Airport Etiquette

[Nicolepa]

Good for you for telling her to take a taxi! My in laws come 2-3 times a year. Dh usually picks them up/drops them off and will take one kid if they want to go. I will go if he can't and I don't have to rearrange a lot of stuff. But if they are coming/going at an odd hour they will call a towncar. One year the towncar driver couldn't get the car started so I took them (it was like 5 am). They paid me the towncar money and told me to go shopping!

 

[Beth76]

Why did you even tell her there was a conflict? Seriously, this is a need-to-know basis. She did/does not need this information until her little heiney is in the car on the way to the airport. Then what could she do? Refuse to leave? Ok, maybe that could be a problem.

ETA: In your story....did she end up staying at a hotel or did she take a cab?

 

[antmaril]

I think MIL is being very unreasonable.

I agree - your mother-in-law is out of line and being totally selfish.

 

[KatelynnsAuntie]

She should be grateful for any transportation you give her, irregardless of who all is in the car.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

I think MIL is being very unreasonable.

 

[va32h]

Why did you even tell her there was a conflict? Seriously, this is a need-to-know basis. She did/does not need this information until her little heiney is in the car on the way to the airport. Then what could she do? Refuse to leave? Ok, maybe that could be a problem.

You're right - I should have kept my mouth shut! It was one of those "tal before thinking" things.

To clarify one point - the incident with the hotel/taxi took place several years ago, I no longer have a baby (the baby in that story is almost 6, and my "baby" is 2!). And she did take the taxi.

In general, I do think that visitors are important; when dh's elderly grandparents (whom we all adore) came to visit us a few months ago, I didn't let the kids go on playdates, and I rescheduled an activity of my own. We don't see them often, and it was a special occasion.

MIL is very big on appearances. She wants to have this scenario of happy, squealing children rushing across the airport into her outstretched arms. Even if the only people who will see this are total strangers. I'm letting reality intrude on her fantasy, and it bothers her.

I agree that dh should deal with her...and I expect he will because she will go crying to him that I hurt her feelings. His usual response is to agree with me privately, but still want to humor her.

 

[Beth76]

. And she did take the taxi.

See, you won that one!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

How far away is she flying in from? I'm assuming you are from Dallas, Fort Worth (from underneath your name, guessing that's what DFW is). Where is she coming from?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

While I think MIL is being snooty--airport pickups are kind of the same for us...you just meet them in a different spot with more people. My girls like to go when they can and I will let them. Just isn't a big deal to us. I understand you have a baby--but I've taking babies as well. It is just something that doesn't bother me.

Usually--we will pick up guests and not expect them to pick up the tab of a cab or rental car unless they choose to do so.

Perhaps MIL doesn't like riding with strangers?

However--I'd place in in the bucket with my step-mother.

If step-mother wants to stay in a hotel waiting for me to pick her up. I'd tell her to enjoy her vacation at the hotel .

 

[Disney Doll]

I wouldn't expect anyone to pick me up at the airport, and would be thrilled if someone offered to do so!!!!!!

Probably if my parents lived out of town, I would want to pick them up at the airport, but they are elderly. But I would not, nor would my parents expect me to, drag the whole family to pick them up.

 

[Stitchfans]

yep, she is unreasonable. About time she learned the whole world doesn't revolve around her.

 

[va32h]

Lisa Loves Pooh - it isn't a question of no one going to pick her up, she wants everyone to come pick her up, and drop her off.

On this visit, dh would be taking her to the airport, with up to 2 of our 3 children. But she wants all three of them to go see her off.

 

[momof2inPA]

I think that demanding the whole family be there to send her off is a tradition that's gone the way of the dinosaur-- kinda like thank-you notes.

 

[delilah]

I think this is very unreasonable. I don't even expect my husband to take me to the airport when I am going on a conference trip. Since my work will pay for transportation by limo or taxi (limo is cheaper), I have them take me. It is bad enough for the guys that I am not home to do things around the house without turning the household on it's ear to take me to the airport.