Gotta get it out!

**starsapphire** · 12-10-2010, 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by 2ndGenGranola

I would get the kids into the kitchen helping you. Talk about how the naturally yellow foods have these vitamins which help protect against these diseases, naturally red veggies have these vitamins that help protect against these diseases...fiber, protein...

That's a great idea. Couple years ago I explained to my step daughter how your body needs the compounds that makes a pumpkin orange and a strawberry red. She seemed to get it.

**YankeeMom** · 12-10-2010, 06:41 PM

Tonight I have a much needed break! My brother & his family went to a friend's house for the night (he's fixing their truck).

I MADE BROCCOLI! Oh the horror!

**madjen** · 12-11-2010, 02:59 AM

Hopefully the kiddos eating habits change for the better and it continues once they are out of your house! Sounds like the SIL is a lost cause though.

**YankeeMom** · 12-12-2010, 09:16 AM

Dh & I couldn't get over how much smoother things went with my niece & nephew gone. It was so quiet, my two boys and nephew we have custody of played soooo well. Now they are home and all hell breaks loose. Niece WHINES constantly, nephew is argumentative about EVERYTHING to EVERYONE. He gets the kids ganging up on my youngest (picking on him, etc). Drives me nuts.

Oh and don't get me started on the lack of help around the house. I do the all the cooking, dishes, vacuuming, picking up. SIL does their laundry. That's IT. She has a real knack for waiting until dinner is just about done to ask if I need help and after dinner she sits in front of the tv or the computer & leaves me to do the clean up. I'm sorry, I don't think I should have to ask an ADULT to pitch in. UGH!

**baxjul** · 12-12-2010, 11:44 AM

That is exactly how it was when my niece and nephew were staying here. She is 31, and did nothing!!!

**daylily** · 12-12-2010, 11:53 AM

I would not hesitate to ask for help. In fact, I would sit her down and work up a cleaning schedule with her and tell her exactly what she will be responsible for on a given day. There is no need to be a martyr because you don't think you should have to ask an adult! She obviously doesn't see the need to help or either doesn't care. In any case, I would let her know what her jobs will be! Post a big schedule on the fridge. If the job doesn't get done, everyone will know who didn't do it.

At our church, we have cleaning and lawn mowing schedules posted. A couple of times a certain lawn mower volunteer forgot and I saw people looking at the schedule to see who it was

The fellow apologized and so far, not one person has forgotten since then.

**Ceashels** · 12-12-2010, 01:18 PM

Youth hostels require a "chore" to be done by each person using the facilities. Mine when I stayed was to clean the mirrors in the bathroom.

I think it would be a great idea to have a "chore" list for your visitors. Her kids are old enough to do some simple things and your SIL is certainly able to do clean up after each meal since you are the one doing all the cooking.

I hope you get to settle into a routine soon for your sake as well as theirs.

You are doing such a great thing. These kids will think back on this time with your family with fond memories... of stability, boundaries and familial interdependency (as it sounds as though they might have been able to get away with a lot more prior to their extended visit.

**Nishu** · 12-12-2010, 02:03 PM

This probably won't help you but I punish my kids for fighting by making them do chores. Telling them to stop doesn't work, separating them just means they're being jerks at a distance, and long heartfelt talks are just a total waste of my time. I love the 180 degree turn in attitude they have after I threaten them with work. I don't even have to yell.

"Ohmigosh, are you guys fighting?! Sweet! I'd really love some help cleaning up the kitchen!"

"We were just disagreeing."

**Vanilla** · 12-12-2010, 02:15 PM

I believe 'chores' are responsibilities, shouldn't be treated as 'punishments'. That's just MHO.
I agree w/ Ceashels & Daylily that setting up a chart of who's responsible for which chores.

**Vanilla** · 12-12-2010, 02:17 PM

deleted because of double entry, sorry.

**druthb00** · 12-12-2010, 09:16 PM

I'm dying to know what your SIL had on her tacos tonight, YankeeMom

My best guess is B-O-R-I-N-G.

**frugalfranny** · 12-13-2010, 01:43 AM

Originally Posted by Ceashels

Youth hostels require a "chore" to be done by each person using the facilities. Mine when I stayed was to clean the mirrors in the bathroom.

WHAT?? I always got the toilets!!!

I think it would be a great idea to have a "chore" list for your visitors.
I hope you get to settle into a routine soon for your sake as well as theirs.

I, too, think this is a great idea..........and do it YESTERDAY......before a serious crime is committed!

Originally Posted by Nishu

This probably won't help you but I punish my kids for fighting by making them do chores. Telling them to stop doesn't work, separating them just means they're being jerks at a distance, and long heartfelt talks are just a total waste of my time. I love the 180 degree turn in attitude they have after I threaten them with work. I don't even have to yell.

"Ohmigosh, are you guys fighting?! Sweet! I'd really love some help cleaning up the kitchen!"

"We were just disagreeing."

This is tooooo cute Nishu.........way to go.

**YankeeMom** · 12-13-2010, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by druthb00

I'm dying to know what your SIL had on her tacos tonight, YankeeMom

My best guess is B-O-R-I-N-G.

Meat, cheese, & lettuce.

And 10yo niece took 1.5 hours to eat two tacos.

**McD** · 12-13-2010, 01:30 PM

I usually just have meat, cheese, lettuce on my tacos. Onions every now and again. What other options are there?

We have the same battle with Wesley regarding the amount of time it takes him to eat his dinner. He learned the hard way when he had been refusing to eat for almost 3 hours. It was bed time and he went to bed hungry.