DH having a birthday strop... going to theme park with young family

[ItWasMyOwnSilence]

It's DH's birthday in a couple of weeks and we'll be away. It'll be Me, DH, MIL, DSD (15), DD1 (2.9yo) and DD2 (4mo).

On his 'birthday day' DH wants to go to the local theme park - think Thorpe Park type with lots of thrill seeking rides. There's also a section suitable for younger children.

I don't think this is a good idea for the following reasons: DD1 hates rides and will refuse to go on anything. MIL who is elderly will not go on anything. I will need to be with DD2 constantly as she breastfeeds almost hourly (a whole other thread...), especially in the hot weather. Also I do not feel it would not be fair to leave MIL with DD's while DH, DSD and I go off on rides. The park is also quite expensive, about £20pp for adults and £15 for DD1 / MIL.

Based on the above AIBU to think going to this theme park is not a practical day out for our family? As it seems we'll be paying the best part of £100 for DH and DSD to go on rides whilst MIL and I try to entertain a bored toddler and a fractious baby?

I've tried discussing this with DH and apparently it is not open to discussion... We are going as it's his birthday and he wants to go there (no, he isn't 8!).

Well, it all seems so reasonable when you put it like that.

That's good op.

I really hope you have a nice time.

It will all get a lot less stressful in a couple of years when both dc are a bit older.

I don't think he's being unreasonable to have one day doing something he wwants to do when he prob spends a lot of family days doing stuff around baby and toddler.

DD1 may have hated the last rides she tried but she's a bit older and braver now, and with the right talking up and you or MIL for moral support she might find something she likes. I don't know the place you'll be going but st Legoland has puppet shows, splashzone, playgrounds as well as rides and some really gentle boat things. MIL might be happy to do those ot hold the baby while you do them with DD1. Your DH and DSD can go off on the wilder rides. Yes it's an expensive day out and not ideal for the younger DC but I think you could make it work if you want to. Legoland is always full of people with babies, they can't all be having a crap time.

Oops, posts crossed while I was rabbiting on sorry. I hope it goes ok for you all.

We went to the theme park today, and it was actually ok.

There were a couple of DD1 massive tantrums strops, which did make parts of the day really hard, but she actually surprised us all by going on some rides.

DD2 was easy on the whole, but she refused to sleep in her carrier or the pushchair, so had to be held the whole time .

MIL and DD1 went off to the children's section and DH, DSD, DD2 and I went to the thrill rides. DH and I took it in turns to hold DD2 and we met up with MIL and DD1 every hour or so and had lunch and went to the parrot show together.

On reflection the day wasn't as bad as I thought, it was certainly bearable and even enjoyable at times. But would I do a theme park again with a baby? No bloody way.

I love an update.
Glad it was ok.

Yanbu, i went to legoland with 2yo and 8mo this week- was a complete nightmare and huge waste of money- and that is aimed at a younger crowd!