Every DCUM beach vacation w/family

[Anonymous]

It’s frightening how on point this hilarious post is in describing how to destroy family relationships with a beach vacation.

https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/how-to-ensure-your-annual-beach-vacation-destroys-your-relationship-with-your-extended-family

Which one rings most true for you? For me it’s #8. It definitely describes my SIL.

8. Consent to all dinner plans. But as game-time approaches, start to cook something else entirely. Take up a lot of burners; always somehow be in the way of the assigned chef. Claim the menu shift is due to dietary restrictions, but really you just want something else, and, like, it’s YOUR vacation, too, right? At least once, “remind” someone who’s already made you dinner that you have plans to eat out. Also, let the same two people do the dishes after every meal. If you’re one of them, sigh audibly. But say nothing (yet).

[Anonymous]

Complain to DCUM bitterly, bitterly, how your MIL wants to sit at the table and chat with you over coffee.

[Anonymous]

Pretty good. But I was disappointed they didn’t add some conflicts specifically related to different parenting styles/techniques. That’s the big drama from our extended family get togethers.

[Anonymous]

What about the essential debate over whether everyone is supposed to eat the same thing for breakfast or if everyone is on their own or maybe we should go out? Or is someone already out getting coffee and donuts? Or should I make some eggs? I'll make some eggs. Everyone likes scrambled with cheese, right?

[Anonymous]

We’ve been doing it successfully for years. You just have to plan and speak up about what you want to do/eat etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about the essential debate over whether everyone is supposed to eat the same thing for breakfast or if everyone is on their own or maybe we should go out? Or is someone already out getting coffee and donuts? Or should I make some eggs? I'll make some eggs. Everyone likes scrambled with cheese, right?

That has never happened on any extended family trips I’ve done. A lot of annoyances and conflicts but not that specific one. How about our kids wake up at 5:30 every day but don’t worry they’re really quiet they just like to scream and cry and bang doors and we are good at keeping them quietly by loudly stage whispering half heartedly directives that they ignore and you have kids too so I’m sure you know how it goes w kids haha and oh you’re up? I thought you said your kids always sleep til 7? Hmm strange they were up at 5:30 today just like we were!

[Anonymous]

ON POINT

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about the essential debate over whether everyone is supposed to eat the same thing for breakfast or if everyone is on their own or maybe we should go out? Or is someone already out getting coffee and donuts? Or should I make some eggs? I'll make some eggs. Everyone likes scrambled with cheese, right?

haha. oooh is that bacon? I'll just grab some. Just a few strips. And some for the kids. They love bacon.

[Anonymous]

You forgot the one adult sibling who doesn’t watch their own kids and how another adult is suddenly in charge of several other children who are never well behaved.

I was this victim on two beach vacations. Folks me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. So there was never a third time. I never vacation with my sister ever again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about the essential debate over whether everyone is supposed to eat the same thing for breakfast or if everyone is on their own or maybe we should go out? Or is someone already out getting coffee and donuts? Or should I make some eggs? I'll make some eggs. Everyone likes scrambled with cheese, right?

That has never happened on any extended family trips I’ve done. A lot of annoyances and conflicts but not that specific one. How about our kids wake up at 5:30 every day but don’t worry they’re really quiet they just like to scream and cry and bang doors and we are good at keeping them quietly by loudly stage whispering half heartedly directives that they ignore and you have kids too so I’m sure you know how it goes w kids haha and oh you’re up? I thought you said your kids always sleep til 7? Hmm strange they were up at 5:30 today just like we were!

We have the same SIL, apparently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You forgot the one adult sibling who doesn’t watch their own kids and how another adult is suddenly in charge of several other children who are never well behaved.

I was this victim on two beach vacations. Folks me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. So there was never a third time. I never vacation with my sister ever again.

I think you and I have the same sister!

[Anonymous]

I love #3

"Make sure the house is spacious enough to accommodate everyone (technically) but also no one (comfortably). Some variations to maximize relationship destruction"

We've stayed places where there are enough bedrooms to sleep 10+, but a tiny common area and a kitchen table that seats 4.

One house had several bedrooms with en suite, except for one, ours. And there wasn't a common bathroom with a shower (just a tiny half bath), so we had to go through other people's bedrooms to take showers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about the essential debate over whether everyone is supposed to eat the same thing for breakfast or if everyone is on their own or maybe we should go out? Or is someone already out getting coffee and donuts? Or should I make some eggs? I'll make some eggs. Everyone likes scrambled with cheese, right?

Then the grumbling about how nobody wants eggs but they're hungry for lunch at 3pm. You're eating now?, it's almost dinner time!? I made eggs!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love #3

"Make sure the house is spacious enough to accommodate everyone (technically) but also no one (comfortably). Some variations to maximize relationship destruction"

We've stayed places where there are enough bedrooms to sleep 10+, but a tiny common area and a kitchen table that seats 4.

One house had several bedrooms with en suite, except for one, ours. And there wasn't a common bathroom with a shower (just a tiny half bath), so we had to go through other people's bedrooms to take showers.

Jesus, how did you survive??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about the essential debate over whether everyone is supposed to eat the same thing for breakfast or if everyone is on their own or maybe we should go out? Or is someone already out getting coffee and donuts? Or should I make some eggs? I'll make some eggs. Everyone likes scrambled with cheese, right?

That has never happened on any extended family trips I’ve done. A lot of annoyances and conflicts but not that specific one. How about our kids wake up at 5:30 every day but don’t worry they’re really quiet they just like to scream and cry and bang doors and we are good at keeping them quietly by loudly stage whispering half heartedly directives that they ignore and you have kids too so I’m sure you know how it goes w kids haha and oh you’re up? I thought you said your kids always sleep til 7? Hmm strange they were up at 5:30 today just like we were!

We have the same SIL, apparently.

Why is it always the mom’s fault and responsibility?