To want to eat at a restaurant?

[CeliaFate]

We've hired a cottage with 3 other families for a long weekend. We get on well but I find their dc a little over-whelming and stressful.

They play fight, charge round, don't respect boundaries (eg will go into my bedroom when they're at my house after I've asked them not to) and my dc generally end up getting hurt. Not all the time, but in a confined setting it's too much for me.

The other 2 families have said to save money on the first night we should all make something and have a meal together in the cottage.

I don't want to cook when I'm only away for 3 nights and I don't want our first night there to be stressful with me cooking and the kids running around.

I've said Oh we'd like to go to a restaurant as we're only there for 3 nights. This hasn't gone down well and now I feel like I'm being a mardy arse and should suck it up and do as they suggested.

So AIBU?

Are the other women competitive goddesses though, or just women who like cooking?
If they're competitive, your failure to play the game will make them very confused, ha ha. If they are not competitive, it won't matter. Hurrah!

Vivi I know you are not my sister because you have not judged food preparation avoidance tactics (my siblings regard communal eating as a bit of a competitive sport. Though they are lovely, really).

Seriously - ignore the other Mums being domestic goddesses - just sit back and enjoy your DH doing the cooking (a glass of wine will help you deal with the guilt) and problem solved. They'll probably just be too jealous that you're husband pulls his weight in the kitchen that they won't care about competitive domestic goddess stuff.

Is it weird that this thread is making me want to shout up my pals and get busy on underthethatch.co.uk? I'm a glutton for punishment....

They'll probably just be too jealous that you're husband pulls his weight in the kitchen

This.

I'm glad you've decided on the roast chicken. Seriously, cooking for over 20 is hell.

Aghhh - I meant "your" not "you're" - that sort of thing really annoys me - I can't BELIEVE I've done it myself! :-)

I think it's madness. Why don't you do a BBQ??