ILs coming to stay while we go away ... what problems should I expect?

[NotQuiteCockney]

The title pretty much says it all. In a couple of weeks, DH and I are (maybe) going off to Paris for 24 or 36 hours, leaving DS1 (5.5) and DS2 (2.5) behind in the hands of my ILs.

The ILs are coming, a day before we go. They've taken care of DS1 loads before, but at their house, not ours. They've only taken care of DS2 for a half hour here or there.

As prep, I guess I will have to:

1. make sure there's food in the house that the ILs are happy to cook and eat while we're not here

1. tidy up a bit

1. talk to DS1's school and DS2's co-op about the arrangements

1. I might pay a nanny to bring DS1 home, if the ILs want. Less work for them. I think they want to collect him, though.

I'm sure other MNers have done this before, what problems did you run in to?

In some sense, this is a dry run for me maybe, someday going away with DH on one of his longer business trips ...

1. Hide your dildos well

LEave phone numbers of GPs, and a friend who could help out if they need something.

Local a-z and directions to park, cafe etc.

oh one thing that drives my parents insane at our house is brown bread and posh tea and coffee. They want sliced white and PG Tips.

If it was my ILs I'd have to:

1. lock the study,
2. lock our bedroom door and
3. hide all paperwork, bills etc

MIL readily confessed to SIL that when she visits people's houses she has good snoop and particularly likes to loook at any bills, bank statements etc that are lying around...

Do not expect problems - it could ruin your trip.

Remember to bring them back something tres nice.

Bribe kids to behave beautifully so that ILs will happily have them again.

Mine do look around a bit, but I don't think they'd go through things.

I am trying to anticipate problems to do my best to avoid them.

The food thing will be a bit of an issue. They eat brown bread, we only have normal tea (we don't drink it anyway, it's only for guests). But we do have brown rice etc. I'll ask MIL for a shopping list I think, and then make sure I have all that in for her.

You'll have thought of this, but go through IN DETAIL any little things ds2 likes at bedtime to help him settle - how many stories/ which cup for his milk (if he has it ) etc etc.

Ah, well, DS2 is still breastfed. So, hmmm.

He's was put down by a (much-loved) neighbour last week, and that was fine.

But hopefully we'll get them involved in the put-down process when they're here the night before? Not sure. He does really love FIL, and will no doubt go to bed fine ...

earplugs. When I leave ds with my mother for a while, on my return, she lectures me for a few hours on how best to change him, feed him, clothe him, make him laugh etc.

Yes get fil to put him down the night before, but don't get involved. Stay downstairs or out in the garden.

Paris huh ...?