The Mailman Brought Need of Pixie Dust About This Page:

[Nick and Ryans Mom]

I really need some Pixie Dust!! The mailman delivered an invitation for DH's nephew's birthday party. It is in 2 weeks. The problem is my BIL. He is very bossy to my DSs. Even when they are not doing anything wrong he is after them. I have told him countless times "They are fine, I'm watching them, Don't worry about them". My children are not angels but they are good kids. Yesterday while running errands we stopped to eat at a restaurant and I had an elderly couple come over and tell me how well behaved they are. We were just at a party (mostly adults) and 2 people commented to me on how polite and well behaved DSs are. I don't know what BIL's problem is but I am reaching the end of my rope with him. We had company come and stay with us over July 4th and DH's cousin asked me why BIL treats our DSs that way so it was even obvious even to them (I had not said anything). Until DS#1 came along BIL was the "baby" of the family and I think his maturity level is so low he is still jealous of being unseated.

FIL is ill and things have been rough. MIL needs help. DH and Nice-BIL have been taking turns shoveling snow, mowing lawn, fixing things around the house (they are selling and building a ranch where maintenance is included), helping sort through stuff, sitting with FIL so MIL can get out,etc.... Mean BIL WHO DOES NOT WORK has done nothing, zero, zip. I am not exagerating. Nothing. DH works full-time and does consulting on the side to support our/my WDW fix. I am doing our yardwork so DH doesn't have to, so he has more time for MIL.

Mean BIL and his wife went to WDW for their honeymoon. When they got back all they did was complain about the coffee and the children "all over the place". Hello?? You went to WDW and there were children there??? That is like going to Paris and complaining there are French people there!!! Any parent will tell you that although vacations are fun they can be very stressful. The kids are revved up, off their ususal schedules, food is different, it is hard to adjust to sleeping in a hotel, etc... Things are going to happen, that doesn't mean the children have rotten parents, it means they are children not robots!!! I know there are parents who are not great (such as trying to push in line during character meets), but you have got to expect kids to act like kids. When we are at WDW we stay for 7-10 days, during that time I can guarantee each DS will have at least one meltdown (there is something wrong with a child who can go that long without some type of issue). I'm sorry if you're in the vicinty when it happens, its not pleasant for us either. Get over it.

BIL also tries to tell me how to parent, he has been doing this since my DS#1 was born, even though he only became a parent a year ago. DS#1 has some problems. BIL tries to "help" constantly with suggestions even when I tell him the doctors do not reccommend what he is saying. Gee, who am I going to listen to the-$400-per-hour specialist or my unemployed-because-he-is-to-lazy-to-work-with-a-masters-degree BIL?

Thank you for letting me vent, rant, and rave. I'm usually mild mannered but Mean BIL really pushes my buttons. I am just grateful Mean BIL lives a 2 hour drive away, unlike every other member of our families. He and his wife moved there because they don't like to be around families "they expect things from you, like help and coming to family dinners, etc..". They have never showed up for any f DSs' birthday parties. Being the bigger person, and feeling bad for DH's nephew who has parents like this, I will go. Besides someone will have to give MIL and FIl a ride...