Kevin

Traveling to the relatives house is the pits!

I just got out of bed after sleeping 12 hours straight after an exusting five days sleeping on a lumpy sofa at my wifes parents house. From Saturday the 21st to Christmas Day I slept a total of 4 hours, yes four hours.

My wife INSISTED we stay at her folks house along with the families of her six brothers and sisters. There was 21 adults and children staying in a three bedroom rambler! At least we got the sofa, most of the family members slept on the floor.

One very brave son-in-law and his immediate family insisted on staying at the local HOLIDAY INN motel but was treated like an outcast when they showed up at the house. My wives family constantly said, "isn't our place GOOD ENOUGH for you"?

By Christmas, the lack of sleep and lack of privacy had people so up-tight we just screamed at each other all day.

Who said traveling was fun? Any similar traveling to see the relatives stories?

s

I'd say that is a bit much. Stand your ground next time.

thegrinch

never could I understand why people get so put out when friends or relatives want to stay in a nearby hotel. I WISH my friends/relatives would choose a hotel!
the grinch

xxx

My inlaws prefer to stay in a hotel and I don't blame them or does it bother me. They are in their late 60's/early 70's and have earned their privacy. When we visit them, their house is large enough to accommodate all of us. My husband and I have plenty of privacy.

Lester

Sleeping on the floor and making small talk with relatives is just part of the holiday season. I read somewhere that only 20 percent of out of town travelers stay in a motel/hotel so 80% of people stay at relatives homes. Most likely they stay on a murphy bed, the sofa or an air mattress. That is Christmas in America. You survived!

Andre

Kevin

YES, I feel your pain! Been there done that...

Stay at a hotel - they bitch the first year, but quiet down once they get used to it.

If they pester you with the "isn't our place good enough" line, just tell them the truth: NO, it's NOT. They have to deal with their feelings of inadequacy, not you.

Sorry if this sounds a little harsh, but you hit a nerve

Andre

Clark

ELLEN!! WE ARE ON THE THRESHOLD OF HELL!!

xxx

Do what I do, tell them a little white lie. "You know we have this coupon for free nights at __________(fill in the local chain hotel) and this is a perfect chance for us to use them."

Tonya

Hubby and I stayed in a hotel; we broke that barrier a few years ago and are glad of it. In my parents' 3 bedroom rancher, 1 sister and her husband had one cold bedroom (with a double bed with a 20+ year old mattress), their 2 year old had her crib in another bedroom, and 1 brother had a choice of a sofa (not even a sofa sleeper) in the family room or taking the sofa-sleeper mattress from the toddler's room and sleeping on it in the living room. It's not that it's "not good enough," it's just that the house was crowded before us 4 kids got married and had our own kids. Shouldn't the holidays be something to look forward to rather than dread?

Michelle

So good to hear all these horror stories!! I thought I was alone in this ;-) I live in Manhattan in a small one bedroom with my fiance and my parents have been staying with us since the 13th of Dec! I've been sleeping on the couch and fiance has been sleeping on the air mattress. UGH! Needless to say, neither of us has gotten much sleep. Thank goodness only 48 more hours and we have our apt. back!!

x

Michelle, are your parents from another country? That is the only explanation I can think of for having company for that length of time! That is way too long to impose on someone else, parents or no parents.

Cheryl

Stay at a hotel! NO! How about all those interesting all night raps talking about politics and current events? How about watching the kids come out of bed to look for what Santa gave them. How about those home cooked meals and bonding with the relatives? A hotel, no, I will sleep on the floor if necessary for the holiday spirit!

Cindy

When we go to visit our kids, we always stay in a hotel close to their house because as I tell them, "How can we talk about you if we're right here under your noses?"
Actually, having a place to go back to and let all of us re-group has managed to keep us as the set of parents they like to have visit the most - and I LIKE that!

Dad

After years of dragging the kids and presents to the relatives' house we finally said enough is enough and actually stayed home! It was the BEST Christmas! If the relatives want to see us they know where we live....

Michelle

Yes, x, my parents live in Spain so when they come, they stay for a looooong time. Next year we're going to impose on THEM!!

visitor

Kevin,
When we visit my in-laws, we only stay with them if there is bed-space. Otherwise, we stay at neighbors or a hotel. Ditto when our relatives come here. Everyone understands and we still have plenty of time for conversation and togetherness.
The responders who happily sleep on the floor or lumpy beds must have good backs; be able to sleep through anything; or somehow not mind going sleepless. For me, going sleepless can ruin any vacation or anything.
Stick by your guns next year.

Sara

Kevin,
I have suffered back problems for over 20 years altho I am only in my mid 30's. If the issue of sleeping on a couch or floor comes up, I firmly answer "I CANNOT do that with my back." No one questions it or considers me to be "too good for them" when I go get a hotel room. I don't know if there is anyway you could employ this excuse for a gently withdrawal from the overcrowded holiday house, but perhaps....

Michelle

How do you "gently" or "diplomatically" suggest to your relatives that you would like THEM to stay in a hotel without everyone getting emotional? Is this even possible? What about splitting up the time? One week your house, one week a hotel.

Nancy

What is more important:

Fitting in or comfort
Martial bliss or comfort
Getting along or comfort
Cost or comfort

The lumpy bed at the inlaws wins everytime

tippy

this is pretty funny!