OK...my DH is DRIVING ME NUTS!!!

[A M&Asmom]

He is so freaked out by this trip that he is just driving me crazy. There are 18 of us total going...10 adults and 8 kids...My family (5), my sisters family (5), our parents (2), sisters inlaws (2), & cousin, gf & kids (4). We are going for a conference that is the 18th-20th. We are actually going the 17th-24th...so we will have the rest of the time for the parks and such. My sister, cousin & myself are the only ones going to the conference so the other 15 will have 2 1/2 days by themselves to do whatever. I know they are going to the beach one day and the other probably one of the parks.

Here is where he is killing me. He is so freaked out about the number of people going. I don't know how many times I have to tell him that it isn't like we all have to stick together the entire time. We have one character meal planned together and that is only because our dd is turning 3 and my cousins dd is turning 4. We might do dinner one more time together and a Seafood restaurant but that is probaby it. (we will make reservations somewhere, but I don't really care if we have to sit at separate tables) We were planning on just ordering pizza or something take out on the other nights we are all around and just hang out by the pool and relax.

We will all go to the same park on certain days, but I already have told him we are splitting up so the older ones can go do the big rides and the little ones can do their rides and shows.

I just keep telling him....We don't have to be together the whole time!!!...we don't have to eat every meal with everyone!!!...we only have to worry about ourselves!!!!

What more can I say...He is KILLING ME!!! Hopefully he calms down when we get there.

 

[71010]

I think my DH would be freaking out too. In fact, I might be freaking out. We have gone down with extended family and although you dont stick together, it seems a little stressed to me. Its always fun, just different than when its just your family. Hope you have a great time!!!

 

[shellybaxter]

We went with extended family once. We had eleven people and it was FABULOUS. We had so much fun. We even stayed together most of the time. The secret was planning. Everyone was involved in the planning and we planned at least one or two things that everyone wanted to do (i.e. character meals for the kids, a trip to DQ for the teens, Water Park for the water lovers,etc.). We had ressies for at least one meal per day, sometimes two. Sure, we had a few meltdowns, but that seems to happen no matter how many people go with us. I have really fond memories of that trip. It can be fun to travel with lots of people

 

[MichelleChell]

Maybe you can have a big family meeting before you go and iron out things. That way you have it planned and can relax when you get there,

 

[Sonno]

I just keep telling him....We don't have to be together the whole time!!!...we don't have to eat every meal with everyone!!!...we only have to worry about ourselves!!!!

The next time he starts to bug you, try a little reverse psychology and see what happens

"We do have to be together the whole time!!!...we do have to eat every meal with everyone!!!...we have to worry about everyone else!"

After that, he might just shoosh.

 

[abca]

I would suggest that every one has a cell phone or 2-way radio and all of the numbers so that you can round everyone up if needed. Also every little child should have an adult assigned to keep track of him/her each day so that the "I thought she was with you!" scenario does not happen. I put an ID-on-me bracelet on DS which has my cell phone number in it. I also put us all in matching colored shirts so that it is easier for him and us to spot each other in a crowd.

Tell DH to relax and have fun! It is supposed to be a vacation for him too, right? Let people go and do they want, because everyone's interests are not the same. Sometimes too much family togetherness is not a good thing.

 

[playwright]

Good luck! The whole "we all have to stick together 24/7" concept that some members of my DHs family had when we travelled last time in a mob drove me nuts. Can't stand waiting around for slowpokes.

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

Good Luck, make the most of the trip, its difficult to get everyone on the same page. I would make sure everyone knows the ressies and time to meet. Its difficult to get into the restaurant when the entire party has not arrived, and gets even more flustrating when they are late and your number is up. Try to have communication with the key adults, cells, or two ways, its better to know what the hold up is, rather than wondering, then if there is a problem, alternative plans can be made. Have fun,