Let them go, get a hotel and go to work/school late the next day. They can also leave the game a little early.

This is seriously no big deal. Send BOTH kids. Your 5 year old would have a great time. I can't believe you actually want to keep your 5 year old home. That's sad to me.

Send them and have them stay in a hotel. No big deal.

Did the FIL buy 3 tickets so that FIL, dh and ds could all go together? Perhaps FIL could do some of the driving home. Ds can sleep in and go to school a little late the next day. My kids couldn't handle week night sporting events but dh grew up with season tickets and he and his family went to tons of games growing up. He has lots of fun memories from those days which he cherishes since his dad died when he was 22. And dh went to a great college and turned out fine. I can see why you're peeved bc a day game that included you and dd (and MIL if she's around) would have been nicer. But just grin and bear it.

Anonymous wrote:I don't see DH wanting to get a hotel. I don't care if DH goes by himself. He already does that often. Even if DS wants to go, he doesn't know what he's getting himself into. If I put my foot down and say he can't go, then I get blamed as being the bad guy when I'm only looking out for my kid's best interest. Or if I let him go, then I'd feel bad because it goes against my better judgement and something bad will probably come of it.

If you put your foot down on this then you ARE the bad guy.

Seriously OP. Don't be that wife.

The only thing that would bother me is the driving home late. I don't like my family to be out on the road late with all the drunks. With the sleep disorder, it's a no brainer. I would insist on a hotel room and tell them to have a good time. He can miss school one day.

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).

+1 for sure OP. I think the posters with the 'No big deal, oh it'll be fun' attitude are in the "some people just don't get it" category. My objection about the hour would not change the recommendation if the game was on the weekend. Too big a deviation in the 8 year olds schedule. But the fact that it is a school night would add a "get real" to thoughts of my reply whether I said it or not. Just sweety and firmly say that fil can get him an 8 year old christmas gift instead, not an adult Christmas gift. If he says going to a game is one, explain 'Not when it is a late night game hours away it isnt".
Good luck.

Does FIL live in your town and plan to attend the game, or is this just DH and your 8yo? If it's just the two of them, I would try to sell the tickets and get ones for a day time game. Unless this is like play off tickets for a team your son loves, there's no way I would let DS go. If it is a big deal game, I would insist on a hotel. Two hours away? Starts at 8pm? Exhausted husband driving in the middle of the night?

If FIL is planning to go, it would be harder to sell and rebook tickets unless he agrees.

Anonymous wrote:OP, if there are 4 members of your family then FIL should have given you 4 game tickets - or, better yet - tickets to an event you would ALL enjoy. And not on a school night. Your DH should have shut this down at the get-go.

Yes! At a minimum He should have given you 4 tickets!

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).

It's ridiculous for the Super Bowl too.

Don't let him skip school. It's the price you pay.

OP, if there are 4 members of your family then FIL should have given you 4 game tickets - or, better yet - tickets to an event you would ALL enjoy. And not on a school night. Your DH should have shut this down at the get-go.

I don't see DH wanting to get a hotel. I don't care if DH goes by himself. He already does that often. Even if DS wants to go, he doesn't know what he's getting himself into. If I put my foot down and say he can't go, then I get blamed as being the bad guy when I'm only looking out for my kid's best interest. Or if I let him go, then I'd feel bad because it goes against my better judgement and something bad will probably come of it.

Anonymous wrote:I think posters are underestimating op's concern about dh falling asleep at the wheel. Is getting a hotel room an option?

It is always an option.

Miss school. He's 8. I really didn't get sports but married someone who cares a lot. It is fun and people like it. So the kid misses a Friday.

Anonymous wrote:It's a bad gift. Not evil, just bad

+1 It's an inconsiderate gift in several ways (excluding OP, late on a school night, etc.) but saying FIL 'crossed a line' is an overreaction.

If you are concerned about DH falling asleep at the wheel, tell him to get a hotel room. An 8-year old having one late night is not a crisis.

It's a bad gift. Not evil, just bad