Traveling with Parents

My DH and I have a son who will be 2 next month. We haven't traveled much with him, only 2 small road trips last summer to Lancaster and Boston, each for 2 nights.

This summer we were thinking of going back to Lancaster in June to do the Thomas the Train, Dutch Wonderland, outlet shopping and other amish stuff. This time we were thinking of going for 3-4 nights.

I asked my mom if her and my dad wanted to join us. I always imagined we would travel together on family vacations. I'm waiting on an answer from them, but I already reserved a villa at Eden in case they want to come. My dad is not a big traveler but I think it could be fun. I'm not worried about financial stuff. I imagine we can pay for the room, they can pay for some dinners, tickets, etc.

My concern is how to handle things with DH's parents. DH's dad is not keen on traveling either and I have a feeling if I asked them, they would decline. I would not ask them for the same trip, but I'm wondering if my parents say yes, am I obligated to make a weekend trip with them next? I sort of feel bad b/c I feel like they get left out of everything. Even DH's one sister travels with her in-laws leaving them behind. I won't blame her though, the in-laws usually foot the bill for all.

They do sometimes go to their other daughter's place in NC. Maybe we could tag along and kill 2 birds with one stone and count that as a trip with them and visiting DH's sister. Plus we'd be staying at her large house so there would no financial weirdness. That was my next concern, is they (I don't think) would want to stay and pay for a nicer resort like Eden.

I haven't discussed any of this with DH. I don't think he would care either way since I'm the one always making arrangements. I just don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.

I guess besides just being able to get all this off my chest, I was curious:

How do you deal with traveling with parents?

Do you always travel with just one side of the family?

How do things go financially?

Thanks for any and all advice.

Re: Traveling with Parents

We have traveled with both of our parents and on our own. We actually have traveled with my in-laws more than my parents. We took cruises with both sets of grandparents at the same time two years in a row. It went well and I am very thankful our families get along. Last year my in-laws rented a time share so we spent a week with them. This year we are going to visit my husband's Aunt in California and they will be there for part of the trip. I think next year we will have to have some type of vacation with my parents to balance things out. We had planned this California trip for a few years though so everyone in the family knew we were going to go so it was not a surprise. I also think it is important to go away as your own family as well if you can. We try to have a small immediate family only vacation. I would ask your parents if they want to come if you think they would get along. I also firmly believe that they need their own rooms. It can be a little to much of a good thing when everyone is in close quarters. edit to add - financially the cruises were split between my parents and my inlaws for our room. We paid for all of our excursions, food, gifts, and presents to them thanking them for the trips. At the time share it was a huge multi room suite and they paid. It was really inexpensive - 500 for a week for 7 people.

Message edited 3/1/2013 11:02:32 AM.

Re: Traveling with Parents

Any trips that we are making we always say anyone is welcome to come. We went to PA 2 years ago and invited my parents, but they didn't come bc they just decided not to. My MIL may have gone if my parents went, but we had no room for her in our car, so she didn't.

We went to Disney last year and we again said anyone is welcome to come. My parents REALLY wanted to go with us, but couldn't bc they couldn't get time off of work. My MIL did come with us bc she had never been. I'm sure my parents were somewhat jealous that they didn't get to come-and I know they want to go the next time we go.

We've also traveled to Jamaica with my side of the family and not DH's bc they didn't want to go.

So, I guess offer if anyone wants to go, and if they want to go, great, if not, their loss. Everyone always pays for their own way.

Re: Traveling with Parents

Thanks for the replies so far. I think both sets of parents would get along if all came, but for now, I think separate is better.

If it us and my parents I'm rethinking the lodging situation. I have on reserve a suite with 2 separate bedrooms with a common living room and kitchen, but maybe 2 separate regular rooms would be better. I'll discuss with my mom if they decide to go.

When we went to Boston it was to visit my best friend. We booked a similar, but not as large suite with 2 bedrooms and a common space. That worked out great, but maybe with the folks, a little more privacy would be best.