Holidaying with the in-laws AND the step child…

[JukeboxJive2]

The time is fast approaching for me, DH, MIL, FIL and DSD (15) to take a holiday together…

My in-laws aren’t terrible at all and I actually get on pretty well with them, apart from the fact that MIL has a tendency to be very huffy and FIL is naturally selfish. I don’t see them too often as I have a very demanding job which means I don’t get a lot of free time particularly mid week. Alongside that, we’ve (DH and I) been away on holiday with DSD multiple times previously and everytime it’s been uncomfortable at best, for me. Now I’ve got the two combined it’s starting to consume my thoughts about how on earth I’m going to handle things - thankfully it’s only 1 week.

DSD isn’t a bad kid at all, although the whole smart phone/device obsession is wildly out of control. And even when there are moments minus the phone, it’s very hard to hold a conversation - but I guess that’s typical teenager behaviour anyway? I’m childfree so the dynamic is a huge adjustment.

To make impending matters worse, this upcoming holiday will be spent in a villa - yes I know I should never have agreed to it, but it’s now T-minus 6 weeks away and I need some tips on how to make the best of this.

Please give me your best coping mechanisms for surviving holidays abroad with the in-laws and/or the step kids! Thanks in advance🤞🏽😘

This isn't a slight at you,but thinking your SD might also be dreading this holiday - Grandparents/Dad/SM.... might not be her dream holiday !

Can you message her and ask what she'd like from.the holiday so you cam buiild that into.the time away - anything she'd like to see, does she want you to take a pack of Uno cards or Dobble??

Use it to try and enjoy some time with everyone. In small doses 15 year olds can be fun to spend time with, and it would be nice if you could bond a bit and build the foundations of having a friendship once she's an adult in a few years. Maybe see if she wants to go on a spa day or a meal and nice pudding then wander round the nearby town with you one day.
Chat about school, friends, any clubs she does, make random conversations about things like "what would your dream holiday be if you could go anywhere" and tell her yours. Use it as a chance to get to know her so things are more comfortable.
Then spend some evenings and days with just DH, some time all together, some time alone, see if mil wants to go shopping one day etc.

You've had loads of good advice, look forward to hearing the tales.
2 years ago we went away and in total were 11 of us, including kids. we had a villa for us all and luckily my OH is a trained chef so insisted on cooking every day. we all actually got on well and had a great trip and keep talking about going back. i find my SD difficult on many levels but at end of day it;s my OH responsibility to her and she had plenty of other people looking out for her. nanny, dad, aunties, uncles etc, so i stayed out of it and just looked after my son. my FIL does his own thing and went off the the pub, som of us joined him and others stayed on the beach, we all had dinner most days at the villa but when we went out we went together. Lucky the vialla was massive over 3 floors so there was space to get away on your own.
It wasn't without drama but in this family i've learnt it's part of it and just to move away when I need it. I make it clear to my OH that it's just too much and i'm going for a break and he gets it.