AIBU to think a shorter stay with family is better than a longer stay?

[Twinmummy2018]

Hey everyone,

AIBU to think when visiting family (parents/siblings) and staying in their house with your kids that 4 days is the lucky number?

You enjoy each other’s company without it becoming too much?

I’m about to book a trip back home (I live abroad 4 hour flight) and I’m debating a 4 night trip v a 7 night trip.

I think a 4 night trip is easier - pack less - short and sweet with the family without everyone getting on each others nerves which I think from experience tends to happen on longer trips, at least with my family.

What’s your opinion?

You are so right ..4 days is just enough! Have a great time !

3 nights is my max.

I agree, unless you are going to be away for a night or 2.

Posted to early...

Unless you are going to be away a night or 2 somewhere in else as part of the trip.

3 is enough for me.

Thank you for your replies.

Ok, I will definitely do the 4 night trip then.

My twins are 5 years old and I’ll be travelling alone with them, which means less packing which I find very hard to do but for a 4 night trip I should be fine with a 10kg check in bag for all of us?
They will have their rucksacks with toys etc.

Any light packing tips??

Agree, 4/5 nights is perfect for us and I've realised this recently and it's made such a difference and such lovely trips 😊

V. impressed that you are managing to pack for the three of you in one carry on!! Have a nice time OP

The difference for me would be whether I'm going to my home or his home.
His -4 days is fine. Mine -meh I wouldn't have a limit-especially if there is a flight and the dc don't get to see their GP very often.

We recently did 4 and a bit days with family. It was plenty, particularly as family weren't avaliable every day and MiL has reached an age and state of health of not going out much and having less avaliable patience for the presence of energetic children, and woe betide us letting them quietly minecraft to avoid noise, running, and the trip hazards/ luggage of toys (due to dyslexia, they are not bookworms). Plus the weather was somewhat mixed.

Anyway, my back misses my own furniture within two days

4 days was more than enough!

Well I will be trying to pack a 10kg check in bag with Ryanair - do not know how this is going to go! I’ve purchased 2 for the way back as I know I will be shopping when I’m there and stocking up!

Thanks for all your replies and well wishes for the trip!

I’ve done longer trips in the summer and other times ... and have found spread out between family members it can be ok... But I do find I end up spending a lot of money and friction can arise which I think is normal when your around people for too long, who you don’t usually live with. Even if they are family and you all love each other.

This will be my first 4 night trip and if all goes well I think I’ll stick to short trips going forward. I usually come over 2/3 times a year.

4 or 5 days is enough for me to see those who matter, stock up on things I can’t get here/cost a fortune here, eat the things I miss before the yearning to come back home to the USA sets in and I start to miss things here.

That would be more than enough for me.

If you’re staying with family I assume you’ll have access to a washing machine? If so just wear one set of clothes and pack another 2 sets per person max. Take enough underwear and you may not need to do any washing. If you run out of space you can always put a few bits in their backpacks.

I find three days plenty. You'll be fine with one bag. Careful packing!

Good idea! Thank you for the tip! I will probably end up over shopping there, so the less I pack the better, but every time I go to pack, I end up thinking oh I might need this and this and then it’s a disaster. I’m staying at my fathers so there is a washing machine there. I really need to be stringent with my packing this end as I know I’ll end up buying a lot of things that end, including all the snacks I can’t get here

Yes definitely agree.