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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to expect SIL to be a bit more flexible on holiday activities?

63 replies

frgr · 20/11/2010 00:11

A bit of background, because I'm genuinely not sure if I'm the one being unreasonable here.

H and I haven't had a real holiday since the kids arrived (weekends at parents excepting). In the Spring we've planned to stay for a week at this hotel which we chose because it's quite family friendly (so no worrying about food arrangements or kids entertainment), in particular because it does a lot of outside stuff like pony trekking (colleague has stayed and seemed to enjoy it) which I think will be amazing for the kids.

SIL is due to go in for some semi-routine surgery the month we're away, so I offered (trying to be nice) to take her little one away with us. The kids get on very well together, so she would have a small break for recovery and not have to fret so much. So far so good.

BUT... the problem is that, according to DH, this evening when he confirmed with her the dates we'll be away, apparently they were discussing what sort of "outdoor stuff" he meant - he explained that we want to give the kids a chance to have some outdoor fun for once since we only have a shared communal garden - well SIL has banned her daughter from participating in anything risky - no pony trekking permitted, NO swimming lessons, no hiring bikes to go on some countryside cycling - massive problem basically. Because that was sort of the whole point of the holiday!

I'm totally unsure what to do about this now. We've booked the bloomin rooms for everyone.. but we HAVE TO respect what she's asked us. But that means either stopping our kids getting involved in the stuff we'd planned (might as well just stay at a hotel around the corner Sad) or letting ours go off and her daughter watch from a distance?

I don't want to be seen as the bad person if her daughter kicks up a fuss about why she can't go on the ponies or into the pool, but at the same time we can't often afford holidays and I'm upset that we might have to massively alter our plans for this one (promises already made to our kids about what they'll be getting up to).

AIBU to think that:
SIL should have warned us when she accepted my offer, before we went ahead and booked?
Maybe I shouldhave volunteered more information about what kind of kids holiday we were planning?
Maybe H should have warned me his sister was like this (we're not that close, I was trying to help her out because I would like to be closer :))?

AIBU??? (If anyone has any idea of a nice comprimise that won't result in my kids getting upset, upsetting hers, or upsetting SIL,i would love to hear it!!)

OP posts:
MumNWLondon · 20/11/2010 18:53

I would just say, sorry really can't take your DD unless she can do all the activities that our kids are doing as it would be too difficult to explain to her why she has to sit on the side while the others are swimming.

MumNWLondon · 20/11/2010 18:55

OMG, 11 years old! Was thinking 3 or 4...

jade80 · 20/11/2010 19:05

11?! I take it she's never heard of the concept of managed risk... and has no idea how badly her child will be affected later in life by the total absence of risk in her childhood. Poor kid! Good luck, I bet she has the time of her life with you for the week!

Asteria · 20/11/2010 19:08

poor child....

bumpybecky · 20/11/2010 19:13

11!!!!!

I'm very glad you've managed to persuade her to let DN come. Fancy getting to 11 and not being allowed to do any of these things. poor girl :(

mumbar · 20/11/2010 19:23

I actually agree with why she may be nervous about her DD pony riding but its a flipping trekking hotel what was she expecting?

I do think you'll need to chat to her and if she doesn't agree then have to withdraw the offer as you've booked a specific type of holiday. Perhaps help in other ways when your back?

mumbar · 20/11/2010 19:31

Sorry, must have skipped page and missed the update. I'm too shocked shes 11. I was thinking I wouldn't want to allow DS to do pony trekking as I did it once and ended up with a broken collarbone (was 16!). But would have to compromise at a pony trekking hotel Grin

Glad its sorted though - your DH sounds very good and supportive.

SalFresco · 20/11/2010 19:36

I thought she was going to be 6 - I was thinking of the ages they start swimming lessons at DS's school.

Surely, if you are anxious about your child being around water the best thing to do is teach them how to swim?!

SIL sounds mad, and you are being very nice about it Grin

thequimreaper · 20/11/2010 19:48

I think it is sensible to stay in the shallow end if you can't swim - which the DN can't as she hasn't been allowed to learn.
I'm too v.shocked that DN is 11. I thought SIL may have been worried about you and your DH supervising 3 preschoolers which wouldn't be advisable!
Hopefully going on this trip will help your DN - SIL will see that nothing awful has happened and give her a bit more freedom. Have a fab holiday!

onceamai · 21/11/2010 17:58

Hope DN has an absolutely fantastic time. And all of you too.

ChippingIn · 22/11/2010 02:39

You do realise your DN is going to want to live with you after this don't you!! {grin}

11 - I really do feel sorry for this poor kid!

SonicMiddleAge · 22/11/2010 03:02

I feel sorry for the DN too, but actually I now think the "can she or can't she" debate will be pretty irrelvent - 11 yr olds are often self conscious, and my guess is the DN will opt out herself rather than look inept at swimming/cycling etc, or quite possibly pretend she thinks they are "silly" etc.

RedHeels · 22/11/2010 04:09

I have to join in unison with everyone here! I thought "LO" meant she was 4ish. Well, even if we take the horses might be dangerous, pony trekking sounds quite safe to me but I guess it is up to her mother.

(ChippingIn and SonicMiddleAge - you're not pregnant by any chance Smile as you're up at 'stupid o'clock' like me?) [nosy emoticon]

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