Obnoxious house-guests.

[Kitty Herder]

Ugghhh.... My sister-in-law and nephew are coming to visit from out-of-state for a few days. I love my two-year-old nephew, but my s-i-l drives me crazy. I don't know how I'm going to entertain her. And she's one of those types of people who has to be entertained.

She's a spoiled little princess, a right-winger, a racist and a Mormon who looks down on me for being an apostate and a liberal. She's an incredibly intelligent, yet strangely incurious person who hasn't read an actual book in years. We have nothing in common and nothing to talk about. :puke:

Ok. Now that I've vented, I'm wondering how you all deal with similar situations without losing your minds. Last time I saw her, I felt like hiding in a cave for a few years to recuperate.

[skygazer]

1. I don't have house guests

:P

[Kitty Herder]

2. Sure, rub it in.

:P

[JTG of the PRB]

3. It's not easy, that's for sure.

Last summer, my roommate invited her younger sister to come live in our apartment for the summer. The entire summer.

For three. Whole. Months.

It wouldn't have been so bad if she hadn't completely misrepresented her sister to me. She had told me that she and her sister got along very well, and that she was a laid-back person. She was laid-back, sure, but she was one of the biggest passive-aggressive attackers I have ever met. She was annoying, grating, and her and my roommate barely got along at all. There were times when they both ganged up on my roommate's boyfriend, who just happens to be my best friend.

And it went on for three. Whole. Months.

Needless to say, I was not sorry to see her (FINALLY) leave in August. Also, I will never agree to such an arrangement again unless there are certain rules laid out - i.e., only your COOL siblings get to live with us for three. Whole. Months.

[Kitty Herder]

5. That sounds horrible. nt

[knitter4democracy]

4. She sounds a lot like my MIL.

I hate it when that woman visits. Very, very stressful.

I've stopped scrubbing the guest bathroom to a shine, though, since realizing she still won't use it since the kitty litter box is in there (cleaned out, but still there).

[Kitty Herder]

7. At least the cat(s) get to maintain their privacy. nt

[LisaM]

6. Can you do things that would entertain the two-year old?

Go to the aquarium, restaurants that cater to little kids, get a big ball to kick around in the park? It seems to me if you focus on the little kid together, burn off some steam, and give the kid a healthy, fun time, it will be win win. That's just the right age (two) that you can get a beach ball and play modified soccer in the yard, or the hall. She will probably be happy that her child is getting exercise, and you can coo over him together.

That's what I would do. Also, buy the little guy some books (those cardboard ones are good, so he won't rip them apart right away) and ask him to tell both of you the stories.

In my experience, people like that love their kids and you can transfer some of her princessness to him.

[Kitty Herder]

8. Good advice.

I enjoy playing with him.

And I can't realistically expect to keep her happy, so maybe I should just let that be.

[LisaM]

11. Exactly! But if the little boy is having fun....

it might be fun for her too. I would look around for kid-friendly restaurants, playgrounds, etc., where the focus will be on him. Take a couple of pictures of him with mommy. I have a two-year old nephew too, and I totally had a great time with him last February. There is a restaurant here that has a play pit for kids, and the adults sit around the perimeter and watch.

[ThoughtCriminal]

9. My solution: New matress

Super firm or soft depending on what they don't like.

Or even better if you can afford it - get a matress that has a remote control for firmness (do they make them wireless? not sure) and keep the remote in your bedroom. Have fun adjusting it all night.

:evilgrin:

[Kitty Herder]

10. lol

That would be fun.

[AlCzervik]

12. i bet she likes to shop, maybe you could hand her the keys to our car after you give

her directions to the mall, she can leave the toddler with you and she can think she's having a swell day all to herself. That way she's out of yout face and you get to have one on one time with your nephew.

[Kitty Herder]

13. I really like that idea. Especially since it's a two hour drive to the nearest mall.

That could keep her out of my hair for hours and hours!

[Wcross]

14. I have a simple & easy solution to your problem.

If SOMEONE (either yourself or your house guest) consume enough of this the visit will be much more bearable.

[Rambis]

15. I suggest

A huge Obama yard sign-
Offer her hot drinks in a jesus mug-
Jesus candles around the shrine to doctor king would be a nice touch-
Throw a few mother jones or nation mags around and fire up a beer it should be a lovely visit.