I've been in situations like this before too. The parents-in-law are supposed to help (and often they do), but they also add more stress to an already-stressful environment. Have family trips gotten easier as the kids have gotten older?
Yes, pleased to report more recent holidays have been considerably less stressful. The entire house no longer being kept up by a bawling baby every night has definitely helped.
Living in another country to the grandparents, we didnt 'get away' they visited us at home.
We had a v difficult visit once of my M&D plus my MiL all at once.
Making up beds, meal prep, and itinery planning seemed to be all on me, as well as the fact on three grandparents versus one toddler was grandparent overload for her. Never again.
As a grandparent this made me chuckle, not least because my Fitbit announced that I had 1hr 18mins sleep last night thanks to the grandkids - sadly I don't think my daughter got any. Needless to say it reminded me of a particularly awful holiday with the in-laws & bother in law, in Dawlish during the 80s. All part of life's rich pageant I suppose.
Loved this Andy. Oh the heady days of holidays with toddlers and babies. Remember it vividly. This took me right back. Car journeys- 😣I quickly learnt that being the driver was the optimal choice so would always try and nab that position for long trips. Much better to have hands on a steering wheel than the constant pivoting required in the passenger seat to retrieve dropped toys/ pass snacks/ soothe/ placate/ provide the musical entertainment as small people demanded their favourite nursery rhyme to be played for the 18th time. Oh and no large objects squeezed onto your lap if you’re the driver. Hopefully. Win win win. Glad you found some solace in the hot tub 😀
Haha. Exactly - driving is the better option by far! I had a gas cannister and an air fryer on my lap on our way to a camping trip once. Horrific. I have to concede Louise is a much better driver than me but still...
That was an interesting episode Andy; I'm sure you would never self-aggrandise but you do write very well indeed. FWIW, this latest saga felt much darker and I found myself worrying a bit having read it. This is a tad peculiar given that we only know each other via the substack resource.
Ah, thanks, Andy! Worry not, all is very well with us. This was a few years ago in Covid era when we were exhausted and very stressed indeed. There will be cheerier episodes ahead!
I've been in situations like this before too. The parents-in-law are supposed to help (and often they do), but they also add more stress to an already-stressful environment. Have family trips gotten easier as the kids have gotten older?
Yes, pleased to report more recent holidays have been considerably less stressful. The entire house no longer being kept up by a bawling baby every night has definitely helped.
Thanks for reading, man!
Hahaha. Sorry I mean of course they do!
😂
Living in another country to the grandparents, we didnt 'get away' they visited us at home.
We had a v difficult visit once of my M&D plus my MiL all at once.
Making up beds, meal prep, and itinery planning seemed to be all on me, as well as the fact on three grandparents versus one toddler was grandparent overload for her. Never again.
Ah, parents from both sides at the same time must be very tricky!
like to think I do my bit on holidays/around the house but my wife may say otherwise…
Thanks for reading, Jane!
As a grandparent this made me chuckle, not least because my Fitbit announced that I had 1hr 18mins sleep last night thanks to the grandkids - sadly I don't think my daughter got any. Needless to say it reminded me of a particularly awful holiday with the in-laws & bother in law, in Dawlish during the 80s. All part of life's rich pageant I suppose.
😂 That is a nice way of putting it. Hope you all get a better night’s sleep/some sleep tonight!
Thanks for reading, Estelle.
Funny. Still married?
😂 Very happily so (I think?!)
Thanks for reading, Cherry!
whatever you do, don't ask 'how happily'?. You'll perhaps be happy for decades more -as long as you don't ask ...
😂 😂
This is so beautifully written! In a world where everything now reads the same (aka AI written), this was such a joy to read.
P.S. I hope you’re getting some sleep now
Ah, thanks so much, Kiki. Really glad to hear you enjoyed it. Ha - I can assure you all my posts are written by a real human man!
Yes, we are mercifully out the other side of the sleepless nights now (for the most part!)
Loved this Andy. Oh the heady days of holidays with toddlers and babies. Remember it vividly. This took me right back. Car journeys- 😣I quickly learnt that being the driver was the optimal choice so would always try and nab that position for long trips. Much better to have hands on a steering wheel than the constant pivoting required in the passenger seat to retrieve dropped toys/ pass snacks/ soothe/ placate/ provide the musical entertainment as small people demanded their favourite nursery rhyme to be played for the 18th time. Oh and no large objects squeezed onto your lap if you’re the driver. Hopefully. Win win win. Glad you found some solace in the hot tub 😀
Haha. Exactly - driving is the better option by far! I had a gas cannister and an air fryer on my lap on our way to a camping trip once. Horrific. I have to concede Louise is a much better driver than me but still...
Thanks for reading, Tess!
That was an interesting episode Andy; I'm sure you would never self-aggrandise but you do write very well indeed. FWIW, this latest saga felt much darker and I found myself worrying a bit having read it. This is a tad peculiar given that we only know each other via the substack resource.
Ah, thanks, Andy! Worry not, all is very well with us. This was a few years ago in Covid era when we were exhausted and very stressed indeed. There will be cheerier episodes ahead!
Once again, you make me grateful for my own life choices. Cheers!
Also, Del Piero's best ever goals > being grounded in nature. That's basically science.
😂 He really was a magician (rewatched the video yesterday as my important writing research.)
Thanks for reading, man!
God I remember these days ! So stressful ! I’d like to say holidays get easier ! But now with stroppy teenagers , it’s a different kinda stress 🤦🏻♀️😂
Haha, oh yes, we have all that to look forward to! I wasn’t necessarily an easy teenager either so fear I’m due my just comeuppance…
Thanks for reading, Francis!
I’m so curious to know if Louise reads these. … 😆
Haha. Worry not, always vetted beforehand! She is a very good sport with it tbf!
Thanks for reading, Joanna.
I'm still trying to get over... 'the last chapter'? Can I just say no?! Love your writing Andy.
😂 Ah, thanks, Jacqui. That’s very kind!
It takes me back. It's funny how you miss these days once they're teens.
Ha, I can imagine! Despite all the stress, I still have a lot of fond memories from the baby days.
I’m sure the teen days bring their own challenges (and joys of course!)
Thanks for reading, Margaret.