How to Keep the Battling Grandmothers Apart?

[epcotfan]

I would consider two trips. A vacation shouldn't have to be that complicated by having to worry about keeping two people apart.

 

[julieannbabe]

give two cast members 50 bucks each and stick one on tower of terror and the other on rock and roll rollercoaster all day - that should give you at least one day off.

 

[Mic]

I have to agree with other posters who suggested 2 trips. When your mother and MIL watch your son, they each have him to themselves. Although they know that another woman hugs him and plays with him on days he is not with them, they never have to "see" your son with each other. I would be afraid you would have to run interference the whole trip. To make it fair, you could plan your trips well in advance, so even though 1 grandmother goes first, the trip for the other is already planned, so she won't feel slighted. The added bonus for you is obvious: 2 trips for your family(consider purchasing AP's for you and DH), 2 nights with DH alone(let Grammy spend 1 night with DS on each trip), and you can concentrate on thanking each grandmother individually for their contribution to your family.

 

[eleanor]

It sounds like root canal would be more fun LOL. I wouldn't do this myself . Is there another way that you could thank them for all their help.? There is a certain amount of stress when you go just as a family, this could have the potential of making things worse.

 

[4greatboys]

If you have already talked to them and they plan to be good girls it will probably be okay. Make a flexible itenerary before you go and show it to them. I would have some scheduled activities for all and then some broken up. I would let each one watch ds while you and dh have some fun alone and then maybe dh adn hi mom could watch ds while you and your mom go shopping or have a nice dinner, same for dh and his mom. As long as they have seperate rooms and arent together for every activity it should be okay. My mil went with us on our trip--and she gets on my nerves big time!!--we all did okay. Stayed at Disney 7 nights and RPR 2 nights. Im happy to report she made it home alive!! lol

 

[Belle5]

I cannot IMAGINE a worse scenario!!!!!!! I agree whole heartedly with flying one grandma down for the first 3 days and the second grandma down for the 2nd three days. There is no way I would ever consider such a trip. It's hard enough to take my mom (wonderful woman that she is) with out her interfering with the discipline of my kids. Just that wears on me and takes the magic away.

 

[sixcats]

Here's another vote for having them each down for a few days alone with your family. Vacationing at WDW with family is very stressful. Trust me, it will be stressful enough having them around one at a time.


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[WDWLinda]

Well, you all worried me A LOT, so I called my mom last night and said "Are you sure this will be OK, you wouldn't rather take a seperate trip with just us next year?" (we asked my MIL first, so I felt we'd have to take her first). My Mom was fine about it, and assured me she's looking forward to the trip and they'll both get along fine. I'm NOT doing this for a free babysitter one night - that was just an after thought. Even tho you all sound against the idea, I'm actually feeling better about it. I will plan together time and seperate time with each of them, but my guess is we'll wind up doing most stuff together. I'm being optimistic and thinking this may improve their relationship.

But thanks for all your input - I'm glad to see we're not the only family that doesn't get along great.

~Linda

 

[BethC1952]

I think you've made the right choice. Both women should be mature enough to realize that this vacation can (and should) be fun for everyone and that personal differences can be set aside and just relax and enjoy time with the grandchild.

It's funny the differences that such a little person (the grandchild) can make in attitudes!

Just plan for plenty of "alone time" for each of them with your grandson and plenty of "us" time for each of you with your mother, and you'll have a great time, and wonderful family pictures for your son to treasure many years from now when he shows HIS grandchildren how much fun he had with his grandmas!

Beth

 

[mickeyfanz]

I think you will be fine. Disney will work its magic on the grandmas. Just be sure to kind of coordinate who your child rides things with - if he rides one ride with one grandma, then give the other one a turn on the next one.

All of my friends thought I was crazy last year when I took both sets of grandparents and we all shared a 2-bedroom at Old Key West. They get along fine though except there is definitely some competitiveness because my parents spend way more time with our son than my in-laws. They both live 15 minutes away from us but my parents are just way more interested in being involved.

We went for a week (over Mother's Day) and my in-laws only stayed 4 days so I tried to let my in-laws ride more things with our son because I knew once they were gone, my parents could ride with him all they wanted.

Everyone was happy the entire trip and we had a wonderfully magic time! Just go for it and if it was a disaster, make sure you go back soon without either of them!!!

 

[missypie]

PLEASE TURN BACK! SOUNDS LIKE A TRIP TO HELL! Don't assume everything will be okay. Last August I took a trip with my husband's entire extended family that I knew we shouln't have gone on and I haven't spoken to a single one of them since, nor have they tried to speak to me. Relationships were damaged that may never be repaired. There is still time for you ... turn back!