‘Tis the season for beach getaways, summer rentals and late night ice cream runs. What may seem like a week long vacay is sullied minutely, yet prominently by the presence of ten other people in that townhouse rental.
Brother Zach, his wife Meghan, recently graduated cousin Karlie and her new beau who she swears will follow her through college, little cousin Kristie, auntie Lynn, mom, dad and grandparents in tow. Your week just turned into air mattress central. And don’t even think about bringing that new Emily Cline book, Gammy hasn’t seen you in a few weeks and we’re sure she’ll chat from sun up to sun down.
If you haven’t figured it out by now, you’ve just embarked on the ultimate family vacation. Now, here’s how to survive it.
1. Tell the Family You’re Working From Home This Week. It’s a little white lie that could provide you with a guilt-free escape. That ‘conference call’ may have run over the hour you said it would, but you deserved some extra sun time down the beach while the family went for a bike ride. Besides, you were ‘working’ on your tan!
2. Be the Event Coordinator. Don’t be sour at the fact that brother Zach chose his favorite restaurant for the third night in a row. Be proactive! Tell them (in an upbeat and persuasive manner) activities you’d like to do that day. Jet skis? Beach? Boardwalk shopping? Just remember to be assertive and you won’t be stuck taking Gammy to the grocery store for the second time in two days.
3. Carve Out Some ‘Kid’ Time. Sure, you may have finally graduated from the kiddie table, but that doesn’t mean you have to leave so soon. Between work and your impending college graduation, you’ve probably never appreciated ‘Finding Dory’ or high school drama more. So, let cousin Karlie fill you in on all her puppy love deets and catty high school drama – it’ll be a nice reprieve from Gammy recounting the obituary pages from the Trenton Times.
4. Be the Errand Girl/ Boy. When another game of ‘Go Fish’ on a rainy day just seems way too daunting, offer to go get the ice for the night, or perhaps a 30-rack to adult-ify the day with some beer pong necessities. Finally, something you and brother Zach can bond over.
5. Speaking of Pong. While we don’t condone drinking to ease a social situation, that glass of wine at dinner with the folks may release some built up tension from that townhouse squeeze.
No one said living with family is easy, even if it’s just for the week. But at the end of the vacay, you’ll be glad you shared these memories with people you love, even if you did take that ‘conference call’ or the extra half hour on the beer run.
Our advice for #6 is quite simple. Enjoy it – they’re your family. You couldn’t pick ‘em, but you’re sure as heck glad they’re yours.
