Anonymous wrote:OMG YES, we are in the middle of this. I recently canceled a big tropical trip with my parents - instead we will be visiting them at a resort I know they like, that is driving distance from their house.
I didn't tell them why because they are in denial about their abilities and the fact they are aging. Their MO is to not tell me about their health issues (bad knee, hurt foot, dietary prohibitions) and try to be game for regular activities, but then actually be in pain and cranky. Each will pull me aside a couple hours into the day to tell me about the other one's health issues that should have caused us to plan something entirely different. (Always the other one's; they never share their own.) Meanwhile I have spent ticket money etc. and the kids want to see the things we came to see.
They also have difficulty sleeping and are extremely picky about beds, noise, weather, leg room in rental cars ... I much prefer to plan a low-key week at a beach or even in my hometown, someplace they've been and we know they can be comfortable. I am fine with that kind of vacation but I wish they could see the need for it, instead of trying to get us all to fly to an island or something.
I laughed at the bolded. This is a constant for us with our in-laws, whether traveling or not. They also both think the other should not be driving, and they are both very correct (and fortunately both willing to stop).