Stopping the "holidaying with the IL's" routine

[Kat101]

For the past 7 years we have mostly holidayed with the IL's. This worked well at first - they were a bit younger, we only had one DC, everyone took turns and everyone got a bit of down time / time off to do adult stuff. We always booked a holiday cottage and self catered so everyone was happy.

However, and in the last year in particular, this is not working for me any more. The IL's are older, we have 3 young DC (7, 4, 2) and so they don't help any more. They take their own time out but don't offer us any (until 10pm when the last child is in bed and i'm falling asleep on the sofa). But they think they do help! Sitting with your eyes closed on a lounger while the (then) 1yo runs around an open space is apparently "keeping an eye out". There are many more examples such as this - last year I was counting the hours til we could leave (DH and DC1 had a sick bug and I cleaned puke up all day) while my MIL was pressurising asking me whether we could phone the owner and extend our stay as the sun was out!

I totally appreciate that they are not obliged to help in any way. But I want a holiday where I actually get a holiday too! Not one where I'm just doing all the washing / cleaning / childcare etc to support the running of the cottage while enabling them to enjoy the holiday. It also gets on my goat that they have several holidays a year (luxury abroad type ones) and we have one holiday in the UK (share the cost jointly with them).

I am by nature a people pleaser and I know they will argue the point if we mention that we are going to book a holiday alone. MIL will be "hurt" and "missing out time with her gc" (they live 5 hours away), etc etc. DH will support what I want, he is laid back about such things although doesn't feel as strongly about this as I do.

So, aibu? And how could I tell them that joint holidays are off the agenda? (sorry for the essay)

[Helltotheno]

OP Yanbu whatsoever. There's nothing set in stone to say that you have to either holiday with PILs or go to a place they decide. This is about you and your family. If you want the children to experience a fun holiday hanging out with other kids and doing activities, just organise it and tell them it's been great the last 7 years but those holidays are no longer meeting your needs and you want to do something different.

At the age your PILs are, they are obviously fully independent and enjoying life, and it would B highly U of them to expect you to tailor your family's holiday around them, especially when it sounds like they see a fair bit of you anyway, and even more so the fact that they get to gad around the world on other holidays that wouldn't be open to you. Organising a weekend with them away another time would be the perfect solution.

[StiffyByng]

I sympathise with you, OP. I agree that your ILs are obviously not elderly and infirm enough to be unable to holiday in different places, and that therefore they appear to be being quite selfish here. I've holidayed with my in-laws more than once and it really is a mixed blessing. On one hand, they are happy childcare providers and very hands-on with the kids, the kids adore them, and we have similar ideas about where to go on holiday. On the other hand, they can be hard to please about food, can be hard work conversationally, and going away with them has also involved wider family members who are less fun.

It doesn't sound like it's just the childcare aspect that bothers you, which I can see might annoy people if they think you're just looking for that from your family, but also the resentment at cooking, cleaning etc. for them with little assistance. That would truly irritate me. We have done the cooking before, because we like it, and they don't, but they are always willing washers-up etc.

Maybe your mention of a water-type holiday before wasn't direct enough. Can't you word it as 'we really, really NEED a different type of holiday this year. I need more of a rest, and the kids need more of a distraction. This is our only holiday. You're very welcome to come along but we will be going to X.' The ball is in their court and they can decide whether to put up with a holiday that isn't exactly what they want for the sake of their grandkids.

[DontmindifIdo]

Surely the solution is to book the med holiday village type holiday so you're not cooking/cleaning/looking after the DCs the whole time, tell them that's where you are going and when and if they want to book the same time they are welcome too. As you don't think they will want to go too, then you've invited them and they are chosing not go too. If they do want to go, at least you won't be running around after everyone in that sort of holiday where other people are cooking and cleaning andyou get a few hours off from the DCs.

[myBOYSareBONKERS]

I remember that thread too. SOMEONE GIVE ME AN UPDATE!!!!!

[pluCaChange]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/1284699-AIBU-back-from-the-caravan

Your wish is my command, o multitudes!

[pluCaChange]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/1284699-AIBU-back-from-the-caravan

[Inertia]

Do they invite you and all the children on their other luxury holidays abroad? I suspect not. And it's bloody selfish of your MIL to start pulling pouty face and moaning about having the GC kept from her - just because you want to go (on your only annual holiday) as a family , to a place that meets your family's needs, that you are paying for!

'The ILs shuddered and told them it wasn't their type of holiday' - well, that's your cue to say you're relieved they feel that way because you were planning to go on holiday as a 5 this year.

Of course YANBU.

[Astelia]

We have been on holiday twice with the in laws, once self-catering in a big group- disaster, I hated every minute. Once in a hotel, separate rooms- worked very well. PIL did insist on paying in both cases as they wanted everyone there.

I would never go self catering with another family or couple as it is hard enough work sorting out your own family, you don't need extra chores- where is the holiday in that?

Separate accommodation and going out for days together might be worth a try. You can find holiday cottages that are in a group, where everyone has their own front door. Don't expect them to babysit, then you won't be disappointed.

However as this is your only holiday you have the right to say you are doing your own thing this year as the children are growing up.

If they insist on you all being together, they should pay. You should not be paying for something you don't want to do.

[Astelia]

Sorry missed the update, splash style hols would be great for your family. Rather fortuitously your PIL don't like them, so you can do your own thing. You must choose what works for your family.

If they want to do something with you at another time of year that they choose, they will have to fund it.

[MollyMurphy]

YANBU at all.

Why shouldn't the inlaws help out on a group holiday? they hardly sound infirm and the main benefit of these arrangements seems to be their ability to spend time with their gc's.

OP only gets one holiday a year....sorry but I like my inlaws but there is no way I would spend my only holiday at a UK cottage share with them, no way.

[MidnightMasquerader]

Surely your ILs don't expect your one and only family holiday tailored around their needs, and not the needs of your growing children...?

I mean, people in their 70s can pretty much holiday anywhere and find something to do - even if it's mostly relaxing and putting their feet up - especially if it's not their only holiday of the year.

YANBU - they are being selfish.

Just tell them that the kids now need a different sort of holiday, you need a bit more hands-on support childcare-wise so that you get to enjoy the holiday too, and so this is what you're doing this year. They're welcome to join, but if they don't want to - no problem, they can come for a long weekend to visit you.

[myBOYSareBONKERS]

Thanks for the other Thread update. Wonder if she did go away with them again. . .

[Fairylea]

I can't believe people think you are being unreasonable not to want to holiday with your in laws after doing if for 7 YEARS!

No one owes their in laws anything. And I say that as the dd of a very toxic mother. Yes it's nice to have a holiday with them if it's what you want but you shouldnt feel.obliged to!

The grandparents can see the children and babysit from home, they don't need to go on a holiday with them..maybe if they really wanted to and the parents didn't mind they could take the gc away somewhere for a few days.

But they don't have the right to automatically have the summer family holiday with them every year.

That's bonkers.

I wouldn't expect my own children to invite me on holiday with them every year when they are grown and have children.

[EugenesAxe]

What HecateW and MidnightMasquerader said really.

If you can only take one 'big' family holiday each year you want it to be something your children enjoy & have good memories of. It's not like this is your IL's only holiday too. I would think there's quite a real possibility of the GC resenting them if they were told (in answer to grumbles about a lack of swimming complex) 'We've got to come to places like this because it suits GPs'.

YANBU

[Jollyb]

I'd definitely look into going overseas. At that age all I wanted to do on holiday was jump in the pool and build sandcastles. Far cheaper than having to pay for wet weather alternatives in the UK.

I agree with suggestion about a long weekend with your inlaws. That should be manageable for you all.

Don't feel guilty. You have to do what's right for your family.

[gimmecakeandcandy]

I think your IL are bloody selfish trying to make you take the holidays they want. Of course you want different hols and time out with just your kids and dh. Bloody well book your club med hol and just say that's what you are doing from now on. Don't keep having the cottage hols - get on and have your type of holiday - why shouldn't you! Just because they are 'elderly' it doesn't mean they should rule your holiday choices.

Now go book your hol and tell us all about it. And don't don't don't feel guilty - nothing to feel guilty about. Your children will love your new holiday.

[2rebecca]

I agree with you and your husband deciding on your holiday and telling the inlaws this is where you are going. You can invite them or other people as you see fit. You are adults now and I don't see why you feel you have to explain your holiday plans to your inlaws. there are 2 of them, they can go away together. I don't see why you feel the need to involve them in your holiday. Nice occasionally, not every year if you don't want to.

[Kat101]

My IL's were very helpful when my oldest was first born. Five or so years later when I had two small children, I felt irritable whenever I had to share quarters with them because I felt overworked and tired and resentful of the fact that no one was helping me (including my husband). I didn't even want to be around people who were sleeping late, reading books and so on. I'd rather be on my own!

^^ This describes last year exactly, except my DH did help.

I have decided that I can't invite them, I can't risk them coming along. If they ask me (which they will, they know i'm the decision maker not DH) then I'm going to tell them that we're doing our own thing next year. No details of location etc until the last minute, just that we're doing our own thing involving lots of other families with young children. No excuses, no justifications, I'm going to have to lay it on the line so we all know where we stand. I think that would ultimately be fairer on them too.

[DontmindifIdo]

you know what, you're allowed to do what works for you lot not just your PILs. I hope you enjoy your summer holiday.