"Gift" from ILs

[Anonymous]

I would definitely let my kids go. What fun for them. At their ages, who cares if they have a tired day at school. I think you're looking for a reason to be mad.

[Anonymous]

Look grandpa won't live forever. This memory will be with your son forever. Let him go.

[Anonymous]

You said yourself you don't usually go to sports events. You're making this all about you. It's not. It's about a grandparent trying to spend time with grandkids. Close friends of ours have a serious family tradition of attending a certain college team's games, and it all started with grandpa's love of the team and the rest of the family's love for grandpa. It is a lot of fun for them. Please don't put yourself on the wrong side of this. Pick a better battle - this isn't worth it!

Eight years old = no big deal to miss school. In fact, best time is now before you hit middle school or high school. Elementary school is not going to be failed by a missed day recovering from a super fun special gift from grandpa.

Take it up with your husband regarding future games. The ship has sailed on this one and you'll really come off as a jerk if you refuse to let the kid(s) go. If you're worried husband will fall asleep driving, make the hotel non-optional.

I'd even let the five year old go!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe how many people are saying to send the 8 year old. So instead of going to bed, the kid takes a 2+ hour ride (4 hours round-trip), and attends what is probably a 3-hour game. And then he's supposed to go to school the next day?! I think it's more cruel to send him than to keep him home. Talk to your FIL and explain that a little kid can't do an all-nighter like a 20 year old.

Having seen my son's friend lose both grandfathers and one great-grandma this year, I say a special memory with grandpa is worth being tired the next day. The kid will remember the game, not the next day.

[Anonymous]

You are WAAAY too worked up about this and are looking for reasons to be outraged. (Husband's sleep disorder? You are grasping at threads).

This is an awesome gift and a wonderful father/son/grandpa outing.

The memories from this special night will last your son a lifetime, far longer and more significant than a day of him spending one morning sleepy during third grade math class and one afternoon crabby enoughthe next dsy to need an earlier bed time.

I have a strong suspicion that if this were your mother and the event was Frozen on Ice, you would not have a single qualm.

Don't be a bitchy, joy sucking wife OP. It just isn't worth it, especially with the very limited and short term downsides this change of routine will have for you.

Signed,

Happily married for nearly a quarter century

[Anonymous]

This is not a good idea. I've been in this position before. The kid gets to the game at bedtime and spends the whole time just sitting there. 8 is too young, and it's crazy he's going to miss school for this. It's obviously hockey or basketball, and I betcha it's hockey. If it's an NFL playoff game, let him go.

[Anonymous]

DH took our 7yo DS to his first basketball game last month. They had a blast. I think game was at 8. They left around 7 and left at 930ish. DS7 usually goes to bed at 9. 1 hour didn't kill him. He was tired but not that big of a deal. they didn't stay until the game ended. no way they would have lasted that long.

[Anonymous]

They get a hotel room and head home in the morning. Maybe the kids misses an hour of school, big whoop. A memory with dad is priceless. If your husband died suddenly of a heart attack or something next month, would you still be glad you made a big stink and didn't let them go and make that memory or wish you had relaxed and let them have a good time guilt free? Any day could be your last.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless it's the freaking Super Bowl, I would draw the line at it being on a school night. Talk directly to your FIL and explain that young children can't go out that late, especially when they need to get up early for school the next day. Your DH can make an adult decision about himself but the kid stays home. Alternatively, let him go but have him skip school the next day (although it's a ridiculous reason to skip school, unless it's the freaking Super Bowl).

Some of the very best memories I have from my childhood were the times when my spontaneous father took us to do something special late on a school night.

I couldn't in a million years tell you what I was too tired to learn the next day at school, but when I think about those outings they always make me smile, even when I am having a crappy day.

You should try being less rigid about special things and elementary school. Memories last a lifetime; yet another worksheet on shapes, not so much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is not a good idea. I've been in this position before. The kid gets to the game at bedtime and spends the whole time just sitting there. 8 is too young, and it's crazy he's going to miss school for this. It's obviously hockey or basketball, and I betcha it's hockey. If it's an NFL playoff game, let him go.

Are you kidding?

This is a fantastic gift.

That 8 year old will be talking about it for weeks to come.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH took our 7yo DS to his first basketball game last month. They had a blast. I think game was at 8. They left around 7 and left at 930ish. DS7 usually goes to bed at 9. 1 hour didn't kill him. He was tired but not that big of a deal. they didn't stay until the game ended. no way they would have lasted that long.

PP here. I just realized it is an away game and 2 hours away. Yeah, that doesn't sound good at all.

I would let DH go with a friend if he wanted. DH goes to very few games and probably wouldn't go on a Sun. Sat, sure. Sun, inconvenient for all.

Can DH go with FIL and make it a dad/son thing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How did he cross any line? OP, you either have a flair for the dramatic or are entirely unhinged. No lines were crossed. You're nuts.

This. Never in my life have I seen so many dramatic and ungrateful people in one singular Internet forum.

[Anonymous]

Just let them go. They probably should leave before game ends and DS can fall asleep in the car. Maybe have him brush his teeth before they leave stadium.

We have driven home late from vacation and or visiting family at midnight several times over the years. It really isn't a big deal to transport sleeping child to bed.

I do think it is a bad timing gift but if DH and DS want to go, I don't think you should stand in their way or get upset about it.

[Anonymous]

I think posters are underestimating op's concern about dh falling asleep at the wheel. Is getting a hotel room an option?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think posters are underestimating op's concern about dh falling asleep at the wheel. Is getting a hotel room an option?

Ugh. Just get them a hotel room already. Maybe Op can go and spend her day at the hotel spa while the guys go to the game. Or she can just stay in the room and binge watch t.v., order room service and take a bubble bath - sounds doable to me.

Learn how to make lemonade .