Gotta

I am from a close knit family.We keep in touch.We visit.But my spouse and I do not need to take them along on vacation.And our parents actually have friends of their own and they like to do things that senior citizens enjoy,with other seniors.Strange, but true.

xxx

Gotta, you just don't get it. Some of us vacation with our parents BECAUSE WE REALLY LIKE THEM AND THEIR COMPANY! They have their own freinds and so do we. We vacation apart and so do they. I really do feel sorry for you.

Gotta

Dear xxx.
don't feel sorry for me.I am not the one going on vacation with mommy and daddy.But I do hope you all have fun.

x

Heck no!! I stopped breast feeding a long time ago!

egg

Gotta, you'll know when YOU'RE grown up when you have more concern for your parents than whether it's not cool to vacation with them. Sounds like you have a ways to go yet.

Gotta

No one has mentioned if it is "cool" or not, that is your interpretation.
Whether a person has a close knit family or not, why do married adults feel the need to go on vacation with mommy and daddy?
It is not really a matter of cool or not, maybe more a matter of time to cut that cord!

sooth sayer

Debbie, it all depends on how mature and considerate your parents and you are as people. Mature, considerate people are a delight as travel companions. Immature, inconsiderate people are not.

I'm happy to say that I've been blessed with mature, considerate parents and in-laws.

Jan

yes, we took my mother-in-law to Hawaii with us last year and had a GREAT time!!
She fell in love with this place. This was her 1st time going, but our 2nd time. We knew she'd enjoy it just as much as we did. Glad we had the opportunity to take her. She wants to go back!!

ynot

My parents were in poor health in their later years, but I did take one trip with them and had a great time (single then). Sadly, they are no longer around, so trips with them are not possible.

For probably six or seven years now, we have invited my wife's parents, who are both classy, fun people, along on at least three vacations per year. We always get a condo large enough so that they and we have plenty of space. Or they stay in our vacation home in the guest suite. Or, we stay in the same hotel in separate rooms.

The longer the time together, the more there tends to be (minor) tension, but we find this is true no matter who we travel with.

What do we get out of this? Satisfaction we can somewhat pay them back for a very expensive education they gave my wife. A chance for our children to spend time with grandparents who won't walk this earth a whole lot longer (we live halfway across the country from them). Enjoyable company with a smart and engaging couple. A babysitter once in awhile so we can go do our own thing.

We also take several other trips just as a family and a few just as a couple, so it is not like we are sharing our only vacation with them.

Ellen

You know - I've read each reply and smiled and remembered so many, little details of trips we've taken with our children and their spouses amd their children. It mustn't be too bad for them cause they invite us often (we have 4 married daughters) and we've also invited them on some trips. No, we don't go on every trip together, we go on family trips and as a three generation family we have had a ball!! We've even done Disneyworld as a complete family of 19. We like our kids a lot and we see that they like us too. We also thank the man upstairs for such a nice relationship with our kids.

Geoge1

Gotta: One day you too will grow up.

Liza

I've been taking my parents on a few trips (I'm not married yet)because they would NEVER go these places otherwise. When I was a kid I hated traveling with them because we ALWAYS went to Cape Cod or Maine, but we've been to Chicago, Las Vegas and New Orleans together. (seeing my mother drinking a hurricane on Bourban Street was memorable) I still go on many vacations with my boyfriend, but I think it is very important for them to get out and see different things. This year I will probably get them tickets for Quebec City.

Lynn

Debbie,

Sanibel Island is NOT "boring as hell", as one poster put it. Sanibel is a very relaxing island with an emphasis on nature. We go to Sanibel often and on several occasions have taken my Mother-In-Law. She is a sweet lady and we get along just fine. We always have a wonderful vacation. Actually, we are planning a trip for next year with my Mother and Step Father who have never been to Sanibel. Go and enjoy yourselves! Just ignore the nasty remakes on this thread.

nina

My sister and I travel at least twice a year with our mom and our kids. We love it and have a great time. We leave our husbands at home on these trips.

Maybe that's the secret, either go with your spouse or parents, just don't mix the two. Works for us!

liz

after my mother died, we took my father & 6 month old son to Sanibel & had a great time. Only problem was we stayed at the Best Western & they only had one family suite which was on the second floor with steep stairs. It was hard for my father to keep going up & down. It was great for everyone. My husband earned lots of points for putting up with my Dad.

Rita

Gee I can't imagine that my spouse would ever feel that they earned brownie points for putting up with my mother, nor I his parents. Feel so bad for elderly people stuck in families like this. In my family we actually fight over who will go down the shore each year with my mother. Everyone wants her influence over our children and well we just get plain jealous if another sibling is sucking up her affections. Nothing to inherit we just all love her. No in-law feels in positioned, we feel lucky to have her around. I would never not want my husbands grand parents influence over our kids either. I think we would all feel unfortunate to be married to someone who did not appreciate our parents or who felt like they were doing a good deed by welcoming an in law on the trip. You don't think these extended family members can pick up this sentiment?

We have taken my mother to London, Paris, Italy. Feel bad about not having persued more international travel with her while she was able. We have done a number of domestic trips to her native Pittsburgh but none to her favorite stomping ground the Caribbean.

Rita

Have joined my father in-law boating in Chesapeake, Grand Canyon, and skiing in tremblatt. Loved every minute of it!

carolyn

I have travelled with and without family. I can tell you one thing for sure, I would rather travel with my elderly parents than with a relative who brings along minor children. Kids (of all ages) need constant attention. It has been my experience that the daily itinerary changes alot more because of kids than it does because of my parents.

Food-Parents can always find something on any menu. Kids, no way.
Naps-Parents relish them. Kids fight them.
Getting started-Parents rise early and are ready to go for the day. Kids are incapable of consensus, so adults have to compromise.
Conversation-not even a close one, parents any time.

Just my opinion.