Am I being unreasonable?

[Barmaid]

OK, I have NO experience of children. None, nada, zilch. I am probably the worst person in the world to be left in charge of a child. I know this.

Anyway, the kids are here tonight. The boy has severe learning difficulties and will only eat pizza or chips. I cooked pizza - apparently it is "too yellow" and he would rather eat chocolate buttons. I am now cooking chips.

For the rest of us, I have cooked chicken in sauce with mashed potatoes (at the daughter's request) and veg. She is sitting there, feeding one pea a time into her mouth with her top lip curled up in disgust. "Is it OK, daughter?" I ask. "S'ok" she snarls. She has been an hour eating a plate of food and I have offered to heat it up on numerous occasions. Her friend called and I refused to let her speak to her until she had finished her dinner. I have turned the TV off because she is more interested in the damn telly than her dinner. I have also told her no dessert unless she eats her main course. Now I am the *** from hell and she hates me and I am not her mum and I am horrible. Well For Funks Sake, I know I am not her bloody mother, but I refuse to send good food to waste because she can't be arsed to eat what I cook. Every time I cook we have this battle. I end up cooking once and then cooking again. If dad cooks its fine. I'll be buggered if I am doing it again tonight - I have work to do. I know I am being damn unreasonable, but sometimes, my patience is really pushed to the limit.

Not really a question just a rant at feeling completely ineffectual at a situation that I just don't know how to deal with.

[ummmm]

BM...why are you bathing his children? It seems to me that he has thrown you in the deep end. They are his kids, and yes get involved but if one of my Dad's girlfriends tried to bath me at 12...or organise a bath...I would have told them where to go.

Too much too soon...

(sorry xx)

[tamborine]

Best to play kids at their own game.....suggest their father bring in a KFC 'family bucket' with the kids. You'll be the 'coolest' mom and with no trouble.

No point trying to 'score' points off the mother with ur wholesome foods. The mother has already lost OH - so no competition!

Dont waste your tears for falling for someone with so much baggage - it's not too late to back out!

[Barmaid]

Thank you so much all of you. We've had a bit of a chat - things between us are not totally resolved but not something I can't deal with.

To all of you who offered help and support my heartfelt thanks - at a time when I felt I was foundering in the wilderness. I am closing this question now. xxxx