Thanksgiving alone with 3 kids, WWYD?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel bad for kids whose parents seem not to be able to spend time with them for 5 days without a break.

What? Wow, people are rude. OP didn’t say she needed a break. She is just looking for things to do that are fun. This is totally normal, especially considering it is over holiday, no school, and the normal things she does with kids on weekends might be closed or not available. Sorry, you woke the beehive of single mothers and martyrs OP

OP said, “ I am definitely planning to get a neighborhood teen to help for a couple of hours so I can get a break.”

Get over yourself!! It is perfectly acceptable and normal to want to have help with the kids, even if they are school aged, for a five day stretch of being a solo parent.

I don't care if you are a single parent of 8 kids and did this 24-7. Bully for you. Just so you know, it is totally OK for YOU to have some help, too, even if you don't have a co-parent or your spouse is deployed. You can get a neighborhood teen over to play with your kids (or even with just the most interactive one who always wants attention). You don't HAVE to do it all by yourself, every day you know.

I mean if you can't afford it or don't want to, fine. Maybe you don't feel the need? But some people DO need a break from their kids, especially if they are more introverted and they have a child who is very on the go and extroverted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you new to the area? You don't know how to be a parent to your kids alone? Weird question. Do what you normally do.

Wednesday-Sunday with three kids, holiday long weekend, solo adult, and no school or daycare? That's a pretty long time. It's reasonable to be thinking about plans.

I do it (and so do many other single parents) 24/7.

Ok fine, but since you are such a pro, why not be nice and offer suggestions to a mom who is asking for them? Why be rude and dismissive of her? Is that her w you teach your kids to treat others?

I'm not that pp but I'm the military wife.
Because there are no suggestions to give. It's FIVE DAYS. Not a year. Not forever.

Well, you are pretty useless on this trhead, then, aren't you?

Someone asks for advice, and your response is "You shouldn't need that!!"

Well, just go away then. You are no help here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you new to the area? You don't know how to be a parent to your kids alone? Weird question. Do what you normally do.

Wednesday-Sunday with three kids, holiday long weekend, solo adult, and no school or daycare? That's a pretty long time. It's reasonable to be thinking about plans.

I do it (and so do many other single parents) 24/7.

Ok fine, but since you are such a pro, why not be nice and offer suggestions to a mom who is asking for them? Why be rude and dismissive of her? Is that her w you teach your kids to treat others?

+1000

Because she has had it soooooo much harder. Because “military wife.”

The poster in your string of quotes is not the military wife. It's a single parent.
Because you are soooooo incompetent at reading, in addition to parenting.

Eh…still correct.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you new to the area? You don't know how to be a parent to your kids alone? Weird question. Do what you normally do.

Wednesday-Sunday with three kids, holiday long weekend, solo adult, and no school or daycare? That's a pretty long time. It's reasonable to be thinking about plans.

I do it (and so do many other single parents) 24/7.

Ok fine, but since you are such a pro, why not be nice and offer suggestions to a mom who is asking for them? Why be rude and dismissive of her? Is that her w you teach your kids to treat others?

I'm not that pp but I'm the military wife.
Because there are no suggestions to give. It's FIVE DAYS. Not a year. Not forever.

Well, you are pretty useless on this trhead, then, aren't you?

Someone asks for advice, and your response is "You shouldn't need that!!"

Well, just go away then. You are no help here.

But thank you for your family’s service and sacrifice in defense of our country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel bad for kids whose parents seem not to be able to spend time with them for 5 days without a break.

What? Wow, people are rude. OP didn’t say she needed a break. She is just looking for things to do that are fun. This is totally normal, especially considering it is over holiday, no school, and the normal things she does with kids on weekends might be closed or not available. Sorry, you woke the beehive of single mothers and martyrs OP

OP said, “ I am definitely planning to get a neighborhood teen to help for a couple of hours so I can get a break.”

Get over yourself!! It is perfectly acceptable and normal to want to have help with the kids, even if they are school aged, for a five day stretch of being a solo parent.

I don't care if you are a single parent of 8 kids and did this 24-7. Bully for you. Just so you know, it is totally OK for YOU to have some help, too, even if you don't have a co-parent or your spouse is deployed. You can get a neighborhood teen over to play with your kids (or even with just the most interactive one who always wants attention). You don't HAVE to do it all by yourself, every day you know.

I mean if you can't afford it or don't want to, fine. Maybe you don't feel the need? But some people DO need a break from their kids, especially if they are more introverted and they have a child who is very on the go and extroverted.

I am not a single parent. DH is an extremely hands on dad and I have a housekeeper/cook. While I don’t need help taking care of my kids, I want housekeeping help. I want someone to do the dishes and fold the laundry.

I can handle and enjoy spending time with my kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel bad for kids whose parents seem not to be able to spend time with them for 5 days without a break.

What? Wow, people are rude. OP didn’t say she needed a break. She is just looking for things to do that are fun. This is totally normal, especially considering it is over holiday, no school, and the normal things she does with kids on weekends might be closed or not available. Sorry, you woke the beehive of single mothers and martyrs OP

OP said, “ I am definitely planning to get a neighborhood teen to help for a couple of hours so I can get a break.”

Get over yourself!! It is perfectly acceptable and normal to want to have help with the kids, even if they are school aged, for a five day stretch of being a solo parent.

I don't care if you are a single parent of 8 kids and did this 24-7. Bully for you. Just so you know, it is totally OK for YOU to have some help, too, even if you don't have a co-parent or your spouse is deployed. You can get a neighborhood teen over to play with your kids (or even with just the most interactive one who always wants attention). You don't HAVE to do it all by yourself, every day you know.

I mean if you can't afford it or don't want to, fine. Maybe you don't feel the need? But some people DO need a break from their kids, especially if they are more introverted and they have a child who is very on the go and extroverted.

+1. OP here. I can't believe this thread is still going. The military wife or single mom or whoever you are, move on to another thread where you can play martyr and make unhelpful comments. I will happily and shamelessly take a break from my kids whenever I feel like I need one.

[Anonymous]

Here ya go:

https://www.kidfriendlydc.com/2023/11/21/where-to-play-on-thanksgiving-day-2023/?fbclid=IwAR2WIkR1-xlNjlnqJEHhg_PjW3PKi-ifZBGAzP3QNC5sTVC43hER8I9RQNU

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel bad for kids whose parents seem not to be able to spend time with them for 5 days without a break.

What? Wow, people are rude. OP didn’t say she needed a break. She is just looking for things to do that are fun. This is totally normal, especially considering it is over holiday, no school, and the normal things she does with kids on weekends might be closed or not available. Sorry, you woke the beehive of single mothers and martyrs OP

OP said, “ I am definitely planning to get a neighborhood teen to help for a couple of hours so I can get a break.”

Get over yourself!! It is perfectly acceptable and normal to want to have help with the kids, even if they are school aged, for a five day stretch of being a solo parent.

I don't care if you are a single parent of 8 kids and did this 24-7. Bully for you. Just so you know, it is totally OK for YOU to have some help, too, even if you don't have a co-parent or your spouse is deployed. You can get a neighborhood teen over to play with your kids (or even with just the most interactive one who always wants attention). You don't HAVE to do it all by yourself, every day you know.

I mean if you can't afford it or don't want to, fine. Maybe you don't feel the need? But some people DO need a break from their kids, especially if they are more introverted and they have a child who is very on the go and extroverted.

+1. OP here. I can't believe this thread is still going. The military wife or single mom or whoever you are, move on to another thread where you can play martyr and make unhelpful comments. I will happily and shamelessly take a break from my kids whenever I feel like I need one.

I thought your post was fine OP. I am a SAHM and this would overwhelm me too - just the lack of adult companionship even at night for that long, and lack of access to friends because they are probably all with their own families. I was one of the posters who said I definitely would not travel with the kids, or even go anywhere you aren't used to going. That sounds exhausting to me, but you know yourself best. Just have each kid pick a streaming movie they want to watch or head to the library to check out new DVDs and books. Keep the food simple, give everyone some quiet time each day and otherwise stick to a normal sleep schedule as much as possible. Just get through it, and don't beat yourself up if you don't find it all fun and enjoyable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel bad for kids whose parents seem not to be able to spend time with them for 5 days without a break.

What? Wow, people are rude. OP didn’t say she needed a break. She is just looking for things to do that are fun. This is totally normal, especially considering it is over holiday, no school, and the normal things she does with kids on weekends might be closed or not available. Sorry, you woke the beehive of single mothers and martyrs OP

OP said, “ I am definitely planning to get a neighborhood teen to help for a couple of hours so I can get a break.”

Get over yourself!! It is perfectly acceptable and normal to want to have help with the kids, even if they are school aged, for a five day stretch of being a solo parent.

I don't care if you are a single parent of 8 kids and did this 24-7. Bully for you. Just so you know, it is totally OK for YOU to have some help, too, even if you don't have a co-parent or your spouse is deployed. You can get a neighborhood teen over to play with your kids (or even with just the most interactive one who always wants attention). You don't HAVE to do it all by yourself, every day you know.

I mean if you can't afford it or don't want to, fine. Maybe you don't feel the need? But some people DO need a break from their kids, especially if they are more introverted and they have a child who is very on the go and extroverted.

+1. OP here. I can't believe this thread is still going. The military wife or single mom or whoever you are, move on to another thread where you can play martyr and make unhelpful comments. I will happily and shamelessly take a break from my kids whenever I feel like I need one.

I thought your post was fine OP. I am a SAHM and this would overwhelm me too - just the lack of adult companionship even at night for that long, and lack of access to friends because they are probably all with their own families. I was one of the posters who said I definitely would not travel with the kids, or even go anywhere you aren't used to going. That sounds exhausting to me, but you know yourself best. Just have each kid pick a streaming movie they want to watch or head to the library to check out new DVDs and books. Keep the food simple, give everyone some quiet time each day and otherwise stick to a normal sleep schedule as much as possible. Just get through it, and don't beat yourself up if you don't find it all fun and enjoyable.

Op here. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel bad for kids whose parents seem not to be able to spend time with them for 5 days without a break.

What? Wow, people are rude. OP didn’t say she needed a break. She is just looking for things to do that are fun. This is totally normal, especially considering it is over holiday, no school, and the normal things she does with kids on weekends might be closed or not available. Sorry, you woke the beehive of single mothers and martyrs OP

OP said, “ I am definitely planning to get a neighborhood teen to help for a couple of hours so I can get a break.”

Get over yourself!! It is perfectly acceptable and normal to want to have help with the kids, even if they are school aged, for a five day stretch of being a solo parent.

I don't care if you are a single parent of 8 kids and did this 24-7. Bully for you. Just so you know, it is totally OK for YOU to have some help, too, even if you don't have a co-parent or your spouse is deployed. You can get a neighborhood teen over to play with your kids (or even with just the most interactive one who always wants attention). You don't HAVE to do it all by yourself, every day you know.

I mean if you can't afford it or don't want to, fine. Maybe you don't feel the need? But some people DO need a break from their kids, especially if they are more introverted and they have a child who is very on the go and extroverted.

+1. OP here. I can't believe this thread is still going. The military wife or single mom or whoever you are, move on to another thread where you can play martyr and make unhelpful comments. I will happily and shamelessly take a break from my kids whenever I feel like I need one.

I thought your post was fine OP. I am a SAHM and this would overwhelm me too - just the lack of adult companionship even at night for that long, and lack of access to friends because they are probably all with their own families. I was one of the posters who said I definitely would not travel with the kids, or even go anywhere you aren't used to going. That sounds exhausting to me, but you know yourself best. Just have each kid pick a streaming movie they want to watch or head to the library to check out new DVDs and books. Keep the food simple, give everyone some quiet time each day and otherwise stick to a normal sleep schedule as much as possible. Just get through it, and don't beat yourself up if you don't find it all fun and enjoyable.

OP's post WAS fine.
Then other posters started saying "OMG you're house is going to descend into chaos! Quick! Call the 11 year old next door to spoon feed your 8 year old or he's going to starve to death and pee all over himself because he needs help using the bathroom!"
And then other people were saying "OMG you're going to be bored! You have to do something really expensive and adventurous! Book a trip to NYC!"
And all that is just crazy.

[Anonymous]

^"YOUR house" not "you're" sorry. I had started to phrase it one way and then changed it but forgot to change that word.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel bad for kids whose parents seem not to be able to spend time with them for 5 days without a break.

What? Wow, people are rude. OP didn’t say she needed a break. She is just looking for things to do that are fun. This is totally normal, especially considering it is over holiday, no school, and the normal things she does with kids on weekends might be closed or not available. Sorry, you woke the beehive of single mothers and martyrs OP

OP said, “ I am definitely planning to get a neighborhood teen to help for a couple of hours so I can get a break.”

Get over yourself!! It is perfectly acceptable and normal to want to have help with the kids, even if they are school aged, for a five day stretch of being a solo parent.

I don't care if you are a single parent of 8 kids and did this 24-7. Bully for you. Just so you know, it is totally OK for YOU to have some help, too, even if you don't have a co-parent or your spouse is deployed. You can get a neighborhood teen over to play with your kids (or even with just the most interactive one who always wants attention). You don't HAVE to do it all by yourself, every day you know.

I mean if you can't afford it or don't want to, fine. Maybe you don't feel the need? But some people DO need a break from their kids, especially if they are more introverted and they have a child who is very on the go and extroverted.

+1. OP here. I can't believe this thread is still going. The military wife or single mom or whoever you are, move on to another thread where you can play martyr and make unhelpful comments. I will happily and shamelessly take a break from my kids whenever I feel like I need one.

I thought your post was fine OP. I am a SAHM and this would overwhelm me too - just the lack of adult companionship even at night for that long, and lack of access to friends because they are probably all with their own families. I was one of the posters who said I definitely would not travel with the kids, or even go anywhere you aren't used to going. That sounds exhausting to me, but you know yourself best. Just have each kid pick a streaming movie they want to watch or head to the library to check out new DVDs and books. Keep the food simple, give everyone some quiet time each day and otherwise stick to a normal sleep schedule as much as possible. Just get through it, and don't beat yourself up if you don't find it all fun and enjoyable.

Op here. Thank you!

Same OP. Your post was fine. There are just a lot of miserable people on here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How sad that the OP cannot think of what to do with her own children for a few days.

You will be back here in 20 years posting about how your evil DIL is keeping your precious baby boy locked at home and only seeing HER mother. You just have that vibe. Best of luck in your old age!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel bad for kids whose parents seem not to be able to spend time with them for 5 days without a break.

What? Wow, people are rude. OP didn’t say she needed a break. She is just looking for things to do that are fun. This is totally normal, especially considering it is over holiday, no school, and the normal things she does with kids on weekends might be closed or not available. Sorry, you woke the beehive of single mothers and martyrs OP

OP said, “ I am definitely planning to get a neighborhood teen to help for a couple of hours so I can get a break.”

Get over yourself!! It is perfectly acceptable and normal to want to have help with the kids, even if they are school aged, for a five day stretch of being a solo parent.

I don't care if you are a single parent of 8 kids and did this 24-7. Bully for you. Just so you know, it is totally OK for YOU to have some help, too, even if you don't have a co-parent or your spouse is deployed. You can get a neighborhood teen over to play with your kids (or even with just the most interactive one who always wants attention). You don't HAVE to do it all by yourself, every day you know.

I mean if you can't afford it or don't want to, fine. Maybe you don't feel the need? But some people DO need a break from their kids, especially if they are more introverted and they have a child who is very on the go and extroverted.

I am not a single parent. DH is an extremely hands on dad and I have a housekeeper/cook. While I don’t need help taking care of my kids, I want housekeeping help. I want someone to do the dishes and fold the laundry.

I can handle and enjoy spending time with my kids.

And how is that relevant to what someone else does?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel bad for kids whose parents seem not to be able to spend time with them for 5 days without a break.

What? Wow, people are rude. OP didn’t say she needed a break. She is just looking for things to do that are fun. This is totally normal, especially considering it is over holiday, no school, and the normal things she does with kids on weekends might be closed or not available. Sorry, you woke the beehive of single mothers and martyrs OP

OP said, “ I am definitely planning to get a neighborhood teen to help for a couple of hours so I can get a break.”

Get over yourself!! It is perfectly acceptable and normal to want to have help with the kids, even if they are school aged, for a five day stretch of being a solo parent.

I don't care if you are a single parent of 8 kids and did this 24-7. Bully for you. Just so you know, it is totally OK for YOU to have some help, too, even if you don't have a co-parent or your spouse is deployed. You can get a neighborhood teen over to play with your kids (or even with just the most interactive one who always wants attention). You don't HAVE to do it all by yourself, every day you know.

I mean if you can't afford it or don't want to, fine. Maybe you don't feel the need? But some people DO need a break from their kids, especially if they are more introverted and they have a child who is very on the go and extroverted.

+1. OP here. I can't believe this thread is still going. The military wife or single mom or whoever you are, move on to another thread where you can play martyr and make unhelpful comments. I will happily and shamelessly take a break from my kids whenever I feel like I need one.

I thought your post was fine OP. I am a SAHM and this would overwhelm me too - just the lack of adult companionship even at night for that long, and lack of access to friends because they are probably all with their own families. I was one of the posters who said I definitely would not travel with the kids, or even go anywhere you aren't used to going. That sounds exhausting to me, but you know yourself best. Just have each kid pick a streaming movie they want to watch or head to the library to check out new DVDs and books. Keep the food simple, give everyone some quiet time each day and otherwise stick to a normal sleep schedule as much as possible. Just get through it, and don't beat yourself up if you don't find it all fun and enjoyable.

OP's post WAS fine.
Then other posters started saying "OMG you're house is going to descend into chaos! Quick! Call the 11 year old next door to spoon feed your 8 year old or he's going to starve to death and pee all over himself because he needs help using the bathroom!"
And then other people were saying "OMG you're going to be bored! You have to do something really expensive and adventurous! Book a trip to NYC!"
And all that is just crazy.

It’s too bad that people couldn’t have ignored the above posts and just focused on the OP’s which was, I hope we can all agree, totally fine. The overreactions to other posters (not the OP) were utterly unnecessary and often mean-spirited.

OP, I hope you have a great Thanksgiving and long weekend. At least the sun is shining!