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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I am not a personal chef!

373 replies

prettymushrooms · 23/06/2021 15:22

Back story
I WFH i am the main cook and I do the shopping.
DH self employed works very very long hours - sometimes depending on how big the job won't get home until 10pm.

There is no set arrangement when DSS will come to us, as he's old enough now to make his own arrangements he will just ring up last minute "Im on my way home" and that's the only notice we get. Sometimes if I'm lucky I'll get 24 hours notice. We can't refuse him because his mum sometimes doesn't come home at night, (don't ask - whole other thread needed for that!) so DH isn't happy with him being in the house on his own overnight as he gets scared very easily.

Because of this casual arrangement I have no idea how many people i'm cooking for, DSS has a large appetite so not like I can just give him a bit of mine and a bit of DH's - he would need a big portion. It isn't always things that can be frozen either and I'm reluctant to keep making extra portions on the off chance DSS will want to eat.

He also has allergies (not life threatening, just makes him itchy) so when he does come here if i haven't cooked something he isn't allergic to I then have to cook a whole different meal for him

Sometimes hes already had food when he comes here and isn't hungry, other times hes had food and still wants more when he gets to us, other times he hasn't had anything and I won't know until the last minute - we have our evening meal around 8pm on the nights that DH gets home at a reasonable hour so if DSS eats at 5pm after school he will want another meal at 8pm or depending how big the meal was he might not want much just something small.

DSS cannot cook for himself and in any case our kitchen is really really tiny so 2 people in the kitchen cooking at the same time would not work so it's always left up to me to sort. If he is at his mums he just orders takeway.

Three nights ago he had told us the day before he was coming to us and would be having food with us - great - i can then plan.
So i cooked enough for all three of us, ensured it wasn't anything DSS was allergic to, then he rocked up as i was plating up and casually said oh yeah i'm not hungry I had KFC with my mates half an hour ago...

DH doesn't think its a big deal and just says its fine, ill just eat his portion but its really not the point IMO! I think it's really disrespectful towards me as I'm the one worrying about what to buy, what to cook, having something quick in the freezer that i can just throw in the oven if he turns up.
DH doesn't worry because he doesn't have to plan, cook, go shopping and thinks i'm massively over reacting about something so petty.

AIBU to insist either he eats with us or he eats at his mums and to let me know which one within plenty of time??
He's a very sensitive soul so bringing this up usually leads to floods of tears that its not his fault he was hungry so he already ate etc - of course i'm not saying he shouldn't eat if he's hungry but to at least let me know??

OP posts:
Couchbettato · 23/06/2021 16:24

Solution A: DH cooks for DSS
Solution B: you tell DSS where the fridge is, where the oven, cooker and pans are, where the sink is and tell him to crack on.

My mum (single parent) let me stay home alone from about 15 when she was working, and I learned to cook quick sharpish when I was hungry and I'd no money for takeaway.

prettymushrooms · 23/06/2021 16:24

@ExcellentSquiggles

I was a child who often didn’t know which parents house I’d be at due to my mother being... unhelpful. I would continue to tread carefully about the late notice because he might feel rejected and just stay home alone if he thinks you’ll be cross with lack of notice.

However, I think you are making a rod here. If you have notice make him some of your food. If he doesn’t eat it , use it for lunches the next day or freeze it or whatever. Have some pizzas in for when he turns up last minute and you don’t have anything. When he asks about pizza show him how to turn the oven on and tell him to set his phone timer so he doesn’t wonder off and abstain. You might need to do it more than once but he’ll be trained soon enough.

this - this is what im worried about - as he's so sensitive im concerned that if i continue to nag about the giving me notice hes going to think its easier not to bother coming over and then DH and DSS relationship will be strained, but at the same time i still shouldn't have to feel like im on edge wondering whether i need to make an extra portion, or find room in teh freezer if he doesn't turn up etc.

I do have one or two things he can eat if he does turn up unexpected but then i get the sad "oh i really like the look of what you and dad are having" and then i sound spiteful by saying tough, you should have let me know.

OP posts:
NothingIcando · 23/06/2021 16:24

Christ almighty. One of the three adults here teach the child how to turn on the fucking oven!!!! You have food in the house anyway.
HE CAN MAKE FOOD. Confused

Notaroadrunner · 23/06/2021 16:25

He has you completely fooled. At his age he should be able to throw together a bit of pasta and a stir in sauce, put a pizza in the oven. His pathetic crying is probably his way of manipulating you into simply doing everything for him and its working a treat. It's time you wise up and set some firm rules. If he's coming for dinner then he does not eat out beforehand. Dh or yourself should show him exactly how to boil pasta and how to turn on the oven, how to make an omelette for example. Do not give him the opportunity to say he doesn't want to do it. It's not a choice.

PinusSylvestris · 23/06/2021 16:26

Lay it out as a future likelihood, "Hey it's a treat to see you but food is tricky if it's short notice, you can see we don't have space to store loads of frozen food. So I'm going to get in a supply of things you can make for yourself with a bit of guidance at first: long life wraps, noodles, tin of soup etc. Anything particular flavour or any other ideas of what you might like?"

Dixiechickonhols · 23/06/2021 16:26

You need to speak to DH and then both speak to DS. I understand what a pain it is plus food waste etc. Both are old enough to understand. I’d agree that he lets you know 24 hours in advance if he wants evening meal if not agree stash of easy cook frozen stuff eg pizza, chicken burger. He also needs to cook - your DH needs to encourage him - he will be on his own in 3 years at Uni. My DD is 15 with only one hand and makes her own packed lunches and evening meal if she isn’t eating with us. An airfryer has been very handy no need to heat oven for 1 burger etc.

PinusSylvestris · 23/06/2021 16:27

I agree about the pasta and omelette being a rapid next step!

Dixiechickonhols · 23/06/2021 16:29

Just read your update. Give DH’s portion to DS and give DH the backup pizza/nuggets. Bet DH soon grasps issue and has a word with son about letting you know.

TeeBee · 23/06/2021 16:29

Lord, my children's father is like you and it drives them nuts (and me!). Gets stressed out if they don't tell him whether they'll be in for tea or not. It is really not very hard at all to have something in the freezer for a teenager that they like, it really isn't at all. Then, if they turn up outside of meal times, point them towards the freezer. My teenage boys understand this perfectly well in my house but their dad stressed them out by making them be in for a certain time or warning him advance to get them food. Ffs. Just put some easy meals in the freezer. Saying he can't cook is ridiculous. Can't and won't are two different things. If a 15-year old is hungry and nobody is leaping to make him something, they will put it on to cook. If they don't, they live with being hungry. It's as simple as that. 15 is perfectly old enough to learn to cook basics. Maybe get him to help choose what you buy for him, show him where it's kept, how to cook it, then let him get on with it.

EL8888 · 23/06/2021 16:30

@prettymushrooms if he planned ahead and communicated then he could have it. Don’t give into him and giving him your dinner

Even restaurants require notice to a degree. I’m going out for dinner tonight and I have booked. If l turn up they won’t let me in; it’s a popular restaurant on a nice evening, in a tourist location

Marmite27 · 23/06/2021 16:31

Surely what he didn’t eat tonight goes in the freezer for another night he turns up unexpectedly?

Just make sure there’s stuff in the freezer he can eat, so it’s just a case of chucking it in the microwave if he turns up.

KeepingTrack · 23/06/2021 16:32

Well I have teens and they’ve always eaten whatever I put in front of them. I would expect them to do the same when they go to other places.

I think you have two issues
1- lack of notice
2- allergies

Allergies: I would batch cook and keep single portion in the freezer for him. When he comes, you know that you will always have something for him.
Notice: I think giving just enough notice whether he is coming AND eating with you so that, at least, you can change your plan for the meal is the minimum.
I would be cross at that sort of attitude because it’s disrespectful really. I would never just turn up at my mum Wo letting her before hand that I am coming. An hour or two notice isn’t much and could make a big difference to you.

However, your issue is with your DH. Both because he doesn’t see the issue with you cooking two meals etc…. and isn’t actually listening to the fact it IS more work for you.
He also seem to have no issue with the lack of notice despite the fact it is rude to just turn up like this.

(as an aside, I’m sure your dss can learn to use the oven. It’s not rocket science. He might be more open on the day he is hungry and actually need to use it!)

WorraLiberty · 23/06/2021 16:32

It's funny how his super sensitivity only involves himself and his own feelings.

He's not exactly sensitive to yours, is he OP?

Possibly taking a leaf out of his dad's book there.

MarcelineMissouri · 23/06/2021 16:34

@Dixiechickonhols

Just read your update. Give DH’s portion to DS and give DH the backup pizza/nuggets. Bet DH soon grasps issue and has a word with son about letting you know.
Yes, do this!
Babygotblueyes · 23/06/2021 16:35

YANBU - it is not asking a lot to have some notice. Your husband is being a wuss, he just doesnt want to confront his son about this bad behaviour.

LalalalalalaLand123 · 23/06/2021 16:35

I don't really see what you want him to do - he can't tell very far in advance when his DM is going to be out all night, for instance. I think you're being really over-precious about preparing meals - as PP say, just have on hand lots of really easy meals - frozen meals, burgers, pizzas, beans on toast, tinned spag bol, stuff for sandwiches. If he can't use an oven or hob, teach him.

dottiedodah · 23/06/2021 16:36

Just seen the update about no room in freezer.OK so noodles ,B beans , Some jars of pasta sauce for a pasta bake . Eggs /bacon ,a jacket potato? He sounds rather young for his age TBH. I would also say something like "hey Tim ,great to see you ,but just let me know if you are coming down and want to eat here ,Just easier to sort out Supper" I cant see any youngster having a problem with that !

CanofCant · 23/06/2021 16:36

This is nuts. I couldn't live like that. Your DH relies on you to use the internet and his 15 year old son can't even feed himself? Do you think they might be having you on? Who would do all this if you weren't there?

I understand it may feel more complicated than that to you but I'm annoyed just reading your posts! They take you for granted and don't listen to what you are telling them. YANBU.

KeepingTrack · 23/06/2021 16:37

@TeeBee

Lord, my children's father is like you and it drives them nuts (and me!). Gets stressed out if they don't tell him whether they'll be in for tea or not. It is really not very hard at all to have something in the freezer for a teenager that they like, it really isn't at all. Then, if they turn up outside of meal times, point them towards the freezer. My teenage boys understand this perfectly well in my house but their dad stressed them out by making them be in for a certain time or warning him advance to get them food. Ffs. Just put some easy meals in the freezer. Saying he can't cook is ridiculous. Can't and won't are two different things. If a 15-year old is hungry and nobody is leaping to make him something, they will put it on to cook. If they don't, they live with being hungry. It's as simple as that. 15 is perfectly old enough to learn to cook basics. Maybe get him to help choose what you buy for him, show him where it's kept, how to cook it, then let him get on with it.
Well on the other side, if my DH has irregular hours at work and regularly comes back home later, having eaten, id expect him to let me know so I’m not cooking for nothing. Just out of politeness really.

I assume it also depends on what value you put in spending time around the table sharing a meal. If a meal is only food to keep your body going, then you might not care.
If a meal is a social occasion to be shared with people, eating the same dish, then it’s something different.

AryaStarkWolf · 23/06/2021 16:37

He's 15 years old OP, he can make his own food once you leave the kitchen

speakout · 23/06/2021 16:38

You need to step back.

OH can cook and store meals for him in the freezer.

SpeakingFranglais · 23/06/2021 16:38

I really don’t think it’s hard to freeze extras if you have the freezer room. If you have a freezer and a microwave there is no excuse.

Teenagers are a pain in the bum yes, but a frozen leftover in the microwave is hardly onerous.

DH takes one every day for his lunch from ours, I batch cooked easy defrost and eat meals. Chilli, curry, stroganoff, lasagne, stew etc

A teenager could easily defrost and nuke one or two of these for an unexpected dinner or supper and throw on some microwave rice or frozen chips.

ChargingBuck · 23/06/2021 16:38

I do have one or two things he can eat if he does turn up unexpected but then i get the sad "oh i really like the look of what you and dad are having" and then i sound spiteful by saying tough, you should have let me know.

"Spiteful"?
I think the word you were looking for was "factual", wasn't it OP?

Who put this notion of spite into your head?
How is it spiteful to not be psychic, or have enough freezer space, or to point those facts out?

I am all for treading carefully with this lad due to what sounds like an erratic home life when he's with his mum. But this is ridiculous - I think someone's manipulating you. If it's DSS (no harshness meant to him - teenagers can be ace manipulators) - where do you think he learned it, & who is effectively supporting him by allowing him to get away with it?
If it's DH himself who makes you feel "spiteful" he needs a running kick up the arse.

Merryhobnobs · 23/06/2021 16:45

Can you just say to him you have to let me know by x time (e.g 4.30pm if you are going to have dinner at our house tonight. If you don't let us know there will not be any. I know it doesn't solve the issue entirely but after a few weeks of him not messaging to let you know and no proper dinner it surely should become habit? Also I don't know your house situation but we keep a chest freezer in our garage. Got it when my youngest was a baby, batch cooking made my life a lot easier.

LocalHobo · 23/06/2021 16:46

If he is at his mums he just orders takeway.
Why can't he do the same at yours?