Okay, so, yes, I have been living with my parents for *gasp* 6 months now and I haven’t really talked about it much. Well, I haven’t really talked about it online. I have spent a lot of time discussing with my sister, or the husband, or, um, strangers on the street. But, well, it’s going…
WEIRD.
To be honest, I had an entire post planned about how this year has not been AT ALL how I expected. A post about how I guess I had assumed this would be an opportunity for my parents to spend some time with the kids. Because I don’t know if you know this, but we live in CANADA. And we really only saw my parents 3 or 4 times a year, and they only came up to Toronto once a year, if that. I just thought that they’d take advantage of really getting to KNOW the children. I thought they would offer to babysit (um, at least once…which hadn’t happened). I thought they would do things like take them out for ice cream (um, at least once…which hadn’t happened). I thought they would do things like join us on a Sunday at the zoo/museum/park (um, at least once…which hadn’t happened). I thought they would come to school presentations or grandparents day or VIP days (um, at least once…which hadn’t happened). I thought they would spoil them (um, at least once…which hadn’t happened).
But then, this past week happened.
A week where my parents took us and the kids to see a movie and treated them to lunch beforehand AND popcorn at the movie. A week where my parents ate dinner with us. A week where we ordered in pizza. A week where my stepmom gave Emily a $100 gift card to Justice and actually went with her to pick out some clothing. A week where my parents started talking about taking a family trip to the beach this summer. A week where my parents paid $100 a plate to see Emily perform at her school dinner. A week where they hired a babysitter so we could go out to celebrate the husband’s birthday this weekend.
WHAT?
WEIRD.
Where did this come from? And how can I make it stay for the next 6 months?!?
- Recovering Do-It-All Mommy
- Falling from Grace. Again.
- The Evolution of Boy
- The Best Laid Plans
- Snarkasm Generation Two
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: Amy_Urquhart
February 4, 2010 at 9:20 am
Aw Ali, that’s so great! I’m sure your parents are loving all this time with the kids.
You know what? Having you guys move in was probably a big adjustment for them and they just needed to get used to the situation and their sudden lack of just being a duo. They’ve gotten used to it, adjusted and are now embracing the fact that they have you all so close. I know if even just me and my husband moved in with my parents, they’d definitely have to take some time with that change before they changed anything that has become their sans kids lifestyle. They may even be secretly bitter for awhile. They enjoy their quiet but busy life and a substantial disruption to that would defintely take them some time. I’m sure now that your parents have come around… emotionally… they’ll stay around. :)
Twitter: Kristabella
February 4, 2010 at 10:43 am
Wow, color me shocked! Sucks that it took SIX MONTHS, but I’m glad that it finally happened!
Twitter: kidthingsnet
February 4, 2010 at 10:55 am
We lived with my parents for about 5 months a couple of years ago. They seemed all excited at the thought of us moving in, and I thought the same thing you did. But then. There was no SECRETLY bitter about it, it was a horrible situation for all of us. So just the fact that you’re not bawling your eyes out on a daily basis, I think, is a win-win for everyone.
Twitter: alotofnothing
February 4, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Holy crap woman! You need to re-trace your steps to see what you did to get their attention.
I suspect they didn’t want to over step the boundaries and were scared you run for the hills!
Apparently, motherbumper, thecaffeinatrix, and I are grandparent whisperers. LOL. :) Who knew?
Twitter: motherbumper
February 4, 2010 at 1:46 pm
@Apryl’s Antics, That was going to be my comment! Or: Did you put Ecstacy in the water bottles in the garage? That would be my second guess.
@katie, Shhhh. Don’t give a way our trade secret.
We moved in with my parents last summer when we sold our house and if we haven’t been taking off for months at a time to stay in short term rentals while my husband looks for a job I would honestly be in tears every day. That’s great that you guys are getting along and making the situation work even if you may not be getting the involvement that you would like.
Twitter: momneedstherapy
February 7, 2010 at 8:27 pm
My suggestion is to not over think it, just accept it! Sometimes miracles do happen.
Not in my family, with my parents, but I’m glad to see they do in other families!