Help me entertain my bump-on-a-log family over Xmas

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you need to do anything? Just have them sit on the couch. What's the problem?

Clearly you have never experienced the pain and boredom of this kind of situation. It is life sucking. DP.

OP here. Thank you. It’s a hard situation to describe and not one I can just ignore (recognizing that is also a “me” issue).

Mom especially just wants to be near me. I can’t make dinner without her staring at me and basically providing running commentary over the whole process. If I run upstairs, I’m peppered with questions about what I’m doing. Forget about a run to the grocery store. That’s a whole family outing, done very, very slowly.

And? Doesn't seem so outlandish, OP. Many of us have relatives that get on our nerves. Outings and activities don't solve anything. If it does for you, great, but for me, it's just more cat herding, more slowly, with possibly racist or inappropriate commentary always on the verge of spilling out. With games, it's full blast nonsense that ruins every game. The only thing I can do with them is watch movies.

This is why they don't often visit because when they do, whatever I organize or don't organize, it's bound to be irritating.

[Anonymous]

I understand, OP - my mom sounds similar and it is hard. Is there a movie you could see? Agree with the suggestions to see a show too if that works with your crowd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My mom and brother are visiting (for too long) over Xmas. Need ideas to entertain them and keep my sanity. We are in Fairfax Cty and the two of them will literally sit on my couch and stare at me for 5 days if I don’t figure out what to do with them. And no, neither will offer up anything, entertain themselves, or even cook a meal or lift a finger while they are here. We have decades of family trauma and dysfunction to tip toe around, so I am just trying to get them out of the house once a day for some distraction.

About them:
—Mom is mid-70s. Fairly overweight which limits her mobility. Everything is a production and wants to know “the plan” multiple times a day. Lives in the South so cold weather is also a challenge for her.
—Brother is mid-50s. Single. An unflattering description would be that he’s the comic book store guy from The Simpsons.

I will also have two college-age/recent grad children at home.

Some ideas:
—Husband takes brother and my son to Caps or Wizards game
—I take mom and my daughter to a show. Not thrilled about going downtown with mom, but will for something of interest. May opt for Miracle on 34th St musical at Capital One Hall. Boycotting KC.
—They’ve done various Smithsonian stuff before, but don’t think either has done the Spy museum.

How do you keep family busy when visiting? I wish we could be a normal family, but we’re well past any chance of that happening.

Caps are on a four game road trip as I recall. Not that I follow silly sportsball.

[Anonymous]

Udvar Hazy?

[Anonymous]

My in laws are similar but my MIL refuses to go do anything that isn’t within a 10 minute drive. There is a lot of sitting around. We do some shared internet games (jackbox), we have a puzzle going, the tv is on a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you need to do anything? Just have them sit on the couch. What's the problem?

Clearly you have never experienced the pain and boredom of this kind of situation. It is life sucking. DP.

OP here. Thank you. It’s a hard situation to describe and not one I can just ignore (recognizing that is also a “me” issue).

Mom especially just wants to be near me. I can’t make dinner without her staring at me and basically providing running commentary over the whole process. If I run upstairs, I’m peppered with questions about what I’m doing. Forget about a run to the grocery store. That’s a whole family outing, done very, very slowly.

And? Doesn't seem so outlandish, OP. Many of us have relatives that get on our nerves. Outings and activities don't solve anything. If it does for you, great, but for me, it's just more cat herding, more slowly, with possibly racist or inappropriate commentary always on the verge of spilling out. With games, it's full blast nonsense that ruins every game. The only thing I can do with them is watch movies.

This is why they don't often visit because when they do, whatever I organize or don't organize, it's bound to be irritating.

Nice word salad but you didn't offer any suggestions.

[Anonymous]

How about some movies to get out of the house with mom and not talk for two hours?

Maybe have Uncle and DH and kids go into DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you need to do anything? Just have them sit on the couch. What's the problem?

Clearly you have never experienced the pain and boredom of this kind of situation. It is life sucking. DP.

OP here. Thank you. It’s a hard situation to describe and not one I can just ignore (recognizing that is also a “me” issue).

Mom especially just wants to be near me. I can’t make dinner without her staring at me and basically providing running commentary over the whole process. If I run upstairs, I’m peppered with questions about what I’m doing. Forget about a run to the grocery store. That’s a whole family outing, done very, very slowly.

And? Doesn't seem so outlandish, OP. Many of us have relatives that get on our nerves. Outings and activities don't solve anything. If it does for you, great, but for me, it's just more cat herding, more slowly, with possibly racist or inappropriate commentary always on the verge of spilling out. With games, it's full blast nonsense that ruins every game. The only thing I can do with them is watch movies.

This is why they don't often visit because when they do, whatever I organize or don't organize, it's bound to be irritating.

Nice word salad but you didn't offer any suggestions.

So you can't read. The only thing that worked was movies, and not allowing visits that often.

[Anonymous]

My in-laws are local but also bump on logs. Our Christmas gift to them is one of the drive thru light displays. Either Sandy Point or Seneca Creek. ( we are in MD)

Paint by numbers kit could be fun if you think they’ll be into it. Could choose a Christmas one. DD and my MIL did one together

[Anonymous]

Drive around and look at lights? Go to Starbucks first so everyone can get a hot chocolate or decaf coffee.

The Nutcracker at the Warner theatre is great but you'll want the box seats if you want bigger/more accessible seats (and they may be sold out).

Drive on Blue Ridge Parkway maybe with a nice audiobook? Destination could be apple orchard where you could pick up some cider and donuts without having to walk around.

Spy Museum is very cool but does require a lot of walking.

My best suggestion is games for at home. Seriously, I'd buy every board, card, and other game out there, plus some puzzles. Also, making Christmas cookies?

[Anonymous]

Bull Run Festival of Lights are open. You don't leave the car.

The ice sculpture at Gaylord is a bit pricey, but it's usually interesting. Walking in very cold air is involved though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you need to do anything? Just have them sit on the couch. What's the problem?

Clearly you have never experienced the pain and boredom of this kind of situation. It is life sucking. DP.

OP here. Thank you. It’s a hard situation to describe and not one I can just ignore (recognizing that is also a “me” issue).

Mom especially just wants to be near me. I can’t make dinner without her staring at me and basically providing running commentary over the whole process. If I run upstairs, I’m peppered with questions about what I’m doing. Forget about a run to the grocery store. That’s a whole family outing, done very, very slowly.

OP I can so relate to this. It’s exhausting!

[Anonymous]

Movie marathon at local theater

Driving tour of DC monuments (go at night and it’s not crowded —stay in car)

One day you run errands or get out of the house solo

[Anonymous]

Guys and dolls at Shakespeare theater (this is what we are doing when trump-loving BIL visits).

[Anonymous]

Go out to lunch/dinner, go to a movie, go shopping. My parents are in their 70s and wouldn’t want to be going to a crowded event every day of the week.

Also if your kids have sports games or school events, do those.