I was hoping to take mom to Ireland, her birthplace. for a reunion but she does not want to go so I am thinking of going to Hawaii or Las Vegas. She has just had knee surgery but is recuperating nicely. There are 4 daugters and an 82 yr old mom.
Where could we go to have fun and just hang out and not be bored? We never all get together. Leave husbands and children at hom. Any ideas?

What time of year (for weather), where are you starting from and what does Mom like? Las Vegas can get very hot and Hawaii is a very long way unless you're starting from the west coast.

My sisters and I went to Vegas last year with our 81 year old Mom and had a great time (7 of us on a Girls only trip). We got a free wheelchair at our hotel and were able to keep it the entire trip. Mom would ride in the wheelchair when we were walking between hotels and then get out when we got to the Casinos. This saved her from getting too tired walking when she didn't have to. Also, don't try to get your Mom to do too much. If she wants to go back to the hotel for a rest, don't feel guilty about leaving her alone - let her rest for a couple of hours and go out and have some fun.

>"but she does not want to go so .."

My own mom is 81, and never wants to go. My siblings & I all do quite a bit of traveling and we each try to persuade her to come along. We just got her to see DC for the first time last fall. However, we've decided that even though she's in pretty good health, other than tiring somewhat easily, that when she says, "I really don't care about seeing xxxx", she REALLY means she DOESN'T want to go, as much as we think it will be a treat.

And just so that you don't think she's a "homebody" -- she does enjoy going to local/regional places, and in fact she makes comments if NOT invited. Her position seems to be that she just prefers to spend nights in her own bed, not a hotel.

Maybe we adult children must ask ourselves if these trips are a treat for our elderly parents, or for ourselves?

You may want to think about somewhere that doesn't involve a long flight.

I swell up on flights of an hour or more and recent surgery may make mom miserable unless she flies first class.

Coach seats are so cramped and that may also compound the knee. Bulkhead, with a little more room is usually taken over by FFs and emergency row passangers must be agile.

What about a weekend spa retreat somewhere near you? I know that we all could use some pampering. Old bones benefit from a nice massage & a good facial is a treat. I gave my 73 yr old mother a gift certificate for a facial for her birhtday & then she got a massage for Mother's Day. She is not the least "foo-foo" & had never indulged herself like that. She really enjoyed them both & said the massage helped the pain in her hip.

It might be a good way for all of you to relax & take a trip down memory lane. Check out to see if there is a resort that offers spa, casino & show packages. Might be just what you need.

I think the weekend spa idea is terrific, but also want to put in a good word for Washington, DC. If the older Mom gets tired, you can rent a wheelchair and go around the Smithsonian and all the Monuments. All the museams are wheelchair and senior freindly and the city has lots of theaters for shows and concerts.