All those in the US, sign here...

[mamama]

I see all these threads for Aussie people and thought we should have our own thread too. Not sure why, I just felt the need to make us feel special too!

So, who's stateside and where are you?

I'll start:

Mamama - in Chicago

Dear SB - are you saying you're nervous. I love going back! Is it flying or the in-laws?

Oh My God, I think we are related. You are the SIL I never knew I had. With my awful MIL we have largely backed off and now visit for short periods. Are you staying with them or in a hotel? If not in a hotel why not!!!

SB - I totally sympathize. Glad I don't have to do that ever ever again. Pray for some infectious disease maybe . From one juggling to another - it's blooming tough isn't it.

Hi SB, good to see you. (Waves) Sorry about the in law thing.

I'm sitting here slumped in front of my computer as DD has decided to get 3 of her 2 year molars at once. Have been up since midnight last night because she was up all night long, and had poor sleeps 3 of the past 4 nights. I feel like I have a newborn all over again. Strike that, she did pretty good until she was 2 months old and THEN decided to keep me up all night.

OK US ladies, I think we need to have a bit of a reality check here. Are you really dreading all this in-law visiting or venting instead?

Because the fact is we don't have to go and spend weeks staying with people we dislike, who are mean and spiteful, who make our lives and our children's lives a misery.

1. We are choosing to go.

2. Men, even our husbands/partners, can travel unaccompanied to see their families when I last checked.

We are not obliged and causing offence well, if these MIL's are as awful as all that then it is hardly surprising no one wants to see them. If we stopped going they might start acting better.

One of things that I have learnt at last in life is that we always have a choice.

My point is not that these people are awful, I'm sure they are.

I'm questioning the whole 'I have to go, i have no choice' argument on this thread.

For example, I understand wanting to see your 96 year old Nana. But you could see her on a trip that has nothing do with this wedding.

I think we go then spend the time resentful and miserable and probably arguing with our husbands. It would be better not to go and let the men go on their own.

I think resigning is a whole lot easier than maintaining contact in many cases. I agree with children having contact, too. In my case I won't stay under the same roof, though! Far too much of a not very good thing. I have to detach big time when I watch my my MIL playing the loving granny when I know what a horror she was with her own children. She can only keep it up for about five minutes, though before going outside for a ciggie.

Sorry to everyone who is having trouble with evil (or not so evil) in-laws. I really sympathise.

Thinking of those of you in California. Please let us know how you are.

Hi there - quick message before bed, as we're not very far from Atlanta. They have not run out of water, but are supposedly less than 2-3 months away from running out completely....with no contingency plan. It has rained the last 3 days in the Southeast, so hopefully Atlanta is in slightly better shape now.

And now to bed........and did I mention that after my summer 'no A/C' saga, we are now without heat due to equipment problems. Hopefully will be rectified soon.

You're not having much luck, Earlybird. I just heard about the water problem on the news. It's a bit worrying, isn't it?

No, I'm not having much luck. But, have made an appeal to manufacturer of heating/cooling equipment saying it has malfunctioned/been serviced an inordinate amount. Repairmen and distributor advise the manufacturer will sometimes offer cash and/or replacement equipment for 'problem' models.......which mine is.

Keeping fingers crossed for good news soon - especially as it's getting chilly at night here, and heating would be nice.