Ask Kari: How can we refuse an invitation to vacation again with our neighbors this year?
Dear Kari,
We have lovely neighbors who we spend a lot of time with. Last year they invited us to go away with them on vacation for a week and they have asked us to do the same again this summer. We really like them, but spending a week together full time last year was not fun for us. Our friends fought constantly about everything (the daily schedule, where we went to dinner, and how to take care of their children); it was exhausting and ruined our vacation. When we do things together at home, we just leave them if they start fighting, but that doesn’t work as well when traveling with them. How do you suggest we get out of this invite?--Neighbors Only
Dear Neighbors Only,
It sounds like you have nice friends, but appreciate them best when seen in small quantities of time. I recommend that you tell them you enjoy their company, but have decided that due to a busy home schedule you will keep your vacation time limited to just your family unit this year. The less said the better; thank them for the offer, then re-state you are planning on having good quality time with just your family, and wish them well for their own vacation.
–Kari
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About Kari: Dr. O’Neill is a Doctor of Social Work, and a board-certified licensed independent clinical social worker. Dr. O’Neill completed her undergraduate and graduate education at the University of Washington and her doctorate at Tulane University, and currently serves as an affiliated medical staff member at Swedish Hospital Issaquah.