Oh how awkward, Corn. Her being the stepmother would make me insane. You are so much nicer than me. I would show my butt. It wouldn't be the right thing to do but I know myself and I'd be a brat. Toronto sounds fun, though!
Annie I can't believe your SILs didn't act better than that. It would hurt my feelings, too. Maybe they need a moment to process. I'm sure they'll come around. It is really hard to join someone else's family. Being the new kid on the block is so stressful.
When MIL told me about her "think things through" conversation with DH I told her I agree that people in general should think about things more before they do them, right down to what they say to people. It didn't land. She didn't get it that I was telling her to shut up, so it was pointless. She doesn't really like joking. She knew I was joking but took the opportunity to throw a jab. The more time I spend with her the more it becomes very clear that she doesn't like me at all. We were all outside with the kids because the weather was so nice. All the kids wanted to take off their shoes and socks while they played in the yard. DH and I told them they could if they wanted to. MIL couldn't handle it. She asked me over and over and over if they needed to go in and get different shoes on. I told her repeatedly that they were fine and to let them play. (They run around with no shoes all the time, and her lawn is like thick, soft, carpet!) So she finally grabbed the oldest boy while I was talking to one of the other children, dragged him in the house, and put shoes on him! When he asked me if he could take them off I said yes! So then she made everyone go inside because she was losing her mind. This woman makes me want to beat her! We don't let the children drink their drinks while they eat because they'll chug it and then try not to eat their food. They get drinks just as soon as they're done. Well MIL asked me over and over and over if she could give them their drinks (despite knowing our rule) and I said over and over not until they're done eating. So, she looks at DH and says "Benjamin can your children please have their drinks now so they don't choke to death on their meals?" He said no. She thought she was going to divide and conquer. The thing is you don't pour liquid down somebody's throat if they're choking! That's how you drown somebody! She just couldn't stand it! What she doesn't understand is, its not my rule. It's DHs rule. Also his rule, they have to eat all their food. I don't care. I'm more in the "they'll eat when they're hungry" camp usually. She AND my SIL jumped down my throat about that. SIL threw some sass at me and said that she didn't believe in making people clean their plates. I said "well that's your prerogative for your plate and your children, but these aren't yours and your opinion doesnt count!" She didn't speak to me the rest of the day. It's hard because in general I agree with her but with all the weird ideas about food the kids have from their mother, they just won't eat if you don't make them. I'm not carb counting for a four year old. Girl child has decided bread is evil. Wtf!?!
Sorry y'all. I didn't mean to ramble on so badly!
