It's STILL tough and not getting better - so how are we coping?

northwest1965

gailey wrote: »

Anyway enough of my wicked stepmum ranting.

As a fellow stepmum, we do it a lot:rotfl:
Although i like to call myself 'the stepmonster'

gailey_2

Ta northwest guess its hard for child when they living in paralell universe he lives on rough estate but has everything he wants including new x box and junk.
We rent on posh estate so look deceptivly rich but struggle and watch our pennies plus homecook and have a routine.

Hubby maybe acts out of guilt and has perhaps tried to buy his love in past.
Realised often more simple activities make him happy.

EstherH

Gailey, I'm sure he does secretly enjoy the simple activities and if you are fair and treat him the same as your daughter, he will know that even if he doesn't admit it to you. At 12 he has to act awkward, he's a teenager in waiting. It must be difficult for him and as far as food is concerned at that age he probably is quite hungry - can't you compromise and make white bread for him which should help to fill him up a bit so that he doesn't eat you out of house and home with other stuff. Someone once said about their son 'He only eats on meal a day now, it starts at 7.00 in the morning and ends at midnight.' That seems like an accurate portrayal of a growing boy but doesn't solve your budget problems. You are right to insist on good manners and house rules and if your daughter isn't allowed to help herself to the biscuits and crisps without asking then neither should he be.

Try and make some space for yourself gailey, you do so much, you must be exhausted. Could you try talking to your husband about consistansy with the children? Hope your week works out well for you all.

narabanekeater

I can so relate to the children eating. We have my nephews most weekends and they will rise at 7am to 4 weetabix each. By 9.30am in 3 crumpets with jam. A sandwich, crisps, fruit, home made cake and orange juice by noon. 2.30pm is afternoon tea (more cake, crisps or maybe a bowl or cereal with lashings of milk) dinner by 5pm and a large potion with yogurt and fruit for pudding. You can add an ice cream to thats as well if they go to the park. I feel I must point out these children and 3 and 5. Theye at enough in a day as I do in 3
My brother is just as bad. I have a 2 and 5 year old who eat 3 weetabix between them. They know they are allowed fruit and milk as snacks and sometime home made cake/biscuits
So in an average weekend we will use 20 weetabix, 2 packs of crumpets,3 loaves,a fruit bowl full, 4x4pts of milk and thats just for starters before main dinners.
I have had a word with my bro but he doesnt understand. I think they eat cause there board but I know they never have home made cakes and they taste much better Auntie honest. My brother lives in his own little world and as no idea what things cost. Hes going to have a shock when he moves out
.

lambanana

Wee_Jo wrote: »

I am home alone tonight (well apart from chatting to you guys of course) and I am quite happy to just potter about and maybe read my library book on knitting....I got a kids one (I thought that was about my level! :rotfl:) as I want to learn. So maybe once I have finished reading the book I will save up and get a wee bit of wool and some knitting needles. I am saving for a sewing machine at the moment too....£50 down £30 to go - so that's why I think I will read about the knitting first rather than jump straight in and buy the supplies!

Ooh I LOVE knitting, it's my primary hobby!! It's easy to get carried away though...I have rather a lot of knitting goodies stashed away and am trying to work through them and not buy more, I dread to think how much all my supplies are worth wilkos/poundland/poundstretcher often have bits of knitting stuff as do charity shops though you may have to ask about knitting needles as they often have to hide them as they're potential "offensive weapons" :rotfl: it's a great hobby though. Check https://www.knittinghelp.com for video tutorials of how to do the stitches

Wee_Jo

lambanana wrote: »

Ooh I LOVE knitting, it's my primary hobby!! It's easy to get carried away though...I have rather a lot of knitting goodies stashed away and am trying to work through them and not buy more, I dread to think how much all my supplies are worth wilkos/poundland/poundstretcher often have bits of knitting stuff as do charity shops though you may have to ask about knitting needles as they often have to hide them as they're potential "offensive weapons" :rotfl: it's a great hobby though. Check www.knittinghelp.com for video tutorials of how to do the stitches

Thanks Lambanana! I will check that site out

lambanana

Knitting is brilliant when you get into it, it's wonderful being able to wear something you've made yourself or to give handmade gifts

ginnyknit

I worked out I would have to live to be about 230 years to use up all my craft stash and possibly 300 for thr knitting stuff :rotfl:but last Christmas I bought very little just used what i had and had a virtually free xmas. All those bits and bobs came in useful and I felt great when it was done.

ceridwen

northwest1965 wrote: »

I was thinking about this in bed this morning. My grandmother taught me to knit. I went through a phase where I knitted a few things but I could never cast off or finish things properly. My mum did that for me! So, I think, like you I'll get a book and give it a go.

Check out YouTube - they will have video-ettes on how-to.

icelandic_queen

gailey, you must be doing something right if he wants to come and live with you when he's older!!