I don't want to hurt my parents' feelings!!!!!

[foodluva]

Help!

I have just returned from a fab holiday in the USA with my partner. On discussing the holiday with my mum, she mentioned that she and my dad would like to visit the USA but were apprehensive about it (old people get car-jacked!!!) and went on to suggest that my partner and I take she and my dad the next time we go on holiday. Yikes!!!!

I love my parents dearly but I don't fancy going away on holiday with them mainly because we just want to spend our holidays alone together. Also, my partner and I save hard to stay in nice hotels and eat in nice restaurants (we don't mind splashing out a bit on our meals) but my dad in particular moans constantly about the price of things. When we last visited my parents (they live in Gran Canaria) we took them out for an expensive meal but it was wasted on them as my dad just couldn't help passing comment on the cost and how we would have been better off eating in 'this cheap little other place'. Also my parents frown if I have any more than 2 glasses of wine (which I do often!!!!) and as our holidays involve frequent alcohol consumption I just know in my heart that the whole holiday experience will not be enjoyable for my partner or myself. I don't even understand why they are apprehensive about going alone. They moved to Gran Canaria 10 years ago with no money, no jobs and without speaking a word of Spanish. It was a brave thing to do which turned out well for them. It is beyond me why they are apprehensive about going on a 2 week trip themselves.

So my question is, how on earth do I let them down gently without hurting their feelings????

I'd really appreciate some opinions on this!

[what..the?]

To be honest, if they ask or mention it again in the future say you are interested to try a different place and try and think of somewhere they wouldn't like to go like ski holiday or something weird.

Then in the future if you do want to go to the US dont tell them you are booking it. If they ask if you are going on holiday say your are planning to book a last minute deal to ski or something. Then 2/3 weeks before you go say youv'e booked a great deal to the US its last minute holiday, if they look narked off make up some fake extras that come with the holiday which you know they will not like for example expensive onsite resturant and bars and clubs to dance the night away.

[foodluva]

LOL McNoodle! You're right!

Anyway thanks everyone for your opinions. Don't know that I'm really any further forward tough so I guess I'll just have to see how things pan out!

Foodie xx

[masma]

I'm so glad my kids are happy to holiday with us, we have a week with our son and his partner and the same with our daughter and son-in-law. They also have seperate hols without us. Wish I could have my Ma and Pa back to spend time with.

[foodluva]

Masma makes me feel bad again :-(

[masma]

Sorry I did post an answer to you but it seems to have got lost - I didn't mean to upset you but I'm sure there's a way round your problem. We go away with our daughter and her husband for a week (plus the odd weekend) and have a great time. If you really don't want to have their company then be honest and tell them, we parents can, and will, forgive most things. But... would one week really be such a problem. I wish I could have a week with my parents, both of whom have be long gone. Hey ho... no matter what you decide it'll all work out.