I'd like a vacation do-over please

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Can I just vent a little? I know I should be grateful that we get to go to FL every year, but I could have done without this trip. Everything that could go wrong DID go wrong.

We stayed with my parents(first mistake). They do as grandparents do and overindulge my kids which turns them into Gremlins. I have a ten year old brother who they treat the same way. He is ALWAYS a gremlin. Then whenever I would discipline my kids I was "mean" because they're "good kids". Duh! That's why they're good.

Broken shoes, rashes, meltdowns, lost money... It all happened. It was one thing after another.

And the REAL kicker. My favorite grandfather died two days before we were supposed to visit with him. I didn't want to ruin my kids' trip so I had to hold it together and muscle through the rest of our time like nothing happened.

Phew. Talk about needing a vacation from a vacation.

 

[mickeyboat]

I am so sorry your vacation was a dud! And I am sorry for your loss.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Hugs

 

[minniebeth]

I'm so sorry for your loss ((hugs))~ I'm sorry you've had a vacation where you need a vacation from! I think we've all had vacations like that at one point in time where everything that can go wrong does. I know that in time, I look back on those times with a little more fondness of memories than when we're coming off of it, so hopefully, you can enjoy some of it with time. My new family vacation mantra is it will be a good vacation because we are together, and anything else good that happens is great. However, my kids are a little older (20, 17, 13) so we don't get to spend a lot of time together much anymore, so we enjoy what time together we have. You may have to bear the brunt of your parents spoiling your kids , but they will have great memories of that!
Hoping you can plan another vacation and look forward to making some new fun memories!

 

[lovin'fl]

We stayed with my parents(first mistake). They do as grandparents do and overindulge my kids which turns them into Gremlins. I have a ten year old brother who they treat the same way. He is ALWAYS a gremlin. Then whenever I would discipline my kids I was "mean" because they're "good kids". Duh! That's why they're good.

This was exactly my life when we lived in NC and all our family was in MD...and we'd come home a few times a year to visit (and stay with the grandparents). We moved back home in 2007 and that's probably THE only good thing about moving back to MD...no more of that stuff you mentioned above. So I feel your pain.

Sorry about your grandfather. I say you plan a vacation re-do, even if just a long weekend somewhere.

 

[lynxstch]

for you..along with a hug (but I can't find the hug smiley anymore )

 

[22Tink]

Oh no! So sorry your trip didn't go smoothly. And especially sorry for the loss of your grandfather. I'd say you're entitled to a do over, even if just a long weekend like another poster said.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I'm sorry about your grandfather and hope things settle down now that you're home.

 

[lynxstch]

's to you (thanks PollyannaMom for helping me find it!)

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

Sorry for all the negative issues of your trip this time. If it makes you feel any better, you've given me something to think about as a grandfather. I'd never want to put my kids in this type of situation so thanks for making me aware of how easy it would be to fall into. My grandkids aren't old enough yet to even recognize these types of things but it really is food for thought, so thanks again.

 

[NotUrsula]

I am sorry for your loss. I also know it was difficult to mentally (and perhaps physically, if you didn't bring appropriate clothing and had to go shop for it) switch over immediately from being on a vacation visit to being there for a funeral (that also happened to me).

What I've decided after 25 years of living away from family is that a family visit is a family visit; it's not a vacation. I find I adjust better to the inherent tensions and disappointments if I remember to keep that distinction in mind..

 

[Riff Off Gal]

I am sorry you had the vacation from hell. I am especially sorry of the passing of your Grandfather. That is horrible and my thought and prayers go out to you. Hang in there.

 

[kirstenb1]

I've definitely had that bleh vacation!! I'm sorry about your grandfather.

 

[Vaughn4380]

We stayed with my parents(first mistake).

Sounds so very familiar...

 

[wishesuponastar]

So sorry for the loss of your grandfather. ((Hugs)) about all the other things at your parents.

 

[auntmeme7577]

That is a lot to deal with. So sorry for the loss of Grandpa. I hope you plan another vacation to look forward to right away

 

[fly girl]

So sorry about your grandfather.

Yep, you need a do over! My family has had a few of these bad vacations, and down the road we end up laughing over a few of the situations. Hopefully with time you can pull out a few funny stories too.

(still need a re-do though!)

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

My husband and I are already planning our trip next summer.

The only thing we know is that the majority of it will be kid-free. The grandparents can dote on the kids... I can drink without the "look" from my mom...

I'm feeling better about it now. This morning I was still exhausted from our travel day and it was all still very fresh.