Who Invited My Mother In Law? A Moderately Deluxe TR All New X 3 & PTR Link 2/3 !!

[shan23877]

F&G festival is so pretty! Love it! Glad you guys got to explore it a bit that day. Was this the day of SoA? (I've lost track of days haha) I guess I'll find out soon enough! Baha! Glad Maddie ended up enjoying the characters and the fun parts of Nemo!

It was beautiful! It wasn't SoA day, it was 'Ohana day. I hope that this helps explain at least a little why I was so frazzled when we bumped into you after. She always loves the characters!

Hi Shannon. I am finally coming out of lurkdom. I'm a jumper from Nebo/Pkdonz. Really enjoying your report. i've read all the chapters great job.

Hi Marita! Thanks for joining in! and I appreciate the kind words.

Hilarious about Maddie's "interaction" with Mickey! If it makes you feel any better, most Mickey's are girls, from what I've heard. I could so see Everett doing something like that!

Your MIL sounds like a real piece of work! I don't know what I would have done in your situation, but I think you handled it well. I know that growing up my Father's mother could be really snide and mean, and we never got along well. I agree that she is damaging her relationship with Maddie, and in the end that will be punishment enough. I do admire your restraint though, I don't know if I could have been as cool and collected as you were.

On another note, there are boy's light-up crocs! Oooh, I must keep my eyes peeled for them on our next trip! Everett would love them!

I did know that most of them are women, and it does make me feel better. It's just the way it looks

I do hope that MiL was just exhausted. I know that she would never want to hurt Mads on purpose, it was just a really bad time for her to loose her cool. Thanks.

Yup! They are really cute. They're the ones with the Mickey cut-outs and Mickey heads around the outside of the shoe. Then, there's a light up Mickey head on the side of each one! You'll have to get Everett some!

Hahaha aww, the character photos are too cute!

Okay... did she really have to talk ABOUT Maddie right in front of her like that? What human being isn't afraid of a shark?

I hope she at least felt bad about snapping. Ugh. You handled it so well... no use causing a scene in the middle of the Seas pavilion! Very nice.

She really loves the characters.

It was a rough afternoon. Maddie hasn't said anything about it since, but she normally wouldn't. She keeps "hurts" to herself sometimes.

I appreciate that!

I have been following and enjoying your TR.

IMO, I think your husband should have told his Mother that having Maddie hear each day about all of the things she is buying her cousins is quite hurtful. As far as tipping, when she would say I'll just add the tip to yours, I'd say "That's fine. Your portion comes out to $..." and state exactly what it should be.

I have never been offended by a TR before, but I was surprised at the quip towards 55 year olds, and all the responses that are agreeing. I will be 55 next month, and my adult kids LOVE to have me with them at WDW. I would never be cheap nor disrespectful, and can verbally express myself just fine. I just wanted to put a good word out there about us middle age'rs.

Looking forward to more posts! Maddie is adorable - glad she got her character time in.

Thank you for saying that you've enjoyed the TR so far.

I do wish that my DH had spoken up to his mom, but neither of us wanted to start an argument with her. In hindsight, maybe we should have. There won't be any lasting hard feelings, just some lessons learned.

I am very sorry that my words have offended you our anyone else. I merely wanted to get the point across that adults sometimes have as hard a time expressing themselves as kids. The wording seemed to read well to me when I used their ages (DD 5) and MiL (55). Again, I did not mean only those in the 50 year old range. I believe that all adults should know better than to treat someone that way.

Thank you very much! Maddie pretty much insists on getting her character time in!

Oh, poor Maddie! I hope the day turns around and you guys have a great dinner. It would have been hard to keep my mouth shut if anyone talked to my child like that or made fun of them for being scared! I hope grandma realizes her mistake and tries to make it up to Maddie and you guys!

I hope that grandma realized it too. More importantly, I hope that it's not behavior that will continue. Maddie never said anything about it, so I hope it didn't leave a lasting impression on her.

My poor husband, who umpped 6 games in 90 degrees today, was snoozing on the couch while I was reading your update and let out a loud, detailed curse of your MIL. Seriously? I admire your restrain, but I would have been strangling her at that point (and I'm close to her 55 year age!).

On a happier note, I love the photos of Maddie at the Character Spot...so very, very cute.

Poor Mark!! I did consider the strangling option, but didn't want to get kicked out of Epcot. I just tried to remind myself that she was leaving the next day. That was about the only reason I kept my cool.

Thank you! She does love a character meet!!!

 

[katt789]

It was beautiful! It wasn't SoA day, it was 'Ohana day. I hope that this helps explain at least a little why I was so frazzled when we bumped into you after. She always loves the characters!

Yay! SoA, Ohana, I wasn't sure! Haha, and hey, we had had enough sangria that evening that even if something rude had happened I don't think we would have minded

 

[partyof2]

Oh Shannon I feel so bad that the start to your vacation was such hard work.

I feel awful for Maddie being dragged around the stores to please MIL, especially when she's not the one being treated! I'm so glad she got the Minnie playset.

I don't have kids yet so perhaps I'm way off base with this view (ask me again in 10 years) but I think having children along for the ride sometimes means you have to sacrifice the things you love (in MIL's case shopping, in years to come for me it will likely be sit down meals) so as not to try the little ones too much. I think MIL has forgotten what it's like to have to take children's needs into consideration.

 

[amwildwood]

I've been a lurker on these forums for a while, but I can't believe how much I'm enjoying your trip report. Thanks for posting. You're a saint too for managing your anger and being so sympathetic to your daughter and MIL. Not sure I'll have those skills when we go to Disney in Sept.

 

[tinks_1989]

How are you so patient? Or do you use all of it up in one go? lol!
I couldnt keep my cool for that long!

I was going to ask how old is Maddie and say how well she copes with the long days in the parks bless her of course she was tired and she is a proper little soldier for keeping up with you all!

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

You are definitely much more patient than I would've been! I can understand why you wanted to just get through the 3 days, though.

Maddie is SO cute! I love all of the pics of her dancing around with the characters!

 

[NancyLuvsMickey]

Wow... 55 going on 5...

Loving your TR so far... Just wish your MIL was as mature as her 5 year old granddaughter...

 

[shan23877]

Yay! SoA, Ohana, I wasn't sure! Haha, and hey, we had had enough sangria that evening that even if something rude had happened I don't think we would have minded

Oh Shannon I feel so bad that the start to your vacation was such hard work.

I feel awful for Maddie being dragged around the stores to please MIL, especially when she's not the one being treated! I'm so glad she got the Minnie playset.

I don't have kids yet so perhaps I'm way off base with this view (ask me again in 10 years) but I think having children along for the ride sometimes means you have to sacrifice the things you love (in MIL's case shopping, in years to come for me it will likely be sit down meals) so as not to try the little ones too much. I think MIL has forgotten what it's like to have to take children's needs into consideration.

I suppose partly our troubles were just travelling with others but thank you.

Maddie loves to shop, but even she has a limit. I agree. DH and I certainly tailor our plans to include a 5 year old, and I was surprised that grandma couldn't.

You don't have to give up sit down meals! Maddie has always gone to restaurants with us, and she does fine!

I've been a lurker on these forums for a while, but I can't believe how much I'm enjoying your trip report. Thanks for posting. You're a saint too for managing your anger and being so sympathetic to your daughter and MIL. Not sure I'll have those skills when we go to Disney in Sept.

Thank you for joining in! Thank you for the nice words too!

I'm no saint, but I did want to keep the peace.

I hope that you'll enjoy your trip! Are you travelling with your MiL as well?

How are you so patient? Or do you use all of it up in one go? lol!
I couldnt keep my cool for that long!

I may have used it up! I knew she was leaving the next day, that helped.

I was going to ask how old is Maddie and say how well she copes with the long days in the parks bless her of course she was tired and she is a proper little soldier for keeping up with you all!

Maddie's 5. She is a little commando princess. She never wants to have any down time, and if we do, it's in the pool! She's a little grouchy in the mornings though.

You are definitely much more patient than I would've been! I can understand why you wanted to just get through the 3 days, though.

Maddie is SO cute! I love all of the pics of her dancing around with the characters!

Just wanted to survive...

Thank you so much!! She loves those characters!

Wow... 55 going on 5...

Loving your TR so far... Just wish your MIL was as mature as her 5 year old granddaughter...

I think that you hit the nail on the head.

Thank you and don't worry! Things get way more upbeat on Day 3! MiL leaves after lunch! I'm terrible.

 

[amandaw]

Just caught up! So much to say about this update.

First......Maddie's picture with Mickey........ When she's older, she'll probably beg you to get rid of that one. You can use it as blackmail.

Secondly......the shopping! I would've been ready to scream with all of the shopping. I don't know how Maddie, being 5 & at WDW, didn't completely lose her cool with all that shopping. You have a very good child! Reid would've been much more vocal about all of the shopping.

Third.....the big one.....your MIL's comments! I'm like you - I hate confrontation. I could see me doing the same thing - just focusing on my child & trying to get past the moment. But, I'm so sorry that Maddie had to hear her say such mean things.

 

[Mom&RN]

I've been lurking on your TR for a while (I'm mostly a lurker) but I've got to come out of hiding to tell you that I think you handled the incident with your MiL so well! I think that standing up to her at that moment would have just made the whole thing worse. By staying calm and talking quietly with Maddie you taught your child that there is no reason to respond to people acting ugly. Great job!

 

[MrsTeddy]

Wow! I can't believe your MIL, well I can kind of she sounds like mine

Good for you for being the bigger person, your absolutely right tho she was only pushing poor Maddie away from her.

I hope I have such control when we are there next month! My ILs have taken to calling Logan a "Cry baby" because he is super attached to me at the moment, they also threaten him with cancelling Disney/taking away Christmas presents etc if he doesn't HUG them. It drives me insane. I often remind them he is only 2 (almost 3)!

I can't wait to read the rest of your report. Maddies is adorable, I love all the character greets, that girl certainly has her priorities straight!!

 

[shan23877]

Just caught up! So much to say about this update.

First......Maddie's picture with Mickey........ When she's older, she'll probably beg you to get rid of that one. You can use it as blackmail.

Isn't it hilarious? I was cracking up!

Secondly......the shopping! I would've been ready to scream with all of the shopping. I don't know how Maddie, being 5 & at WDW, didn't completely lose her cool with all that shopping. You have a very good child! Reid would've been much more vocal about all of the shopping.

Maddie loves to shop, but I think that all the time we spent in the stores affected her. She was pretty good, but that may have contributed to her whinyness.

Third.....the big one.....your MIL's comments! I'm like you - I hate confrontation. I could see me doing the same thing - just focusing on my child & trying to get past the moment. But, I'm so sorry that Maddie had to hear her say such mean things.

It was pretty upsetting. I'm glad to hear that you would have done the same thing. I didn't want to call attention to her behavior and have it hurt Maddie more.

I've been lurking on your TR for a while (I'm mostly a lurker) but I've got to come out of hiding to tell you that I think you handled the incident with your MiL so well! I think that standing up to her at that moment would have just made the whole thing worse. By staying calm and talking quietly with Maddie you taught your child that there is no reason to respond to people acting ugly. Great job!

Thank you for coming out of lurkdom to say hello! I really appreciate that. I think a lot of people wonder why I didn't say something. You're exactly right, that's not the example I want to set for Maddie either. Thanks again! It's nice to hear that people think you did the right thing!

Wow! I can't believe your MIL, well I can kind of she sounds like mine

Good for you for being the bigger person, your absolutely right tho she was only pushing poor Maddie away from her.

I hope I have such control when we are there next month! My ILs have taken to calling Logan a "Cry baby" because he is super attached to me at the moment, they also threaten him with cancelling Disney/taking away Christmas presents etc if he doesn't HUG them. It drives me insane. I often remind them he is only 2 (almost 3)!

I can't wait to read the rest of your report. Maddies is adorable, I love all the character greets, that girl certainly has her priorities straight!!

My jaw dropped open when I read this. How awful for your little boy! Name calling is never ok! Every kid goes through a Mommy phase! I wonder if people don't realize that kids don't want to hug an adult who's mean to them? And seriously at almost 3 it's amazing that he's not bouncing off the walls! Maddie had the terrible twos and threes I often joke that she spent most of her second and third years in time out!

I always thought that Grandparents were all naturally patient and understanding. I'm beginning to realize that's not the case. Even my mom makes comments here and there about things that Maddie says or does. At least with her I have no problems telling her to can it

Thanks for the kind words! I hope to have another update done tomorrow!

 

[laura74]

After a 20 minute wait our bus pulled up and took us to Epcot. None of us had ever been there for Flower and Garden Festival before and we were excited to take it all in-particularly MiL who loves gardening almost as much as she loves Mickey Mouse.

It's beautiful, isn't it?

while I reinstalled the Draw Something app

My husband loves that game.

And then she molested him...

Goofy finds out what she did to Mickey and tries to bite her head off...

Funny pictures.

All day long she’d heard about what her cousins were getting from grandma. I’m not surprised that she was itching to buy herself something special as well. I took her aside and had a little talk with her while MiL finished up.

Poor Maddie.

then we followed MiL around for the next 40 minutes while she shopped.

40 minutes?

By then Maddie was in dire need of a snack so we set off in search of some popcorn for her. I got myself a pretzel (which Maddie ate most of) while we looked.

Probably exhausted from Mousegears.

MiL nastily said “She gets cold when the slightest breeze touches her?” I believe that Bryan said something to the effect of “Don’t you think it’s easier to give her the jacket to wear than question why she’s says she’s cold?” That shut MiL up for a few minutes, but then we got to the Seas.

MiL very loudly started mocking her fear “Oh my God, you’ve got to be kidding me. It’s Nemo for God’s sake! What can she possibly be afraid of?!?”

I guess sometimes adults forget how intuitive little kids can be.

After the show we made our way to the front of the park. I don’t think that I’d spoken to MiL since the “incident”, Bryan was visibly tense, and Maddie was tired and still showing signs of hurt from the run-in with grandma. Dinner was going to be fun!!

Uh oh.

Great update Shannon!

 

[afwdwfan]

Ok... I kind of went back and forth about how I felt during that update.

MiL buys crocs for the other grandkids...

MiL finally buys something for Maddie...

MiL does her best Evil Queen impersonation at Nemo...

It would have been hard, but I'm glad that you did the right thing and just tried to calm Maddie down. That's the best thing you could have done for her in that situation. I'd like to think I'd do the same, but I don't know.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I'm very impressed with how you handled the mother-in-law situation and her putting Maddie down. As a daughter-in-law of one weirdo mother-in-law, I know how hard it can be to keep our mouths shut during times like that. I have found that it's easier to ignore them than it is to make a scene. You get a big from me.

 

[ColinCodyMom]

I also am coming out of lurkdom.... I've been reading many trip reports to pass the time until we return in one year. Yikes. Your trip report is great! Your DD is beautiful and even with your MIL's mishaps, it seems like a great time for your family. Loving it!

 

[Tinkermom76]

Hi There!!! I just found your TR and I'm joining in.

I was just about dying at the Character Spot pics, I think a few characters have been molested by my kids too

I took my mom a few years ago and I won't be taking her back any time soon

 

[cindianne320]

Subscribing!

DS will be 4 when we return to the World, and my mother will also be accompanying us. I hope she behaves better than your MIL did

I bet you were just itching for her to leave!!!

 

[IheartDDuck]

You sound a lot like me. On the inside, I get all burned up and fired up, but on the outside, I don't actually do anything. I think your logic was spot on though. Better to spare Maddie anything by getting upset with MIL.

What frosted my cookies (yes, I'm like 80 years old apparently), is the whole sweatshirt incident. Maddie says she's cold. Okay, then you give her something to warm up. I don't understand MIL's logic there. What would not giving her something accomplished.....I'm so confused.....

 

[hardingk]

Shannon, I feel for you! Our MIL's are very similar she makes stupid comments too....I'm always like where did that come from and why? Doesn't she think before she speaks??? I don't say anything either, but my DH eaglets an earful later!!!!