SD (27) not respecting house rule
My husband and I have 4 kids between us (27, 21, 20,19). When we moved to our new home 3 years ago we set a no animal policy because our cat had just died and just didn’t want the responsibility of another animal. Both of our girls have rambunctious dogs so we love on them in their homes when we visit. This past weekend my SD came for an early Christmas visit and I caught her sneaking her dog in the house. I told her to take the dog outside, that she knew our house rule about animals in the house and what she was doing was not okay. After trying to argue with me about it I told if she couldn’t abide by the rules her dad and I had set in our home then pack up and go back home. My husband tried to calm his girl down but with no success. So she drove back home 5 hours. I don’t feel bad about her going home. She’s known for 3 years the rule about this. And on other occasions she’s visited without the dog. My husband feels bad, am I wrong for sticking to the rules? If I give her a pass I gotta give my kid a pass and frankly these dogs have bladder issues I don’t want to deal with.
by disrespecting the rule she
by disrespecting the rule she disrespected both you and her Dad. she knew, hence the sneaking it in. your rules matter so does respecting them and you.
Stand Your Ground
It's your home, your rules and she sure as hell knows it at AGE TWENTY SEVEN. I am an avid dog lover and have multiple dogs in my home. I know better than to bring my dogs to friends and family that don't "do" animals. Don't feel bad. Feel GREAT. You stood up to someone trying to break a boundary you set.
You were absolutely NOT wrong
You were absolutely NOT wrong. She knew the rule and tried to get one past you. Letting the dog stay would have sent the wrong message and she would be pulling crap like this forever.
Brava!!!!
All of us that have experienced disrespect from stepkids APPLAUDE you for sticking to YOUR household rules! 27 yo is not a kid, she's an adult. Any fallout from this with your DH? I'd you don't mind me asking.
There's no fall out between
There's no fall out between us. I'm sure he didn't want to be the bad guy here, and honestly I'm the one who caught her so I don't mind reinforcing the rule. Since he's had a couple of days to process this he's given her a call and had a serious talk about the disrespect shown to us. Of course we won't see her for a while but I'll survive lol
We are animal lovers. Always
We are animal lovers. Always had dogs, cats until they passed away. We still have two.
Our rules would be the same as yours.
No explination needed. Give the adult kids the phone numbers to local Vet offices that may board, OR, doggie spa.s
You are not wrong for standing your ground on rules.
You were right
Dont even give it another thought. DH will get over it. He's probably secretly glad you held the line so he didn't have to be the bad guy.
I'm still stuck on her trying
I'm still stuck on her trying to *sneak* the dog into the house. That's something I can see a teenager trying, but not a 27 year old adult. Did she think you'd never notice she had a dog there? Or is it that in her mind if the dog is there at least a couple hours without being detected it gets to stay?
I wouldn't feel bad at all. She knew the rules, she took the risk that you wouldn't enforce them, she lost. Oh well. If she really wanted to stay she could have looked for a local kennel. Next time she knows - when you institute a rule, the rule is enforced. The other kids will hear about it too, and they'll all know you mean business.
If she truly had an issue
If she truly had an issue going on where she could not find boarding care for her dog.. she needed to be up front with you about that and ask you if you could make an exception.. or ask you if you had any suggestions for other ways it could be dealt with.. like you could help her find a local boarding kennel.. or weather permitting.. setting up a pen in the yard.. or even agreeing that the dog could be crated in the home.. but not allowed free reign.
She tried to sneak it past you which was not acceptable.
You are ...... NOT wrong.
Sneeky bullshit is just that.
She knows the rules.
Enjoy your drive butter cup!
Buh-bye.