"Gift" from ILs

[Anonymous]

FIL gave DH a gift of 3 sports game tickets for Christmas. Game is this weekend. I usually don't go to sports games and we have 2 kids, DS8 and DD5. DD is too young to go. The game is over 2 hours away and is at 8 pm and will last a couple hours at least. They would have to leave here at dinner time, and DS would fall asleep at his regular bedtime an hour after getting there or stay up past his bedtime, then have to sleep in the car and they wouldn't get back until midnight, and DS has school the next day. DH has a sleep disorder and has been extra tired from work this week so I am worried about him driving back afterwards. He wants to take DS to the game but I am opposed to it and think FIL crossed a boundary by giving this as a gift. What would you say or do? I told DH I only agreed to far away games with DS if they are during the daytime and that I think FIL crossed a line. He said he'd think about it. Knowing him, he will probably want to take DS anyway to please FIL. Am I wrong to think this is a lousy gift because of FIL's poor judgement, it's a bad idea for DS, and it puts me in an awkward position and creates conflict between me and DH?

[Anonymous]

Maybe they can stay in a hotel nearby?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe they can stay in a hotel nearby?

My thoughts also
Sounds like a special time

[Anonymous]

"Crossed a line" is waaay too dramatic. It's a man who wanted to take his grandkids to a game. And most men don't think all these things through. Just let them go. It's a one time thing.

[Anonymous]

No big deal. Kid will have a blast and it will be good memories. Ask you husband to manage the over tires kid the next day and then smile and relax.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Also - kid is 8. One day tired at school will be fine.

[Anonymous]

eh, it sounds really, really inconvenient. But I think that your 8 year old would love to go.

If you ride the metro in from Virginia to see the Nationals game it can be this long of a commute. We've done it. Yes, it's crazy. But the kids love it.

If worse comes to worse they'll go and decide never again.

[Anonymous]

Agreed that you are overreacting. They can get a hotel with a pool for extra fun. The kid will live if he's tired or even has to miss school.

[Anonymous]

FFS, op, do you always go looking for reasons to get upset?

[Anonymous]

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).

[Anonymous]

I doubt DH will get a hotel. I'm worried about DH falling asleep at the wheel. If DS goes this time, FIL will think night time games are fine the next time when it's not fine with me. The point is that by giving it as a gift it's as if I have no say in the matter. Also does no one think it's weird to exclude me by giving only 3 tickets and to think it's a good idea for a 5 YO?

[Anonymous]

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.

[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).

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I doubt DH will get a hotel. I'm worried about DH falling asleep at the wheel. If DS goes this time, FIL will think night time games are fine the next time when it's not fine with me. The point is that by giving it as a gift it's as if I have no say in the matter. Also does no one think it's weird to exclude me by giving only 3 tickets and to think it's a good idea for a 5 YO?

Were the tickets intended for DH and the kids? Yes, that's very weird.