How to please everyone?

[Hallamoo]

Those with 4 or more DC, how do you please everyone at weekends?

The teenagers want to do their own thing, DH wants to do family stuff.

We both work full time, at weekends, I just want to relax, drink coffee in the mornings, and wine in the evenings.

I feel like I'm caught in the middle of trying to please everyone and getting the blame for everything!

Any tips?

[recklessgran]

Hi OP, 5 DD's here so didn't want to read and run. I remember the changing family dynamics well. Your DH needs to appreciate that the DC's need more independence once they are teenagers and don't necessarily want to spend all weekend with you as for now their friends/activities are far more important to them. We used to look at the whole weekend and try to establish who was doing what and then build in "family time". This in reality might mean one special meal/film night/cinema trip etc per weekend where everyone was expected to be present. Apart from that, we just went out with whoever fancied whatever we were doing which often meant that one or other of us were out doing different things with older/younger DCs or both of us did something with the younger ones whilst the older ones did their own thing. Failing that DH and I quite enjoyed a quiet lunch out/trip to garden centre/shops together without any DCs. I think you just learn to adapt. Does DH have any hobbies [such as golf?] that he can do at the weekend so you can have some time to slob out and relax?
Really feel for you as there is no easy answer as you really can't please everybody - wine definitely helps.

[Tsotofamily]

Hi
I have 4 dc not teenagers ( 10, 9, 5 and 15 months) although eldest act likes it sometimes and is only interested in being with her friends. I also work every other weekend. Sat morning are taken up with football matches.
Could you not compromise that once a month you make a sat or sun family day.
I hate to think when mine are all teenagers and not around x

[Lweji]

You can't please everyone.

If your DH wants to do family stuff, he arranges it and convinces the children. He should sort out something you can all be fairly happy with.