I'm sorry this is going to be long winded and pretty rambley - I'm in need of a little vent and maybe some advice.
DH and I have always agreed that we want our families to spend some time with us after our LO arrives. Having said that, now that we're starting to make our plans and get an idea of what things will look like after birth, I'm totally overwhelmed. I'm worried we're not going to have anytime for just the three of us to feel like a family.
Our Moms will be arriving as close as they can to LO's delivery and will be staying with us for a week or two (my Mom a week, but DH seems to think 2 for his). Our Dads will also be staying with us during this time, but for shorter stays worked around their work schedules. On the one hand I'm so happy that everyone will be able to share in this experience with us, I know how lucky I am.
That said, and I feel guilty to admit it, there's a part of me that is frustrated with everyone and how everything is coming together. I thought there would be more attention given to our needs and expectations. DH's family (even though I love them dearly) have been oblivious to our expectations and have been planning everything according to their wants and needs.
DH's Mom wont lay off with her subtle hints about wanting to be present during the delivery. They'll also be bringing their dog along with them, which is minor, but kind of irritates me because they didn't run this by us first. Then, just when relief is in sight with our initial family visit ending, and what is probably the main root of my anxiety, my SIL will basically be moving in with us for 6 weeks starting a week or so after my EDD (am I crazy for accepting this?!). At that point in time with our Mom's here, we don't even have a room for her to stay in and yet there hasn't been one offer to find other accommodations for even part of this time. With all the visits combined I can't help but feel disappointed. DH will be taking three weeks off and depending on timing, we'll have house guests with us for all three of those weeks.
I probably come across as ungrateful, and maybe its just my crazy end of pregnancy hormones, but its just all too much. This isn't even taking into consideration the fact that we both have siblings who will at one point or another be staying with us, family drop-ins and DH's heavy drinking, bachelor Uncle who has announced that we're to call him when we're home from the hospital so he can come stay with us and "help" (hah, ya right). Oh and apparently we've been told that DH's parents will be returning to spend Memorial Day weekend with us... I'm just starting to feel like its never ending.
How did/will you manage your family visits? Has anyone else had family stay for an extended period of time after their LO arrived? Did it work out for you? Or do you have any suggestions on how we can still maintain some bonding time for the three of us despite having everyone around?
I just feel like things are spinning out of control and there's no real concern for the transition on our new family unit, or how we wanted to spend our first weeks as a family together.
Thank you to anyone who has stayed with me this far