My husband and I went with my in-laws to an amusement park yesterday. It all sounds great, but things aren't always what they seem. The day before, I was annoyed because my SIL was going with her infant son, and I knew exactly what was going to happen...the MIL was going to dote on her and the baby and my kids would be left high and dry. The whole point of going was because my MIL and FIL wanted to spend time with our kids for the day. Somehow, my MIL felt bad for my SIL and invited her without even asking us if we were ok with her going. (My husband and I luckily decided from the time they invited our kids that we were going to go because we didn't trust them with all of our kids.)
The day before my husband and I talked...ok, so I complained...about the fact that she would be there and what was the point since her baby can't even do anything and so on and so forth. I told my husband exactly what was going to happen. He said I couldn't predict the future and I should give them a chance.
In the mean time, I talked to a friend who gave me some awesome advice. She said "enjoy the day with your kids, even if your MIL doesn't pay attention to them or dotes on the baby and your SIL."
Yesterday morning, he was annoyed at everything I said and didn't even want to go. He complained about what I said, told me to stay home, told me that I ruined his day...
Eventually, we all left the house and headed to meet the in-laws at the park. As soon as we got there, it began. My MIL was all over my SIL and the baby. She spent the day doting on them, just as I said. At one point, they went to the car together to feed the baby, so we took the kids on the rides without them and let them catch up with us when they had time. My MIL was so concerned about whether my SIL was having a good time. She even said at one point that everything we did was up to my SIL. It would have made more sense for us to bring our kids there without the in-laws, though my FIL spend the entire day with our kids.
I listened to my friend and I had fun with our kids and didn't let it bother me that my MIL missed out on the time. And on the way home, my husband said "you were right again!" It turned out to be a good day with the kids, despite the MIL and SIL being there. It also helped that I expected what happened to happen, so I wasn't disappointed in the end. As much as it sucks to expect people to disappoint you, it makes it easier in the end when they do.
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