SamSi

Well it's only April and I am already dreading Christmas. My MIL has started muttering about coming to visit us. Feel there is only a very small window of opportunity (possibly a week) to fend her off before she books flights. I can't think of an excuse so clearly the only option is for us to escape and go away ourselves, so theres a couple of grand down the drain. Does anyone else dread visitors from the UK?? How do you cope??

ukecadet

get on with ya...ya miserable bugger surly you can put up with her for a week.

spartacus

Agreed, how bad can she be?

sel

Oh how I would love visits of just a week or two or even ONE month .... my visitors stay for 3 or 6 months at a time ... so count ya blessings

Kim67

We've got my mother-in-law coming from Australia for mothers day (it's also her birthday that day). Her sister and my father-in-law's sister are coming from the UK on the same day - all here for two weeks. Can't wait, it will be a blast showing the old girls around and having them giggling over a glass of wine by the pool every night. My kids don't see enough family - they have one grandmother alive and it will be great for them.

SamSi

No no, I mean I only have a week between now and when she books the flights to come up with an excuse....they usually stay for at least 4 months?!

Dorothy

Do what we did when my mother in law wanted to visit. Ask her where she plans to stay. Offer to look into a short term furnished place so she will be able to do her own cooking and laundry considering she will be over for so long.

petensue

I know what you mean,my four year old misses her grandparents so much that she will be so excited when her nanny and granddad come for two weeks in October then another two weeks at their other sons.The problem I will have is getting the two older ones to come out with us some of the time.

I guess though two weeks is a bit different from months!Sue.

Dougie

Nice answer,

And if that dont work just move out yourself for a few months make it out to be a jesture of good will.

And if that dont work try sticking hot needles in your eyes, it would be less painfull and then explain that you simply dont have the room to accomadate them as you need your space due to your new sight problems.


HTH


Dougie

Sally Simpson

FOUR MONTHS!!!!!

Move & don't leave a forwarding address!

Seriously, Dorothy's idea of a short term let is a good one!

22B

Here's a plan:

1) Tell her that to fly in for Xmas is just too darn expensive. Insist she come after 3rd Jan, and then you will do a second Xmas on 12th Night in her honour. Remind her how much the kids will love her for causing two Xmasses. This will a) chop a week or two off her visit b) allow you to have your Xmas your way.

2) As your Xmas present to her, book her on a 2-3week seniors coach tour that leaves and departs from your city - after all, it's such a shame for her to come all this way and see nothing of Australia, right? Get this to start about 2 weeks, or as many as you can think you can stand, after she has arrived.

3) Make sure she has her hair done and perhaps some new togs and perfume to go with on the coach trip.

4) Hope to God there are some randy old bachelors on the trip.........

5) Welcome her back home for another 2-3 weeks. Encourage her to talk about her holiday romance; remark how wonderful it would be to see her loved up and secure as she comes into old age.

6) You are now 6-8 weeks in to her trip. Ask her to babysit while you two go away for a week(end).

7) Only two months ago - I'm out of ideas. But hopefully you'll be wedding planning for her..........

SamSi

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. The short term let and the coach trip sound like winners. It's ridiculous isn't it, part of my reasons to come over here was to escape all the family drama-ramas but it seems nowhere is safe. And don't even get me started on the expense - the last visit I think we only got 2 offers to chip in for drinks/food and they were here for 8 weeks. I'm sure I saw a moth fly out of my MILs purse when she was leaving

Thanks again

Rudi

I don't know about the MIL, it's my FIL I can't stand!!!! He is a flippin' nightmare!

Rudi

The Crow

I could not cope with 4 months - that's crazy In the last four months I've had the inlaws for 2 months and my Mum for 5 weeks - so I feel your pain. Thankfully, next time the inlaws come out, they're staying in an apartment in the city -- yee hah

Sally Simpson

Sounds like you really need to set ground rules & get your OH to do it. They are his parents after all!