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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:
pizzaHeart · 10/09/2025 07:12

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.

This^
you have to change your mindset. They are coming to see you and kids. Divide kids between them and let them do something together.
As a last resort your DH could drop them and older kids to a cinema or a soft play, whatever would be preferable for your parents.

LillyPJ · 10/09/2025 07:16

There must be things other than shops in the city! Museum, art gallery, cinema, theatre, cafes, cathedral... Maybe there's a park or a square with pigeons or a canal with boats. Most places can be interesting if you go about it the right way. Going on the bus might feel like fun to the DC if they don't do it often, especially with their grandparents.

Thisismetooaswell · 10/09/2025 07:17

They're not 'guests' - they're your parents. Surely they are coming to see you and their grandchildren, not expecting to be taken out and about and entertained? And even more so as they're not planning on driving, I would just enjoy spending time with them at home, chatting, catching up and playing with the children

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BendingSpoons · 10/09/2025 07:17

I wouldn't 'do' much. I'd do activities at home e.g. board games, playing with toys, so that hopefully they would play with the older 2 DC and at times cuddle the youngest.

If everyone was getting a bit fed up being inside, I'd walk to the supermarket with whoever was willing to come to buy some 'fun' food e.g. stuff to make pancakes or ice cream sundaes or bake cupcakes.

GAJLY · 10/09/2025 07:20

If they're only coming for the weekend I wouldn't worry. They're not expecting to go anywhere. If they did, they would have bought their car. They can take a walk, or e en head into town by themselves. They're coming to spend time with you and the children.

TheaBrandt1 · 10/09/2025 07:22

Your life gives me the chills. Living in a dead zone with sod all to do and you can’t even drive?! Sod the visitors your own life must be so depressing. How have you ended up in this situation?

Mydadsbirthday · 10/09/2025 07:24

FuzzyWolf · 09/09/2025 21:02

I was expecting this to be a thread about half a dozen uni friends visiting or similar.

It’s your parents for a weekend. I‘m sure you will manage. Just stick some waterproofs on and go for a walk.

This! “These guests” goodness OP I was imagining it was your DH’s work colleagues or something unexpected. It’s your parents for a weekend? You don’t need to do anything!
it’s 2-3 days!
Do they cook, bake, play games? They can do that with the older children and they will want to play with the baby. You don’t need to plan anything. You could go out for lunch or early dinner on one of the days with one taxi and your car.

popcornandpotatoes · 10/09/2025 07:25

Christ where do you live? Sounds shit!

Also surely they're coming to see the grandchildren?

Hobbitfeet32 · 10/09/2025 07:25

@BluePonywhat sort of things do you think you could do?

Bjorkdidit · 10/09/2025 07:25

But the weather forecast for the weekend is a bit showery at worst, and I can't think of any UK city where there isn't at least a few museums/galleries, parks, street performers, waterfront, architecture etc to look at as well as places to eat.

If there's a campus university, the grounds are usually accessible to the public and interesting to walk around. So I can't see why you wouldn't just go to the city one of the days for a few hours at least.

Then you/they could get a taxi or go on the bus/train to a country park/National Trust place on the other day. Heritage open days starts on Friday so there's endless places you can visit for free, some inside and often not open to the public, so have a look into that.

ForCandidPinkBeaker · 10/09/2025 07:27

You don’t have to fill every moment with activities, sometimes just pottering about as a family is enough.

jetlag92 · 10/09/2025 07:32

I also can't imagine where you live....there's always something to do.
But also you need to learn to drive.
Anyway, Saturday - walk to supermarket in the morning and get stuff for lunch and for baking in the afternoon. Get back play a board game, make lunch, do some baking, watch a film.
Sunday - older kids have a day out with your parents, your DH drops them off.

Needtosoundoffandbreathe · 10/09/2025 07:41

Thisismetooaswell · 10/09/2025 07:17

They're not 'guests' - they're your parents. Surely they are coming to see you and their grandchildren, not expecting to be taken out and about and entertained? And even more so as they're not planning on driving, I would just enjoy spending time with them at home, chatting, catching up and playing with the children

I know! I get you're annoyed they're not driving up to you, but come on, they're coming to see you and their grandchildren, not have a guided tour of the area. Why don't you ask them what they'd like to do? After a long journey they'll probably be happy to just do normal home-based things with you all.

Gulliver88 · 10/09/2025 07:43

Id get some wet weather activities..crafts and have a family craft session.
Move night.
Bake with the kids
Maybe they could look after the kids while you go out.
Surely they are visiting to see you and your family not to be taken places

PixelatedLunchbox · 10/09/2025 07:46

It’s only a weekend. Surely just hang out at home, play board games, play with the children, stroll around the neighbourhood, have nice meals together?

Lillers · 10/09/2025 07:46

Potential itinerary (assuming they’re coming Friday-Monday):

Friday - assuming they won’t arrive until later in the day because of the length of the journey, have a cup of tea and cake at home when they get there. Let the kids choose a takeaway for the evening and get a couple of bottles of wine in.

Saturday - order a supermarket delivery for the morning (or day before) and do a big breakfast mid-morning. If the weather isn’t too horrendous, get on the bus to the city and go to the shops - set the kids some kind of challenge (like “who can find the funniest thing in a shop for under a fiver?”) to give it some focus. Go for a late lunch/early dinner somewhere in the city (there’s bound to be a load of cheery chain restaurants). Go home for a movie night. If the weather is awful and you can’t do this plan, then in your supermarket delivery get stuff to do some baking in the afternoon. Make pizzas or something. Still do the movie night.

Sunday - great big roast. Everyone gets involved in helping (when I was little I was very good at stringing the beans!). If you have a dining table, dress it, make it a big deal. Get some more wine in. Lazy evening with board games.

Monday - wave them off after a cup of tea.

I do understand though, OP. I’ve lived in boring places before. I don’t drive (before anyone jumps on me, this is medical, and unless you could guarantee that I never needed to see anyone on my left, then it’s likely to be this way for a long time). I do get that it can feel restrictive, but I would genuinely enjoy a weekend like the one I’ve described.

KpopDemon · 10/09/2025 07:48

Have you actually asked your parents? I assume they aren’t expecting a weekend of activities - surely they are coming to help you out with the baby not be entertained?!

Why not just have a great weekend at home and do little walks between rainstorms?

I’d plan easy meals, perhaps a takeaway for Saturday night for a treat.

Then it would be board games, family movie, just really relaxed and fun.

Maybe dh takes granddad and the kids out for an activity while you and granny stay back with the baby and have a nice walk/some quiet time?

I imagine all your mum will want to do is play with the baby and help you out - that’s all I’d want to do!

NarnianQueen · 10/09/2025 07:54

Why do you need to go anywhere if it’s only a weekend? Bake cookies, do crafts, have a movie night? They’re there to see you, not sights!

SissySpacekAteMyHamster · 10/09/2025 07:56

Surely this is a complete non-event really, iys one weekend. Most time will probably be spent sat on bums drinking tea! You can get out with the pram and have a walk, doesn't need to end up at a big attraction. Just get out to the local shops and buy something nice for lunch.

Going forward, I would very much advise you to learn to drive, makes life much easier if you're going to live in the arse end of nowhere! Failing that, move and get somewhere with a bit of life.

AmIHumanOrAmIAYeti · 10/09/2025 07:58

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

where on earth do you live?!

Bollindger · 10/09/2025 08:01

You cook a roast one day, you go out to the normal places you visit.
There is no need to trapes all over the place to entertain your parents.
Maybe next time they will realise planning is needed.

ThisHeartySloth · 10/09/2025 08:07

How many days/nights are they staying? What would you have ideally done if they'd brought their car?

Xmasbaby11 · 10/09/2025 08:15

Depends what your DP like doing? Mine are older and would be quite happy with plenty of time at home, and weren't particularly interested in kid places like soft play. Bus ride into the city for whoever wants to go, eg your DH can stay home with any dc who wouldn't enjoy it. There must be a museum and places to eat, at least.

Surely you don't do everything as a family of 5 - I would do the things you normally do with the kids without DH. I'm sure your DP just want to spend time with you and have normal family time, so definitely plenty of time at home.

ChampagneLassie · 10/09/2025 08:20

I’d be sending DH out to entertain the big kids whatever they normally do and you chill at home with baby and your parents for company/support. My parents visited when my baby was 2 months for 6 days and I didn’t entertain them at all. Surely your parents just want to see you and baby and help you?

BiddyPopthe2nd · 10/09/2025 08:24

I think, if the car is too small for you all, they won’t organise transport if their own and it would need to be you staying home and DH bringing them anywhere…they will just have to accept a rainy weekend at home then.

Have a think about any games they could play with you all or with the boys. Do they do story-time reading? Would your mum bake or cook with the older ones? (Boys should learn too and it is fun!). Can you have a tea and cake time for a quiet catch-up chat while the boys play elsewhere and baby naps in the afternoon? Can you get the makings of long relaxed breakfasts and could someone get the Sunday papers (should take at least an hour to read those)?

But also think about what you do at home on a rainy weekend - laundry gets done, food gets made, you distract bored DCs with games or tv…those are all still perfectly good things to do.