My parents are due in town this afternoon for an extended visit. We’re talking 3 weeks, minimum. Although at this point I’m pretty excited about it, I know from experience that by the time they leave, I’ll be ready for them to be gone.
Overall, my parents are pretty cool. Very easy going, not too critical of me or my ways, etc. And they’re fun, too. Last night on the phone I asked if I should make anything special (or anything at all…) for dinner tonight. My 63 year old mother replies “Don’t worry about dinner. That’s not important. The important thing is that you have provisions for cocktail hour.”
So I’m partying with the parents tonight. Next weekend we head out to Taos/Santa Fe/Durango for a few days. After that, who knows?
Sounds like fun, Athena. But three weeks sounds like a long time. As Benjamin Franklin said, “Fish and visitors stink after three days.”
My parents live near us so we can visit (or not) anytime we feel like it. In-laws are further away – about six hours – just far enough that we can be there if we want to or beg off if we don’t.
This is not an accidental arrangement. My folks sound like yours – easygoing, seldom critical, usually fun. In-laws, OTOH, are nice people but a little controlling. My mother-in-law is one of those super-organized people who make plans months in advance. Woe unto he who disrupts plans!!
Anyway – have an enjoyable visit. New Mexico, et al, sounds like a fun trip. If you find you’re getting too much of each other pull into a rest stop and drive away while they’re in the bathroom. Come back in a coupla days when everyone’s had a little quiet time.
“You have no choice but to be impressed.”
Tony Rothman and George Sudarshan Doubt and Certainty
Hell, I can top that. My parents are both retired, and they come to visit for 6 months at a time! (Not this year though due to health reasons, they’ll only be staying two months.)
Pluses: Dinner on the table every night when I come home, they do the housework (even wash the windows!)
“Do you need any money? If you do, just ask!”
Minuses:
“Have you sent in your tax forms yet?”
“Why don’t you balance your checkbook?”
“Isn’t 10:30 PM on a weekday too late to go to a movie?”
“When are you getting a haircut?”
Dinner on the table every night
Mother will happily do things like clean out the fridge, organize the cupboards, etc. (She would clean, but I have a cleaning service come in once a week so in general it’s not needed.)
Father has been a carpenter for 40+ years - he can fix anything, and will do it happily. I’ve got a whole list of home improvements for him.
Minuses
Father watches TV all the friggin’ time. Oh wait, so does SO. I’m gonna have to get used to this.
Mother still has hopes that I’ll someday turn into the type of woman who cares about her hair, makeup, and losing that last ten pounds. I consistently disappoint her, and it shows.
Mother will happily do things like clean out the fridge, organize the cupboards, etc.
<sigh> I’m sure there’s more. For now, I’m still excited about the visit. And pluto, I like your suggestion about the rest stop.