I’ve been a little distant on social media this past week because I’ve had family in town to celebrate the Twins’ birthday. It’s these family members’ first visit to us since we moved to the US nearly three years ago, so we’ve enjoyed showing off the local sights and eating twice as much as we usually do. We love to have guests, but with all the fun also comes hard work and unplanned inconveniences. You know you’ve had family to stay when:
1. Your kids are behaving like total brats.
Is it because they’re being spoilt? Is it because you can’t face disciplining them in public? Maybe you’re ignoring them more than usual while you desperately slurp at wine, because it’s supposed to be fun for you too, right? No one knows. But sure enough your kids will act like total animals.
2. You’ve lost the ability to multi-task.
Week in, week out, you totally boss at multi-tasking; but be sure it will all go out the window when family come to stay. You’ll wonder how you normally do it and give your previous week self a pat on the back.
3. You feel more hungover and stressed than usual.
4. The dog hasn’t been walked.
You may have also forgotten to feed it, and accidently locked it outside when you went to bed. Sorry puppy.
5. Someone’s ill.
Not only are your kids more accident prone while you have visitors, it is also customary for Family to bring a new virus to share. If coming from abroad, it is only fair to reciprocate this offering and send them home with a local pathogen to spread around their home country. Sharing’s caring after all.
6.Your countertops are full of Junk.
What is all this junk that’s floating around my kitchen? Plastic bags, almost empty packets of crisps, cakes made a week ago that no-one’s comfortable throwing away in case someone gets upset. The latter also applies to the contents of the fridge. Suddenly you become a hoarder of left-overs, because everyone’s too polite to chuck away the remnants of Granny’s potato salad.
7. Lunchtime beers have become the norm.
8. You’ve only just remembered your inflatable bed has a hole and you should have chucked it last time family came to stay.
And will you throw it away this time? Probably not.
9. You’ve gained 1lb per day.
I’m pretty sure it has been scientifically proven that the 1lb a day rule applies to all members of the family over the age of 18. And remember it will take you 1lb per month to remove the family visit fat… it’s a science thing, don’t blame yourself.
10. Your bank account’s empty.
In fact, everyone’s bank account is empty. Money is just so much more fun to spank when family’s here to help.
I find the recovery period from family coming to stay is usually equal to the length of the visit. Therefore, I will likely spend the next week going to bed at 8pm, drinking just a little less white wine, and folding a lot of washing.
It was pleasure to have you Auntie Sarah, come visit again soon.
My bank account is not only empty, it’s NEGATIVE empty. The very worst kind! This made me laugh, thank you for linking up to #Chucklemums 🙂
The pleasure is all mine, you have some great posts this week!
Hahaha, brilliant. The price you pay for living somewhere awesome!
Oh I recognise so many of these points especially the counter tops. That made me LOL! I have a visiting life (like a shelf life) my maximum time for
People to stay without arguments is 4 days. Thank you for linking up to #EatSleepBlogRT ?
4 days is a good limit. Long weekends only!
I can’t cope with anyone staying for more than a couple of nights – too stressful!
I really enjoyed this post, thanks for linking up!
#chucklemums
I think that might have to be my new limit!
The counter tops. Seriously the counter tops. What is with that, I can’t bear it!!!
Also noting that no veg has been eaten for days! Oops!!
#stayclassymama
Haha… good point. Definitely has no veg been consumed when family stay! ?
8, always forget to replace theblow up!! So annoying haha.also you realise the only clean spare sheets have a stain on them and cringe as it’s the fussiest guest who has to use them! #stayclassymama
Hahaha… yup. Always put stain at the feet end and hope they don’t notice.
Yep I agree with all these points. Our routine goes out the window when we have people come to stay, or we go and stay somewhere. Thanks for linking up at #fortheloveofBLOG. Claire x
Yep… routine totally stuffed!
Oh gosh…love this post. A lot of these points ring true for me too…especially the cluttered counter top. Like seriously…where did these mystery items come from and where do they go? Even my junk drawer is looking for a junk drawer. Enjoyed the read. #stayclassymama
I have literally expanded to a second junk drawer recently… eek ?
Haha, I always need a good rest after visiting/being visited!! We aren’t usually too germy, but we deffo drink far too much wine – can’t help it, we are just over-excited to be seeing other grownups!
Absolutely. Crack open that wine and I’ll talk your ear off… someone that will give me more of a response than. “Baba?” ?
PS I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to comment on this for #chucklemums!
Haha, no worries. No comment police here ?
Hahah I love this and I love all the photos! I think I have felt every single point on this list after my family visited me, I especially feel the empty bank account : ( lol. Thanks for sharing with #StayClassyMama!
So poor!! ?