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Original poster

To not want to look after 6 kids for two weeks

158 replies

washyourface · 08/08/2019 21:42

Ugh venting. I'm a walkover.

DH has two (lovely) DDs who were moved overseas by their mum years ago. Therefore we only see them during holidays. I have one DS.

Next week the two DDs are coming over and Dh has decided, with the girls, that it would be fantastic to have DNiece, DNeohew and other DNiece at the same time.

O-my-fucking-G. I'm not sure I'll cope. For two fucking weeks!!!!

Of course Disney dad agreed to it because he feels so much guilt for not being able to see his girls more frequently and they wanted to see their cousins.

Wahhhhh

So I will have
15yo boy
13yo DSD
9yo DSD
14yo DNephew
12yo DNiece
5yo DNiece

Please send wine.

In DHs defence he works very short days 10am-1pm so he will help with the breakfast duties etc. And be back earlyish to keep them entertained

But I'm so used to having just one child in the house (a quiet teenager) that having all these kids makes me so anxious.

And there are so bloody many of them I can't fit them in a car to take them out and keep them busy!!

Please, coping strategies from those with many kids?

DH grew up as one of 7 siblings so this is his normal and totally dismisses my concerns.

Tbf they are all nice kids but just soooo looooud. And hungry. So so hungry. All the time.

Hellllppppp

OP posts:
TitianaTitsling · 08/08/2019 21:44

He takes some leave?! How lovely of him to arrange this..…..

Nutellaontoast19 · 08/08/2019 21:45

He should take annual leave

Original poster
washyourface · 08/08/2019 21:45

Ah I wish he could take leave! He has a job similar to teaching in that he gets set weeks of holiday a year. Annoyingly never during the summer hols.

OP posts:

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HeyMonkey · 08/08/2019 21:46

I presume he'll be doing all of the cooking, laundry, bed making etc.

Kittykatmacbill · 08/08/2019 21:46

He books leave.

BigBairyHollocks · 08/08/2019 21:47

I think it could be really fun!Just relax and accept that the house will be noisy and messy and you might even enjoy it.Sure they’ll all just be ready for heading out by the time your DH gets home at 1.

TheJoxter · 08/08/2019 21:49

I wouldn’t want someone else’s 5 year old for two weeks even without the rest of them!! At least most of them are old enough to entertain themselves and you’ll only be in charge for 3hrs a day. You’re going to get through soooo much food. Bulk buy pasta!

Bezalelle · 08/08/2019 21:51

It's time to not be a pushover and put a stop to this madness!

Superlooper · 08/08/2019 21:53

He gets home from work, you head out on some important errands that only you can do and have to do alone. Everyday.

Aquamarine1029 · 08/08/2019 21:53

Did your husband arrange this WITHOUT speaking to you first?! I would be livid about that.

MidnightAtTheOasis · 08/08/2019 21:55

It sounds knackering for the adults but potentially a fantastic experience for the older children - the problem will be the 5 year old. How does your DS get on with the others? How big’s your garden? Do you have two cars?

Sexnotgender · 08/08/2019 21:57

That’s insane! You need to escape out the house every afternoon.

He needs to do the lions share of the prep, cooking and cleaning for them.

Original poster
washyourface · 08/08/2019 21:57

Yes aquamarine and it's not the first time! Though last year the 5yo was too young to come along. Now she wants to!

I'm planning on putting my new gym membership to very good use once 1pm arrives. I'll do a class, then some gym, then pool probably just sit in the cafe the whole time

He just sees it as normal, that's what he grew up with. A house full of siblings and cousins. I'm sure the kids are going to LOVE it. Me? Not so sure.

Ok, will bulk buy pasta. And bread and eggs.

OP posts:
BizzzzyBee · 08/08/2019 21:58

He invited them, he can look after them. If he can’t look after them he needs to uninvite them.

If you feel like being nice you could look after them for 4hrs while he’s at work. Then go out and leave him to it, he’s the sole parent for the other 20 hours each day. You could take your 15yo with you if he wants - if I was a kid I wouldn’t like five other kids descending on my home.

AnneLovesGilbert · 08/08/2019 21:59

You should have say no. Why didn’t you? He doesn’t get to make plans on your time. Don’t be a doormat or a martyr.

RushianDisney · 08/08/2019 21:59

Your husband is a dick for signing you up for this when he knows he won't be doing any of the shitwork. You'll have to make the best of it, but I would be making sure your husband makes it up to you at a later date - solo holiday for you or something else that appeals.

BizzzzyBee · 08/08/2019 22:00

He needs to do the lions share of the prep, cooking and cleaning for them
No, he needs to do ALL of it because he invited them.

LIZS · 08/08/2019 22:00

2 weeks is way too much, a day or two all together maybe over a weekend, then they visit aunt/uncle at theirs and return to spend time with their father. Presumably he will be spending every non working moment with them, feeding, entertaining, supporting, cleaning ...

Original poster
washyourface · 08/08/2019 22:00

We have a large, square completely flat garden so I shall be encouraging them to make use of that.
My DS gets on quite well with them although there is a little (understandable) jealousy from eldest DSD as she sees her dad living with a child that is not her Sad.
Also, the DSds speak a different language but the nieces/nephew are bilingual so it manages to work out. My Ds will prob hide away playing PlayStation and maybe the nephew will join?

OP posts:
Blarblarblar · 08/08/2019 22:01

Are they staying over night? The nieces and nephews?

Original poster
washyourface · 08/08/2019 22:03

I don't understand why it has to be for two weeks. A long weekend I could definitely deal with better

DH is a dick for arranging this no question. But he does make up for it in many ways. I've had a couple of gorgeous solo holidays with him (and even a girly one) this year so I can't complain too much I guess although I totally will complain anyway

OP posts:
Original poster
washyourface · 08/08/2019 22:03

Yes blarblarblar for TWO WEEEEEEKS 😭😭😭😭😭

OP posts:
Blarblarblar · 08/08/2019 22:04

I think you can. I have a four nearly five year old no way I’d have someone else’s for two weeks

RandomMess · 08/08/2019 22:04

It's not too bad until the 5 yo is tagged on the end!!!

Blarblarblar · 08/08/2019 22:05

Complain you can complain

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