If you had to entertain your MIL for a week

[mrs.jacinthe]

what would you do?

My MIL is coming for a visit next month. She's coming a week before FIL gets here (due to different vacation allowances). DH obviously can't just take two weeks off work to entertain his peeps. So it's going to fall to me. I will have to work during the day, but I'm on a contrct basis, so unless work gets extremely busy, I can work in the evenings while H entertains his mom and then I can do stuff with her in the mornings/afternoons.

We're not exactly close, although we're certainly friendly. So far I've thought of going to the spa for pedicures, hitting the local art galleries, maybe shopping? But I'm out of ideas and I've got 5 days to keep her semi-busy. We're saving all the major touristy stuff until FIL gets here because he will want to do these things, as well.

Not that I really expect her to be always going and doing ... but it seems like a crappy thing to keep her confined in our little house when there are things we could be doing.

[downtoearth]

I know my MIL would like to do art gallery/museum, hit antique stores, lunch out, shopping downtown, hiking a local mtn or trail system near a river, hitting up a big book store (not box, independant), maybe even one of those cocktails or wine/painting classes for fun. You could also visit some of the lesser tourist areas like a local history park or state park area.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Oooh, antiquing! Not something I had thought of, but it is something she loves. We do have some hiking trails, too, but that will depend on the weather. The ILs are from NH - I'm not sure hiking in CA's summer heat/sun will appeal to her. But these are great ideas! I hadn't even come close to thinking up classes ... off to research those.

[who22]

What about a winery tour? Day at the lake/ocean? My mil mostly likes shopping and wine.

[wawa]

I'd also check if there are any goofy little festivals within reasonable driving distance. My MIL loves stuff like the random "Herb Festival" they have on a neighboring city. Flea markets, farmers markets - all that kind of stuff.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Sadly, the ILs are super-conservative, so drinking is definitely out for them, or any drinking-related activities. Which is sad, because this part of the country has a LOT of drinking-related activities. LOL

oooh, festivals are good, too. Hmmm.

[pinkeggs]

I'm sorry, I only read the subject line and all I could think of was taking a lot of shots. And I mean A LOT.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Jul 13, 2012 14:44:05 GMT -5 pinkeggs said:

I'm sorry, I only read the subject line and all I could think of was taking a lot of shots. And I mean A LOT.

Bahahahaha!!! Like I said, alcohol-related activities are out.

Seriously, though ... I'm stressing out big-time over this. It's not that I don't like my MIL, I'm just not exactly sure what a whole week of together-time is going to look like, you know?

[who22]

Scenic drive? Golf? Nature Reserve? "Help" with a project? See a play/show? Be a lady who lunches at nice places? Botanical Gardens? Play board games/cards? Go through open houses or kitchen/landscape tours? Any touristy things your FIL wouldn't be interested in that your MIL would? Does your have access to a "things to do" section in a local paper or magazine for ideas?

[minniebee]

My MIL loves movies. She would also be thrilled to go shopping at thrift stores or garage sales. So would my mom. Lots of bargain hunters in my family.

Any kind of unique restaurant or store that she couldn't go to at home would be fun.

[Ramz-ee]

Jul 13, 2012 14:44:05 GMT -5 pinkeggs said:

I'm sorry, I only read the subject line and all I could think of was taking a lot of shots. And I mean A LOT.

This is exactly what I thought.

[Deleted]

PP. I had some great ideas. My MIL is easily entertained! She'd just ask if she could bake something, make some dinner and vaccuum the floor, stay up late and sleep past 8am. Is your MIL into any house projects she could help you with? Mine would love that but she's probably weird!

A spa day, A day of shopping and lunch out I think is enough. The other couple days she could just hang. You don't want to overschedule her either.

[jena]

I can't even imagine "entertaining" someone that long. MIL stays with us for weeks on end. We let her drive our car and draw her a map to get where she wants to go.

I would spend a half day with her doing stuff and then let her entertain herself for a few hours each day while I worked.

[adhdfashion]

Spend a day at the pool /lake/beach. Swimming is awesome. I would find a way to drinking on the DL. It'll be just like high school! LOL

[vic1011]

I would pretend to have the flu...

Are there any local craft fairs? Beach? Local businesses you that offer factory tours? Museums? MAgic Mike?

Though my MIL would be content to sit in my living room and watch tv.

I'd also start drinking the moment I woke up, but that's just me.

[ohjessica]

I would stress too if I felt as though I had to come up with an activity for everyday.

I pretty much ditto all the other suggestions. How about hitting up DH for some ideas on what books or movies MIL would like and have them ready for her so she has something to do for those times when you can't take her out.