vacation woes

[Laurenwho]

I am going on a vacation in about a month. My parents and my sister and her husband are going. My ex was supposed to go with us. (He went last year and we had a great time). Now I have to invite someone else as I don't want to be the odd one out. I can invite the following people but I'm not sure who would be the best choice. I had asked this guy who is friends with my sister's husband but he can't get the time off. Ultimately I'd enjoy going with him but since that is out of the question.

I could still take my ex. We are talking about getting back together anyway (even though I'm the one who left him and for good reasons- he never spent any time with me) This could be an opportunity to reconnect. My parents still like him. My sister doesn't though and there might be some awkwardness.

 

Choice #2 is my best friend Sarah. She is married but her husband would not mind her leaving for a week. (he plays WOW constantly). We would have a lot of fun together and she and my sister are friends as well. My parents like her. My only concern is she has a 3 yr old son. We are going to the beach and while her son would enjoy that, my parents may be disrupted by her son if he cries a lot. I know that will annoy my sister and her husband as well. I am also worried that we might all have to cater to her son in ways that would make our trip less enjoyable (leave the beach early because her son is tired etc) Also my parents plan to eat out every night at local restaurants. Of course we would all be joining them. The problem is that sometimes there are long waits to get in and often we are there for over an hour just enjoying dinner. I dont' know if her son would be able to sit there for an hour (I went to a pizza place with them last year when he was two and he kept running around the restaurant and laid down on the floor in front of the table and screamed and cried when she tried to make him get up. So he's not the most well-behaved kid.

 

I dont' want to stress my parents out with all of that so I'm not sure I should invite her. But she would LOVE the trip (she never gets to get away) and I would love to have her there.

 

I could also invite my best guy friend. I'm not sure he would be allowed to go as he is living with his girlfriend and she couldn't get a week off to go with him. He said he would go without her (he is very close to my family). We have been friends for over a decade and I know we would have a good time.

 

 

I don't know who to take with me. Any thoughts?

[quankanne]

you didn't say how long the trip was going to be, so I'm guessing a week, two at the most. Either which way, I'd say take your best friend, and see if she can get her family to keep her little boy while she's gone – if it's a two-week trip, at least try to get her away, alone, for a week. You will never regret it, and she will enjoy being able to be around adults again.

 

not that she doesn't love her child, but I've seen lots of women just get so caught up in mommy duties that they rarely have time for themselves ... and feel guilty whenever they DO put themselves first. Hopefully, someone will give her a much-needed break by agreeing to care for the child so she can get some down time.

 

you guy best friend is also a good choice, IMO, but not if he's in a relationship right now. You don't need to borrow trouble in the form of a pissed-off GF if you asked him along.

 

your ex? That's an iffy one, but you know the relationship best, so it's very much your call. But know that being single on a family vacation isn't the worst thing in the world – it might feel like it, but consider the things you are free to do without having to check with your guest or having to keep your guest in mind.

 

the main thing is, go and have fun with your family. It's good knowing that there are folks out there who are able (and want) to spend time with their families, just kicking back. I know my own family would never pull that off in a million years because we are just too many and too varied in personality/likes!