Do I just not get it?

[maxiesmom]

My sis and I are having a little disagreement, and I want to know if I really just don't understand.

She has 3 children, ages 15, 11, and 6. Sis and her hubby are going to California in May, and I am watching the kids. This will be the first time her youngest has been away from her overnight. So I thought it would be fun to take the to Great Wolf Lodge for 1 night. We have one only 2 1/2 hours away from home. Well, sis is having none of it! She said that the kids have to stay home, that in order for her to go on vacation she needs to know they are "safe." And that "you don't understand because you don't have kids." My children have all been furry and bark. So apparently unless I promise not to take the kids away, she won't go on vacation.

Am I being unreasonable to want to take the kids away for a night while there parents are out of town? My parents would also go so they would have Grandma, Grandpa, and Auntie to look after them. What am I missing here? I think she is being way overprotective, she thinks I don't understand because I am not a parent. Opinions please

 

[becka]

I think your sister is crazy and she should be thankful that she has a sister that is willing to watch her kids while she goes on vacation. I would tell her that if she doesn't trust you with the kids then she should just stay home with them herself.

 

[iamsorcerermickey]

You aren't missing anything, but IMO your sister has.

3 kids, 3 adults, night of fun.

Wanna borrow my 3

 

[mickeyboat]

I think your sister is crazy and she should be thankful that she has a sister that is willing to watch her kids while she goes on vacation. I would tell her that if she doesn't trust you with the kids then she should just stay home with them herself.

ITA Are you not supposed to take them out to dinner, to a movie, to school? She is being a little extreme, especially with the ages of her kids.

I quicker think she is mad because you are taking them somewhere fun and she does not want to miss it.

Personally, I want my kids to have fun when I am not around so they won't protest the next time!

Denae

 

[Maleficent13]

Does she expect you all to remain housebound for the week??

 

[FinallyBoughtDVC]

I think your sister is crazy and she should be thankful that she has a sister that is willing to watch her kids while she goes on vacation. I would tell her that if she doesn't trust you with the kids then she should just stay home with them herself.

I agree with this.

My kids would just about roll over and die if their aunt offered to do ANYTHING with them - never mind bringing grandma and grandpa along too...

I think she's having a hard time leaving her little one and she's nitpicking (I have a hard time with anything having to do with my youngest - but, I push myself through it - it's hard realizing your youngest is growing up).

Maybe some grandparental intervention would help?

But, in the end - if she's going to nitpick this to death - I wouldn't take on the responsibility - because there will be no making her happy.

 

[AuntieM03]

That's pretty odd. Something can happen no matter where you are at. Probably more accidents happen at home than anywhere else. Luckily my brother and SIL don't have that issue. I take my niece and nephew for a few days to a hotel every year or two. We have done Universal, Six Flags and this year my nephew wants to stay at Disneyland.

 

[r3ngels]

I just left my girls, with someone that doesn't have kids and I would have let her take them somewhere. BUT I was nervous and I have left my girls before.

I think she is being a little over protective... But I wouldn't push it. She is obviously very upset about leaving them (and it has nothing to do with you just her).


I almost cancelled my trip with my DH but I keep repeating they will be okay, they will be okay... and they were.

 

[dodukes]

Honestly if she doesnt think they are safe with you on vacation for ONE night that you take them, I can't imagine she thinks muchof thier safety while you are at home with them. I would tell her to take them with her or hire someone. I cant imagine she trusts you that much then.
On the other hand she may think that what if you get into an accident (lets say not your fault) and something happens, and maybe it wouldnt have if you had been at home. If thats the case, she has to come to grips cuz anything can happen at any time even if she is with them.

I would talk with her about why she thinks they are unsafe away from home with 3 guardians. Seriously tho I wouldnt sit for her anymore. period.

 

[ilovejack02]

LOL, no i dont think you are crazy for wanting to do something fun with the kids.
I would be fine with all of the people that I leave my kids with for a week to take them somewhere overnight. Plus there is a 15 yr to help out on top of all the other adults.
THere are folks that I would prob leave him with for a cpl of hours, but NOT want them to go out of town with overnight such as my 16 yr old sitter.
With that being said , I dont think you can change a momma bear's mind lol.
She is obviously overprotective and there isnt prob much you can do about that.
Does she not let the kids ever go anywhere?

 

[Beth76]

ITA agree with Becka. Your sister is completely unreasonable and obviously doesn't trust you. No offense, this is her problem. I doubt she'd trust anyone. We're not talking about 3 small children here. There's no reason to think that her children would be any less safe at a water park (with lifeguards no less) than at your home. Out of spite, I wouldn't promise not to take them to the park and let her cancel her vacation. We'll see how quickly she changes her mind.

ETA: I have let my older son go on vacation with my parents and also my sister. They went to my parents' lakehouse where they were boating and swimming, 3 hours away from home. No lifeguards. I certainly trust MY FAMILY to watch my child either at home or on vacation. Now, with my in-laws, I don't trust them to watch them at home or anywhere else so I don't leave my kids with them.

 

[Minnie824]

Well, honestly, I wouldn't expect you to stay home all weekend, but I wouldn't want my kids away from home either, as in staying somewhere other than your house or your sisters, whichever you'll be at. I have not left my kids yet (they're young still) but if my parents watched them, I would not be comfortable w/them taking the kids 3 hrs away while I'm gone. Actually anytime. Thats just me. I don't think your sister is crazy not expecting you to not go 2.5 hrs away to a resort. If she expects you to not leave the house - thats crazy.

 

[camreesmom]

I could understand (maybe) if her children were younger but not at the ages that they are. I think she really should be grateful that she has someone to watch her children while her and hubby are on vacation AND that they will be having a good time, especially since this is the first time the youngest will be away from her overnight. Just my opinion though.

 

[luvwinnie]

I think she's being unreasonable and I'd be offended...I would think "I'm good enough to care for them at home but not away?" Seriously!

 

[Sandy V.]

I think she's way overprotective and maybe a little bit jealous that you may be "creating some memories" with your neices/nephews that she's not going to be a part of.

As someone else said - what are you supposed to do? Sit inside the house all week?

 

[ilovejack02]

Well, honestly, I wouldn't expect you to stay home all weekend, but I wouldn't want my kids away from home either, as in staying somewhere other than your house or your sisters, whichever you'll be at. I have not left my kids yet (they're young still) but if my parents watched them, I would not be comfortable w/them taking the kids 3 hrs away while I'm gone. Actually anytime. Thats just me. I don't think your sister is crazy not expecting you to not go 2.5 hrs away to a resort. If she expects you to not leave the house - thats crazy.

IM NOT SAYING YOU ARE WRONG, so dont think im flaming im just asking...... but did something happen with your parents when you were young to not trust them with you own kids?

 

[mommasita]

SHe is not being reasonable IMHO. She trusts you with them obviously, so you should be able to take them to a safe place, to have FUN..Like their parents are. My SIL is great, and has no children, when she watches the kids, or takes them out, I totally trust her, and she is fantastic...We went to Vegas for 5 days ONCE, and she stayed at my house with the kids. I did call everyday, but if I had enough faith in her to take care of them, then my faith was also in her making sure they were "safe".

 

[Hedy]

My children are furry and mew, but I think your sister's off her rocker. It's not like you're taking them to a casino.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

i don't think you are missing anything at all

 

[Beth76]

As someone else said - what are you supposed to do? Sit inside the house all week?

Yeah sit at home all week missing mommy and daddy. I know I enjoy my vacations more when I know my kids are at home not having a good time.