Baptism - folks staying over, yes or no?

felicity1

Our daughter is being baptised soon and we are planning a 'do' afterwards. We are hoping that all our friends and family will be there, however, hubby's family live 200 miles away and have indicated that they will only come if we put them up overnight - including ourselves (we are 4) that would be 7 adults and 7 children. We don't live in a huge house, but that's not really the issue. Frankly, I feel stressed out just thinking about about having folks over and can't imagine managing getting the party organised on the morning of the baptism with a houseful.

Or, am I being totally unreasonable? I know it's a long way to travel, but if it were me I'd just book a b&b. Views appreciated, thank you.

bunty109

This is such a toughie. My OH's family would do exactly the same, whereas my family are more inclined to offer to stay somewhere so as not to get in the way!

The difficulty comes in trying to explain to them as they may well think they are going to be really helpful being on hand to assist you (when I appreciate all you want to do is get on with things and not have the palaver of everyone using the bathroom etc etc). You or your OH can try and explain perhaps and suggest a b&B and maybe think of a compromise in that you offer to have some of the kids for a sleepover: that way the adults can have a nice night in a B&B and you get the house guests who you can tell off if they get under your feet!!!!

Best of luck. It isn't easy and I know exactly what you are going through as we've had it many times before.

Need_More_Money_2

Can't they book a cheap travelodge room somewhere nearby? They could probably get one for £15-26. You could offer to book one for them and hope they take the hint and pay for it themselves.

tanith

That is a difficult one but if you are saying that there will be 10 of them? :eek: thats an awful lot of people to put up and its an awful lot of money in a B and B........... No possibility of just the adults coming without the children? Not sure what I would do in the circumstances..

Rachie_B

:eek: an extra 10 people to find sleeping room for ?! surely if you dont have the room you dont have the room it wont be an excuse just a fact !

do you have any other family that some of them could stay with ? lessening the load for you so to speak ?

otherwise research cheap B&Bs in the area and let them know that info,saying that you dont have the room

Bogof_Babe

Damn cheek if you ask me. Do they intend to bring sleeping bags and kip on the floor? Otherwise where do they think you could put them up? I'm assuming you don't have a mansion.

A family room at a Travel Lodge is a much better idea. They really should be realistic about this, and if they can't be then you will have to tell them straight.

It's not just accommodating them, it's feeding them, and as you say getting ready for the baptism all at the same time. Totally impractical.

elsien

Same situation at my brothers kid's christening - he was really embarrassed at asking us to stay at a b and b, but we really didn't mind. There was one almost next door, so we could see lots of them but also give them their own space. The last thing you want when shoehorning kids into their best outfits is interfering rellies like us taking up loads of room.
Don't feel bad about asking them to stay elsewhere - it's a reasonable request, and they really should be ok about it.

felicity1

Bogof Babe, yes, it would have to be sleeping bags on the floor as we don't have beds for 10 (who does!)

To be honest, reading everyone's replies I think my mind is made up to request no overnighters and if people wish to come then it will have to be b&b. We'll fully understand if folk don't want to come, but I just don't think I want to cope with all the entertaining beforehand, not to mention having to clean the house top to bottom and provide food on top. It's just too much.

Ellie2758

Definitely a travelodge or cheap b&b - I dont know how they have the cheek to hint that they want putting up.

Smashing

Give them a list of B&B's and let them organise themselves.
As if you haven't got enough to do!

Timmne

Could you find them the travelodge rooms and pay for them yourself? It's not particularly good for you but if they could fit in 2-3 £15 rooms it's £45 max you'll be paying out, which I guess is easily payable if it means getting the family out of your hair!