Today’s Ask Carolyn answers two questions about summer vacation. Our first reader wants to know what the ground rules should be for a multi-generational beach trip. Our second reader is taking the family cat for a sail.
Dear Carolyn,
I just turned in the dates for my summer vacation weeks with my sons (ages 6 and 9) to my ex. In even years I pick first by May 1. I get three total summer weeks split as two weeks and one week. Week isn’t defined, but that is another story for another day and a source of arguments. I picked Saturday to Saturday because of my beach rental for the one-week session. My two boys and I are camping in the Rockies the two-week time. Now for my questions regarding the one-week time, which I would like to do with my parents, the paternal grandparents of my children:
We have had some problems before on these trips with my parents and the kids. When and where do we eat? How do we keep everything clean and sanitary? We don’t want sand in the cereal?
They love their grandkids, and they are paying for the beach house. I am focused upon making this enjoyable for all concerned. Do you have some “Ask Carolyn” ground rules for these multi-generational beach trips?