Source: Reddit
I’m (f30) a new house owner, I bought it earlier this year and moved in a few months ago.
I don’t have kids hence no need to childproof my house. Of course I don’t have swords sticking out of my walls but my stairs don’t have baby gates, etc.
I also have quite a few pets, parrots of different species. I turned my top floor into a parrot space where they have a massive room to fly freely all day and all plants and treats and toys. It’s a lot of stuff. But parrots are easily stressed and they can be fragile, especially the smaller ones.
My family has been pushing for me to host thanksgiving at my house as it’s the biggest one. I have 5 siblings who all have their own kids (between 2-4 each). It’s a lot of people when you add my parents, aunts, uncles, etc.
I didn’t want to do it as it’s a lot of prep work with cooking and then cleaning after but I eventually agreed but laid down some ground rules.
- I planned the menu and everyone brings a dish so we can all contribute.
- Bring entertainment for your kids. I’ll make one room into a quiet space where they can go and take a nap if they’re overstimulated or they can go in and play quietly but they have to provide tots and whatever their kids will need.
- Absolutely no one without me goes to the parrot room (it’ll be locked anyway).
I thought these were simple and fair but my siblings are now demanding that I baby proof my house because it’s unsafe. What if they fall off the stairs? That I must allow kids to see the parrots as they want to play with them and it’ll keep the kids quiet.
I told them that they would have to keep an eye on their kids because I’m not going to install a childproof system for one day and they will simply have to keep an eye on their kids. I also said that there was absolutely no way that I would allow kids inside the parrot room. They’re calling me an a**h**e, spoiled kid (I’m the oldest but okay), lazy bum, etc.
I threatened that if they keep on going I would cancel thanksgiving at my house and they can host it but they keep on going. Because of this situation, I’m currently not on speaking terms with 2 of my sisters.
They keep complaining and ganging up on me. My father is on my side while my mother is on my siblings side and I’m not sure anymore. Should I cave in? Am I really the JERK in this situation?
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