Yes, I know that the IL's are her husband's parents and, therefore, her family, too, but Op seems to think they are not all that important, easily brushed off... |
Sorry OP relatives are clearly exercising a string of bad decisions, and stopping at DIL after virus shopping in the South, and the drinking and HAVING to use the bathroom is just clearly the cherry on top. |
Stupid people, related by blood, marriage, or water should be avoided during a pandemic. |
| I’m a MIL and “your house, your kids, your rules”. Your husband’s parents are being pushy jerks. Push back and say absolutely no. |
Holy crap, the world must be so terrifying to you. Your poor children. I seriously feel really bad for them. |
Nope. I am the DIL and would never treat my fabulous MIL so shabbily. |
+1 |
+1 OP, dont listen to the posts snarking at you to let them visit. You're in the right. All these "just wipe the bathroom after they leave" etc. posters are the types who think it's fine to have people over to visit now. You're not alone in believing visits like this with people who are in the middle of a road trip are not a good idea. Adults like your in-laws who insist they must enter your house and interact are not going to adhere to any attempt you make at distancing once they get inside the door: "Oh, sorry, I just COULDN'T resist hugging sweet little Billy but ha ha, now it's a done deal, here's a hug for Susie too!" It'll all be a joke to them. No rules apply to grandma and grandpa's hugs--right? The fact they're doing a road trip that length, through many "reopened" states, is nutty anyway. They'll end up getting back to RI and find out they're infected. |
No, most people here have suggested meeting outdoors or at a park that has its own public restroom OP's in laws can use. |
They can suggest that all day long but if these road trippers are as pushy as they sound, they're going to huff and puff and be offended at not being able to go into their son's house. |
Doubt it. They offered to stay at the hotel and suggested an outdoor venue (deck). |
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Don’t give in.Your are right. They sound very obnoxious for not respecting your rules. I would find a part near their hotel, wear masks and meet them there for a take out lunch. Bring lawn chairs, socially distance, wear masks, no hugs etc. Let them know details before they leave Florida.Tell them you are asking them to respect your wishes and not come by your house.
Don’t listen to all the PP who make light of this very dangerous virus. We must take care of our families. Be strong and do not change your mind. |
Plastic cups and paper plates. Mask for bathroom and personal bottles of sanitizer strict seating limits. My neighbor has folks over and they sit like that in the yard outside she doesn't let anyone in the house, so it is doable! |
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OP, you are going to have to visit or see ILs at some point during this pandemic. A vaccine won't be available for at least another 6 months (and I am being optimistic). You need to start adapting. The risk of transmission is very low if you maintain some distance and wear a mask (except when eating). No physical contact, no shared food. This will be the new normal for a while, so start practicing.
I am going to visit my elderly parent. I in March stayed away during the peak out of an abundance of caution and will return. It is not realistic to expect families to have no contact for months and months. |
There is a BIG difference here - the ILs will be traveling through many "hot spot" states, stopping at gas stations, eating at restaurants and staying at hotels. If they were self-isolating the way everyone else is, this wouldn't be as big a deal. But they are NOT. This is a ridiculous trip to begin with. |