To say no and how to say it?

[ThatzMaChocolate]

Sometimes at weekend (not every weekend but couple of times a month I'd say) and my mum like to take my DC out places. Never anywhere super fancy but maybe lunch or to the park, for a walk, a local farm or whatever.

We tend to have my DSC here every weekend which is absolutely fine but my husband has taken to hinting at (more like guilting) me into taking them with me every time I go out with my Mum.

I just want to spend some time with my DM and DC sometimes.

My Mum gets on with DSC well but they have never seen her as granny or had that sort of relationship with her whereas my DC obviously do and I know she's too polite to say it but I suspect she also would like to just spend some time with her GC too.

There is also a big age gap too so it changes the dynamic of out day.

Sometimes I want to say no but don't know how to say it without sounding mean.

AIBU?

Thank you I feel much better about it now!

I’d just play dumb at the hints and say, “I didn’t realise you wanted to come with us?” Then if he goes as far as to suggest you take them without him, just say, “eh? Why would I?” You shouldn’t feel remotely guilty about it. You would have to be willing to have an uncomfortable conversation about it, but the aim is to make the guilt and discomfort his, not yours.