of the story, and they BAM hits us with the full thing, beginning to end, before the final parts.
I LOVE the compilations. I know that the skits are longer on Insta & T.T. but I’m a pretty loyal UA-cam fan, so I always see them here first (in their edited versions), so to have the whole scene unfold in a single video is 👌🧑🍳💋
Wow Barb. And after she made so much progress during Thanksgiving.
I love who Jennifer is becoming and I thought Barb was gonna start being better after Thanksgiving but then this. You got all of us so invested!
Proposing to her in private was, of course, the best idea. Otherwise, there would have been another event that would have been sabotaged by Barb and made all about her.
Honestly, one would have thought that there would be some character development after the Thanksgiving episode, but I guess some people never change.😞