The following was an exchange (question and my response) on a parenting mailing list I am on that I am pretty proud of and would love some feedback from other moms who have been there. I paraphrased the question to get to the meat of it.

Dear XXX community:

My husband and I are going on a family cruise with some very critical relatives. They seem to constantly criticize (or roll their eyes and make little comments about)  me or my kids, decisions we have made, and I am concerned that the trip is going to be full of arguments and stress. We are going to be at sea for six days with these people. Help!

"lois lane"

( Read my response )