What to do with these guests?

[BluePony]

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.

Your parents just want to be with you all. They don’t need entertainment. Involve them in family games,gardening, shopping. In fact your everyday life.

What are your parents’ hobbies? Utilise that and get them to pass it on to their kids - nothing more special and wholesome in this world that children being taught things like baking, cross stitch, knitting, woodwork, gardening, piano playing by their grandparents. It’s things like that that will mean the world to your kids when they’re adults

We're currently a family of 6 as of a couple month ago. Other parent does not drive, I have a 5 seater.... UberXL arent a bad shout

If they are just coming for the weekend can you stock up with board games, download some good films and just hunker down. Presumably they're with you to spend time with their grandchildren, and may not want to be going out on expeditions. Alternatively, could you hire a car for the weekend? Good luck.

Love this!!!!

If you both drive, hire a car and one of you drive your parents, locally.

Would they pay for your DH to hire a large car or for some fares in a large taxi?

The OP doesn't drive.

I presume they know you can't drive and you won't all fit in your car with DH driving. When they booked their tickets and told you they were coming, surely you discussed this with them then?

Shame you can't drive living where you are-I'd be learning asap! How on earth will you get the children anywhere as they start wanting to do stuff!

They chose not to drive, presumably know you don't and you have a 5 seater so cant expect a magic solution. If they arrive before school pick up a walk to get kids from school and head home via a park. If it was me I'd do pizza making or movie night. Then Saturday 5 in car and 2 by bus whichever combo works i cannot think of any city that doesn't have a museum, shopping centre, attractions, cafes to wander about. Then I'd head back for home activities. Or dh can always takes older kids out to soft play and you can catch up with parents if the weather is really bad

Looking around the charity shops and having a coffee and cake in a cafe (surely there are coffee shops/cafes? at least one?) sounds like a lovely family day with young kids. Next day board games, a movie, cooking something at home?

What city are you near and we’ll find you something fun. Though they likely just want to see you and the kids and don’t need to go anywhere special. Perhaps you could ask the bigger ones to put on a ‘show’ doing their dance/singing or whatever hobbies they have. Do jigsaws and board games together. Get dh to drop grandparents and bigger kids at the park for an hour when it’s dry and you stay home with the baby and have a little rest. Maybe they could even babysit on a night while you go out for a meal.

If you don't drive how do you usually manage to go anywhere?
Your parents have obviously been before ,so presumably know the set up.
Has it crossed your mind that your parents just want to see you and their grandchildren?They are not looking to be entertained.
A lunch and visit to a garden centre should be possible .
They are your parents for goodness sake.
I hope my daughters feel like you do when we visit. We don't need entertaining. We love being with them and grandkids.

no need to be all arsey like this, it’s a forum for christ sake. people make posts, she’s getting good suggestions.

Well, you're going to have to tell them to make sure they bring plenty of books, magazines, knitting etc, because they're not going anywhere.

I saw that later. Parents do tho. They might be ok driving more locally.

Gosh OP! We don’t know where you live. How can we advise you places to go?

I'd like to know where OP lives so I can avoid it if necessary.

Are they just staying the weekend? So a couple of days?

Then what’s the problem: why do people feel the need to be “doing something” or going somewhere all of the time?

Sure, you wouldn’t want to stay around your house all weekend every weekend, but surely as a one-off it’s fine. I’m probably a bit older than you OP, so I remember the good ole days when there wasn’t loads of stuff to “do”, and nothing was open on. Sunday anyway. But yet when my GPs visited we would have a lovely time at home just spending time time with them.

Try it. Unless there is a backstory about how awful your parents are or how uncontrollable your kids are unless they are”doing something”, I’m sure you’ll all survive and you might even enjoy it.

And you don't drive. How on earth do you manage with schools and activities.

Just stay home or go for a walk in the local area to the shops or get your dh to take them out with the older dc perhaps

You're an overstretched mum with 3 young kids. It's not your responsibility to provide a great break for your parents. They're coming to see you and your family. They may need a break from your family and so they can get on the bus and go have a coffee somewhere. I shouldn't worry about it. You can't conjure up amazing experiences if there are no amazing facilities nearby. However, my most memorable experiences with family have been doing the mundane with them. We've just enjoyed being with one another.

Hope you're having a nice weekend wth your parents @BluePony and the weather hasn't been as bad as originally forecasted.

Tell them to hire a car.

They're only there the weekend if it was me I'd want to spend the time interacting with my grandchildren , playing board games, baking, painting, going for a walk - not visiting 'places of interest'. Are you sure your parents don't want the same?