Anita, or anyone listening,
I really feel down tonight. I feel like now I am on the other side of parenting and it hurts, and I am actually feeling sympathy for my own parents. Long story short, my boyfriend has 2 very young step sisters, that are 9 and 10 years old. They are related to the step dad that we have mixed feelings about. Whenever my boyfriend and i are around them, they usually act like angels. They have had some rough times in their life when they were younger but we’re always happy to see us, loved our food, and loved playing games with us. Often they only looked forward to seeing us and I felt bad that maybe they were not being treated well enough still and that I could do better. I got it arranged so that they could spend the weekend with us and I was so excited. I bought them craft kits and cooked dinner and we have plans to go out for lunch and italian ice tomorrow. Then all of a sudden today, they both brought the attitudes out full force during dinner. They complained non stop about how horrible the food was. It was pasta, bread and salad, so seriously?! Then egged us on to make dessert, then threw a fit about pouring dressing on their pasta because they didn’t like it. My boyfriend and I decided that it was enough and sent them to bed. But I am just devestated. I knew they had behavioral problems but never around us. I know they’re kids but I really did not expect that reaction to basic food for crying out loud. I am ready to take them home first thing in the morning. My boyfriend and I just had a long wine fueled but coherent discussion that we are done with them and we also do not want kids. I just don’t know what to feel. I know I was a brat as well but never in a family members home. Do I feel sympathy for my parents now? Do I feel sorry for the kids or just write them off? I don’t know what to do. I was able to refrain from raising my voice and we told them to finish their plates and go to bed. I honestly thought this sort of thing could not happen 🙁