Living with the inlaws for 2 weeks - any advice?

[lecach]

Other than telling us not to do it does anyone have advice for us? We are moving out of our old house June 7 and our new house wont be ready for 2 weeks or less. So we're staying with the inlaws. It will be me, DH and DS (17 mths old). We've never stayed for more than one night. We'll be of course providing our own food and will do our own laundry. And I plan to keep our room and the bathroom we'll be using cleaned. And will try to keep DS's toys as straight as possible (of course they love him to death so anything he does will not be a problem). One good thing is that they eat a lot later than we do so we wont get in each others way in the kitchen. And we all watch the same things on T.V.

Any advice on how to get along, or things we can do to make it as easy as possible for all of us? Im really not looking forward to it (more because of the 45 minute drive to daycare and work than anything). But we dont have another option.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Definitely gifts are in order! Fresh flowers, card, etc...as a "thank you".
Certainly take them out to dinner one evening.

(edited for spelling, it was just too early)

 

[Chilehead Too]

Stock up on these for all and it should work just fine

 

[bananiem]

If you're working you really won't be there much, except weekends. Maybe on weekends you could take the kids to a zoo or something.
Think back 2 weeks. It's gone by pretty quickly hasn't it? These 2 weeks will fly by too.

 

[lecach]

Definetly gifts are in order! Fresh flowers, card, etc...as a "thank you".
Certainly take them out to dinner on evening.

We'll definately be doing a thank you. Probably dinner out since they dont have the money to eat out much. I am really grateful to them for letting us stay. Plus they are coming this weekend to help pack. And will be there on moving out day and moving in day. Im really lucky to have such helpful inlaws. I know a lot of people dont have this.

I liked the Xanax suggestion too! Ha - we'll probably need it.

Im not worried at all about DS. They are always overjoyed to be around him. And we'll be actually staying at SIL's house but she lives 2 blocks from MIL and FIL so there will be plenty of diversions for us. And since SIL sleeps late we can take the stroller and go up to MIL/FIL's on the weekend mornings.

 

[SC Minnie]

When they start to get one your nerves just take a deep breath and say 'only x more days, only x more days'. Try to just go with the flow and their routine as mush as possible. They are the ones doing you the favor. Its only 2 weeks. It could be worse.

 

[KelNottAt]

You might want to clarify expectations with them. For example, from your post, it seems like you assume you'll be eating separately. Is that what they think, too? (Separate sounds great, and that's how I'd want it, too. But, you never know...)

What about parking? I know my inlaws have some pet peeves about which car parks where in the driveway. And, out on the street, they're pretty picky about leaving the mailbox clear for delivery.

Do they have a computer? If so, will you be using it? Like the TV, the PC can become contentious under the wrong circumstances.

Any pets? Yours or theirs? Unknown routines or habits could be fine, or they could present issues.

I'm sure everything will be fine. You want to be a welcomed guest and they want to be gracious hosts. But, if you have a good understanding of some basic expectations, it could prevent surprises or unnecessary tension.

Good luck!