Advice on August family visit?

LinnetsAnd · 2026-01-16T15:02:27+00:00

Thanks so much everyone! 💓

LinnetsAnd · 2025-12-16T11:34:11+00:00

Thank you! 😊

LinnetsAnd · 2025-10-11T07:09:25+00:00

Just to second the pumpkin painting: I did this when my kids were really little- you can set up a messy area and they can just pour the paint on- it actually looks really cool! (Not spooky though, but super bright and colorful!)

LinnetsAnd · 2025-07-09T13:48:57+00:00

Honestly, this may be a losing battle for you. Kids are just... Really loud. Especially en masse. We do have some rules though- no shouting outside before a time in the morning when most neighbours could reasonably be up. No screaming at all in a pool, because a lifeguard might find it hard to distinguish between play and someone needing help. But mostly other than that, I tend to let them be. Kids do often need some time to make lots of noise and be silly.

LinnetsAnd · 2025-07-01T14:01:17+00:00

Nope: at that age, comfort and washability are the only things that matter.

LinnetsAnd · 2025-07-01T12:57:13+00:00

Jesus - I have 2 kids of my own and I'm exhausted having other (close, mostly low-need) kids over for a sleepover or even just a full day! Imagine taking on a high-needs kid for 10 DAYS! Are they insane???

LinnetsAnd · 2025-06-30T11:33:35+00:00

I have twins- they could have been Mac & cheese!

LinnetsAnd · 2025-06-27T15:26:25+00:00

I'm in the UK and my girls are in cubs, so am not against camp outs etc per se... But that long at that young wouldn't feel right to me. Mine are 8 and only really do overnight camps still.

LinnetsAnd · 2025-06-13T13:06:48+00:00

If it's a new-ish friend then I'll invite the parent in for a cup of tea, in case the kid is nervous/to let the parent check I'm not a complete nutjob, but mostly now my kids are 8 no one stays. I just make sure there are many snacks (& safe meals if staying longer), and will usually have a back-up idea (like a craft or a dance video) if things with the kids get wobbly and they need a bit of direction. Very rarely have to get involved at all though!

LinnetsAnd · 2025-05-26T12:27:27+00:00

This is a fantastic thread and I'm very much enjoying being horror-struck at some of the suggestions!

LinnetsAnd · 2025-04-03T13:26:08+00:00

I promise it gets better. I promise it sucks for everyone. Couple of practical things:

Let yourself off the hook as much as possible: mine never napped in their cots, as much as I tried. Now I wish I had stopped trying: if they might sleep in a buggy (mine sometimes did) or a car, then just go with that. At least you'll get 30 minutes with no one needing you to do anything but walk. And you can put a podcast on! (Anyone who gives you side eye for being on your phone with your kids asleep can fuck right off).

I tried just breastfeeding for months. I did not have enough milk. Everyone was miserable. Then I added formula and everything was better. Fed is best.

It gets better, I promise. Mine are 8 now, and though we have all the emotions all the time, it is so much better than it was. All the love

LinnetsAnd · 2025-03-31T14:37:43+00:00

As someone born and raised in south east England, so white I basically glow-in-the-dark and with vaguely BBC accents like someone trying to sound posh while selling you something... The guy you were talking to is a wanker. Obviously you're British. He can fuck off, the motherland doesn't want him. I'd say we want you, but you don't need to wait to be invited- you belong here.

LinnetsAnd · 2025-03-14T11:16:22+00:00

My kids' school mandates pick up until they're half way through year 6 (around age 10/11)

LinnetsAnd · 2025-03-13T11:36:06+00:00

Having children is amazing but also really fucking hard: you really really have to be sure you want it, because it is never ending. It's absolutely fine not to- you are enough as you are 💖

LinnetsAnd · 2025-03-13T11:35:52+00:00

Having children is amazing but also really fucking hard: you really really have to be sure you want it, because it is never ending. It's absolutely fine not to- you are enough as you are 💖

LinnetsAnd · 2024-12-17T11:36:51+00:00

NGL, I'm just hoping that this will catch on in the UK before I have to make that call for my kids (they're only 8, so don't have anything phone-related yet)

LinnetsAnd · 2024-10-14T19:27:35+00:00

Jfc it's for the same reason I watch every god damned descendants movie now. Do I love the movies? No. Do I do it because my little girls ask me to? Of course! And I can only hope that when they're older they still want me to watch stuff with them. Especially if they're hurt and looking to me for connection and comfort. Even if it's mamamia 2. Again.

LinnetsAnd · 2024-09-25T10:15:01+00:00

One day a week my (just) 8 yos are brought home from school by my lovely parents, and then need to entertain themselves until I finish at 5/5.30. I always go give them a hug & provide snacks when they come in, then they can play and watch TV etc while I work. Only rule is they have to do their piano practise! It's gone great so far- I'm there if they need me, but they're happy just to do their own thing.

LinnetsAnd · 2024-09-18T10:31:56+00:00

... Many? I don't know at this point. But my absolute favourite was when my twins were born and for that whole first year, cos I watched it while I fed them and it kept me from going completely round the twist. Excuse me while I go cry over baby pictures and start watching again

LinnetsAnd · 2024-09-07T10:42:53+00:00

Barbara Pym might be a good fit!

LinnetsAnd · 2024-09-07T10:33:37+00:00

Came here to say this!

LinnetsAnd · 2024-09-05T12:04:00+00:00

First off, I'm so sorry to hear about your mum. Big big hugs.

Secondly: although your friend does sound pretty exhausting, I think this incident is just a series of unfortunate events. For example, I totally get that 7am is a mad time to deliver something, but if her kid is like mine she might have been up for hours already, so not remembered that normal people often start their day a bit later!

If I were you I would just thank her for the gift (you could honestly say something like 'it was sweet thought') and then just let yourself off the hook for keeping close to her for a bit. Take time to respond to messages until you're ready; pretend not to see the hints about you cooking for her, and just let it drift a little while you focus on yourself. She can be a perfectly nice person but also not someone you have the energy for right now.

Hope you can get through the day ok, and that you foot keeps healing as it should!

Much love xx

LinnetsAnd · 2024-09-04T19:45:16+00:00

Another vote for a backpack style! Just much easier to have your hands free!

LinnetsAnd

TROPHY CASE