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12-12-2012 at 9:14 AM
es-bg2008
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Joined on 03-09-2008
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es-bg2008 is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 6:29 PMBronze

IL vent

I love my IL's because they are so nice and would do anything for you and really just want to be there, but they are driving DH and I nuts. They cannot seem to grasp the fact that DH and I have our own immediate family now and that they are not necessarily included in that. Last summer SIL planned a "family vacation" for all of us to go on with her and DH's bio dad. So basically our week long summer vacation was planned for us. We said ok but we are not going to make a habit of this because we want to be able to go on our own vacation. Then MIL and Step FIL said they wanted to plan a large family vacation for this summer. We said ok but this is the last time we are doing this. Now DH's uncle is also planning a large family vacation for this summer that we are expected to go on. We told MIL that if we do that one we are not doing the one she wanted to do because we don't want to do both in a summer and we are NOT do a large extended family vacation next year or really for the next several years because we want to have time to go with our kids somewhere. Well now we are being told that not only did his uncle book the trip he was planning but MIL also booked the trip she was planning and she expects us to be at both. They do this kind of crap every year at about this time they start planning summer get togethers and eat up every weekend we have. I'm sick of it! I want to be able to plan my summer how I want to plan it. Shoot I want time to see my family or spend time with just my kids. If we plan something with our kids, they invite themselves along. DH and I have both said stuff to them but it doesn't seem to sink in. DH is in another state on business right now and MIL is mad we didn't send her his flight info. He travels all the time for work and he's a 31 year old man, he doesn't need to check in with mommy anymore. She sees the kids all the time yet will say that we are shutting them out. She's here 3 times a month and we live an hour away. Heck we don't even open Christmas presents at our own house because we travel to see family on the holiday. (Santa travels and we rotate going to my parents or the ILs)  I love them I really do but I just wish they would realize that we have our own family now and that we want them to be involved with our kids but we need time to be our own family. Anyone else have issues with ILs or parents who just don't seem to understand that you have your family now.
12-12-2012 at 10:59 AM
blue33
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Joined on 02-28-2010
3,285 Points
blue33 is not online. Last active: 05-22-2013, 11:58 AMBronze
awww, I feel your pain. We use to run around and go between family houses on the holidays, but we stopped that. We told our family that we are spending the day as a family and we will drop by after our celebration to exchange gifts and see everybody at our leisure. As far as the vacation thing. I would speak up. Tell them ahead of time that you have plans, or that you just don't want to go. I know that may seem harsh, but if you don't speak up, you will eventually resent them and end up saying or doing something that may hurt their feelings anyway. It is hard especially when there is a huge close knit family, but they have to respect your family and the fact that you want to start your own individual traditions and vacations. Good Luck!

 
12-12-2012 at 12:17 PM
tabaskoa
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Joined on 02-23-2007
MI
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tabaskoa is not online. Last active: 05-22-2013, 3:14 PMBronze

I totally understand. While I don't have the exact same situation, I do sometimes feel like I can't get away from my ILs and/or parents. When DS had soccer class, they showed up to watch for almost every single class. I just thought it was creepy and weird. And this is the second time we'll be going on a big family vacation with BOTH my parents AND my ILs there. They are paying fore most of it though, so it's hard to complain.

I just keep trying to remind myself that it would be worse if they were not around at all, or did not care at all. 

Vent away whenever you need to though!!!!

12-12-2012 at 3:59 PM
ClaryPax
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Joined on 04-25-2012
17,365 Points
ClaryPax is not online. Last active: 05-22-2013, 12:44 PMBronze

I know its just a vent, but I did put some advice in here so be warned lol. My IL's are good about giving us space, but DH does a great job with boundaries. 

 You guys are way too easy going.  Since you already agreed to the MIL and SFIL vacation then I guess you have to go. But DH needs to talk with the Uncle and let him know you are unable to attend.  Do they pay for you- is that why they are booking it for you?  It is between you and Uncle on the trip he is planning, so MIL should not be involved- meaning don't let her be involved.  If she gets mad, let her get mad- she'll get over it and then know you mean it when you say you are not attending.

As far as plans with the kids, stop telling her about your plans and then she can't invite herself along.  Or tell her or have DH tell her it is immediate family only since you never get to spend time that way.  Or you can occasionally be "sick" for family events, or send the kids and take time for yourself and do a "me" day or a "girls night out". 

Good luck!

 
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