too little to sit on his own and eat then. I'm really worried she's going to do it again this year, since she's bought an even smaller table than she had last year. I don't understand WHY she did that since she has 4 kids who are all married and she has 8 grandkids. I'm NOT allowing my kid to eat on the floor, especially HERS because she is a terrible housekeeper. I want to say, "Oh, NO! MY kid is not a dog and can sit in a chair." What should I say so that I don't offend anyone and start WW3?
2007-12-23 20:19:13 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
A card table is a nice thought, but it won't seat 8 and I can't get one in my car.
2007-12-23 20:26:03 · update #1
My MIL lives over 3 hours away. When we leave her house, we are driving another 4 1/2 hours to see my family.
2007-12-23 20:26:57 · update #2
I have REPEATEDLY invited the whole family to my house, but to them we live too far away.
2007-12-23 20:29:40 · update #3
I would LOVE to skip her house, but my hus insists. The two sisters have houses we could go to, but they don't extend an invitation. My BIL lives in a house that is VERY small and my MIL said his wife is a bad housekeeper, so it must be VERY bad.
2007-12-23 20:32:41 · update #4
Has she kept the bigger table and bought the smaller table for the kids? if not.......
perhaps she is trying to say 'It's about time one of your invited me to your house for Christmas for a change.'
2007-12-23 20:27:35 · answer #1 · answered by Sally Anne 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What a mess. You are in tight spot for sure. I understand why you are apalled and worried, especially if the floor isn't well kept. If this happened last year then it will most likely happen again. Most likely saying anything about it is going to cause a disagreement. IF you know her table is small, and she is unprepared to seat the eight children maybe you could get a couple small tables, like little kids' sets, or card tables and folding chairs and bring with you to help accomodate the children. IF there are any that are unable to sit and eat on their own, their parents should bring their own high chair. Hopefully, bringing some additional seating won't be as offensive as you calling her out about the children on the floor. Best wishes.
Okay, I see you are making a long trip. If it's worth it to you to keep your children off the floor then maybe your husband could go pick one up in your MIL's town once you've arrived. That way you and the child(ren) are out the car and there's more room. Just give it to your MIL so she will have it next year. Four chairs are better than none. At least your kids would be accomodated, maybe the kids could eat in two shifts. I don't know, this is a tough situation. Like I said, good luck to you.
2007-12-24 04:28:37 · answer #2 · answered by NinjenWV 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My grandma has 10 kids and 23 grandkids....when we were younger and used to all go to her house for Christmas, she could only fit two tables and a card table in the kitchen, so what we did was to eat in shifts. So many people would sit down to eat, while others socialized until it was their turn. Maybe suggesting something like that would convince her to NOT put the kids on the floor. The only other thing I could think of is to have my child sit on my lap to eat........ no matter how old he is!
2007-12-24 04:56:59 · answer #3 · answered by mrsmommaid 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take a lap tray with you for your son to use. I would be appalled if someone expected my child to sit and eat on the floor let alone a dirty one. If the tray won't work just sit him on your lap while he eats and then eat when he's finished. MIL could really use some manners. Best of luck!
2007-12-24 05:09:34 · answer #4 · answered by MISS H 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I understand your frustration. Your child is not a dog so why put him on the floor to eat?
What you could do to make a statement is allow your child to sit in your place and offer to stand so that your mother-in-law can see how much of an inconvenience it is in regards to spacing.
2007-12-24 04:42:59 · answer #5 · answered by Talkstress 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't say anything, just quietly put your child somewhere else to eat...like standing beside you or at the counter, if anything is said just say hes fine where he is, go ahead and enjoy your dinner. That should let them know it is not open to debate. Another good idea is to buy a little dinner tray ( they have them at wal-mart ) very inexpensive.
2007-12-24 06:17:09 · answer #6 · answered by mom23 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I never allowed my children to sit and eat from the floor. If someone tried that with my kids, I'd tell them, "The hell you are!" I'd get my kids, go home and never go back to that house again.
2007-12-24 07:27:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Folding chair and a tray table. I would NOT have my child eating on the kitchen floor if it is clean.
What is wrong with this person
2007-12-24 07:20:44 · answer #8 · answered by Ya Ya Vegas 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
take a card table and chairs for the kids to sit around.
borrow one if you dn't have one?
2007-12-24 04:23:50 · answer #9 · answered by letterstoheather 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Suggest eating in shifts.
2007-12-24 07:48:16 · answer #10 · answered by ladyamydz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋