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

Something like that Anne.

Let's just say there are many issues and my ducks are forming a row in the meantime

--Give them all piriton to make them drowsy and nice to one another.

The older ones can entertain themselves, the 12&13 year old will probably do the same. Let them keep their iPads and phones.

Paddling pool for full age range, bubble machine, borrow a dog for walking and you sit in the gym cafe while hubby works all this out

He's taking advantage because he knows you won't rock the boat. You've been taken for a mug

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

No, thankfully they are keeping the babies 🤣give me a few years I'll be back saying "six kids plus twin boys and another girl"

Sorry to hear that OP. If the end is nigh I certainly wouldn’t be putting myself out for the wanker... But you know the situation best.

You've been taken for a mug

Absolutely!

Hopefully in a few years you’ll be making your own plans for your own time, not dancing to his tune!

‘Let them get on with it’
So they’ll cook, tidy up, do laundry, entertain themselves, food shop etc...
Complete lack of understanding of what this will involve from your DH.

If this was arranged without my agreement I would be spitting feathers and seriously considering leaving for the two weeks with just my child.

But if I was asked about it I'd almost certainly agree - If they're good kids, as you say, and they tend to get on I don't think it sounds too bad. Loud? Yes! But probably an absolutely brilliant time for them and, in my experience, generally less of the looking after kids work that I hate (the finding something to do with them when they're bored, mainly).

Pasta, make your own sandwiches, sausages & mash, tacos, baked potatoes, a BBQ are all good ways to feed a horde like that.

If you can afford it and depending on where you're located, renting a 7 or 8 seater for the two weeks might be a good idea. If not, maybe plan afternoon trips with just a few of them at a time (some stay home with one of you some head off to afternoon trip) once or twice a week.

Also, the older ones can, presumably, be left at home or allowed to head into town on their own? Maybe check out things they might like to do (movie, activities at library, local assault course/paintballing/etc. depending on what they're into) and you (or DH) can take the younger ones out in the car. A bit of money to smooth things along their would help a lot I would expect.

I do this with 7 kids for a week each summer but I do it voluntarily. I would resent it hugely if it was forced on me.

I buy ready meals like trays of lasagne, cottage pies etc in my butchers.

I plan activities for every day but the older teens don’t do all of them. None of the outings start too early in the morning.

I would only take the 5 year old for maybe 5 days because it will limit what the others can do.

I would get your DH to do all the food, planning, shopping and cooking.

Who is bringin the 5 year old then-cant believe he arranged this without speaking to you-whenever my dh own kids stayed it was discussed but still up to him to sort out hosting

tell your DH you have decided to take your own DC for a 2 week holiday somewhere and leave him to it.

I'd agree that he should take leave!! I think take deep breaths, with the ages mostly being close it may end up better than you think!!

1 week with the cousins, the next week with just your own child/stepchildren. I don't think you should have all of the kids for the entire time.
Big tubs of houmous, lots of bread/toast with lashings of butter, eggs, hot dogs, buns, sandwich fillings (even just hame and cheese), a full fruit bowl, watermelons, ready-to-bake pizzas (Waitrose essential cheese pizza is always a hit in my house. It's cheap, it's basic, it's delicious and well made).

I frequently have 6 teens over (lots of sleepovers here- all boys). And I can honestly say, pain in the arse that it is, it's the best sound hearing them just split their sides laughing over utter bullshit. It reminds me of when I was a teen. I have a 5-year-old and I love how these 17-year-olds make such a big fuss of him. He loves it when his big brother's mates come around.

Do you have a piano? Even better, a keyboard with headphones? A guitar? The teens I know all sit around strumming guitars, playing piano, gaming. Do you have a decent PC they can game on? Or a console, like xBox. Bowling/arcade, sightseeing, rent bikes (just be sure they're confident and aware that they're riding on the other side). In fact, make them very aware of the driving here. Make sure they cross roads safely. Teens have their heads in the clouds/sucked into their phones.
Loads of Netlfix.
Good museum or two (don't need to go crazy with the sightseeing).
I'm not sure where you are but are you near a river where they do river cruises?
In fact, I'll read the thread more and see if you give any hint as to where you're located.

he honestly is shocked that I would consider it out of order and really can't see what the fuss is about

He actually sounds like a manipulative arse telling you things like that!

I think some people find things like this a breeze

Most of my female friends are teachers or work with children in some capacity, I don’t know any that would find this a breeze.

Definitely rent a qashqai + 2!

Sounds like it will be great fun for the children but not necessarily for you.

Can they all stay with you for a week and then stay at the home of the local cousins for a few days to give you a breather?

So many good ideas on this thread thank you wise MNetters

You know my mom and her three sisters used to take turns farming us all out to each other for two weeks at a time over the long Irish summers, while they’d either scarper off to the sun or just get a break, sometimes there’d be 10 of us 🤣 We had a ball though and were just brought either on day trips (before car seats were a thing obvs), shoved outside, sent to some sort of camp - you should see if there’s anything the older ones can be farmed out to - played tennis at the local courts etc. I mean, I’d be shaking in my boots if I were you, but I bet they’ll have a brilliant time

Sorry but what sort of person lets their 5 yr old stay away from them for two weeks?! It's too long, they are just a baby still!!!

I would be furious but if I had to do it then I would definitely cancel the 5 year old, not fair at all on all the older kids to have a 5 year old to bother with.

I think I'd miss my 5 year old for 2 weeks!! The parents of the cousins must be bloody thrilled to have their kids entertained for 2 weeks!!! I think you should compromise to a weekend, or one night lol. And have a trial night to see how they all get on! Plus DSD's might like to have your DH to themselves a bit?

To be honest OP , you sound as if you have accepted it. There would be no way I'm afraid if it were me!

My DD has 5 DC, ranging in age from 7 to 15.

I love it when they come to stay with me. Lots of board games. Videos, card games, keeping up to date with the latest music and fashions with the 15 year old, talking and reading books with the 11 year old, cooking special foods for the very quirky 13 year old. Being in awe of the brilliant 7 year old when he explains complicated maths to me. The 9 year old keeps them all in order.

Plus I have a massive park 100 metres down the road that they all love going to.

I'm a childminder with teenagers so well used to large numbers & catering for wide age-gap but most of mine go home at 6pm thank god and whilst some days I'll just leave the teens to their own devices (quite literally sometimes!) I do like to try and include them a couple of times a week. I would seriously consider hiring a car big enough and making sure they all come with some pocket money or you'll be broke! Most popular group activities:

Team scavenger hunt - print sheet with a list of items to gather or photograph and send them out for the morning

Meal planning, prepping & making including writing a menu, laying the table & clearing up afterwards

Picnic at a big park with swings for little ones & skatepark or football courts for older ones, take a ball & frisbee.

Beach day

Movie, popcorn & board game day

Trampoline or climbing places

Swimming