"Fish and Company start to smell after 3 days."

My parents were just here for 4.5 days over Tgiving. By the morning they were leaving, it took everything in my power not to shoo them out the door. I love them and love having them spend time with the kids BUT it was time for them to go.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They offered to leave, knowing 10 days would be too much. But they don't have a lot of money. I didn't understand that they needed to stay in the area this week when they made their original plans to come for Thanksgiving.

OP,it's really hard to judge here since we don't know how close you are with your parents.I personally can't imagine such situs toy with mine or with IL or any kind of my family or friends.We are here without any family and I really really miss them so when they come I feel blessed and don't want them to ever leave us.But everyone is very different and I don't want to judge without knowing much

Then what on earth are you doing on DCUM??! (NP, thank you for posting something so logical)

Whoa!Breathe please

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They offered to leave, knowing 10 days would be too much. But they don't have a lot of money. I didn't understand that they needed to stay in the area this week when they made their original plans to come for Thanksgiving.

OP,it's really hard to judge here since we don't know how close you are with your parents.I personally can't imagine such situs toy with mine or with IL or any kind of my family or friends.We are here without any family and I really really miss them so when they come I feel blessed and don't want them to ever leave us.But everyone is very different and I don't want to judge without knowing much

Then what on earth are you doing on DCUM??! (NP, thank you for posting something so logical)

My dad's sister, who is single and retired, stays with my parents for over a month. She's never invited. She shows up the weekend before Thanksgiving and stays until after Christmas. Doesnt ask, just comes. My mom hates it and is completely miserable, but she has a martyr complex and won't say anything. My dad now makes an annual golfing trip to Florida to escape. I fully expect one day my mom will snap and murder my aunt. I would.

I let my inlaws stay as long as they want, but they're actually helpful, capable of amusing themselves,and respect our rules for the kids and all.

My father can stay for three days, but he's difficult. He never comes for holidays anyway though.

I agree that the length of time for family members depends on how they fit into your daily routine and their overall attitude. My ILs don't help with kids/chores and make huge messes in the kitchen and family room. They have many food requirements and don't do any shopping on their own. So any length of time is too long. My parents stock our fridge while they visit, unload the dishwasher, throw in a load of our laundry, when they're here for long weekends. I always hate to see them go!

Anonymous wrote:We have family out of the country who stay for a month. 2-3 weeks is good for us as we have a tiny house. It gets hard but it is important for the kids.

Parents/in-laws from out of county - at least several months. It is not PITA because you adjust and everyone pitches in. In fact I have withdrawal when they leave because I then have to do everything.

My parents helped out for a year after baby was born and I went back to work. Even though I had daycare at work that I used, it was a relief to come home to a clean house, hot dinner and helping hands who were eager to hold the baby. Lifesaver - if it works.

Mil flys 2 hours and typically stays 10-12 days. I don't consider this reasonable. Thursday - Sunday for a weekend is reasonable.

It depends on the relationship, and how the kids are with guests in the house, and how the house guests are. DH and I both agree that one set of our parents is fine for 2-3 nights, and the other for up to a week. One set is far more helpful and fits into our daily vibe while the other stirs things up and is a bit more complicated.

My parents stay for a week at a time, and I'd be happy for them to stay longer. They don't expect to be waited on, they pitch in and help clean, cook, and take care of our daughter. They are perfectly able to entertain themselves during the day (we usually make some suggestions and make sure they know how to get to the museum or whatever that they want to see, and provide Metro cards) and are very considerate, pleasant, easy-going houseguests. On the other hand, my in-laws would drive me insane if they stayed that long, since my FIL never lifts a finger to help with anything and my MIL can't make a decision to save her life. So, it really depends on the parents.