DH, the dog sitter, and the door

**Early Bird** · 01-05-2006, 07:27 PM

Before we went out of town, DH pulled the cars so tight into the garage that the dog sitter couldn't use the inner door to get in.

Well, she COULD have, but she would have had to squirm and even shift a small box of hardware to pass in. So, she used the front door and left it unlocked, since she didn't have that key. We came home and found the front door unlocked.

DH was livid. And he won't admit that HE was partly at fault by making the entryway too tight. Of course, she COULD have phoned us for instructions, (and she SHOULD have) but teenagers aren't always the clearest thinkers.

I told him I'd pay her, but I wouldn't complain to her; I'd just pay her and not use her again. What he wants is for me to pay her AND to complain so that he can complain to me that I didn't get a satisfactory answer out of her!

If she comes to the door, I'm just gonna say, "Let me send DH over tonight to settle up with you!"

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How would you handle this situation? I see it as DH's fault. The first morning we were back, I tried to go out that door with my hands full of recycling. It was too much -- I had to use the front door.

**canadian gardener** · 01-05-2006, 07:34 PM

It's your dh's fault. Totally.

I don't think a teenager would be thinking well enough about phoning for instructions, the way wasn't useable and teens usually use the easiest way possible.

If I were her I'd be ticked at you two for not leaving her a front door key, and "forcing" her to use the front door and leave it open.

However I'm older and can see your dh's point, a teeny little bit.

But you are correct EB. Your view is reasonable.

Let him fix his own messes. If all this is going to be him sniping at you because you are conveniant, let him take care of it.

**canadian gardener** · 01-05-2006, 07:37 PM

I'd pay her, without the complaining part, so she gets paid. She did the job in spite of your dh's obstacle course, she solved a problem your dh created in her own way so she needs to be paid.

But if he wants to have words with her, he needs to do it himself.

**Early Bird** · 01-05-2006, 09:20 PM

Oh, we'll definitely pay her. And generously. But I'm gonna let DH do it and do his own criticizing.

**Mamaw** · 01-08-2006, 10:03 AM

How old is she? And what responsibilities does she carry at home? What type of area do you live in? Where we are, we can actually leave the house unlocked without too much worry. If she lives in a household that leaves their home unlocked, she probably did not give it a thought. If however, you are in a city area then I would have thought she might have asked her parents for advice. But again, it depends on her home life and responsibilities! Either way, I would let DH discuss it with her and keep you out of the middle. Reminds me of my DH, he can gripe and moan to me but will not handle anything like that himself.

**Darlene** · 01-08-2006, 10:31 AM

How'd it go Early Bird?

**Early Bird** · 01-08-2006, 02:40 PM

Well, about Thursday night DH finally caught her family at home. She wasn't there, and they planned for her to come talk to him so he could settle up.

She didn't come over yet.

But I see that they're home today. Dh is GOING TO go over there and settle up when he gets back from church. Kids have colds, so we went to Mass separately.