How to break it to ILs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Christ on a cracker, OP. Just let the kids see their grandparents. You act like this is some crazy burden.

Says the grandparent who wants everything on their terms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The thought of spending that much time in the car by myself (when you don't have the kids) sounds heavenly right now. Not to mention you will have an empty house for a while. That's worth it alone!

Half the time the kids are in the car, so it’s not really alone time.

Plus, I actually like my kids and I hate driving so this plan sounds miserable. Honestly, I can’t imagine disliking my kids so much that it would be worth it to drive two hours in one day to avoid them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you aren't working and need to kill time I'd totally be doing this weekly. 1 hr round trip is nothing to me.

But honestly if you can I'd try to pay to fix their AC as that must be miserable and not safe when elderly. I think it could be a good opportunity to check to see if there is an actual issue with driving, as there may be.

It’s not 1 hour, it’s 1 hour each round trip, so 2 hours for 2 round trips. I wouldn’t want to spend my time like that once a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Read a book on their deck.
Go grocery shopping.
Sit in your car and call a friend.
Go for a walk at a nearby park.
Busy yourself with a helpful project in their home for them - I ignore my ILs by asking my MIL to give me something useful to do while she enjoys my kids - and I weed her garden, sort recycling or polish silver while I listen to podcasts.

Yes, OP. Be their chauffeur and their scullery maid! How selfish and lazy are you not to do this?

[Anonymous]

You have a husband problem. Let your husband deal with telling them no. Or have your husband drive them every weekend and see how long that lasts lol.

[Anonymous]

So children’s relationship with grandparents is not worth your time, gas, and wear and tear on your vehicle. Sounds healthy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So children’s relationship with grandparents is not worth your time, gas, and wear and tear on your vehicle. Sounds healthy.

Apparently the grandparents don't think so. It's only worth it to them if someone else does the legwork.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How about your husband picks them up on his way home from work? So you take them at 10, and he picks them up at 5 or 6 (or whenever he gets off work).

That way, you only have to drive for 1 hour, and part of the burden is still on him.

They are his parents, and you don't have a great relationship, so the full burden should NOT be on you.

This is what I was coming to suggest.

But also, there is still a pandemic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Quarantine is not over.

Yeah, I'm so confused.