My in laws have taken 2 of my boys 9 & 10 away on a cruise to an overseas country for 7 nights. I have always been uncomfortable with them taking my boys away but my husband thought it would be amazing time for them so I gave in.
Before they left my MIL had said to me we'll just email you a couple of times while we're away to let you know how they're going and I said ' I would die if I don't speak to my boys for that long ' and told her about how you can stay in touch with Viber or Whattsap. The next day my husband installed Whattsapp into their phone and also told her that he would like to hear from the boys everyday. We are a very close family our boys are our world. I know my boys are safe with their grandparents but am I out of place in thinking that its outrageous that we haven't heard from them in almost 6 nights? I get the feeling that they just don't care that we wanted to stay in touch with our children. I know there is Wifi on the boat. They could call when they are in the island. There's no excuse. I'm just so angry 😡
Am I overreacting?
Am I overreacting?
Posted in:
Kids
10 Replies
I have been on a couple of overseas cruises without my children. I find it very difficult to stay in touch. We gave the grandparents the cruise ships numbers for emergencies and I checked my emails daily on the computer. I was never able to call as we had no reception or once on the islands the phonecalls would have cost a fortune. Wifi on the ship is super slow! I never once saw anyone talking on their phone.
Has mother in law still sent you emails? Although I would be upset also, just remember the boys are probably having the time of their lives. Maybe MIL has had difficulty working out how to use those apps hubby installed?
If you have messaged them, rung or what ever and they haven't responded with, 'kids are all well and having a ball', then you are not over reacting.
Personally in our family we have the rule, if the kids are having fun, happy and enjoying themselves why would I interrupt that. If the kids were asking to ring you or are home sick that's a different story. Your boys are 9 and 10. At that age I did NOT want to contact my parents while I was doing something like this. Are you going to insists on talking to them on school camp?
Your kids may well be your life. But your boys are out building memories of there own and it's great that they are happy and confident to do this. You won't die.
^^ this!
When I lived in Europe, I used to go on camps that were literally weeks long and talking to my parents was the last thing I wanted to do lol. I wanted to spend time with my new friends and do all sorts of crazy stuff. Relax and enjoy a few days "off".
Its only 7 nights so they will be home shortly I assume? 9 and 10 yo would probably be having an awesome time and not really interested in talking to their mum and dad to be honest with you. Its all part of growing up - a bit of space is good for the kids :)
As someone who's parents and in laws don't give a rats about my kids, I think you are over reacting, I'd give my left arm for my kids to have this kind of relationship with their grandparents.
They sound like very loving and involved grandparents and what an awesome experience they're offering your boys. They are safe and I bet they're having the time of their life.
As a mother myself, I do understand where you're coming from but freaking out and causing an issue with your inlaws over this isn't worth it. It's also really good for kids to have some time away from their parents without being in constant contact, it helps build independence and self reliance.
Just relax and appreciate the time to yourselves, it is only a week after all.
Your over reacting
I’ve been on a cruise without my kids and keeping in contact was hard! Most times the wifi doesn’t even work! Maybe they’ve tried to make contact but just haven’t been able to. The satellite phones cost a fortune to use on the boat and I didn’t find wifi once on any islands I visited..
Let them enjoy there holiday and you enjoy your mini break
Wow, I am surprised everyone thinks you’re over reacting.
The fact is, both you and your husband mentioned you wanted to hear from your kids often and they’ve ignored you.
Fair enough if you hadn’t asked and just assumed,,, maybe!!!! But it sounds like it was pretty clear.
I’d want to hear from my kids every day if they were in a different country too!!!! Fuck that
They may not be purposely ignoring her, that's the point. I have been on a cruise and the wifi is basically non existent. The island pretty much had none and the only email we sent was received once we docked in Sydney. Older people also aren't as good with technology as us as well. I would wait to here from them before I went off the rails.
First thing I wonder is if they have emailed any updates to you at all over the last 6 days. If they have then I think that is sufficient. If not I'd have an issue with that. I would imagine anything electronic would be at the very least difficult out at sea or in another country. For that reason - I'd wait and hear them out. You're kids will come back buzzing with excitement and to me as long as they had a good time that's all that matters :-) Enjoy time with hubby and go on dates while you have the opportunity. Time is ticking lady LOL!
While I understand how you feel, the internet is very unreliable on cruises and even if you pay for wifi, it can be very expensive. Just sit back and relax, they'll be home in no time. xx