Babysitting Dilema.....

[jane-t-mommy]

Help Please.....MIL has very sweetly offered to take my husband and I to a fabulous concert in December. We live two hours away. She will be attending concert with us. I mentioned that I would find a sitter here for my two kiddos (4 & 8) thinking to drive home after the concert (getting home around midnight prob). She immediately said "oh bring the kids and stay the night." I know that she didn't mean to bring the kids to the concert....so I said, well, who will sit with the kids and she said, don't worry, we'll work something out. She is still planning on going to the concert, which leaves me in the position of letting her make arrangements for the kids. I really don't feel comfortable with this for several reasons, but of course, must be careful how I relay that or I will end up in big trouble! Help, what would you do?

[ChetMC]

No Big Deal

I don't think it has to be a big issue. Tell her you've got a sitter the kids know and are comfortable with, and it'll just be easier to leave them at home. I'm sure she'd love to see the grandkids, but you can suggest you bring them for a separate visit soon when you all won't be going out and you can really visit together.

[lifeguard]

Or if you want to spend the night but don't trust her to pick a sitter perhaps someone you are comfortable with would like to spend the night as well.

[limabean]

I agree that it doesn't have to be a big thing. Just say, "Oh thanks, but it'll be easier to have them home with their regular sitter." If she's a reasonable person (and it sounds like you mostly think she is), she'll understand.

[jane-t-mommy]

Thanks for the replies. One of the problems is that our regular "sitter" is her ex husband whom she refuses to see. He didn't come to our wedding due to the strained relationship. She is mostly a reasonable person, but seems to take offense even when none is intended. Hoping it goes well.....

[limabean]

Originally Posted by jane-t-mommy

Thanks for the replies. One of the problems is that our regular "sitter" is her ex husband whom she refuses to see. He didn't come to our wedding due to the strained relationship. She is mostly a reasonable person, but seems to take offense even when none is intended. Hoping it goes well.....

Oh, I can see how that'd make it more uncomfortable. Maybe leave the sitter out of your explanation then, and just say something like, "Thanks so much, but they haven't been sleeping great and I think they need to be in their own beds. We can't wait for the concert!!"

Or leave the kids out of it entirely and say, "Thanks, but DH and I are really looking forward to getting to hang out together on the drive -- it'll be great to get to listen to our music and talk to each other!"