My inlaws, sweet but...

[Blondy876]

My dh and I decided that Santa would bring our 6 year old tickets to a local dinner theater. The Wizard of Oz is playing there early next year so Santa got tickets. Well we mentioned this to my inlaws a few weeks ago. Last night at dinner my MIL says "We thought it would be so much fun to see The Wizard of Oz, so we bought tickets so we can go with you." If this were not a gift from Santa and not Madies first dinner theater experience I would care less. I love my inlaws, but I really wanted this to be just for me, my dh and our dd. I know I should be pleased that she has grandparents that want to spend time with her, I just wish they had picked something different. My dh did mention that it wasn't very polite of them to just invite themselves along but neither one of us wants to push the issue and hurt their feelings. I'm sure they didn't even realize that we might want to go by ourselves. Oh well, we'll have a great time either way. (and keep our mouths shut next time )

 

[sleepyone]

My dh and I decided that Santa would bring our 6 year old tickets to a local dinner theater. The Wizard of Oz is playing there early next year so Santa got tickets. Well we mentioned this to my inlaws a few weeks ago. Last night at dinner my MIL says "We thought it would be so much fun to see The Wizard of Oz, so we bought tickets so we can go with you." If this were not a gift from Santa and not Madies first dinner theater experience I would care less. I love my inlaws, but I really wanted this to be just for me, my dh and our dd. I know I should be pleased that she has grandparents that want to spend time with her, I just wish they had picked something different. My dh did mention that it wasn't very polite of them to just invite themselves along but neither one of us wants to push the issue and hurt their feelings. I'm sure they didn't even realize that we might want to go by ourselves. Oh well, we'll have a great time either way. (and keep our mouths shut next time )

They don't have seats by you do they? If not, you could just say that you have early dinner plans just for Madie and maybe we'll run into you at the theater.

 

[Blondy876]

They don't have seats by you do they? If not, you could just say that you have early dinner plans just for Madie and maybe we'll run into you at the theater.

Its a dinner theater, we eat there. My MIL said that when she called she requested to be seated at our table and was told that it would be no problem.

 

[Sandy V.]

I can empathize with you.

My in laws are very nice people and very giving, but I learned when my kids were small NOT to tell them what Santa was giving the kids for Christmas because that would be exactly what they would run out and buy. I appreciated the generosity, but at the time there were certain things that DH and I wanted Santa to bring and no one else.

It took me a frustrating Christmas to figure out that what I needed to do was give them a very specific list of affordable things to choose from for the kids that didn't include ANY of what were going to buy them ourselves. They were happy to shop from my suggestion list, and the peace was kept.

By the way, enjoy your show!!

 

[Disneyrsh]

Oh, brother, I"m with you there. I just got a nasty email back from my MIL because I had sent out the girls wish lists from etoys to the relatives and evidently she thought it was rude of me.

Well, I was hoping by doing the wish list the girls wouldn't get another drum set and clearance bin socks from her this year, silly me.

 

[Marseeya]

That would drive me nuts. Enjoy the theater anyway!

 

[Disneyrsh]

Its a dinner theater, we eat there. My MIL said that when she called she requested to be seated at our table and was told that it would be no problem.

Boy, that's ballsy!

 

[pamlet]

I look at it differently I suppose ..

My "boys" are older now... teen and young adult... My parents were always very involved in their lives - even though they lived 1000 miles away. My father-in-law was not.

Now that my parents are in their early 80's I am SO thankful for the time spent with my kids. From the first time my parents met my son at 3 months I saw that they would have a VERY special relationship.

I don't think it would bother me... Your in-laws probably just want to experience her wonder and excitement just like you do! Some of our most fun conversations now are about memories of "firsts" of my boys and my nephews. Especially since it's more difficult for my folks to get out.

 

[FayeW]

I am assuming that Santa is bringing all 3 of your tickets, not just your daughter's. If that is the case, can't Santa bring the grandparents' tickets as well? Just put all 5 in the stocking, with a note from Santa explaining the others are for Mommy, Daddy, Gramma & Grandpa. Explain to your in-laws that this was a Santa gift, and enlist their help so she doesn't question why the grandparents are also there.

 

[MsDisney23]

My dh and I decided that Santa would bring our 6 year old tickets to a local dinner theater. The Wizard of Oz is playing there early next year so Santa got tickets. Well we mentioned this to my inlaws a few weeks ago. Last night at dinner my MIL says "We thought it would be so much fun to see The Wizard of Oz, so we bought tickets so we can go with you." If this were not a gift from Santa and not Madies first dinner theater experience I would care less. I love my inlaws, but I really wanted this to be just for me, my dh and our dd. I know I should be pleased that she has grandparents that want to spend time with her, I just wish they had picked something different. My dh did mention that it wasn't very polite of them to just invite themselves along but neither one of us wants to push the issue and hurt their feelings. I'm sure they didn't even realize that we might want to go by ourselves. Oh well, we'll have a great time either way. (and keep our mouths shut next time )

I just off the phone and ordered my ticket as well. I also requested to be sat at your table!

 

[jfulcer]

I just off the phone and ordered my ticket as well. I also requested to be sat at your table!

Hey me too! They had to but us all to a bigger table, but we'll all have such a good time!

 

[MsDisney23]

Hey me too! They had to but us all to a bigger table, but we'll all have such a good time!

Jeff should I or would you like to contact RickinNYC to join us?

 

[clh2]

I would agree, Santa does have to bring all the tickets. No other way to explain it.

I'm not even going to go into the "this stinks" topic. It sounds like you'll make this work - you're a good mom for making the best of this situation.

Can I add on a side note...When my DD was 6, Santa brought 3 tickets to see the Broadway production of Annie. We had a great time, fabulous seats etc. A couple of weeks after Christmas I about crashed the minivan when DD said how lucky we were the Annie tickets were free. Of course, since paying for them was a royal pain, because of Ticketmaster and their fees, and they wouldn't take my check...plus, they weren't cheap either. She reminded me that Santa gave them to her. Oh yeah, that's right Santa bought the tickets, and WE didn't have to pay for them. I almost forgot...

Have fun, enjoy the evening...your DD will, whether the grandparents are there or not.

We have continued the "tickets" tradition, and try to find some play every year to get tickets to. Most are local plays, and aren't all that expensive. This year...(but DD already knows) we will be seeing Lion King in March - which was also the play 2 years ago too. It's been a fun tradition for us.

 

[disykat]

Boy, that's ballsy!

I agree, but they probably would have been put there anyway. My kids, my parents, and I went somewhere and ended up being seated with some of dh's relatives that I barely knew - who were coincidentally there at the same time. Both outings were intended to be special family things. I had made the reservations and since I have dh's name they automatically stuck us together. It was kind of awkward, but since we didn't know they were going to do that - we were kind of stuck and so were they.

 

[LoveWDW]

Aw let the grandparents have the pleasure. They aren't competing for attention, they only want to enjoy the experience of the grandchild. They love her, too. They should have asked first, but it sounds as though it never occured to them that they wouldn't be completely welcome.

 

[Pooh67_68]

and keep our mouths shut next time

 

[mbw12]

Blondy-

I live in NJ also....what dinner theater is it that is doing a production of the Wizard of Oz? My DD6 would love to see that. (and don't worry....I won't request to be sitting with you and your family.....LOL!!!!!!)

Bobbi

 

[Blondy876]

Blondy-

I live in NJ also....what dinner theater is it that is doing a production of the Wizard of Oz? My DD6 would love to see that. (and don't worry....I won't request to be sitting with you and your family.....LOL!!!!!!)

Bobbi

Its at the Three Little Bakers dinner theater. It's actually in Delaware. Oz is there March to April.


I'm not really upset with the grandparents, just disappointed that I will have to share the experience with them. I know that they didn't invite themselves to make me mad. They just want to be there and that's why my dh and I decided not to fuss about it... much. I know we will have a great time. I was just surprised.

 

[Lil_Tink]

My grandparents gave my parents a hassle.


We live 3000 miles away and they insited they bought us bikes. We go there about x2 a year and it wouldnt be very praticale. Finally they decided not to get us bikes.

 

[lulugirl]

Wow, I think that was very rude of them.