Last week my dh's grandma came and stayed with my in-laws in the neighboring town. We saw hwe a LOT. Since we had the week off of school it wasn't a big deal EXCEPT that my little kids didn't get their naps and she insisted we stay late every night which threw all my kids bedtimes off. :roll: Now they have trouble going to bed before midnight and they don't wake up until 10 or 11! I can't wake up early now because my 2 youngest keep me up All. Night. Long. I was hoping to get school done this week because next week my parents are coming and staying with us for 3 weeks!! How do you get back on track when company screws it up and your whole schedule gets messed up?
I'm afraid after a time or two of staying late, I would have to plead "young children with bedtimes" and leave. They can see you have 7 children, so it shouldn't be that big of a deal. Maybe you don't get much school done, but at least you keep your sanity. With my own parents in my own home, they would just have to be understanding as well. Maybe they can participate in your school day -- so maybe your school day is different but enriched by their presence. In your own home you can keep the bedtime schedules more easily.
Grandparents are a WEALTH of history information. Have the kids ask her what it was like when she was small, and to tell them some stories of her youth. It's always fascinating to find out how our elders lived and how our lives differ now. Maybe something she says will spark a super great history lesson!! My DH is neurotic about getting the kids home for bedtime, and I'm the opposite. I'll keep them up at a relatives house until 9 or 10 (latest), but DH is crazy about getting th ekids to bed before 8 at night. I would just say that they have bedtimes, and that you have to get going is all.
