Wanna hear me Whine a Little?

[Song of the South]

Okay, really, a lllloooooottttt!

With trepidation and caution we invited DH's family to join us for a 3 day weekend at Disney in September. Got everyone their own studio so if people backed out it wouldn't be an issue and so everyone could go to their seperate corners.

DH was denied the time off at work.

Betcha didn't see that coming.

So now, I will be traveling solo with 2 under 3 for a weekend at Disney with my in-laws. A.W.E.S.O.M.E.

I asked DH if we want to reschedule for January or sometime next year. He points out that there is never a guarantee he will be allowed time off so likely things wouldn't be any different. Sigh.

This stinks.

SotS

 

[Chuck S]

Look at it as an adventure. Oh. and it isn't hard to get "accidentally" separated from the group in a theme park, just lag behind a little and pop into a store when they aren't looking.

Also, "accidentally" leave the cell phone on the room, or "forget" to charge it. Be sure before you are "accidentally" separated that you mention your lack of cell phone so they don't come to the conclusion you are ignoring them. If they thought that, that would lead to even more problems.

Or, just come right out and tell them that you want some private time to explore the parks on your own, and agree to meet somewhere for lunch or dinner.

 

[jillmc40]

Oh man...This is totally something that would happen to me! I was going to give you all kinds of suggestions but then I realized that I would not do any of those myself (invite a friend or sibling to "help" with the kids)...In the end there is only one answer....DH owes you BIG TIME I like Chuck's ideas, but if your in laws are like my in laws, there is no poorly charged cell phone that can remove the human crazy glue

Good Luck!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Inlaws take baby while you go off with older one? Then change? As grandparents, we thoroughly enjoy time with grandchildren when it's 2 of us to 1 child!

 

[crisi]

I love my mother in law, I really do - but I'd scoop my eyeballs out with a spoon before going to Disney with her, two kids under three, and no husband. Post when you leave so I can drink on your behalf

 

[cvjw]

I would try and stay positive. At least you will have other adults around to help with strollers, hauling baby stuff, mealtimes and splitting up for attractions. I could not imagine trying to do Disney by myself with 2 very small children. I second PP, try and split up some. Grandparents and parents love having one child to themselves to really spoil and get to share adventures with. Your children will make great memories with you and their grandparents.

 

[drusba]

You are still going to WDW so you should be OK as long as the in-laws like you. On the other hand, you may have real problems if they still address you as, "What is your name again?"

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

Inlaws take baby while you go off with older one? Then change? As grandparents, we thoroughly enjoy time with grandchildren when it's 2 of us to 1 child!

I love your attitude!

 

[gritzel4]

It is only 3 days! See if they will be willing to watch the kids on the 2nd night and schedule yourself some spa time. I do like the idea of inviting a friend along to help with the kids. Maybe, it will be like when I paid for my in-laws to join us in Disney and they only spent 2 hours with us!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Okay, really, a lllloooooottttt!

With trepidation and caution we invited DH's family to join us for a 3 day weekend at Disney in September. Got everyone their own studio so if people backed out it wouldn't be an issue and so everyone could go to their seperate corners.

DH was denied the time off at work.

Betcha didn't see that coming.

So now, I will be traveling solo with 2 under 3 for a weekend at Disney with my in-laws. A.W.E.S.O.M.E.

I asked DH if we want to reschedule for January or sometime next year. He points out that there is never a guarantee he will be allowed time off so likely things wouldn't be any different. Sigh.

This stinks.

SotS

So your husband gets to sleep and eat when he wants to while you and the kids are gone (other than going to work). Bad daddy.

I agree with the grandparents possibly taking the kids while you get a spa treatment or go for a drink. Or go on a more thrilling ride than Nemo or Little Mermaid. GPs usually love to spend time with the kids.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

So your husband gets to sleep and eat when he wants to while you and the kids are gone (other than going to work). Bad daddy.

I agree with the grandparents possibly taking the kids while you get a spa treatment or go for a drink. Or go on a more thrilling ride than Nemo or Little Mermaid. GPs usually love to spend time with the kids.

hahahahah....who is really getting the vacation?

 

[Song of the South]

Things are better now that we have children but were sincerely awful prekids. I try to be the best wife I can be to DH and I wish that his family had more of his wonderfulness so that is what I work toward by biting my tongue, turning my cheek, and ignoring their bad behaviors.

If it was just his parents that would probably unpleasant. It is also one of my DH's brother and his family. His brother is okay. His wife doesn't speak unless directly spoken to and does not really understand reciprocal conversation (I have fully explored the "very shy" vs "just unpleasant" difference over the past 6 years or so and have a firm conclusion). They have a kid 1 month older then my oldest and a brand new baby. So, 4 under 3 with 5 adults.

All of the planning has been left to me, despite my, "Here are five great websites for planning, here are five restaurant review sites, here are forums and more!" they have not done a thing. I have run with it, reserving table service meals for one meal a day and deciding where we would stay.

My plan was to go to the waterparks--we did Disney last September and it was sweltering. I told DH we could go this September if he promised he would never make me go then again--we have the super duper annual passes and I want to try something new. No problem for me to take mine to the waterparks (even solo) but I am positive it will be an issue to everyone else. I am sure they will refuse to split up from me. I am also certain they will look to me to decide everything.

No big deal (oh, except for the HEAT) it just isn't what I prefer. No one is honest but everyone feels free to backbite and complain. All along my emails have said, "Please yourself. Figure out what you/your family would enjoy and do that!"

It all comes down to me saying, "We are going to waterparks. I know you haven't been here before but I'm sure you can do MK just fine on your own. If you'd rather come with me that is fine but no complaining!" That will be hard but personal growth is not something I shy from.

I am trying to be hopeful that my pretrip dread will be the worst part and that I will be pleasantly surprised by how not terrible/awful/will Southwest let me come home early the trip actually is.

Thank you for the support and GREAT suggestions. This trip was my hope (and idea so I only have myself to blame!) to further relationships between my kids and their grandparents and cousins. I knew even with DH along that it would not be a vacation per se. But I would walk through fire for my kids (and my DH!) and if I look at it as an opportunity to grow myself and help my kiddos have better relationships with DH's family I am certain with prayer, luck, and pixie dust I can accomplish that. I just may need a vacation from my vacation when I get back!!!

SotS

 

[BEASLYBOO]

DH was denied the time off at work.

Betcha didn't see that coming.

So now, I will be traveling solo with 2 under 3 for a weekend at Disney with my in-laws.

A.W.E.S.O.M.E. :

That will be hard but personal growth is not something I shy from. SotS

I needed a laugh this afternoon, thanks!

Are you sure his vacation was "denied"

Here you go, all will be fine....

P.S. Can't wait for the trip report!

 

[Kidanifan08]

The three best things about your situation:

1. Your at WDW.
2. Separate rooms.
3. Only 3 days.

Despite the fact that there will be some tongue biting, the 3 days timeframe and separate rooms is definitely something in favor of your ultimate survival.

If they have never been to Disney, be prepared for their sticker shock and protest when you take them to the table service meals. We recently traveled with my family and despite sending e-mails and pdf's with menus and encouraging them to look at planning sites, they still freaked out when they saw the menus and prices. And we were all together in a 2BR for over a week! Needless to say, it did not turn out to be the kind of Disney vacation that we are used to, and we are definitely looking forward to next summer.

Regarding the water parks, I think it would be fun for you and your children if your DH was going to be there, but if you try to do it solo, it may be more challenging and less enjoyable. There is not a whole lot for the 3 and under kids at the water parks. Depending on what resort you will be at, you probably would be better off using the resort pool and splash area rather than taking all the time to get to the water park and back with the little ones.

Good luck and please let us know how it all turned out!

 

[Sur]

Look at it as an adventure. Oh. and it isn't hard to get "accidentally" separated from the group in a theme park, just lag behind a little and pop into a store when they aren't looking.

Also, "accidentally" leave the cell phone on the room, or "forget" to charge it. Be sure before you are "accidentally" separated that you mention your lack of cell phone so they don't come to the conclusion you are ignoring them. If they thought that, that would lead to even more problems.

Or, just come right out and tell them that you want some private time to explore the parks on your own, and agree to meet somewhere for lunch or dinner.

I am shocked and appalled at the suggestions in the first two paragraphs! A visual came to mind of her ushering her children into a store to lose her in-laws!!!

Hey Kidani doc... maybe you can prescribe her some sedatives?!?! I know I'd need them for my in-laws!!

Are you sure his vacation was "denied"

That would be something I would do!!

 

[i*heart*minniemouse]

I love my mother in law, I really do - but I'd scoop my eyeballs out with a spoon before going to Disney with her, two kids under three, and no husband. Post when you leave so I can drink on your behalf

I would not be happy...would rather take the kids alone without the in-laws.

 

[luv2sleep]

I would try and stay positive. At least you will have other adults around to help with strollers, hauling baby stuff, mealtimes and splitting up for attractions. I could not imagine trying to do Disney by myself with 2 very small children. I second PP, try and split up some. Grandparents and parents love having one child to themselves to really spoil and get to share adventures with. Your children will make great memories with you and their grandparents.

This. I'm a solo parent through divorce with no dad involved. We also have no grandparents. This sounds like heaven to me. TWO other adults to help me with my kids? That absolutely NEVER happens to me. You are blessed that there are 2 grandparents who love your children enough to do Disney with them and their daughter in law. You could even go to the spa while they watch the kids during a nap. That would be nice if you could do that. Or just take a walk alone. Wow I'd give anything to be able to get a moment alone to breathe on a Disney park vacation. Anyway, try to have fun and make the most of it.

 

[lilpooh108]

if your in laws are like my in laws, there is no poorly charged cell phone that can remove the human crazy glue

This made me laugh out loud.

I'm on my first vacation with the in-laws (and kids) this winter. I'm a little nervous. You know, high expectations and all that

Good luck OP. I've got no advice for you.

 

[delilah]

I totally feel for the OP. This past June, we went to WDW. We are members of DVC, and we were staying at Kidani, and have a family of 3, and our son is 15. Our family lives in Florida, both sides, mine in Ft Myers, his in Tampa. In the past, DH has taken a day out of our vacation to go to Tampa, which is totally OK. Sometimes, he brought some of his family back with him to have dinner with us somewhere, which is OK, too. But, this time, his cousin's daughter coordinated a Disney cruise so that it ended the day after we arrived at Disney, and then, wanted to go to parks with us. OK, but her son is 3 years younger than my son and autistic, and my son doesn't always want to do things with him. Turned out that the cousin and his wife also went on the cruise, but, they didn't tell us that. DH's cousin is unable to walk for any distance. Other times when we brought him with us, we have needed to get a wheelchair for him, to push him around. Then, the next day, the cousin's son came and brought his family, which constists of his wife and 4 year old daughter. Of course, the little girl had been vomiting the day before they arrived...
For this particular trip, I had booked the Spirit of Aloha dinner show, back at 180 days in advance, and of course, paid for it then. And, guess what? At 3 am, the morning after the cousins left, my husband was hit with the dreaded vomiting disease, on the day that I had scheduled the dinner show in the evening. Then, my son got the vomiting disease. Talk about a vacation that wasn't musch of a vacation. Not sure how to fix it, other than to not take any more vacations to Florida.

 

[Pootle]

All of the planning has been left to me, despite my, "Here are five great websites for planning, here are five restaurant review sites, here are forums and more!" they have not done a thing.
SotS

I hope if this is one of the forums you recommended that you have heavily disguised your details

Loved Bobbi's suggestion - we too love time to spend with one grandchild, and Crisi's post made me laugh out loud . Good luck OP, you sound sensible and with a good sense of humour that you just might need