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Step grandchildren - AIBU

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Loislovesstewie Sat 03-Aug-19 21:18:49

Low carb food isn't difficult, my DH does this to keep type 2 diabetes at bay. ( He was diagnosed about 2-3 years ago but has successfully reversed the condition) . Just cook your usual meals but don't serve potatoes or pasta,rice, bread etc.
Get the children to help you, give them tasks to do, get everyone out for a walk, to the park or whatever is near you.
If the son wants washing done point him towards the machine.
I understand that you were a single parent , but some people need a bit of support and a nudge in the right direction.

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Septimia Sat 03-Aug-19 21:17:58

It's that bit harder for you as it's your DH's DS, but wildswan is right, your house, your rules.

My DS was a single parent for several years and found it hard to stay on top of everything. But he did cope with the washing, cooking etc. although discipline was a bit lax because he had to manage the best he could.

Don't try to cure everything at once. Pick just 3 or 4 things that irritate you most and see what you can do to change them - ask stepson to put washing in machine, girls to lay table as suggested. Mention to stepson that it helps if you know dietary requirements in advance - even make a point of asking him next time.

He probably hasn't even realised....

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wildswan16 Sat 03-Aug-19 21:06:58

Your house, your rules. Yours son can eat what you put in front of him, or go out and buy his own. The girls likewise.

Tell the girls calmly, to please turn down the volume - and could one of them please set the table and the other one dry the dishes. Tell your lazy son to put the laundry in the washing machine and remind him that although he is your son he is a guest in your house and he and his girls have to respect your home.

Alcohol is probably going to do little to help the situation.

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EllieB52 Sat 03-Aug-19 21:00:34

My husbands grandchildren and their father (recently divorced) come and stay about twice a year. The two girls are now aged 8 and 11 and are two of the noisiest, bad mannered, hyperactive, untidy kids I have ever come across. I dread them coming to be honest. They are fussy eaters so I have to do separate meals for them otherwise it’s a battle every mealtime. They never stop talking and interrupting adult conversations. They both have tablets which they play at the loudest volume. Their father pretty much leaves them to it. He just sits and falls asleep. My husband feels his son has a lot to cope with being a single parent and that I should just suck it up. It makes him cross too but he doesn’t say anything. I feel like they’re wrecking my home. I can’t wait to see the back of them. I was a single parent for 10 years but no-one made any allowances for me - I just got on with it. This time they turned up with dirty laundry and ask if I can put it in the machine. How can I refuse? My step son then tells me he’s on a low carb diet. My fridge and cupboards are full of high carb food bought in especially for them. We are on pensions so buying food we won’t eat costs us money. Now we’ll probably end up throwing it away. I feel like an unpaid maid and have turned to alcohol while they are here to de-stress. I am seriously considering going away next time they come up and leaving my husband to deal with the whole thing. Any thoughts?

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