[Barbeevw]

I support Nitnana's idea of you going on strike. Don't complain or spring it on them. Tell the family so they know ahead of time which week you choose for your "annual vacation". Pick a good week for YOU and don't worry if it isn't convenient for them. Maybe plan to be someplace else or stay at home. Then take it!

That week: no errands, no dishes, no vacuuming, no laundry. You can read and crochet and do and eat whatever you want.. (Be sure to hide the foods that you want to have for only yourself.) Your kids go on vacations, your husband gets time off from work, and you should too because you deserve it! Remind them that even God took one day off a week to rest.

It is called self care and is important for one's health -- physical and emotional. Sometimes the planning and anticipating can be the most fun of the whole project. Maybe you can spend some of the week with girlfriends, enjoying long lunches together, or even go on a road trip with them. Can you overnight with that grandson at his house? Be your own best friend!!!!!!!

 

[Barbeevw]

I get very angry when I read some of your posts. You have two adult children living in your home. Unless they are paying the standard rent rate and also contributing to your grocery budget, they need to get off their kiesters and help. You apparently do everyone's laundry, fold it and probably at least put it on their bed if you don't actually put it where it belongs in each individual's room. Their idea of because you are home, you should be their maid is a big bunch of crap. My kids were cleaning the bathrooms, and their own rooms and taking turns doing the dishes from 10 years old. It is going to be mighty hard to ever get them to act like adults now after all these years of coddling. It also sounds like you get absolutely no encouragement from DH either. I hope it isn't too late for them to start treating you with the respect that you deserve.

Mine too, including their share of laundry and simple dinners for the whole family. In our family it was called Life Skills and important to me that they learned this before they left home. BTW, each child left within weeks of graduating from high school and they felt well prepared to face the world!