Are You Freaking Kidding Me?

You are definitely in the right to be pissed off and to tell that couple - so bad so sad, you aren't going to drop everything for a damn fishing trip! Be extremely clear to this family couple... they can go Sunday afternoon or not at all.

Also - GOOD LUCK!!!

I think that it matters most that your husband says, "No, I have family obligations" and HE fulfills what HE promised YOU. Nevermind the aunt. You and DH need to just keep saying, "No, that won't work for us." Either THEY adjust or DH doesn't go. You have a huge, important thing and he can go fishing another day. Truly. He needs to support YOU and not his aunt and uncle.

I think that DH needs to hold firm on boundaries for your family and let the aunt/uncle be ticked off if they can't understand priorities. Don't let their behavior overshadow your husband's keeping his promise to watch your kid on Saturday. So what if they are irritated? It happens. Not everyone can do everything every time.

THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE! You do not need to hurry back. Do NOT try to "work it out" You need as long as you need for the conference. The fishing trip is the first thing on the chopping block. Tell the Aunt to butt out or at LEAST tell your husband you are not having this conversation. Your plan stands, they should not be cramping your style right now.

Good luck at the conference!

Ignore the aunt & uncle. They're selfish & childish. Do your thing & don't give it another thought. Do not waste your precious time & energy on why bitches are who they are, you'll never figure it out.

poor planning on THEIR part does NOT constitute an emergency on YOUR part. (my mantra) LOL! Have fun, and GOOD LUCK!

Nope, this is a big deal to you, and you have had it planned forever. Sorry about their luck!

I am a writer also. I went to a conference several years ago and it was the best thing I could have done for myself. It was all about ME for a change. Conferences don't come that often nor does the opportunity to talk to an agent. Relatives...hmmm...will be there forever...and ever...and ever...lol I'd sleep in and your uncle can just catch him next time...wawa...Keep us updated on your book. Would love to read it. If you need any help let me know. Good luck..

Forget about it. Your husband is supporting you, that's all that matters.

I am with you...Stick to your guns. Your plans were already made and they will simply have to adjust. I think you have been more than reasonable in driving back early in the a.m. so they can leave at a decent time. Tough tootsies...they will just have to wait till Sunday or go without your DH. !! Good luck on the book deal! That's awesome.

Your husband is supporting you, so go and stay as long as you need to to network, etc. If the guy shows up, it's on him. He'll just have to be disappointed, or they can all go together. Breathe, and have fun!

Uh no...totally not overreacting. Sounds like your husband is handling it for you. Just ignore everything the aunt says. Good luck!!!!

Not overreacting at all...go...and work your butt off getting that book published! And if you do let us know so we can help you out when it comes out!

LOL! omg! this would make me crazy too! seriously, where do they get off!

but Leslie M is right. the only important thing is that your husband is standing by you.
but i would just do some eye rolling, and do your venting on here, but then ignore them. i would feel No Obligation to explain/justify myself any further to them.
and susan L has a good point! you need to put in a disclaimer, that if you get a chance to do some networking on Sunday, that that deffinatly trumps fishing!

...LOL! seriously, they want you to blow this off for Fishing! this is really cracking me up! .... "better hurry, cause you know fish are just on planet earth for this weekend only!" LOL

How rude is your husbands aunt. Go to your conference and have fun. Your uncle can wait until Sunday or for another time. This is about you . You deserve it ! Good luck with your book :)

:) Number 1: I remember you talking about this upcoming meeting a long time ago, there was some stress, there were some sacrifices, this is a BIG DEAL. I'm seriously amped for ya! Number 2: I think it's awesome that your man said no, not Saturday.
My advice is that you have the right to feel irked, but I wouldn't put another thought into it. Your husband already gave them the answer, a good answer, so there's no need to waste one ounce of energy on it anymore. Prepare for your conference and have fun there, and best wishes for your meeting. I would suggest NOT mentioning it anymore to your husband either, because you don't want him feeling bad regarding his family, even if he does think they were wrong. Is the aunt coming too? If so, can't she babysit the children if the fishing trip is "so" important? Or like another mom mentioned, a babysitter for a few hours? If that's not an option, they can just deal with it. It is what it is. You can't help stupid....or rude....or presumptuous. ;)

Aunt is out of line.
Uncle was ok as far as asking about fishing, but should accept 'no' for an answer.
So sorry that THEIR hastily made plans for a good time fell through but they don't pay your bills, put food on your table or a roof over your head, etc.
Who cares what idiots think (even if they happen to be family)?
Some people have nothing better to do than imagine insults and fuss about them.
Ignore their hissy fit.
It's not worth putting any energy into it.

Your husband (good for him!) has your back and didn't try to whine at you to cut your long-planned trip short. Aunt and uncle have been told. I agree that it's frustrating but I'd try to focus just on your husband's good grace and dependability that's showing so well.

I hope the conference is great! My daughter is doing a kids' writing workshop this Saturday. I'm an editor and writer myself. Enjoy those blessed hotel nights as well as the writing sessions, J.!

Uh, yeah, don't you DARE let anything deter you from this opportunity.

I am SURE your HUSBAND is saying, well, I'd LOVE to but this is a fantastic opportunity for J., I'm SO excited for her, I want to support her in any way I can! Right?

RIGHT?

:(

You won't be there so it won't be your concern. Your husband is standing by you, and that's all that matters. Don't let it bother you so much. Don't cut your trip short either. They can plan another trip for another weekend when you're not away already.

Why don't you suggest to them that the aunt stay home with the toddler on saturday (if she is a viable option) if not isn't there a sitter that could be found so both things could happen. I think yours should take top priority because its been planned for so long but I don't know why a sitter is not being suggested for an option.

My mother-in-law is this way. She doesn't come from a bad place, she's just ridiculous. For instance, she came to visit this summer. She has a cousin-in-law (yup) in PA and decided that what we should do is drive 3 hours away so that we could spend the night at this woman's house (she is lovely but we had never met her) and then go to Hershey Park the next day. Well, that means we have to take 2 cars and pay for 7 park tickets just for our family. We said, "no", so she decided we should do the same just to stay for dinner. So, again, two cars three hours away to stay for 2 hours and drive the 3 hours home. We said, "no". She kept talking about Hershey Park everytime we talked as though we had never said "no" like, "when we go to Hershey Park" or "after Hershey Park". It was like talking to a brick wall, and I was so irked! So, because the stranger CIL wants us to all do this, we should spend hundreds of dollars we don't have to accomodate her and do nothing else the rest of the time you are here.....WITH YOUR GRANDKIDS!! She just didn't want to say "no." In the end she just had to deal with the "no".

I feel for ya, hon.

Sounds like you need to learn how to say "Sorry, it's not going to work" a bit more firmly to your aunt and uncle. And if you can't, tell your husband to do it.

Unless this fishing trip is the most exciting thing in the world for him and he'll be devestated if he doesn't go, then he'll understand that you don't want to rearrange your entire weekend and possibly stress during the important conference.

I have learned that some people do not see the world much past 2 inches in front of thier face. Don't allow the aunt to make you feel bad in the least. Too bad for them and their poor planning and their expectation for you to drop whatever you are doing to accomodate these last minute plans. Not for you to feel badly about. Please don't!!!

Enjoy your conference and good luck to you!!!!

How old is your daughter? Can she go fishing as well? My 4 year old loves to fish. Just a thought.

This would NOT fly in my house. When it comes to careers, that should always win any argument.

All the explaining you're doing, doesn't mean a thing. This is HIS responsibility to sort out. You are going on this trip, you are coming back whenever you come back and that's it. Is he going to leave her home alone? Probably not.

I am so pissed off for you, you need to let him know how hurt you are that he proved to you how he minimizes your dreams and hopes in his head. If you have to sacrifice this, imagine all the regret and resentment that will breed? Versus barely any to this manly fishing trip.

Keep it strong, sister! Get mad and put you're foot down.

Oh I feel your pain girl! I have a whole in law family just like that. They wait till the last minute then expect you to drop everything. Really? ? Oh, and they try to make your arrangements too. Im a adult and fully capable of a schedule thank you!! Nope because I know how you feel I don't think your out of line. You do what you need to do and if they get to go good for them. There will be other times he's in town when will you have this marvelous chance again? You go girl and get that book published! Praying for ya!

Good luck at your conference, J.! Sounds like you have a lot of great responses, plus your husband's support.

One thing about planning to leave early Sunday morning: what if the opportunity to have breakfast with another agent or publisher comes up? This has happened to me and my husband more than once...you're at a conference, you meet someone interesting, and you decide to squeeze in a last minute meeting...
Sorry, don't want to add fuel to the fire, but it's something to think about...

Please let us know how your conference goes and when we can expect to see your book! Good luck!!!!

No, no, no, no no!

This is your weekend!

The uncle can either visit your husband at home or re-schedule for another weekend. They're being ridiculous.

Wondering if the aunt has plans that she wants her husband OUT of the house for?

No, you are not over reacting!!! Oh my gosh!!! If this were my husband he would have said "NO, sorry this won't work!" and that would have been the end of it. He needs to tell them to stop trying to figure it out; end of story! I hope it all works out and you don't change your plans. You should stay Sunday morning and sleep in; sounds like it's a luxury you definitely deserve!!! Good luck with your book!!

Don't let it get to you! I was recently "the bad guy" because of a scheduling conflict that could have been avoided if the other party involved would have communicated better..or at all. It was at the beginning of vacation and the days leading up to it I was so angry about it! When I finally just let it go, I was able to enjoy myself!
And I know being a SAHM it's nice to have your own opportunity that is just you. That erks me too when people assume I can just schedule ANYTHING becuase I don't have a job.
It's hard, but don't let these things get to you!

Not only are you _not_ overreacting, you shouldn't even be willing to come back early on Sunday. The uncle can come another weekend.

It's nice that your husband is so supportive. Your aunt is a piece of work.

I would think taking a little one with them for a fishing trip would be okay. I have friends who go all the time and take their kids. I don't like it so much, would rather have the peace and quiet, but if they put a little life jacket on her then even if she fell in the water she'd just get wet.

If fishing is that important to them they can just go, pack up a play pen so she can nap, pack a bunch of snacks and treats, take some toys, etc...then she'd be having the time of her life. We took the kids camping every weekend when my daughter was younger and my friends would all get together for some group camping.

I have a dear friend who is a literary agent, good luck with your book! She is just starting her own business and it is looking good!