I'm 50 and my mom still has things in the fridge for me, dh and our kids. She stocks the fridge with our special treats and we treat her to dinner out. We help with cooking/cleaning up.

I would feel really sad - even at my old age - if she married some old grouch that resented the crap out of us and thought that her putting sodas in the fridge for us was an undoable expense and burden.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate WITH PASSION having houseguests, especially, when they are my husband's grown children. They also expect we pick them up at the airport and drop them off-no matter the time. They expect the fridge to be full of all types of goods, etc. Their sense of entitlement makes me sick. My husband does't see that way and think his children just want to see him, but I know that what they want is a vacation on their father-PRETTY DISGUSTING!

You are the #1 reason I'm glad my parents stayed married. These are his kids! And they're coming to visit him. Geez. Our parents would be thrilled if we came and ate their food because it means we're visiting them. Evil stepmother.

Yeah, me too. In fact I think I'll call my parents later today and tell them how much I love them!

+1 That PP is an absolute shrew. Glad her DH has managed to block her out so far.

PP again -- the "shrew" doesn't realize that the relationship is a parent/child one, and it's fun for the father to be the parent by providing a fridge full of food for his "kids" and for them to be pampered -- i.e., parented --by their father again. How sad she doesn't even see the basis for this, or the enjoyment her DH gets from it. Sad.

Exactly. To the kids, they are going "home" to visit dad (and their evil stepmother apparently). This is so different than being a houseguest with friends, extended family, etc. I am a mom now in my 30s and whenever I go home my parents are always asking me to send them a grocery list, pick us all up from the airport, etc. I'm sure the dad is excited to have his kids back home under his roof!

I just had houseguests stay with me who had not been to our house before. For the first time, I felt annoyed by having houseguests because I felt like they did not appreciate anything we did for them or at least acknowledge it with a thank you here and there. It was:

- what is your wireless password?

- how long have you lived here? (No comment on liking the house or what we've done with it).

- no gratitude for snacks and meals

I guess it was more a reflection of this family as opposed to houseguests in general. But I myself am working on not being offended by things - it's too easy to occur and it's really not productive.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like VERY short visits. People think we are so warm and welcoming, but I'm an introvert and start to lose it very quickly. By the third day I'm done and have to work very hard not to be a horrible bitch.

I think you may be my long lost twin.

Fish and visitors smell after 3 days.
- Benjamin Franklin

Anonymous wrote:My brother won't talk to me now because I wouldn't let him stay at my house for a week. Having people here sucks.

Why wouldn't you let your brother stay with you for a week? I don't blame him for not talking to you!

I have frequent house-guests. While it is wonderful to have my house and serenity back when they are gone, I think over the years I have become used having guests and I don't get stressed.

Is anyone else curious about how much the word "introvert" has come up in this thread? No judgement, just curious.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate WITH PASSION having houseguests, especially, when they are my husband's grown children. They also expect we pick them up at the airport and drop them off-no matter the time. They expect the fridge to be full of all types of goods, etc. Their sense of entitlement makes me sick. My husband does't see that way and think his children just want to see him, but I know that what they want is a vacation on their father-PRETTY DISGUSTING!

You are the #1 reason I'm glad my parents stayed married. These are his kids! And they're coming to visit him. Geez. Our parents would be thrilled if we came and ate their food because it means we're visiting them. Evil stepmother.

Yeah, me too. In fact I think I'll call my parents later today and tell them how much I love them!

+1 That PP is an absolute shrew. Glad her DH has managed to block her out so far.

PP again -- the "shrew" doesn't realize that the relationship is a parent/child one, and it's fun for the father to be the parent by providing a fridge full of food for his "kids" and for them to be pampered -- i.e., parented --by their father again. How sad she doesn't even see the basis for this, or the enjoyment her DH gets from it. Sad.

Agreed, however, is the dad doing the fridge filling or is he making the Stepmom responsible?

It doesn't matter -- whoever usually fills the fridge should do so for the DH's stepchildren. I have grown stepchildren and I realized at one point that this is their father's home, and I should try to make feel as at home in this house as the one they grew up in. In that sense, they really aren't guests, per se. So I treat them like I my parents did when I visited -- I include them in family meals, but also make clear that the fridge is full and they should feel free to help themselves. FWIW, we also take my stepchildren on our vacations, for free. Yes, they get vacations "on us," but it's our pleasure to spend time with them and the grandchildren. It's people like pp who give stepmothers a bad name.

Back to houseguests...when I was single I enjoyed visitors for anywhere from 1-4 nights and I cooked for them and catered to them more, etc. Even once married I didn't mind for a night or 2, but then it got annoying. Now with kids I HATE it and avoid it. I have nothing left to give and I have an introverted side. My kids hate it and become more challenging. (One has autism so change in routine is not his thing). When my kids go to sleep or whatever I re-charge some. With guests, even when they are asleep I can't re-charge.

Anonymous wrote:I hate WITH PASSION having houseguests, especially, when they are my husband's grown children. They also expect we pick them up at the airport and drop them off-no matter the time. They expect the fridge to be full of all types of goods, etc. Their sense of entitlement makes me sick. My husband does't see that way and think his children just want to see him, but I know that what they want is a vacation on their father-PRETTY DISGUSTING!

You are overthinking this and you sound gross. And jealous. Why wouldn't you have food for your stepchildren, grown or not? Those are his kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate WITH PASSION having houseguests, especially, when they are my husband's grown children. They also expect we pick them up at the airport and drop them off-no matter the time. They expect the fridge to be full of all types of goods, etc. Their sense of entitlement makes me sick. My husband does't see that way and think his children just want to see him, but I know that what they want is a vacation on their father-PRETTY DISGUSTING!

You are the #1 reason I'm glad my parents stayed married. These are his kids! And they're coming to visit him. Geez. Our parents would be thrilled if we came and ate their food because it means we're visiting them. Evil stepmother.

Yeah, me too. In fact I think I'll call my parents later today and tell them how much I love them!

+1 That PP is an absolute shrew. Glad her DH has managed to block her out so far.

PP again -- the "shrew" doesn't realize that the relationship is a parent/child one, and it's fun for the father to be the parent by providing a fridge full of food for his "kids" and for them to be pampered -- i.e., parented --by their father again. How sad she doesn't even see the basis for this, or the enjoyment her DH gets from it. Sad.

Agreed, however, is the dad doing the fridge filling or is he making the Stepmom responsible?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate WITH PASSION having houseguests, especially, when they are my husband's grown children. They also expect we pick them up at the airport and drop them off-no matter the time. They expect the fridge to be full of all types of goods, etc. Their sense of entitlement makes me sick. My husband does't see that way and think his children just want to see him, but I know that what they want is a vacation on their father-PRETTY DISGUSTING!

You are the #1 reason I'm glad my parents stayed married. These are his kids! And they're coming to visit him. Geez. Our parents would be thrilled if we came and ate their food because it means we're visiting them. Evil stepmother.

Yeah, me too. In fact I think I'll call my parents later today and tell them how much I love them!

+1 That PP is an absolute shrew. Glad her DH has managed to block her out so far.

PP again -- the "shrew" doesn't realize that the relationship is a parent/child one, and it's fun for the father to be the parent by providing a fridge full of food for his "kids" and for them to be pampered -- i.e., parented --by their father again. How sad she doesn't even see the basis for this, or the enjoyment her DH gets from it. Sad.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate WITH PASSION having houseguests, especially, when they are my husband's grown children. They also expect we pick them up at the airport and drop them off-no matter the time. They expect the fridge to be full of all types of goods, etc. Their sense of entitlement makes me sick. My husband does't see that way and think his children just want to see him, but I know that what they want is a vacation on their father-PRETTY DISGUSTING!

You are the #1 reason I'm glad my parents stayed married. These are his kids! And they're coming to visit him. Geez. Our parents would be thrilled if we came and ate their food because it means we're visiting them. Evil stepmother.

Yeah, me too. In fact I think I'll call my parents later today and tell them how much I love them!

+1 That PP is an absolute shrew. Glad her DH has managed to block her out so far.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate WITH PASSION having houseguests, especially, when they are my husband's grown children. They also expect we pick them up at the airport and drop them off-no matter the time. They expect the fridge to be full of all types of goods, etc. Their sense of entitlement makes me sick. My husband does't see that way and think his children just want to see him, but I know that what they want is a vacation on their father-PRETTY DISGUSTING!

You are the #1 reason I'm glad my parents stayed married. These are his kids! And they're coming to visit him. Geez. Our parents would be thrilled if we came and ate their food because it means we're visiting them. Evil stepmother.

Yeah, me too. In fact I think I'll call my parents later today and tell them how much I love them!

Anonymous wrote:I hate WITH PASSION having houseguests, especially, when they are my husband's grown children. They also expect we pick them up at the airport and drop them off-no matter the time. They expect the fridge to be full of all types of goods, etc. Their sense of entitlement makes me sick. My husband does't see that way and think his children just want to see him, but I know that what they want is a vacation on their father-PRETTY DISGUSTING!

Your attitude is despicable. Your husband loves his children and all you show is contempt for their relationship with him. My parents, also, pick me up and drop me off at the airport no matter the time. They fill the fridge with "goodies" for me and take me out to dinner. It is great! Yes, I DO love a VACATION on my parents, and they love providing it because they are happy to have me around.

Your bitterness and jealousy is pathetic. What a loser you are.