Not asking advice, there's really nothing that can be done, just want to vent, so enjoy:

Ok, I have these in-laws and things are usually bearable, they come around for holidays and the kids' birthdays and send a card, great. But, they own a couple of vacation places up in Michigan we go to every year--it's our big vacation thing, and we absolutely LOVE IT. Anyway, this year our neighbor is getting divorced (kind of support her since her husband went full asshole on her) so my wife thought it would be nice for her and her kids to come w/us. Mind you, everyone else, both my wife's brother and his family and her step-family and their kids already bailed on going. So now, the mother-in-law melts down and starts laying down the law on what we can and can't touch (jet-ski, scooters, all the fun stuff). Keep in mind, every year we go we try to make it fun, but her asshole husband, a complete and total stick-in-the-mud, fun-sucking, wet-blanket, ruins it for everyone. I mean Jesus Christ, it's vacation, the point kind of is to have fun, right? I mean my wife has been going there since 1970, the year after she was born, and she wants our kids to have the same experience, but I'll be damned if I'm going to have them lord over us that this is their "stuff." If you don't want us to come, don't make huge plans every year and then get pissed when everyone bails out except us, and subsequently abuse us because all your other kids hate you. We are at least TRYING.

/rant

That really sucks G! Nothing like in-family hassles to really put up the blood pressure.

I hate to say this but if your mother in law's husband is being a dick by ruining vacations and your mother in law is laying down the law regarding the cottage, maybe it's time to change venues. Why go through all that stress on your vacation?

It's bad enough you have to go through that but if the neighbours get involved (especially during a divorce), that will make things worse for everyone all around.

First of all, why are they saying you can't use the Jet-skis, scooters, etc?

Also, are the in-laws up there when your up there? And why did the rest of your family members bail?

If its because of your in-laws (or father in law) then rainman has a very good point.

Vacation is suppose to be just that - VACATION! If there is stress and family tension, it certainly takes away from all that, and you may be better off changing venues for sure.

I don't know if you pay to go up there; and if money is a factor that may be a problem. But you could always rent a place with other family members and all go in on it together.

Unfortunetly I talk from experience. There is a beach house in my family that has been handed down over the generations. As of right now, there are about 20 owners of the place. It has divided my family, with bickering and tension about who gets to go up and when, this person hasn't contributed, this one does all the work, blah blah blah.

Some of my other family members have just started renting other properties because the bullshit and stress of fighting amongst your family sucks. As for me, I actually went and bought a condo at the beach, because I love to go there but can't get near the place without a full fledged war with my cousins.

Family - in-laws - vacation homes = bullshit.

Posted by Debi First of all, why are they saying you can't use the Jet-skis, scooters, etc? Control. They think that all we want to do is use stuff. Yeah, it's fun, but so is just hanging out or going for a walk. They worked hard to get their stuff, fine, I really don't care about it, but if I use it don't lord it over me. Also, are the in-laws up there when your up there? And why did the rest of your family members bail? Thank God for the first 4 days, no. My sister-in-law (brother-in-law's wife) is a total beast, she hates it up there and makes everyone know it through pouting and tantrums. The BIL just gave up and said we aren't coming. The step-sibs have a long way to go and money is tight. If its because of your in-laws (or father in law) then rainman has a very good point. Vacation is suppose to be just that - VACATION! If there is stress and family tension, it certainly takes away from all that, and you may be better off changing venues for sure. I don't know if you pay to go up there; and if money is a factor that may be a problem. But you could always rent a place with other family members and all go in on it together. We don't pay. They have 2 cottages--the original that was handed down and the one next door that they paid too much for. The MIL rents out the second one and blocked off this coming week for the family. The rest bailed; maybe that's why she's being a jackass--she could've re-rented, but she could've also just told us that, we don't care, we can stay in cramped quarters. Unfortunetly I talk from experience. There is a beach house in my family that has been handed down over the generations. As of right now, there are about 20 owners of the place. It has divided my family, with bickering and tension about who gets to go up and when, this person hasn't contributed, this one does all the work, blah blah blah. This. If I have to hear one more time how much the sFIL does up there, I'll freaking puke. Dude is NEVER around for her, takes her nowhere, is always off @ yardsales or working on ebay. This is a very successful man, making it hand over fist on textbook sales, he doesn't need to do that shit. There is no law that says you have to get married again, his first two marriages failed, so do ya think a third is really a great idea? Really? Some of my other family members have just started renting other properties because the bullshit and stress of fighting amongst your family sucks. As for me, I actually went and bought a condo at the beach, because I love to go there but can't get near the place without a full fledged war with my cousins. Family - in-laws - vacation homes = bullshit. BOOM. We have a place in the mountains in PA. Yeah, my wife hates it, but she goes and drinks beer around the campfire, not a huge deal. My brother drives her batty; I'm sure she is just uncomfortable as I am @ her place.

_{EDIT: Fixed quote and post. Never mind, I see what you did there.}

Aw that sucks, hope it the vacation goes well even if they are being lame.

I have trouble with my inlaws, but they're born-again christians so it's a whole different kinda trouble...

Vacation went Ok. In-laws were actually fine--even when I came clean about putting gas in the wrong hole on the jet ski. LOL. I did ride the Vespa but they weren't there for it.

Posted by Oryx Aw that sucks, hope it the vacation goes well even if they are being lame. I have trouble with my inlaws, but they're born-again christians so it's a whole different kinda trouble...

Born Again Christians whose son manages a porn shop?
LL


G:
I would try talking to them about how you feel: best case; they understand and lighten up. Worst case; they end up hating you for a while but you aren't expected to go there for vacation next year!

Posted by TheVicariousVadder Born Again Christians whose son manages a porn shop? LL

Haha yes He brought them to the store once too. It was cute. His mum looked at a piece of lingerie and said, "This is too sexy" and his dad went, "no it's not..."