DS currently 18mo. My parents live abroad, inlaws live within 40 mins drive.
Since DS was born, we haven't ever gone out together as a couple without DS. While I haven't minded as such, I do think that we should really be able to at some point.
Recently I noticed that a show I really really want to see is on next June. DH has said he would also like to go - but of course the usual problem, we can't go out at night together. DH has said that maybe his mum or dad would babysit, but that he would have to ask them before we book anything. Now for some reason this has really wound me up. FFS - DS will be 2yo by this time, and we have to book them in to babysit 6 months in advance. TBH I think I'd rather not bother. They have not once offered to babysit
I'll try to summarise MIL to give you an idea - she's early 60's, no physical problems whatsoever, and has plenty of free time. She's a very materialistic person, quite self-obsessed, fills her time buying new clothes and showing you them all when you go to visit. No doubt she loves her GC in her own way, but everything is very much on her terms. We've invited her down to spend a 'mini-xmas' with my DSS's and DS, but she has declined saying she is giving a party for neighbours. She knows what weekends we have DSSs and will have known that we would be having the xmas thing with them on that particular weekend. Similar thing happened last year when she was invited to our's to spend the Sat with us all, but said she would be too tired after being busy on Fri eve (hosting the neighbour's party again)
Anyway I'm waffling now. I've actually gone beyond feeling frustrated about it and just think it's really sad that someone's priority to their GC, and their own children, is so low down the list. I've decided to use Sitters as well - does anyone else have any experience of them? I don't really like the idea of using a stranger, but this is getting ridiculous
We don't have any friends nearby who could help out so there is really no alterative