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Original poster

What to do with these guests?

183 replies

BluePony · 09/09/2025 18:58

DH& I have 3DC, 9/7/3months. My parents are visiting this weekend(live other end of country) via public transport. We have a car but it’s a 5 seater. Weather says it’s going to rain the whole time. Where we live there isn’t anything to ‘do’, it’s just houses/schools/supermarkets/charity shops. Live about a 25 minute bus journey from a city but it’s mainly shops so not much to do other than look in shops. What will we do with them whilst they’re here? There’s no nice scenic walks here, we’d need to drive 30 minutes but we can’t fit everyone in the car, this is the main issue as they’re not bringing their car.

We do take DC to soft play/zoos regularly but they’re 30-60 minutes away and again, only have 5 seats. I didn’t realise they weren’t driving (they did last time) and they’ve booked their travel.

OP posts:
Floranan · 09/09/2025 21:05

They must be away that you don’t have car room, so it’s walking or staying home. I wouldn’t worry to much they’re your parents so don’t need entertainment as such. Get a nice big shop of nice things in and have a lazy weekend, nice long breakfast walk if it’s nice, or just wrap up well and go puddle splashing (I did this the other day with my DGC to burn some energy off, messy but fun ).

get some board games out , watch tv and just enjoy each other’s company

think Christmas without the tree and presents 😀

AdaColeman · 09/09/2025 21:39

Draw up a list of household projects for them to do....if Mother is good at sewing, she can make new curtains or clothes for the children, or maybe she could do some decorating, Dad could do some DIY or revamp the garden.
Get them involved with the cooking, meeting the children from school or taking them to the library, helping with the shopping.
Let them look after baby for a couple of hours to give you a break.
Encourage them to make your childhood favourite meals for your children to try.

Original poster
BluePony · 09/09/2025 22:58

@ButSheSaidI think so, yes.

@Bobbie12345678day-to-day, I just walk to the shops/park/school/general walking with DD in pram, but anywhere bigger/needs more planning, I go with DH who has a flexible schedule. Whilst I could get to the city centre on public transport with no problem, and could take them on it, it still leaves very little to do in the city centre.

OP posts:

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Families
Xiaoxiong · 09/09/2025 23:22

They might not want to do anything but spend time with you and the children at home.

Read to the children
Play board games
Draw up a family tree with the older kids
Babysit for a few hours while you sleep/do nails/declutter/have a bath
Bake
Do crafts

What did you like to do with your parents when you were a kid?

Hiptothisjive · 10/09/2025 00:35

If only there was a period of time that we weren’t allowed to go out, nothing was available to us and we were locked in to draw from……hmmmm
….

Slowgrowingelm · 10/09/2025 00:47

If they’re visiting just for the weekend then really isn’t it about spending time with the grandkids? Playing games with them, cooking, drawing, reading to them etc? My mother would visit once a year, when my kids were little, and I would take mine to her once a year if I could (different countries). When they were young and I visited her we mostly did things in her house and garden. It was quite remote and surrounded by farm land. Not a lot to actually ‘do’ but the whole point was for her to be with the kids.

ReadingSoManyThreads · 10/09/2025 01:04

There doesn't have to be days out. Spending time at home or out on local walks is perfectly fine when close family visit. It's about spending quality time together surely?

KnickerlessParsons · 10/09/2025 01:07

Play games, chat, go for a walk, watch a film, send your parents for a walk with the kids

sittingonabeach · 10/09/2025 01:13

If they are only staying for the weekend do you need big plans?

RampantIvy · 10/09/2025 01:20

How does your husband feel about being a taxi driver for the weekend? I'm sure he just wants to relax.

@BluePony Is there a possibility of you learning to drive at some point in the future?

BlushingBrightly · 10/09/2025 01:22

humblebea · 09/09/2025 20:37

Where do you live that there’s nothing to do and nowhere to walk?

I was thinking this. 'There isn’t anything to ‘do’, it’s just houses /schools /supermarkets /charity shops', no walks, and you don't drive. What motivated you to move there?

Delphiniumandlupins · 10/09/2025 01:24

Would your parents drive your car if you added them to the insurance? Then they could take older DC, or you and baby, out. Swimming is a fun activity for a few hours. Or a local library or park. I understand their reluctance to drive the length of the country for a weekend visit.

Nestingbirds · 10/09/2025 02:16

It’s not your job to entertain them op. You have a newborn baby! As well as 2 other dc. Surely they are coming to help, and see the children?

Nestingbirds · 10/09/2025 02:18

I would be making the most of their extra hands. Keep dc entertained, cleaning and cooking.

A fondue is always fun in the evening and cocktails.

Nestingbirds · 10/09/2025 02:19

I think you need to reflect on why this feels so worrying for you.

Tourmalines · 10/09/2025 02:42

What to do with these guests ? Is quite a formal attitude towards your parents . Lol . It’s only a weekend. You don’t really need to organise anything. Surely they will just want to come and see you and the children . Watching a movie together, do some baking ,play board games. Surely your parents know your set up anyway.

Rayqueen · 10/09/2025 03:35

Huh you say in one post they drove up last time but in another they won't drive somewhere unfamiliar

Sunnyside4 · 10/09/2025 03:40

Do the bus trip into town. Do you have a cafe/pub/restaurant within walking distance? Also, irs unlikely to pelt down all weekend, so get yourselves out for a walk, if around local streets or to a library to look at books with DC.

Otherwise split trips out, you with parents to a local attraction/garden centre. If DH gets on well with them, could he do something with one/both of them, a sporting event.

At home, games, cooking, family film, watch a sport on TV Saturday afternoon. Could one of them help you with a household/DIY job - some people like being useful.

GreenFlamingo11 · 10/09/2025 03:42

Your older children are 9 and 7. What have you done with your parents every other time they've come to visit over the years?

I imagine no one will want to be outside if it's raining all the time so just chill out in the house. Your folks can entertain the kids and you have extra hands for help with the baby.

MeganM3 · 10/09/2025 03:51

Go to the city by public transport, there must be things to do if it’s a city. Can you name the city so we can give suggestions?

columnatedruinsdomino · 10/09/2025 04:08

Yes, this city can't just be shops? Anyway, as people have said, it's only a weekend and I can't imagine them wanting to go out particularly. Just spend time with you all. Also don't you have a pub or restaurant you can walk to?

ApolloandDaphne · 10/09/2025 04:50

I don't know any cities that don't have museums/galleries, a nice park, a swimming pool, soft play etc. your local city must have more than shops. Which city is it?

BourgeoisBabe · 10/09/2025 05:11

BluePony · 09/09/2025 22:58

@ButSheSaidI think so, yes.

@Bobbie12345678day-to-day, I just walk to the shops/park/school/general walking with DD in pram, but anywhere bigger/needs more planning, I go with DH who has a flexible schedule. Whilst I could get to the city centre on public transport with no problem, and could take them on it, it still leaves very little to do in the city centre.

Is this a signal that you need to learn to drive, as it must be so restricting being dependent on your husband? I would find that really frustrating.

BoudiccaRuled · 10/09/2025 05:24

AdaColeman · 09/09/2025 21:39

Draw up a list of household projects for them to do....if Mother is good at sewing, she can make new curtains or clothes for the children, or maybe she could do some decorating, Dad could do some DIY or revamp the garden.
Get them involved with the cooking, meeting the children from school or taking them to the library, helping with the shopping.
Let them look after baby for a couple of hours to give you a break.
Encourage them to make your childhood favourite meals for your children to try.

"Mum, here's the room we want done. The walls need prepping, then there's the paint and roller over there. Please cover all the floors and furniture with dust sheets once you've moved everything into the middle of the room, and obviously mind how you go on the ladder.
Ready, steady... Paint!
"Then once you've finished that, I've spent £500 on fabric for you to make into (fully lined) curtains and time is tight, so no slacking!"

BeaLola · 10/09/2025 05:28

I'm also unclear as to what city it can be etc but surely your parents realise with only your car & 5 of you that you will be staying at home ?

If they arrive Fri pm when the older ones are back from school it could be just catching up time with the grandchildren who I assume will be excited to see them ? Hearing the GC read to them , what they've been up to ? Watching a family favourite film together perhaps with a takeaway if you fancy?

Saturday - if you can't go out is there something they can do with GC like Lego building, baking etc or do you have a local cinema - ours has kids films cheaply on a Sat morning -DH could drop oldest DC off with GP . Or in afternoon have a games afternoon or movie marathon . Sunday can be chill am and family roast , card games, walk out with children to local park or cafe

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