Family, Florida and Easter Break oh my!

[mousefanmichelle]

So here's the deal- My 3 kids and I are going to Florida in April for Easter Break. We will be in a 2bd/2bath condo - off site and we are driving straight through from Michigan (18 hours). We will be following our very good friends down there and all staying at the same place but not the same condo. Still with me?

Well... I don't want to be the only person driving since my oldest is only 15. My niece and her baby decided to come along and then my other niece said she wanted to come too. OK. Plenty of room in the condo so no problem. Niece #2 backed out due to controlling fiance who said she couldn't go . Ok. Niece #1 told me a few weeks ok that she wouldn't be getting paid for part of the trip cuz she doesn't have enuf vaca time in her vaca bank . Ok.

I said to her as the responsible person that I am would say to anyone, "Are you sure you want to do that - not get paid for going on vacation with me?" she told me, "Yes, no problem Aunt Michelle". Ok.

Today she texts me and says she doesn't think she can go because she won't be getting paid for 4 days that week. WTH? Did we not cover that previously? Whatever! So.... We are leaving in like 40 days should I ask someone else to come along or just fuhgettaboutit? My dh can't go this trip cuz he will be in Oklahoma for work for 2 weeks.

Would it be rude to have a back up person to come along?? Just wondering. Oh yea - I can't change my week and go another time so that is out.

Thanks for your input!
Michelle

 

[java]

I would not drive straight through by myself. Why not stop along the way?

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I agree with Java - can you leave before the other family, stay over night 1/2 way down, then hook up with them in morning.

18 hours is too long for one driver and impatient kids in the car.

 

[Poohs Pal]

You said you were following friends down. Could you let one of them do some driving for you. Even 2 hours here and there would be helpful. Other wise I would stop somewhere for the night. It really would not be safe to drive straight through. Even though the drive time may be 18 hours it will take longer due to other stops along the way. I think you should try to get someone else to go with you. Susan

 

[mousefanmichelle]

The friends I am following down there like to drive straight through. I would be ok if we were going to leave at 5am and go until we got there but they like to leave in the late afternoon, drive all night and arrive at their timeshare around 10am. The dh does all the driving for them so I can't share drivers with them.

I already am feeling like I don't want to do this trip but that is because I am a baby! I want to go to Florida bcuz I love it but I don't want to stay off-site - I really love to stay on-site and I really want to go in May but my kids are getting to the ages that it is difficult to take them out of school during May and it is frowned upon in our district. I know I could do whatever I want but my oldest son who is in 10th grade struggles as it is and well I don't want to give him an excuse to struggle more kwim?

UGH!

 

[SandrA9810]

Is your son old enough to get a learner's permit?? It would be some great driving experience for him once you get on those long stretches between cities. You'd have to do the all nighter, but he could help out a bit in the day time.

Does the other family have a vehicle large enough for all of you?? I know it's a long stretch, but if you could just ride with them and rent a car once you get here. And it might cost a little more, but it'd save you driving. And is there a reason you couldn't leave earlier than them?? I would think the more important part is arriving at the same time, not departing.

I love driving and doing road trips, but even after 12hrs in a car, i'm done for the day.

 

[sbell111]

... Would it be rude to have a back up person to come along?? Just wondering. ...

It would definitely not be rude to have someone else come along. Further, I think that it would be a reflief for your niece since I think that "I don't think that I can" is code for "I can't".

 

[mousefanmichelle]

It would definitely not be rude to have someone else come along. Further, I think that it would be a reflief for your niece since I think that "I don't think that I can" is code for "I can't".

You are so right! I was thinking the same thing about my niece - it is her out if I have someone come along. I just wish people would say what they really mean. It wouldn't hurt my feelings if she said she couldn't come but don't leave me hanging. I like to have a plan and with her being wishy-washy my plan is in limbo and I don't like limbo for my vacations unless I am physically doing it under a pole in the sand!!!

 

[mousefanmichelle]

Is your son old enough to get a learner's permit?? It would be some great driving experience for him once you get on those long stretches between cities. You'd have to do the all nighter, but he could help out a bit in the day time.

Does the other family have a vehicle large enough for all of you?? I know it's a long stretch, but if you could just ride with them and rent a car once you get here. And it might cost a little more, but it'd save you driving. And is there a reason you couldn't leave earlier than them?? I would think the more important part is arriving at the same time, not departing.

I love driving and doing road trips, but even after 12hrs in a car, i'm done for the day.

Unfortunately their car is a car and there is 5 of them in their car and 4 of us. No room

My son hasn't started drivers training yet so that isn't an option either!

I am running out of luck here! I would fly but the airfare for that week is outrageous from Detroit (and probably from anywhere else for that matter).

 

[SandrA9810]

I didn't have to do any driver lessons before I started. There was some 4hr course online that I did to get my learners. But I never did driver's ed, or driving school.

I just got behind the wheel and went. I wasn't phased in the least by it. My mom used to say she lost the driver seat when I got my permit. Of course she didn't mind me driving every where. I'm good at being the chauffuer... I've probably driven more miles in my like 9yrs of driving than most older drivers.