parents coming to visit

[ben5]

We moved to Australia in June 09. Every Novemember since then my parents have come to visit us. Last year they stayed for 5 weeks.
Last month they asked when it would be good for them to come out and visit us. I gave them school holiday dates and said it would be really good if you come and help with the kids during any of the holiday times and would rather you didn't come in November again. DH is going to Sydney ( we live in Perth so about a 4-5 hour flight away) in November and I was going to go over for a long weekend to see him with both boys ( they turn 8 & 10 in November) to visit.( The boys want to go and see there dad in Sydney) My husband has been a couple of times to Sydney and while he's there this time we as a family wanted to explore the city. Both me and ds have spent only 4 hours there in transit.
Also I work term time only and November is really busy getting ready for the end of school year and Christmas.
My parents are retired so can travel any time.
So AIBU to be really pissed of that they have booked there flight to come over in bloody November and then not to pick up skype when I tried to contact them yesterday

[SavoyCabbage]

They probably just forgot as they are used to coming then. Or perhaps they decided they didn't want to come later than that because of the heat.

I would just go to Sydney as planned if I was you. They could either have a mini-break themselves, or live it up in your empty house.

My mum comes every year too and we just carry on as normal really. If she only came every couple of years I suppose it would be different.

[exoticfruits]

I agree with SavoyCabbage-if they are there for 5 weeks just go off on the mini break-just say 'what a shame you didn't take my advice on when to visit because we have already made arrangements-however I am sure that you can amuse yourselves for a few days'. You will at least have house sitters.

[ben5]

they now want to come with us. arrrrrgh!!!

[exoticfruits]

Lie! Tell them it is already planned and sorted. If they insist tell them it is up to them to make arrangements for themselves and once there try and get them to do their own thing.

[wombatcheese]

YANBU, Id' be feeling exasperated also. However, what about accepting they are coming to Sydney also, make your own plans anyway to suit yourselves and ask if they would be happy to babysit, so you are DH can have an evening out in Sydney- presumably not something you would be able to otherwise?

[BiddyPop]

You are going on pre-arranged FAMILY time and you had warned them. I wouldn't facilitate arranging them coming with you - although you probably can't stop them organising it themselves.

If they DO go ahead and book going to Sydney (and I wouldn't give details of where you're staying or any concrete plans you have - and I WOULD go ahead with booking any excursions or shows etc you want to do, just for yourselves), tell them that you will meet up once a X for Y time, but that you had already planned this trip and certain things around it for yourselves as a nuclear family. Not all of which may be suitable for them either (?)

[HeadfirstForHalos]

I would ask them to see if they can change the date on the tickets! Be blunt with them, it sounds like it's the only way they will listen.

[exoticfruits]

Book them in at a show or something locally and then say 'we did it as a present because we will be away'.

If they are your parents can't you just be blunt and get them to change?