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I guess that I am surprised at how many grandparents only visit their children and grandchildren for three days.
By the time that I (and, I assume many other people) drive to the airport, wait through an hour (or hours) of security check-ins, catch a flight, have an hour or two lay-over in another city, catch another flight, maybe wait for luggage, rent a car and drive from the airport, most or all of the day is over. Frankly, I am exhausted and if I had to do all of that in reverse just three days later I would need a week or so just to recover from the traveling.
Normally, it takes me a year, or more, to save up enough money (through odd jobs, etc.) just to pay for my airplane ticket so it seems odd to only stay three days (and not a full week). My son & DIL ask me to stay a week or ten days. If they asked me to stay for three days I would comply but probably be disappointed as I only get to see my grandchildren once or twice a year).
But, of course, every family is different. If three days works for you, then great.
Last edited by germaine2626; 06-22-2016 at 09:35 AM..
I guess that I am surprised at how many grandparents only visit their children and grandchildren for three days. By the time that I (and, I assume many other people) drive to the airport, wait through an hour (or hours) of security check-ins, catch a flight, have an hour or two lay-over in another city, catch another flight, maybe wait for luggage, rent a car and drive from the airport, most or all of the day is over. Frankly, I am exhausted and if I had to do all of that in reverse just three days later I would need a week or so just to recover from the traveling.
Normally, it takes me a year, or more, to save up enough money (through odd jobs, etc.) just to pay for my airplane ticket so it seems odd to only stay three days (and not a full week).
But, of course, every family is different. If three days works for you, then great.
I never check luggage (it's only 3 days - everything I need can be taken in a backpack!). I take a direct flight, so no layovers. I take a train or a taxi from the airport. I try to catch an early flight. My longest security wait has been about 10 minutes (most recent flight was a few weeks ago). I get to my destination early afternoon and have the afternoon and evening.
I live less than 4 miles from my parents and they never stay more than an hour. But we do activities all the time as a family, including my brother, uncle and their families. Sunday we met at a park for dinner and fishing.
My ex in laws lived 10 hours away. An hour with them once a year was way to much time. Awful people which clearly explains why my ex is bat crap crazy.
We only visit for a weekend, or a week, if they live far away. I would say a lot depends upon the set up at the kid's houses.
Let's say we have our own room and private bath and TV. In that case, we would feel alright staying a week or two. while we were there we would not expect to be entertained and would help with meals and pick up after ourselves.
Truthfully, it is hard to get comfortable at our kids homes because of bad mattresses and uncomfortable furniture, so we don't stay long. My son in law keeps suggesting that if they buy a place in FL, DH and I should live down there and take care of everything while they aren't there, but I can't really see this working out long term because we like our space and privacy. We love our kids, but not a steady diet of them.
The closest thing we have going is my SIL and BIL who come for two weeks sometimes. After that we are glad for them to leave, even though we truly enjoy having them. We have private quarters for them, and they do not require entertainment. I like having someone new to cook for and SIL always help clean up in the kitchen. The worst thing about it is that they stay up late, and get up late...the opposite of us.
I guess that I am surprised at how many grandparents only visit their children and grandchildren for three days.
By the time that I (and, I assume many other people) drive to the airport, wait through an hour (or hours) of security check-ins, catch a flight, have an hour or two lay-over in another city, catch another flight, maybe wait for luggage, rent a car and drive from the airport, most or all of the day is over. Frankly, I am exhausted and if I had to do all of that in reverse just three days later I would need a week or so just to recover from the traveling.
Normally, it takes me a year, or more, to save up enough money (through odd jobs, etc.) just to pay for my airplane ticket so it seems odd to only stay three days (and not a full week). My son & DIL ask me to stay a week or ten days. If they asked me to stay for three days I would comply but probably be disappointed as I only get to see my grandchildren once or twice a year).
But, of course, every family is different. If three days works for you, then great.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PeachSalsa
I never check luggage (it's only 3 days - everything I need can be taken in a backpack!). I take a direct flight, so no layovers. I take a train or a taxi from the airport. I try to catch an early flight. My longest security wait has been about 10 minutes (most recent flight was a few weeks ago). I get to my destination early afternoon and have the afternoon and evening.
On my last trip from California to Wisconsin I left my son's house at 7 AM and due to a flight cancellation (which resulted in a long wait, a horrible connection & long layover) I arrived home at 12:30 AM the next day.
On several occasions I have had to stand and wait in security lines for over an hour (absolutely horrible for an older woman with severe rheumatoid arthritis), but these were for 7 to 9 AM flights. I suppose that if I took a 5:30 AM flight it might be different.
I guess that I am surprised at how many grandparents only visit their children and grandchildren for three days.
By the time that I (and, I assume many other people) drive to the airport, wait through an hour (or hours) of security check-ins, catch a flight, have an hour or two lay-over in another city, catch another flight, maybe wait for luggage, rent a car and drive from the airport, most or all of the day is over. Frankly, I am exhausted and if I had to do all of that in reverse just three days later I would need a week or so just to recover from the traveling.
Normally, it takes me a year, or more, to save up enough money (through odd jobs, etc.) just to pay for my airplane ticket so it seems odd to only stay three days (and not a full week). My son & DIL ask me to stay a week or ten days. If they asked me to stay for three days I would comply but probably be disappointed as I only get to see my grandchildren once or twice a year).
But, of course, every family is different. If three days works for you, then great.
I think it all depends on the distance. If you have to fly across the country then staying a week is ok but if you live within driving distance 3 days is more than enough.
My sister's inlaws seem to be the perfect guests. They live 12 hours away, but they're retired and enjoy the journey almost as much as the destination, so they make the drive in two days. They spend five days visiting my sister and BIL, but they stay at a motel. They plan a couple of things to do as a couple so that my sister doesn't feel like she has to keep them entertained the whole time they're visiting. They eat dinner with my sister and BIL but take care of their other meals on their own. All my sister really has to do to get ready for a visit is clean the house.
I think if space is limited and your visit displaces a kid or two from their bedroom, that's a factor in how long you should stay.
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