~Apparently Our Family is Strange~

I don't think that you are strange. Who said that certain things have to be done a certain way all the time? I have the feeling that the new arrangement is not going to work out for you guys. Either that, or you put your RULES down right away. It's your house, your family.

I think every family has their way of doing things that works for them. I don't think that you should feel hurt by the comments. You have a happy and healthy family and that is all that matters. We all have our way of doing things and who is somebody else to judge us for how we do things? This is your life, your family, your home!! You are an excellent wife and mom and don't let anybody make you feel like you are anything less then that!!

Little Julian is too cute!

Oh yes, my family is very strange. All 6 of the males from age 10 and up cook. The 7 year old is learning some things (also male) and the two 5 year olds (males as well) help still and do thinks. Three of the males have dishes related duties and one male sweeps wile another had the task of mopping. I look at the same way, they live here and can help out.

Is there any such thing as a "normal" family? I think "strange" is the norm.

I've always thought my family a bit strange... but, it could just be me!

LOL, well my family must be related to you. We eat of of Chinette paper plates as know one ever wants to dishes. ( I work full-time and I commute). I do have several sets of dishes ranging from cheap to china depending on the occasion. My husband always uses the word "we" for doing anything "women" related, even though I will be doing the work. I complain about it sometimes, but truth be told I really hate it when people "try" to help. They do a lousy job and I just have to go behind them and redo the job. So no help in my kitchen, whether it's cooking or cleaning. I always driver everywhere, my husband drives for a living so when he is off the last thing he wants to do is drive. That being said, I too was afraid of driving and didn't get my driver's license until I was 32 yrs old. I look back and can't believe I waited so long. When I home schooled my youngest we had no real set schedule either, it worked for us, since we were now a family of 3. When my older children were younger we followed a schedule that worked for us (my ex and I), that doesn't work for us now. My husband is on the road all week long, he never knows from one day to the next where he is going (until after 5 pm the night before). We have no idea when he will get home the next day or whether he will be staying the night somewhere. My daughter and I wing it a lot. Most people find it strange to not know where they will be from one day to the next, it has been this way for the past 15+ years and I'm used to it. My youngest now attends public school and has a bedtime. I don't schedule things during the week because of school. I think what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another as you said. I think that so long as a person isn't complaining about the very things they are doing then it really shouldn't be anyone's business. Now if you're complaining to a friend about never having anytime to yourself or that the kids won't go to bed, then I think you open yourself up to that criticism. I would not call you a slacker.

Do not worry! You are not alone. We are a strange family too. When my dad was alive, he was the one doing the cooking. It must be the role of moms, right? But in our family, it was our father's role. Oh, I miss my dad again. I wish he were still with us.

There is nothing strange about what you just said. My family would top that for sure. LOL. I always hated having a set time to eat and to get the kids to bed. But my now ex was like a nazi. That wasn't my way of ding things. A more relaxed environment is much better. I think you and your husband have it right. Don't stop being the way you are.

we have our share stranger habits at home :D

I didn't know you didn't drive, my mom also didn't drive and I never knew why. Perhaps she was also afraid, I know I was terrified, especially drving on the highway. I think you have a wonderful husband who understands and I wouldn't worry about what other people think. As for my family, I guess with me I never had a job, instead I choose to raise my children completely and now I am kind of paying for it since no one will hire someone who never had a job before, even though I probably have more experience than most young people. However, inside the family, my own circle of family (my husband, one son, and I) are probably considered strange since we don't observe any pagan holiday, we only observe Biblical holidays and I'm sure the family shakes their head at our choice.

Well, if a non driving woman make a family strange, yes we are a strange family. We also eat when we are hungry and go to sleep when we are tired.

Everyone has their own way to do things. Like you said what suits me may not suit you and vice versa. You are a good Mom and wife. Ask your children and husband, they will tell you better! They know better. With a new person around, it might take some adjustments.

I once had an acquaintance whose family eats 5 full meals a day and they actually cook for each meal. They have breakfast in the morning, lunch at noon, another full meal at 3, dinner at 7 and a second dinner at 10.

are the plastic plates disposable or do you wash and reuse them? what was your husband's reaction? he grew up in her household, didn't he?

If your family is happy and well cared for it's no business of anyone else how you go about things. Please don't let your aunt worry you.

does it work for you? Does your kids have issues with the schedule not being set? Is this harming anyone? If it is not, then let it roll on off your back, different doesnt mean wrong.

That is not weird, that is how life goes when there are children at home.It also happens in our family, we eat anytime if hungry, and sleep any time we like. There are no rules to follow at home. We also do not eat together. My sister also tutors the little boys at home ages 4 and 6 anywhere in the house as long as vacant and no interruption. As long as not is our home, there is no one else to stop us.Your post is very useful for other to express what they experience in their own homes. Thanks very nice.

Don't let other people's standards/ideas/whims make you less confident. If the kids were going to school, you might need some sort of schedule but otherwise I think you're going fine. Minding a house and children is a job equal of any 'paid' work and more husbands should appreciate that and lend a hand a bit more often.

yes you are right every family has their own different ways to do things and that baby in that pic is so cute