Just So Upset...This is a Vent

[GOOFY4DONALD]

My DH and I bid, in a radio auction, on a gift certificate for a bed and breakfast in a beautiful little town about 2 hours away. My mom agreed to watch one of my kids (she doesn't like to babysit even if she offers and is the kind of person that will have one of my kids start calling us to have us come get them 1 hour into the date). We asked my FIL if he would be able to watch the other 2 and he agreed. Well last night his wife informs us that they will be going to her daughter's boyfriend's friend's sister's wedding. I realize, now, that she doesn't want to watch our kids. But we did ask beforehand. (Our trip is on a Mon-Wed...the most popular days for weddings.)

My DH and I have been married 11 years and we have never gone anywhere alone together. I had my DD when we married and we have had a total of 3 nights without kids in the past 11 years...the last one was 8 years ago. I am just so upset I am going to cancel my reservations tomorrow.

 

[justwinnie]

I'm sorry for your ruined plans. It's tough to be a parent and not have any time with your spouse. Hugs to you!

 

[gbatch]

Feel your pain my MIL was the same way, would start calling after a hour.

My friends, boyfriends, friends, counsins, sisters, uncles wedding is on a Tuesday perhaps we'll see them there.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Do you have any good friends that you could ask to help out?

I have had good luck with getting friends to help out, even when my oldest was a toddler. I have always had a pretty good network of friends that I could ask to take at least one each at least for a day. So DD14 may stay with her BFF for 3 days and DD10 would stay with one friend the first night, take the bus home with a 2nd the next night and the same with a 3rd. I am fortunate that we have a circle of friends and we all know each other so it is easy to coordinate and I know that they will back each other up if needed.

Sometimes you just have to ask. Personally I love it when my kids have friends over, they keep each other busy and have so much fun and it really isn't any extra work. I would absolutely love to keep any of their friends for several days if needed.

I know how disappointing this is. Can you at least postpone the trip and try to reschedule later if you can work out some arrangements?

 

[Pastamom]

you poor thing. I know how disappointing it is to look forward to something special and not be able to do it....

I hope things work out for you and DH.

 

[brymolmom]

I would do what pp suggested - get good friends to do it an setup a 'trade' with them to take their kids for a weekend sometime soon. Get it on the calendar now so you both know you'll get something out of it.

 

[sk!mom]

I'm really sorry but truly you wouldn't want to leave your children with someone who didn't want them there.

Have you considered hiring a sitter?

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

Aww I'm sorry My inlaws are similar....try to avoid having even one kid stay over even when she begs them, they change the subject. I would never even ASK for the 2 yr old. So I feel for you, I just try to remember that one day the kids will be old enough that me and DH can go away alone as much as we want. Hoep you find a friend that will maybe want to do a kid switcharoo for 2 days!

 

[lunalibre]

I'm so sorry. :-(

You don't say how old your kids are. You really might consider asking friends to take your kids. I do this with my next door neighbor. They have absolutely no family who could watch their children. The two teens go with one set of friends and the elementary school kid stays with us. Honestly, I'm glad to help out. After all, they watch our dogs all the time. Watching kids is just the same, right?

As long as you're willing to reciprocate, it shouldn't hurt any friendship to at least ask.

Good luck, and I'm hoping you can reschedule!

 

[verlee]

I am so sorry you were not able to get away. It is an awful feeling to not be able to get away like you expected. It might be kind of late for this trip but if you could reschedule....try to see if you could hire a sitter. Or even better, ask some friends. It may be for just overnight to begin with. But as your friends/sitter and your kids get used to one another you could make extended trips. It is very important to get some time together. Start with small trips and build up. I hope it works out for you and your husband.