Wrong. It was Mil’s plan. Op has to explain why it won’t work for her family. |
Why does she have to explain it? Or why does she have to use that complete explanation? |
No, she doesn’t. An explanation is never required. It’s an invitation, not a summons. “Thank you, but that’s not going to work for our schedule.” The end. I was invited to an event by a neighbor whose kids are extremely difficult to be around. I declined the invitation by simply saying, “I’m afraid we can’t make it.” No excuse needed to be gracious, ever. |
Do you propose alternate birthday parties for other people’s kids? |
Except that now OP isn’t happy about the result, which was entirely predictable. If she didn’t give a f* then she can say what she wants and who cares. Since she does care, she should have found a socially acceptable way to smooth declining the invitation. |
Dumbass, its OPs kid's birthday too. What do you think "both tweens" means? Now run along and play in traffic. |
Well yes but obviously she is planning this as a gift to her grandchild. |
Agree. |
NP. “Thank you for thinking of Jason, but that’s not going to work for our schedule. We look forward to seeing you at [next known thing].” See how that wasn’t hard, or rude, at all? |
Not only did you do nothing wrong, but you should have tackled BIL directly years ago. If it was awkward, OP, YOU shouldn't be feeling guilty. HE should be feeling guilty. Only agree to the waterpark scheme if his Mom can assure you that she will be watching the younger kids. |
Who shares a birthday. So it would be a joint party. It's not like grandma booked the party and sent out invites and OP and family are merely guests. Let it go. OP can have a say here too for her kid's birthday outing. |
We need to get rid of this "tattling" concept, it's preventing people from speaking up in situations where it's necessary to speak up. You did not "tattle", OP. You revealed a problem that had long been an issue. It was past time. You could also have spoken to your idiot BIL directly, a long time ago. I can't relate to people who just sweep exploitation under the rug - particularly exploitation by males. |
OP, no idea what to do about the BIL/MIL dynamic, but if I were you I would talk to my own kids about setting boundaries, saying no, standing up to grown ups, and speaking up when a situation is unfair or unsafe. These are skills they will need their whole lives to protect them from moochers and abusers. |
You have a tween and teen, how exactly are you expecting them to be supervised at a water park? Or are you just concerned you teen son will be made to supervise his toddler cousin? At a place like GWL, we have our tweens check in with us every 45 minutes or so, but we are not doing every slide with them. I’m a little confused about what the safety issue is for your kids, since yours are a tween and teen. |
It’s not GWL it’s a bigger park. I worry that my 15 will be left alone in the park with 5 kids 12 and under including a 1 year old, a situation that I consider pretty stressful. |