So I had a chat with my BIL earlier in the week.
We've booked a holiday. BIL was hinting at maybe booking the same place and coming with his wife and their kids.
I like hanging out with my BIL & SIL. Their kids are lovely and we spend a lot of time together usually.
I text DH and said, why don't we invite them to join the same resort.
He's said yeah ok let's talk about it later. It's his DB.
The sudden horror just dawned on me that's he going to invite his mother. He's going to suggest it because she's a master manipulator, if she gets wind that we are all going together she will lay the guilt trip forevermore and demand her place too.
I won't go into the detail but I cannot be around her longer than a few hours.
What's worse - most of the time he can't stand her either. So it'll be horrific from start to finish if she comes.
What stock phrases can I use that make me sound entirely reasonable but also draw the line firmly at me not going away with her.
So far I have "she's just not someone that I would choose to spend THAT much time with" and "I don't think you could manage her for two weeks either". But I need something more diplomatic that you can't argue with.