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SIL asking I don't bring my nephew along to Centre Parc holiday trip

359 replies

Pline · 16/10/2025 17:57

SIL has arranged a big birthday trip for her eldest daughter to Centre Paris. They are being very generous and paying for our accommodation. There will be around 15 of us all together including grandparents. Dh and I don’t have children so CP isn’t exactly somewhere we would choose to go but we enjoy the family and wish to participate in the celebrations. I thought it would be nice if I brought my own sister’s child. I felt I would feel like a bit of a spare part if I didn’t have anything to do iykwim. My nephew is a lovely, cute boy. And the same age as the birthday girl. They have played in the past but don’t live close so aren’t friends or anything. Both children are sociable and well behaved.

I asked in the group chat if that would be okay. SIL’s husband said “absolutely the more the merrier”. But I just got a message from SIL asking I don’t do so. I’ve asked why and she said Ava (SIL’s daughter - not real name) is very fond of you and would like to spend time with you. Ava is a little clingy to me. I enjoy it. She is a girly girl and I enjoy make up, nails etc which Ava’s mums not so into. Ava is always making about my perfume, lipstick etc.

Am I being exceptionally rude? I just thought it would be a nice thing to do. And the spare bedroom will go empty which is a bit of a waste. I feel like most people would not care. I will of course spend plenty of time with Ava but I have been to Centre Parcs before and I thought having someone else to focus on would make the time a little less…boring.

But obviously SIL is paying. So maybe I am being . rudeUnintentionally.

OP posts:
ComfortFoodCafe · 16/10/2025 18:12

She wants you to play the babysitter. Yanbu.

Sirzy · 16/10/2025 18:12

Asking in a group chat put them in an awkward position too.

would your nephew even want to go away with a group of people he hardly knows?

CatsorDogsrule · 16/10/2025 18:12

Duplicate post glitch.

QueenClinomania · 16/10/2025 18:12

Hmmm. I wonder if she wants you to be the nanny. Thinks you cant be the dedicated childcare if your attention is divided.

outerspacepotato · 16/10/2025 18:11

You've asked to bring an uninvited, unrelated guest that the family is not well acquainted with to a gig SIL is hosting and paying for.

No. Rude. Age is not important here.

Would you bring uninvited guests to someone else's party that required invitations and had a guest list?

Same principle.

Jo7890123 · 16/10/2025 18:11

Its her prerogative to say who can come when it's her event for her daughter, you asked, and she said no (doesn't matter if her hubby said yes, she can still say no if she wants). It's annoying, but you asked because you knew it was something you needed permission to do, and the answer wasn't what you hoped.

Its disappointing, but that's the deal, and no point being miffed; but the nephew option out of your mind, and either go, or if you think itll be boring, don't.

Pline · 16/10/2025 18:10

Im active person but just find CP claustrophobic. Dh and I spend a lot of time away but we just don’t do these types of holidays. Given we have no children. I will be able to keep myself busy. And I will definitely have a nice time. That environment is just not really my bag. No biggie.

OP posts:
ThejoyofNC · 16/10/2025 18:10

She's already got you pencilled in as a babysitter.

But a lot of people including you are very naive about her supposed generosity OP. If all she's paid for is the accommodation then this is still going to cost you a bloody fortune.

WeeSaza · 16/10/2025 18:10

Yes I think this is rude tbh. And it does come across a bit like you can’t be bothered spending time with your niece, and would rather spend the time with your nephew. I’d be a bit miffed at this. You bringing your nephew to balance out everyone else having kids there is a little weird to me, especially as you can just spend the time with the kids that are there.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 16/10/2025 18:10

Pline · 16/10/2025 18:06

Dh and I are the only people not going with young children. Everyone else (bar the grandparents) are young families. I just thought it would address that imbalance. Ie when we’re at the pool or whatever.

Edited

But y ou won’t be able to help the hosts with their kids

CatsorDogsrule · 16/10/2025 18:09

Did she message you inside or outside of the group chat? I don't see that you did anything wrong as you asked, didn't just bring him or assume. But it's odd that the host couple disagree, or is SIL the sole host?

In my family, it's also the more the merrier. Waifs and strays often turn up at events I am hosting, brought by family members. Even at Christmas!

Stillgroupie · 16/10/2025 18:09

Well, make sure you're not constantly being relied on to amuse kids and then you and your husband can do a few things away from the crowd. Go ride a horse or something. 😀

WimpoleHat · 16/10/2025 18:08

Oh well BIL said it was ok🙄. He knee jerked without discussing with sil first

My thoughts too - I bet they’re had a row about it!

Pline · 16/10/2025 18:08

Bruisername · 16/10/2025 18:06

Oh well BIL said it was ok🙄. He knee jerked without discussing with sil first

it’s a birthday treat for your niece - they want the family around for your niece. A random kid who will take your attention is not part of the plan. They want you to come to spend time with them and your niece - not pay for you to have a bonding holiday with your nephew

now as you’re not paying you dont really get to unilaterally make that decision. And if you hate CP so much then why agree?

I don’t hate it. It’s just not my favourite place as a childless, 30 yo. I’m going for niece’s sake.

OP posts:
Cookingupmyfirstbornson · 16/10/2025 18:08

You're being rude

TheatricalLife · 16/10/2025 18:08

I wouldn't mind at all if I was SIL, but seeing as she is paying, I'd go along with her wishes and not bring your nephew.
I assume you all actually do things at Center Parcs and not just hang around at the lodge? Can you take a bike and go out, go for long walks, read, swim, watch films, day trips to local attractions? What do you like doing?

JLou08 · 16/10/2025 18:07

I wouldn't be happy if someone I didn't know was invited on a holiday to celebrate my birthday so I wouldn't agree to that happening to my child either. It could completely change the dynamic.

Pline · 16/10/2025 18:06

Dh and I are the only people not going with young children. Everyone else (bar the grandparents) are young families. I just thought it would address that imbalance. Ie when we’re at the pool or whatever.

OP posts:
Bruisername · 16/10/2025 18:06

Oh well BIL said it was ok🙄. He knee jerked without discussing with sil first

it’s a birthday treat for your niece - they want the family around for your niece. A random kid who will take your attention is not part of the plan. They want you to come to spend time with them and your niece - not pay for you to have a bonding holiday with your nephew

now as you’re not paying you dont really get to unilaterally make that decision. And if you hate CP so much then why agree?

canklesmctacotits · 16/10/2025 18:05

Yeah, you can't invite someone else to a holiday at which you are a paid-for guest. If you think you'd be too bored without said third party, don't go. You can't have an emotional-support nephew at someone else's expense. Your SIL is doing this for her family, not yours.

Pancakeflipper · 16/10/2025 18:03

If your SIL is paying then I don't think you over-rule what she says.

From the sounds of it, your niece loves spending time with you so you could spend time with her.

WimpoleHat · 16/10/2025 18:02

Pline · 16/10/2025 18:01

I’ve been to CP before without a child and found myself bored after day 1 tbh

On that basis, it would be far less rude to decline the invitation than to add someone of your choosing to it…..

Pline · 16/10/2025 18:02

Well I did ask and was told it was fine by BIL. I would never have unilaterally decided to bring nephew without asking

OP posts:
CeciliaMars · 16/10/2025 18:02

You are out of order! They’re forking out for everyone - they get to choose the guest list!!!

TheGoodEnoughWife · 16/10/2025 18:01

I don’t agree with the others. It feels like SIL wants to palm their daughter off to you and don’t want you to be busy with someone’s else’s kid!