To not want to look after 6 kids for two weeks

[washyourface]

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

Just Nope!!

So 5 out of the 6 children speak a different language? That's going to make things pretty tough on your DS

Missing the point, but how can I get a job that’s only 10am-1pm???

Honestly, it is something they will remember forever. Yes, it’ll be hard work but what a lovely thing you would be doing for all of them.

Your husband is a piece of work but I’d ignore that and try and make it a great experience for the kids.

Get the kids in the garden "fossil hunting". You'll need that hole to bury your DH and it saves you the arseache of digging the hole too.

He absolutely shouldn't have done it.

BUT.

It sounds like the thing childhood memories are made of. And in my experience as the parent of 2 teens, numbers are in many ways easier as they entertain themselves - as long as the older ones will put up with a 9 year old and 5 year old around most of the time. You may find it works to leave the older ones alone a bit and remove the younger ones sometimes.

I know, I know, you are being walked over by DH and he is being thoughtless. HOWEVER in the circs - his daughters, their cousins, and him being around most of the time actually - I would go with it. BUT after a big lecture about NOT doing something like this again without discussion.

Can you explain the relationship please.

Has your DH invited his siblings children or the children of his ex's siblings?

Take your DS on holiday for two weeks. Let DH arrange childcare while he’s at work. It’s his problem.

If these teens re the same as any other teen I've known, they won't want to get out of bed until at least midday.
That means just the one 5 yr old for the morning.
Then after plying the said 5yr old with sweets, crisps, and other sticky, crumby food items get them to go jump up and down on the teen beds at precisely 3 mins to one every day to share said sticky/crispyness
. Then just as they grumpily pile down the stairs to moan at whoever is nearest the source of food kitchen, you can hoof it out of the back door, as their darling daddy walks in at the front one!

Then he can sort out the rest of the day, whilst you go be a lady wot lunches/goes gym bunnying/ shopping whatever.

Sorted!

get pizza bases tom puree tinned pineapple sweet corn capsicum etc etc so they can make & fill up own. Ditto large tub of simple ice cream tub & things to go with it to make ice cream sundays & bananas & strawberry's - large packs of (cheap) biscuits lots of cheap fruit juices masses of bread cereal & jam cake mixes & cheap cakes beef burgers &rolls &filling oven chips (blow healthy eating) with some salad (there you go) Possibly get cheap tents for camping in garden during day or night (if they don't want to you can always escape & camp yourself or send dh there -is there an "escape room" somewhere nearby?

What the problem? It is HIS problem. His kids and his family and his responsibility to organise car runs/meals/logistics. You unfortunately are very VERY BUSY so will need to be away a fair bit but I’m sure he can cope and next time he feels like being the best parent ever he can check with you what you fucking think.

Wow. Your Dh has zero consideration for you. No way would I agree to this. Maybe you need to use this as the time to stand up for yourself and say No to Dh. Is he going to fund the 2 weeks of extra food (teens eat loads), activities to keep them entertained?

You sound very unwilling to take issue with DH about this. I get that he wants to see his DDs, in which case he should arrange for them to come when he is off work. The nieces and nephews, he shouldn't have invited without your prior consent.
Book somewhere for you and your DS, and tell DH it is his responsibility to plan the trip for the rest of them and arrange childcare.
Unless you are complaining, but actually want them to visit?

Crunchymum they are two of his siblings children and the youngest is his sister's husbands daughter from a previous relationship (who doesn't have her mum in her life) If that makes sense.

We do have the space, well it'll be a squeeze but the girls will apparently love sleeping in one room with two double mattresses. The nephew will have his own room, as will my DS.

Thanks for all the tips on activities so far, I don't know how the multi-kid households manage!

Your DH is barely working. All you need to do is keep them occupied between 10-1 and then let him take over when he returns. Not sure what the big deal here is.

Be the most awesome parent/host you can be, feed them well, and have fun!
I hope your husband does what he needs to do to make this work.

Mumwon- yes! See simple things like this wouldn't even cross my mind. The ice cream and pizzas they would love that

Get lots of crafty things in and have a corner set aside for that if people need some time out. Ditto board games. Maybe a big garden Jenga game? Divide and separate sometimes. Crazy golf and bowling are fun for everyone. Get the kind of food in that they can prep themselves.
I think the 5 year old will be the hardest (and likely to miss home!). Can’t her Mum come over and help you out sometimes?

I think as long as they get on well, it'll be fine.

I'd do a BBQ every single day - it would be so much easier.

The older ones will pair off, surely?

He needs to do the meal planning, cooking, bed making and laundry at the very least. He needs consequences to agreeing to shite ideas like this.

I am really reluctant to fight with DH about this as we've been going through a rough time recently and things are just settling back down. I have made my feelings known and he honestly is shocked that I would consider it out of order and really can't see what the fuss is about. Just let them get on with it he says!
I think some people find things like this a breeze but I over think it all and panic a bit

Sorry just read about her Mum, but your SIL could help out surely?

Right. So they all live in the same country together? And that is where your DH is from?

Whilst I think its lovely that they are all so close, I think it's an utter piss take that they are all shipped off to you.

Presumably your DH siblings are now child free for 2 weeks?

Are things “settling back down” as long as he gets to do what he wants, including playing Lord Bountiful? and you have to go along with it?

Chocatoo
Without giving away too much info the youngest actually lives in a different country (same as the DSDs) so unfortunately no popping over
The other niece and nephew live three hours away.

I actually have a open air crazy golf place down the road, in walking distance so no need for car - fingers crossed it won't rain!