Feeling guilty about dropping ball on family vacation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This summer is the craziest that rentals have been for a long time. Does your family know that? There is very little available anywhere in the country. I would give them the option- something you have found or Thanksgiving.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This summer is the craziest that rentals have been for a long time. Does your family know that? There is very little available anywhere in the country. I would give them the option- something you have found or Thanksgiving.

+1

[Anonymous]

I would stop talking about it, they will eventually get the hint or that will be that. They can pitch in and take over or this will have to wait until another time.

My mother does something similar but seems to want me to pay, yeah, no.

Don't feel guilty, you tried your best, this is on them.

[Anonymous]

Not sure why kids can’t “just hang out” for a week, especially when there’s a few day trips mixed in. I mean, take a couple new Lego sets or jigsaw puzzles along, make sure there are outdoor toys like balls and splash pads, rent family movies from the local library. I can’t believe you literally can’t spend a week with your family without a pool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure why kids can’t “just hang out” for a week, especially when there’s a few day trips mixed in. I mean, take a couple new Lego sets or jigsaw puzzles along, make sure there are outdoor toys like balls and splash pads, rent family movies from the local library. I can’t believe you literally can’t spend a week with your family without a pool.

Probably because after COVID, the idea of paying $$$ and dealing with travel hassle to go sit in a house and do puzzles or watch movies like they've been doing for free at home for the past year plus isn't exactly appealing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I just experienced the same thing, for a very last minute rental. My parents are anxious and picky, my spouse unmotivated, and I was the one researching, explaining, persuading, etc. I nearly gave up. But I did find something that suited my father’s driving and location requirements, had an extra private bath just for my mother, wasn’t astronomically expensive per my spouse (just run of the mill expensive), looked clean (my requirement!) and was available!

And everyone was very happy with the trip. But good Lord. I feel this is just a taste of what’s going to happen when my parents decline. I will need to do all the persuading, cajoling and researching.

Your mom can’t share a bathroom with your dad?

[Anonymous]

I would just except that this summer‘s trip is not going to happen. I would also tell your brother that for next summer he’s on first for identify the location if you don’t end up going to your parents.

[Anonymous]

Been there. It is SO frustrating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure why kids can’t “just hang out” for a week, especially when there’s a few day trips mixed in. I mean, take a couple new Lego sets or jigsaw puzzles along, make sure there are outdoor toys like balls and splash pads, rent family movies from the local library. I can’t believe you literally can’t spend a week with your family without a pool.

Probably because after COVID, the idea of paying $$$ and dealing with travel hassle to go sit in a house and do puzzles or watch movies like they've been doing for free at home for the past year plus isn't exactly appealing.

The point is they would do it with cousins and grandparents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure why kids can’t “just hang out” for a week, especially when there’s a few day trips mixed in. I mean, take a couple new Lego sets or jigsaw puzzles along, make sure there are outdoor toys like balls and splash pads, rent family movies from the local library. I can’t believe you literally can’t spend a week with your family without a pool.

Probably because after COVID, the idea of paying $$$ and dealing with travel hassle to go sit in a house and do puzzles or watch movies like they've been doing for free at home for the past year plus isn't exactly appealing.

THIS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure why kids can’t “just hang out” for a week, especially when there’s a few day trips mixed in. I mean, take a couple new Lego sets or jigsaw puzzles along, make sure there are outdoor toys like balls and splash pads, rent family movies from the local library. I can’t believe you literally can’t spend a week with your family without a pool.

Probably because after COVID, the idea of paying $$$ and dealing with travel hassle to go sit in a house and do puzzles or watch movies like they've been doing for free at home for the past year plus isn't exactly appealing.

A few flight tickets is $$$ to you? No wonder you can’t afford a rental house…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to try to keep this short - for several years my brother (my only sibling) and I have taken our four kids to my parent's house to spend a week with the grandparents. Didn't happen last year and this year when we planned the week we later found out that school in my parent's town is starting in early August to make up for the pandemic and the pool won't be open. Taking the kids to the pool is a big part of the day. My parents are not in a vacation spot - the draw is all being together, going to the pool, a day trip here or there, just hanging out.

So we tried to switch to a different location in California, but as we were now starting a little late, accommodations were limited. And while I love my brother, he is a little particular with what he wants in a VRBO type property. I found and suggested several things, which no one was really excited about/would commit to and then suggested a different location (not California) and sent a couple of properties for folks to look at. My parents were just visiting my brother the last week and a half and were supposedly going to make some decisions during that time, but nope.

Bottom line, everyone keeps coming back to me to magic a property out of the air. I finally told my mother point blank that I felt that I had researched and proposed several places that met the #1 criteria - they are AVAILABLE - and now it's up to everyone else to pitch in with research or propose something different. I feel bad about it, but in truth I am good with doing this trip or not. I kind of want to suggest we scrap August and try for a Thanksgiving trip of some type. I don't really mind planning, but I do mind planning and everyone shooting everything down.

As someone who deals with this all the time, scrap it and save your sanity.

[Anonymous]

I won't operate like that either, though it's usually my husband who wants me to to the legwork while he gets veto power. I offer up one round of suggestions and if those are rejected it's his turn to offer suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I just experienced the same thing, for a very last minute rental. My parents are anxious and picky, my spouse unmotivated, and I was the one researching, explaining, persuading, etc. I nearly gave up. But I did find something that suited my father’s driving and location requirements, had an extra private bath just for my mother, wasn’t astronomically expensive per my spouse (just run of the mill expensive), looked clean (my requirement!) and was available!

And everyone was very happy with the trip. But good Lord. I feel this is just a taste of what’s going to happen when my parents decline. I will need to do all the persuading, cajoling and researching.

Your mom can’t share a bathroom with your dad?

Sorry, I meant she wants a private bathroom she can share with my father and nobody else (my father couldn't care less about sharing with us). I always end up booking a larger and more expensive space, just to get more bathrooms.

Sorry it didn't work out, OP. I get the frustration.

[Anonymous]

Cancel.

Done.