Why don't parents listen?

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

My parents are full time RV'ers. A few weeks ago they decided to come visit us.

I told them to book their spot at their preferred state park near us because spring break was starting.

They didn't and I now have their huge RV parked on the street in front of my house while they figure out if any state parks in the area (there are only 2 nearby and one has already turned them away) have space.

I have a slanted driveway so they can't park there and they can't stay on our street more than a day or 2 before we get complaints. (Small street, not very wide.)

I've suggested calling several more State Parks that are further away. And I've showed them a website listing all the RV parks within a 2 hour radius.

If they had only listened to me they wouldn't be scrambling right now. Why they didn't listen, I'll never know. This has happened to them before but they got lucky and found a spot at a park an hour and a half away.

Can you think of anything else I can suggest?

 

[Luv Bunnies]

The only thing I can think of is to assume they won't listen next time they come and make the reservation yourself. If they do make one of their own, you can always cancel yours. Otherwise, you won't have to worry about the monsterous RV parked on your street.

For your sake, I hope they find a place soon!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Because they are who they are?

My parents are in debt up to their eyeballs again and planning vacations.

 

[Katie Dawn]

I don't have any suggestions, but as far as why parents don't listen to their kids...

The financial guru Dave Ramsey talks about "powdered butt syndrome." If the person has ever "powdered your butt" (or changed your diaper as an infant) they don't want to hear your advice on money or sex. And I would say, to take it a little farther, there's a good chance they aren't interested in your advice on just about any topic.

Good luck! Know that there are many others of us in the "powdered butt" club!

 

[melissapealo]

The only thing I can think of is to assume they won't listen next time they come and make the reservation yourself. If they do make one of their own, you can always cancel yours. Otherwise, you won't have to worry about the monsterous RV parked on your street.

For your sake, I hope they find a place soon!

ITA
Good luck, hopefully they'll get lucky and find a place.

 

[agnes!]

My parents are full time RV'ers. A few weeks ago they decided to come visit us.

I told them to book their spot at their preferred state park near us because spring break was starting.

They didn't and I now have their huge RV parked on the street in front of my house while they figure out if any state parks in the area (there are only 2 nearby and one has already turned them away) have space.

I have a slanted driveway so they can't park there and they can't stay on our street more than a day or 2 before we get complaints. (Small street, not very wide.)

I've suggested calling several more State Parks that are further away. And I've showed them a website listing all the RV parks within a 2 hour radius.

If they had only listened to me they wouldn't be scrambling right now. Why they didn't listen, I'll never know. This has happened to them before but they got lucky and found a spot at a park an hour and a half away.

Can you think of anything else I can suggest?

I've heard that sometimes WalMarts will let RV'ers park in their parking-lots for a couple of days.

agnes!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I've heard that sometimes WalMarts will let RV'ers park in their parking-lots for a couple of days.

agnes!

Our WalMarts have signs in the parking lot that trucks and RVs will be towed.

 

[melissapealo]

Just thought of something else. Is it possible for them to park in your driveway during the day and then move to the street at night to sleep? I know it wouldn't be ideal, but it would keep the street open during the day.

 

[OhMari]

Do you belong to a church? Maybe they will let them park it in the parking lot. Move it back to your road on Sundays.

 

[LilyWDW]

I know what you mean OP...

A friend of mine was telling me of a story where their parents wanted to visit one weekend, but my friend doesn't really have a place for them to stay (they live on campus). When my friend asked them where they planned on staying, they said "No worries. You live in a nice little town. We can find something when we get there."

My friend tried to warn them... explain to them they way things were... but no one wanted to listen.

So my friend's parents show up with no room booked. Normally not an issue...

But it was RACE WEEKEND! We live in the BRISTOL area...

They thought they could get an open room the Friday of the Bristol races... a weekend that is booked years in advance.

Yea, parents just sometimes refuse to listen to their kids...

 

[descovy]

my parents AND in laws are full time RV'ers. It seems to me that your folks are just intent on staying at your house with you... because as full timers, I'm sure they know oodles of places to park. For example, Wal-marts are very RV friendly, especially along the highway. For pete's sake, they even sell a rand mc nalley road atlas at Walmart that marks all the Wal-marts (that allow dry docking) along your way.

My folks too, are pretty frugal, and if just looking for a place to park, don't spend much money. They belong to a few RV clubs, Escapees comes to mind. I'm surprised that your folks as full-time RVers aren't members... shoot you have to park your "home" somewhere each night! When we were expecting our baby, my parents booked a spot at a Thousand trails campground (members) They could stay "free" for 2 weeks, before they were required to move on.

Anyway, if your folks truly are full-timers, they need to get on the stick and sign up for some of these clubs... you'll run yourself broke paying $20 every night at campgrounds.

But I have a sneaking suspicion that they DO know where they can park (or know how to access that info) How else does one RV accross the country? I suspect they WANT to stay in your driveway, and just hiding under the guise of "no where to stay"

Good luck! I live on a street, 55' frontage, narrow street, STRICT HOA... my parents wouldn't make it a day over here!

 

[DMRick]

Do they belong, and do you have an Elks club near you? They let RVer's stay at most of their clubs.
Otherwise, I would have them up and out at the state park at check out time each day, to try and grab a spot.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

Why don't you all pile up in the RV and go to a campground a few hours away and bond? Sounds like fun to me.

 

[ckay87]

Well, my since kids (currently teenagers) make a point of never listening to me, I'm going to make ignoring them a way of life in my later years! In fact, parking my RV in front of their house because I wouldn't listen to them sounds like PERFECT payback! I'm going to write that down .

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I don't have any suggestions, but as far as why parents don't listen to their kids...

The financial guru Dave Ramsey talks about "powdered butt syndrome." If the person has ever "powdered your butt" (or changed your diaper as an infant) they don't want to hear your advice on money or sex. And I would say, to take it a little farther, there's a good chance they aren't interested in your advice on just about any topic.

Good luck! Know that there are many others of us in the "powdered butt" club!

After about an hour with them last night, I was ready to pull out my hair. My mother drives me crazy under normal circumstances (she's extremely hyper) and when she's all stressed it's 10X worse.

I found them 3 places to call this morning and see if they have any spots. If those are full, I'll look more towards where one of my sisters moved in Southern Georgia so they can go bug her. They love Army Corp of Engineer parks but there aren't any near me.

One of my sisters (I've got 3 younger sisters) is the one who introduced them to being Rv'ers a year and a half ago. I used to only see the parents once every 2 years and that was perfect. I think I'm going to suggest that they visit her next. Time for some payback.......

 

[golfgal]

I've heard that sometimes WalMarts will let RV'ers park in their parking-lots for a couple of days.

agnes!

I was going to say the same thing. Many of the Walmarts encourage this as it help keep crime down.

Some wayside rests have RV facilities and allow overnight parking.

Do you have any county parks they could look into?

 

[SaraJayne]

Well, my since kids (currently teenagers) make a point of never listening to me, I'm going to make ignoring them a way of life in my later years! In fact, parking my RV in front of their house because I wouldn't listen to them sounds like PERFECT payback! I'm going to write that down .

 

[tlbwriter]

The financial guru Dave Ramsey talks about "powdered butt syndrome." If the person has ever "powdered your butt" (or changed your diaper as an infant) they don't want to hear your advice on money or sex. And I would say, to take it a little farther, there's a good chance they aren't interested in your advice on just about any topic.

Well, they'll let you fix their computer, but that's about it...