Help! His parents are coming!

Barneysmom

Oh dear, they'll be up in a few weeks to stay probably 5 days!

I've just realised it's going to cost me loads for foods for them.
Breakfasts lunches, dinners etc.

(Add to it the blind panic I'm in 'cos she goes through my cupboards and drawers to make sure they're all tidy - which they're not!)..

Reverbe

You're kidding me . She really does that? How dare she. Personally if people cannot respect my right to run and organise my home how I choose then they don't get invited to stay and take advantage of my hospitality.It shows a total lack of respect for you Barneysmom. I would be inclined to tell her what you think, that or go through hers at her home and make critical comments. How you organise your storage is really none of your MILs business.It is your home not a free hotel for a week.

Best of luck xxxx

freakyogre

Barneysmom wrote: »

(Add to it the blind panic I'm in 'cos she goes through my cupboards and drawers to make sure they're all tidy - which they're not!)..

If she comments that they're not quite as tidy as she would like, i'd be tempted to ask her to tidy them up for you

Norma_Desmond

That's soooo rude!
I loathe having people to stay anyway, and that's just the icing on the cake.
As soon as they set foot through the door I'm afraid I'd say in a 'jokey' way
'Oh, and no going through the drawers - it's nice to have some privacy don't you think?!'

churchrat

Barneysmom wrote: »

(Add to it the blind panic I'm in 'cos she goes through my cupboards and drawers to make sure they're all tidy - which they're not!)..

My mum used to do this without fail every Christmas. I would always go over everything in the house to make sure that she would like it. (what is it about our mothers that send us into children when they arrive-40yrs after I stopped being one)

anyway, one year I was really busy and decided not to bother and was looking forward to her maybe tidying up as she went and she didn't even notice!! just said how nice it all was as usual!! and there was me looking forward (for once) to some unasked for help.

mothers!!

Barneysmom

I'm concerned about the money situation mostly, and what to feed 'em.

bunny999

Don't feed them or feed them something cheap and horrible and with a bit of luck they might not come back.

Butterfly_Brain

5 days with outlaws - OUCH! Give em gruel !!!!!!!!!
Seriously do you know what they like to eat?
You don't say how many you will actually be feeding.
Chicken, Mince and sausage based meals are about the cheapest.
Pasta, Rice and Potatoes with lots of Aldi cheap veg
Make your own soups, cakes, biscuits and bread.
Breakfasts - American pancakes, Egg on toast, Boiled eggs, cheap own brand cereals.
Lunch: Let them take you out or make a soup or give them a sarnie.

Maybe you should wait till they get here and take them shopping with you, take cash and maybe if they see how little you have to spend they might be inclined to contribute - I have done this with my inlaws - who are great by the way and they always insist on buying something to help out
HTH

msb5262

Yes, meal planning is the way to go.
I'd serve soup or some kind of salad every day as a starter, with toast, croutons or breadsticks on the side - that way they'll be nicely half full before you even get to the main course.
Main courses - remember that pasta, rice or potato-based dishes are cheaper as there's less meat/fish/protein included.
Puddings - seasonal fruit (stewed? with custard?)
HTH
MsB

Grebe

Butterfly and msb have it right, plan the meals and plenty of cheap veg, pasta and rice.
Premake and freeze home made soup ( lentil cheapand filling) to save your sanity, because the one thing we all know is when peeps decide to stay for a while you end up exhausted running about after them.
I know how you feel about the cupboards:eek: I am the same when my best pal comes to stay. She would never say anything to me because she loves me but when I stay at hers her cupboards are immaculate, So I end up nearly killing myself cleaning everything when I know she is coming, in fact last time I was so tired when she arrived it almost ruined the visit.
You have a few weeks so don't panic babe. Just don't leave everything to the last minute, like me!

ubamother

is a little bit of 'look how organised i am' showing off required here (if it was me there certainly would be - but perhaps that's my problem).

I would get ahead - which will make you look organised, make feeding them easier and save you overspending. things like roast winter veg can be par-boiled, par-roasted and then frozen - you can just shove them in the oven with your main dish and are nice and cheap.

If you can make pastry, that always looks impressive - a chicken and veg pie, with mashed potatoes and your roast winter veg will feed loads - and the leftovers can be made into soup.

Homemade soups and breads for lunches will look like you are the perfect housewife rather than you are being frugal! Get them in the freezer as soon as you can then you're not faffing while they are with you.

Risottos only use a bit of fish/meat if at all so are a good way to go.

Now, when you are ready to play MIL one-upmanship - do let us know so we can all join in!