To go on strike this weekend?

[WinkyOrSmiley]

Fed up with dcs' ungracious, reluctant, begrudging help. Their ingratitude when given a delicious meal and resentfulness when asked to load/unload dishwasher, put shopping away, clear/lay table etc. So last night, after dinner (slow-cooked beef ribs with roast potatoes and other roast veg - gobbled up by dc) I announced that I was now on strike until Monday. I would cook for myself and dh, but the dc would have to fend for themselves. Including doing their own washing up.

The fridge and cupboards are full of food.

Dc have come up with a menu that they want to cook, and want me to go and buy ingredients. AIBU to refuse? Dh thinks I am.

Fridges and cupboards are full. Tell them to look in them and replan. Or tell DH he can go shopping.

No point telling them you are not doing if the first thing you do is run to the shop for them.

How old are the dc?

Err...no. Yanbu. It's supposed to be a life lesson, not an exercise in pleasing themselves while you play skivvy.

Your dh can if he wants though. If he's that sort of fool. Off you trot daddy-o.

hmmm interesting. I wouldn't discourage their attempts to cook for themselves. Maybe just take them to the shop but say in future they have to make a list and discuss it with you before you go on your normal shopping trip? Is it safe for them to go to the shop themselves if you think it'd be better to be firm?

No No No - do NOT take them to the shop. Let them work it out from what's already in the cupboards.

Can't they get the bus or use pocket money for a taxe or they could just meal plan with food already in house?

Nope, don't do it - YANBU. Make them cook with what's in the cupboards already, otherwise nothing will change.

They could just meal plan with what's already in the house, but I don't think that's occurred to them!

I also don't think they realised that I meant what I said. They may have thought it a joke.

They're 14, 12, 8. Dc1&2 both have ASD tendencies, so dc2 is now in a strop at the concept of changing her plan.

I'd let 8yo go to the corner shop on his own, but not into town alone. I would allow the others to go into town alone, and to take him along, but I don't think they want to do that. It wouldn't be fun.

It's coming up for lunchtime, and dd is about to make cookies. Not lunch. Cookies.

Oh my, we are going to have such a stroppy evening - she doesn't cope with being hungry.

Btw I think what you're doing is great.

Be strong! Let them make cookies and make yourself something savoury and delicious and let them eat their shit cookies which they'll probably burn. They'll learn quickly.

Vile creatures aren't they winky, mine are similar ages at 13, 11 and 7, I'm interested to see how you get on as I may do the same next weekend. Ungrateful little shits and as for the bickering...........

Tricky. But I think I would not take them, and they should plan from what's available; otherwise it's more like a love-bombing let's-do-whatever-you-like-and-eat-whatever-you-like weekend than a this-is-what-I-do-for-you-appreciate-it-please one. They're not going to go hungry, they would just rather cook sausages and chips (or whatever)!

But you may also have to put up with grumpy children as they learn about the time and effort and forward-planning that goes into normal routines... It might just be that you need to point this out, though! Good luck: I think it's a great idea, and I don't think they're too young to get the gist of it.