Been offered a free holiday BUT........

[nutcracker]

My aunt and uncle have been living in France now for about 2 years.
My dad has been to visit them several times and he has always stayed with them no probs as they have loads of room.

Anyway, several times now they have told us that all we have to do is get our passports and pay for our travel and we are free to go visit them anytime we like, they would pay for food etc.

It is a really lovely offer and it's most likely that we would never be able to afford to go otherwise BUT I feel quite awkward about accepting their offer manily because i don't think they have any idea of what it would be like having my 3 kids to stay for any period of time.

My kids aren't really naughty or anything but they are very very lively, something which i am used to, but they wouldn't be.
I think i'd feel so uncomfortabel any time the kids did anything that it wouldn't be enjoyable.

What do you think ??

errrr...... are you mad?

explain your concerns to them and ask if they canhandle three little ones and their chaotic ways?

How old are your aunt and uncle? And how long has it been since they last spent a full day with children of your age?

It's a lovely thought, but if you're having doubts, then on this occasion I would listen to them! Expecting children to be on their best behaviour on these occasions is unrealistic in my experience.

i would definitely share your concerns. i get worried about going round to anyones for the afternoon! the only way to find out is to go, and if it doesnt work out then dont go back! if they have loads of room then thats a big help. but i can understand why you are worried.

go for it nutcracker. you'll be there with the children. failing that I'm thinking... maybe I should go. Go enjoy yourself. Make it a short break initially if you feel that it may be too much. However, if they have a lot of outdoor space your children will be in heaven. Go on, go for it....

The only way you'll find out is if you go. They obviously know you have 3 children and would not have extended the offer lightly IYSWIM. If it were me, I'd do it, but hire a car for all or at least part of the stay, so as a family unit, you have your independence.

sorry that sounded negative. i think in the end you should go. they will probably love having lots of people around and play with the children, giving you time to relax!

They do have loads of outdoor space, and chickens, dog, and other animals so the kids would be in heavan and hopefully be so worn out at the end of each day that they would sleep on a washing line

It's just that i do get stressed if i'm out at a friends for the afternoon and they playup.

My aunt is about 55 and my uncle in his late 60's i think.

Puff has a point Nutty - I wouldnt invite anyone round with 3 kids

I'd only go if I would be staying with someone I felt totally comfortable with. Otherwise I'd be stressing the whole time which defeats the point of the holiday. But it's certainly worth discussing your concerns with them first, they might relish the thought of 3 lively children to entertain! Or could you look after their house for them when they go away on holiday?

ps

id go when the best weather will be cos it sounds like they have a great outdoor space and i think that makes a total massive difference. you dont mind as much when they make lots of noise outside and yes, they will be knackered at the end of the day! sounds great

this is a tough one. We go on holiday with my in-laws and they love my dd (their grand daughter), but she is an incredibly lively and noisy. Often they planned dinner and other activities at times which were not suitable for us with dd or they got annoyed that dd did not respond to 'shhhh', which just resulted in stress.

nutty, might they have discussed having your lot to stay with your dad? Have you asked him (who presumably knows your delightful family ) what he thinks you should do?

Which bit of France do they live in btw? As they have loads of space, if they live somewhere you could go out on day trips and also keep the kids away from them in between, I think you should bite their hands off, frankly!

this is a tough one. We go on holiday with my in-laws and they love my dd (their grand daughter), but she is an incredibly lively and noisy. Often they planned dinner and other activities at times which were not suitable for us with dd or they got annoyed that dd did not respond to 'shhhh', which just resulted in stress. can you give them a phone and check how they feel about 3 lively kids? As although my in-laws were taken by surprise my parents are hightly amused by my dd's energy and probably encourage it!!! So it really depends on what kind of people they are.

We would be going in our own car so would be able to go out and about during the day to give them a break.

I wonderd perhaps if we should stay with them for a couple of nights and then move on if we could find somewhere cheap to stay.

you could do a tour of the French MNers - ggglimpopo and I think Branster???

Jan - My dad isn't sure either, he loves my kids to bits obviously but he knows what a handful they can be.
They live in Poiters (sp???)

OK, I have friends with a house near Poitiers. There is quite a bit to do round there and it's an easy journey to the Atlantic coast - as you will have your own car you could easily get away for most of the day and then spend teatime and evening with them, and if things get at all fraught at bedtime (kids', not yours ) send them out to a bar for a while.

It's not that long a drive either, if you go Portsmouth-Caen it's a doddle, and not too bad even from Calais. Before you commit tell them frankly how you feel, and that they can change their minds without offending you, and then if they don't, go for it!

I would bite that hand off!

Maybe go fora long weekend the first time (depending where it is and cost of travel)? Don't know about you but when i'm on holiday we go ot and about and aren't at home all day every day so i'm sue it will be fine.

O.k thanks all

Think i will email them and see what they say

I have been there actually and what we did (we "only" have 2 lively kids) was to have a set outing every other day for most of the day. I used videos more liberally than I normally do around meal times so that we can have grown up times without too much running around and shouting... kids watching tele whilst we finish our meal.
HTH