Would you be offended?

[CrazyLady]

I say be honest because if they know straight up the reason i think they are less likely to be offended. if you say that you have friends in the area that want to catch up then they find out otherwise it would be more hurtful in the long run.

[misty]

I will not stay at my FIL's place for similar (but different) reasons, instead we either stay at a different relatives (which he doesn't mind) or stay at a hotel. If we stay at the hotel we tell him that we would be much more comfortable ith the kids and routines etc if we could go to a hotel, we also mention that that way it feels like a holiday for us and we can relax more. It is all true, if not the main reason for staying elsewhere. Maybe you could try something like that?

[Sterla]

Thanks for all your replies - you've given me some things to think about. There's no doubt in where we're staying (at another rellies)... now we just have to try and work out how to tell them... DH and I are such chickens for confrontation .

[Indadhanu]

Oh hun, I have NO IDEA how to tell them, but we are planning on visiting some friends when Shel gets some time off in October, and we usually stay there, but they are heavy smokers and smoke inside, and we won't stay there with Jazz... but am finding it hard to tell them as they have two young kids themselves (5yo and 10mo) and we don't want them to think we are judging their parenting, but I just won't expose Jazz to that... no idea how to say that too them... I guess we will use the old "Jazz is very full on, so we really need to somewhere without other kids..." I dunno, thats all I've though of!!!!!

[Sterla]

I'm not the only one then Leasha . Well, when I come up with what we're going to say I'll let you know!