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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:
Yabbers · 08/08/2019 22:05

Why did you agree to it? Why was he allowed to organise it if he was going to be at work.

There is no way my OH would invite 6 houseguests for me to look after then swan off to work.

JellyBabiesSaveLives · 08/08/2019 22:06

dh ... totally dismisses my concerns
Tell him that you haven’t yet decided whether you’re going to be available 10-1 to look after his guests, and that you might consider doing it if he asks you very nicely and then takes your concerns seriously. Or, you may decide not to.

I assume he knows that he has to plan the food, do the shopping and cooking, make up the beds, do all the laundry etc? Get up in the morning with the little one?

Blarblarblar · 08/08/2019 22:06

I’d probably cope with the teenagers but the wee one thrown in just awful.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

12 year olds 13 year olds 14 year olds 15 year olds
Noteventhebestdrummer · 08/08/2019 22:07

Take the little 2 out each morning and leave the big ones watching a film?

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

Tbh the 5yo is the sweetest, quietest little darling.
It's just the combo of all the kids at the same time I find it so overwhelming.

He just spring it on me and was so shocked and a little offended that I would have a problem with it Hmm

OP posts:
VeThings · 08/08/2019 22:10

Two weeks is a long time for a 5-year old to be away from their home with someone they don’t appear to know very well???

RandomMess · 08/08/2019 22:10

But the 5 yo will need entertainment and supervising, the older ones can just go feral together and make themselves lunch everyday...

Original poster
washyourface · 08/08/2019 22:10

Plus it's DSD2's bday and she wanted her cousins there so how could he say no??! 😭

OP posts:
Original poster
washyourface · 08/08/2019 22:12

Oh no VeThings we know her well, she's very comfortable with us I'm not worried about that side of things Smile

OP posts:
Bythebeach · 08/08/2019 22:12

Budget for entertaining them? Where do you live and what’s there to do? Agree bulk buy pasta!! Can you hire a VW sharan or similar for a few days to have trips with all of them? Beach? Clip n climb? Trampoline park? Mine are 14, 11 and 6 and when each has a friend over, I have 6 (though not for 2 weeks😱) and those are the things that span the age range and appeals to most/all.

fedup21 · 08/08/2019 22:13

I would tell DH to fuck off. He can be as unstressed as he wants about it as it’ll be down to you to sort out every morning!
It’s a no from me.

Does the 5 year old even want to be away from home with you?!

PolkaDotted · 08/08/2019 22:13

I'd have to kill him. He has no right to arrange this without asking you. His DDs are one thing, but the other children are quite another. It'd be a definite no from me unless he's planning on doing 99% of the care, feeding and cleaning.

yummyeclair · 08/08/2019 22:13

Parks within walking distance, trampoline in garden, cheap cinema mornings. Split day into school lesson hours for younger ones, so changing activities. Have you games, cards, Lego. Get them to help make a themed lunch each day . Scavenger hunt outside and inside. Ask DH to help drop off somewhere and walk or bus back. One day indoors, one day out I e. 2- 3 hours out. Get the younger ones to help with garden or DIY simple job like painting varnishing or washing car - usually end up playing together rather than the actual job but keeps them out if your hair . Older two or three can make a bucket list of things to do . National trust 50 things to do has great ideas. Watch a movie indoors together get popcorn . If you can break the days into hour or half hour blocks it will hopefully feel better Also magic 1 2 3 helped me when I had 6 boys staying over. Hope this helps.

MoltonSilver · 08/08/2019 22:13

Having the cousins for two weeks in madness. His 2 girls wont get to spend any quality time with their father or their siblings. Have the girls for as long as they want, but cut short the cousins visit.

FrumptyLumpty · 08/08/2019 22:13

Can't you just have the 5 year old for a few days, so gets to join in, then she goes home? The parents should understand that the others are older and can be mainly self sufficient and self entertaining.

Sally2791 · 08/08/2019 22:14

Sounds wonderful! If it’s going to happen whatever, then I think they will just entertain themselves. Maybe draw up a list of duties and retire with a glass of wine!

Nutellaontoast19 · 08/08/2019 22:14

It doesn’t seem like you’re actually going to object to your husband about this so.....

Chocolatedaim · 08/08/2019 22:17

I would just be outside as much as possible. Tire them out!
And get your DH to cook you meals and buy you wine!

BuildBuildings · 08/08/2019 22:18

Do you not have to go to work in this time? Your dh seems to be assuming you will do a lot of the work here. I think the 5yr old makes it more tricky.
Could they not stay for just 1 week?

MaybeitsMaybelline · 08/08/2019 22:22

Sorry but he’s taking the piss.

Delatron · 08/08/2019 22:23

Sounds horrific. I would move out for 2
weeks. 6 kids?! Why would you agree to this?

Binglebong · 08/08/2019 22:24

I would imagine the Dds will want some one to one time with their dad - they won't want to share him all holiday. He hasn't thought this through (quite apart from landing it on you and your son!)

ColdTattyWaitingForSummer · 08/08/2019 22:26

I mean obviously you can’t object to his dd’s coming, but the three cousins as well is a bit much! Do you even have space for them all to sleep? How does your ds feel about it? At the very least you need to have a serious conversation with your dh about the logistics. (And agree with the pp, not many 5 year olds would be happy away from their parents for a fortnight.)

Muchtoomuchtodo · 08/08/2019 22:28

Get some games that they can all play. Garden stuff is good too, swingball and balls etc.

The older ones can enjoy a film in the evening - have you got sky or amazon? They can pop their own popcorn. 🍿

As well as pasta, get cereal and milk. Lots of.

Once DH is home, go and enjoy being at the gym.

Maybe plan a few family trips out - bowling, cinema, swimming, ice skating. A theme park if finances allow. We use Tesco vouchers to find stuff like this in the holidays.

And next time (if there is one!), he needs to book time off work.

mamansnet · 08/08/2019 22:28

Rent a minibus and get DH to take them out for the day

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