Signing up for trouble including inlaws to the mix?

[JERSEYGIRLINSI]

Okay, I know there are different takes on this one..and I am really a some-what open-minded person..(most of the time at best ). But this is what I have done in the name of FAMILY....
I had a Sept.06 trip planned, paid in full w/ roundtrip airfare, rental car, glow in the dark necklaces, lime green crocs, knock-off lime crocs for my ds, decked out LGMH's, and Graco Coach Rider cleaned and working for the trip. That's what I had planned..my dh had other plans...plans of not going!(Wack-Job I know) So we didn't, and he tried to clean it up with the promise of a Disney Cruise! ..I'm cool with that! With the inlaws...I'm still cool with that. That was sqaushed with the news of a baby on the way, and the declaration of definate catastrophy from my dfin-law. Whatever! So now, with free hopping, and water park and more...Once again its on. With the in-laws. What do you think? I will be in the throws of pregnancy..about 5.5 months in Feb, and a month away from travelling with a 3yo ds. Beggin' for trouble, meaningful trip with the grandparents, or loving daughter-in-law? Good, bad and the ugly...give it to me!

 

[kohlby]

Definately go. Your son would be almost 3. Old enough to enjoy it but young enough to not cost anything!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I guess it depends on how well you get along with your in-laws. If it was me, I would have said no way!!! But if you like being around them and you think you wouldn't be totally miserable, then go for it! Being over 5 months pregnant will limit some of your riding options, though. Also, consider whether you'll be spending all of your time together or if everyone would be agreeable to splitting up once in a while. Perhaps grandma and grandpa would watch your daughter one evening while you and DH went out together? That might make it worth it! Hope you make the right decision for you and have fun!

 

[JERSEYGIRLINSI]

We get along just fine...when we're around one another. My ds really loves and "knows" my family, we visit with them about 2-3 times a week(about 12 miles away from us). They call, they come by, they babysit, he "knows" them all. The in-laws on the other hand...they don't call and say can we come by, can you stop by, can we watch him for you for XYZ...you know nothing. And they live about 9 miles away from us . I think that I see this as an oppurtunity to be closer, get to be more of a "Family". And I think thats my dh's thoughts also. He sees all that we have in my family..and I think he wants to have that also. We'll see....if nothing else it should make for a very unique trip report! Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[JERSEYGIRLINSI]

Definately go. Your son would be almost 3. Old enough to enjoy it but young enough to not cost anything!

I think this was part of my dh's plan ...actually he said that we would have to get back before Conner was 3 on our Feb. 06 trip.

 

[It's A Happy Day]

We get along just fine...when we're around one another. My ds really loves and "knows" my family, we visit with them about 2-3 times a week(about 12 miles away from us). They call, they come by, they babysit, he "knows" them all. The in-laws on the other hand...they don't call and say can we come by, can you stop by, can we watch him for you for XYZ...you know nothing. And they live about 9 miles away from us . I think that I see this as an oppurtunity to be closer, get to be more of a "Family". And I think thats my dh's thoughts also. He sees all that we have in my family..and I think he wants to have that also. We'll see....if nothing else it should make for a very unique trip report! Thanks for your thoughts.

We went in October 05 - me, DH, DD3, & DS4 - other participants were DMIL & DFIL, and my mother & her friend. For the record we asked my DMIL/DFIL along for the trip and did NOT ask my mother, she invited herself. Although I wished my mother was an active participant in my childrens live it just does not happen and I refuse to continue torturing myself running up a one way street. The reason we did not invite her in the 1st place was because the trip would not have been about what the kids wanted to do but whatever her agenda was. She does not see them except for major holidays and that is because I bring them to her, and she does not call them even on their birthdays. I have asked HER to babysit only to get back and find she had pushed the responsibility onto my brother who lives at home so she could go to the local coffee house to sit & have coffee. The reason we invited my inlaws was because they are the type of grandparents that are involved with my children nearly EVERYday. On days that I do not bring them over, they are knocking on my door to see them or calling them to see how they did at school that day. They are laid back and stated from the get go that they really would love to just follow us around and watch the kids in WDW (and this is what they did).

As far as a total FAMILY vacation I think it really depends on your relationship with the inlaws. It sounds like maybe DH really does want your child to connect with the grandparents the way he has connected to your family and if the inlaws are up for it then I say go for it. I kind of laid the ground rules before we went that whatever the kids wanted to do, then that was what we were doing. We were spending alot of money to go on a special vacation with our children and we were not going to perform like animals to entertain them (said it nicer to them). Inlaws understood, mom did not. Come up with an itinerary and print out a copy for those going...I was going through things I thought our child would be interested in/It was recommended we make reservations for character dinners/anything to let them know that things are semi planned and that they are free to either do what you have scheduled or their own thing, it's up to them - let them know you would be willing to add things they might be interested in too. We had planned park days - Monday MK, Tuesday Epcot, etc & ADR's made. My mother chose to only attend 1 breakfast and go on 1 ride with the kids and spent the rest of the time doing her own thing, but that was her choice.

As far as being 5.5 months pregnant, you will have ride restrictions but that shouldn't be to much of an issue as you are going with a toddler anyway and that has restrictions as well. Take it easy, take your time, & stay hydrated.

Have FUN!

 

[JERSEYGIRLINSI]

ITS A HAPPY DAY,
Thanks for your response, it's really like our lives...in reverse roles.
You know...My in-laws are great people.. just different dynamcis-cultures-and age groups from my family.
I know that my in-laws will throw themselves into the whole experience with us, and I'm not worried so much about that...just if I have signed up for too much together time, with very little history of "together" time. I mean, my dh is a bit much for me....Thank God for 8 hour work days . (kidding, I think)

 

[It's A Happy Day]

I too was concerned about too much time but really everything goes by so fast it will be over before you know it Concentrate on your child & how you are feeling and don't be afraid to send DH out with your child claiming you need a rest even if it's just to the pool for 1/2 and hour. I had feelings of dread heading into everything...not knowing what to expect, will everyone "get along" for the duration, etc. but we had a plan, stuck to the plan, and we got great photo ops too.

Think ahead and make sure to get pictures of all of you, your child & his grandparents, etc. I put together a collage (sp?) for Christmas last year that made my inlaws cry! Literally. You could also have some little gift delivered to their room - mickey minnie plushies you pick up here/a disney tshirt off disneyshopping or at the disney store - just ask the front desk to have it sent up with a little note saying that your glad they were able to share such a special occasion with your family, etc.

 

[susykt4]

Never been to Disney pregnant, but have gone with my parents both of our family trips. I was absolutely DREADING it the first time because my parents tend to be all about themselves and I wanted the trip to be all about the kids! It turned out great because they would come with us sometimes, do their own thing sometimes and take the kids sometimes. The first trip they stayed at WDW only three of the days. The second trip they stayed the entire time (8 park days) and it was sooooo much fun when they'd take the kids and DH and I could do whatever we wanted!! We're going again in February and I'm actually sad they won't be able to join us.

 

[JERSEYGIRLINSI]

This will be their first time, and their older (68&69). My dh is going to be worried, but I think that they will be okay as long as their in the same park.