Going on hol with in-laws...advice pls

[Cassavaflower]

What's the worst that can happen? Has anyone had any good trips away with husband's family? His parents are great but never been away with them.

Make sure your room is far away from theirs, and don’t give them a room key. Set up,a WhatsApp group for the trip, rather than constantly having them knock on your door.

Take headphones for music. You don't have to listen, just stick then in and pretend when you want some peace and quiet.

If you have children don't assume that they'll want to be responsible for them

Have a chat about some down time.
Ensure everyone agrees that it’s ok to do things without the whole herd, so if you want a mooch around on your own, or a dinner with just DH, there won’t be hurt feelings.

Discuss expectations in advance.

Gin lots and lots of gin!! Seriously though if you want a night just you and partner tell them now so they don't take offence on holiday and think it's because they have upset you!
I agree to the WhatsApp group for holiday you can use it to share photos and also arrange meeting up, assuming you aren't in a villa together?

Don’t ! 😆

Own car essential
Own space away from them
Agree to go and do your own thing not waiting around for everyone to get their act in gear, you can always meet once you're out, or not!
Also agree meals and shopping. My in law's pay for a lot of meals but I am the only one competent to cook for everyone which stops being a holiday!

This I totally agree with, it's their holiday too

Own car, if relevant. Be upfront about spending time separately. Ask if they mind sitting in whilst your kids (if any) are in bed so that you and DH can have a child free meal out and agree what night, then do the same for them. Give and take - yeah, its your holiday too but if they desperately want to do a trip with all of you together, maybe compromise for that one day.

To a certain extent, just go with it and internally decide not to repeat if it turns out to be shit. I've done holidays with both sets of (divorced) PIL. The one I thought would be good was shit and I was very upset whilst there and regret not just deciding never again and cutting my losses. The other was great when I had thought it might be shit. So you never can tell.

Don't do it.

But if you want to/committed already, do talk about bounderies. There is no need to be in each other pockets for 24/7. Ensure noone is miffed if you decide. that. you want to read a book instead of chatting or that you want to go sightseeing/do a trip they don't want to.

If you have children don't assume they babysit or entertain them.

We are taking dog and brother in law and they are taking kids. I don't drink but I get up very early so I can have long morning walks on my own.
MIL is lovely and already said we can have a few date nights. I'm just worried the stepkids will want to go back to mummy who keeps telling them how her heart breaks when the boys are with us. This will be the biggest issue. But hey ho, will cross that bridge.
Foodwise it's husband who is the best cook but I can do breakfasts and hopefully lunches will be outside. Just want to try to ensure everyone has some sort of break