tips for enduring the extended family beach house week?

[Anonymous]

MIL is too cheap to supply the house and the food. Our family pitched in for everything, but mom liked to do mom things, and she considered "taking care of everyone" part of that. MIL isn't very maternal, in our case, so everyone fends for themselves.

Which alone would be fine, except that they make non blood feel like huge outsiders. Too odd for me. I'll stay home and rearrange my sock drawer. Better yet, enjoy some quiet time and girls time!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I get stuck watching my nieces and nephews (plus my own kids) during the day while the other parents get drunk on the porch and they all say they just assume I like it because I'm a teacher! The two days I totally refused the kids went wild and one child cut his forehead and another peed all over my MIL's bed.

Also, my in-laws love their grandkids but hate having dinner with kids around because they say they can't enjoy the food. So we end up feeding all the kids at the regular dinner time, cleaning up the kitchen and then cooking a totally new fancy dinner that isn't served until around 8:30 or 9. Every year I find myself at 10 pm standing over the kitchen sink exhausted and pissed as hell!

Ha! I've been there--I love the way people assume that because you're a teacher, you must love to be around and in charge of children 24-7.

[Anonymous]

PP, this also happens if you happen to be a great mom with your own kids. Stay away from the users! No, I am NOT interested in babysitting your kids, I have enough of my own, thank you.