Minor rant: in Europe with completely useless in laws and a toddler

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old are your ILs OP? And I would be pissed if all they wanted to eat are burgers. Typical American stereotypes lol...

They’re 65. They want burgers, Italian, or fish and chips.

Also, i congratulate the PPs who absolutely never get lost. I got lost once in the week we’ve been here and I guess that makes me an idiot. If only I was as smart as you.

[Anonymous]

What a bunch on snobs.

[Anonymous]

DH and FIL really want to go to Greenwich Observatory and I’m on nap duty, so we’re strongly urging MIL to walk right across the street from our hotel to see Kensington Palace, which she really wants to do. She’s walked past it before and so she knows exactly how to get there. It’s a 2 min walk. I think there’s a 98% chance she doesn’t go. It’s just a shame she has so little faith in her own ability to do something so simple.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love when people complain on here about how they're so sick of the people in their life's complaining.

Uh pot calling the kettle black?

All you do is complain in here OP!

I would view it as expressing frustration at being a tour operator, but if you want to call it complaining that’s cool.

Every single post of hers in here is a complaint of some type! Including some reasonable things, sure, but also unreasonable things. If her kid is throwing a tantrum, why should the grandparents have to deal with it? Not having to deal with things like tantrums, dirty diapers, broken night sleep, etc. is kind of the charm of being a grandparent.

[Anonymous]

It is not their job or obligation to take care of your screaming brat. Your kid, your responsibility. Anybody who takes a two year old on a European vacation, with no European relatives, who might actually want to take care of her, is a fool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH and FIL really want to go to Greenwich Observatory and I’m on nap duty, so we’re strongly urging MIL to walk right across the street from our hotel to see Kensington Palace, which she really wants to do. She’s walked past it before and so she knows exactly how to get there. It’s a 2 min walk. I think there’s a 98% chance she doesn’t go. It’s just a shame she has so little faith in her own ability to do something so simple.

That is sad, OP. Sounds like my ILs.

[Anonymous]

You messed up the bus stop situation, not them. Own it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You messed up the bus stop situation, not them. Own it.

Of course I own it, but they could have offered some help. That’s all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I travel with in laws like this. I actually enjoy the dynamic because I get to be completely in charge and don't have to feel guilty about it! I decide where we sightsee, what we eat, and they just come along. I actually think it's great - no arguments. I get to be a bit bossy about my kids and our itinerary and NO ONE MINDS it! Score.

As for babysitting, we get date nights but only after setting up the kids for bed. Luckily in Europe everything stays open late so if I get to dinner with my husband at 8:30, it's not weird.

My advice: accept the status quo. It won't change. Don't expect what won't happen from them. Release yourself from expectations, enjoy the ability to be a tour guide and make yourself go out with your husband at night just the two of you, even if you are tired from a day of touring.

Yeah that’s what I should do. I should’ve made it clear that babysitting has only happened after DD is in bed with one exception we cleared with them beforehand. And again, they offered babysitting upfront; it wasn’t something we initiated.

PP. Then enjoy the evening babysitting! Honestly I'll put up with a lot traveling with my in laws, if I have someone I trust watching my kids back in the hotel and I get a date night in Europe. Try to focus on that great blessing that you wouldn't get if they weren't with you, and ignore all the other annoying stuff as best you can.

[Anonymous]

Very curious to see if Italy is better or worse for them. My guess is worse. Keep us posted!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Very curious to see if Italy is better or worse for them. My guess is worse. Keep us posted!

OP here. I’ll let you know. I’m concerned about the relative chaos of Rome. The food will be fine, but getting around is obviously more chaotic than London.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Very curious to see if Italy is better or worse for them. My guess is worse. Keep us posted!

OP here. I’ll let you know. I’m concerned about the relative chaos of Rome. The food will be fine, but getting around is obviously more chaotic than London.

Why don't you ask them what is the point of traveling to eat burgers and spaghetti? Why not try an awesome Indian curry like a tikka masala that is part of Britain's culinary heritage?

[Anonymous]

OP, you sound like an entitled twit. You went to Europe with a toddler. Deal with it! Don't expect your inlaws to be babysitters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you sound like an entitled twit. You went to Europe with a toddler. Deal with it! Don't expect your inlaws to be babysitters.

It wasn’t an expectation. They offered. We’ve gone to Europe with our kid without any help multiple times.

[Anonymous]

OP. You could've just stayed home if all you were going to do is complain about your IL's on DCUM all day. What a waste of time and money.