WWYD? Re: Xmas Eve Gathering

[Yorkiesatwork]

This has been painful to read... the tiny animal that doesn't understand what's going on... the adults who should... and the children who haven't been exposed to compassion. This isn't about Yorkies, but I have a cat that I adopted from my office. I didn't realize she was ferral... she was pregnant and had a huge hole in her side; and she came begging, meowing loudly to me when I pulled into my parking space at the office. I put her in a file box and took her to the vet. I had no intentions of keeping her. But somehow, she ended up at my house... and she rules this house. Visitors are instructed not to reach down for her; not to make eye contact; she bites; she scratches; she's a holy terror. She rules my Yorkies with a glance from steel blue eyes. But once they cross the threshhold; once you take them into the house; they are your babies... and you don't give away a bad child... Advice: Keep the bad humans away from your babies; and keep the bad babies away from your humans!

[McheleM]

Originally Posted by Mom2TwoYorkies

unfortunately I cannot tell my niece he's not invited (oh how I wish I could)! I don't think there is any hope for that kid if he cannot control himself in other people's homes . . .the problem is he was never told NO.
.

Why can't you? You need to explain to your niece that as his parent, she's responsible for him. He needs to obey the rules, just as everyone else is expected to, and if that isn't happening, then neither of them are welcome.

My house, my rules. Respect them or don't come over.

[My Sophia]

Originally Posted by McheleM

Why can't you? You need to explain to your niece that as his parent, she's responsible for him. He needs to obey the rules, just as everyone else is expected to, and if that isn't happening, then neither of them are welcome.

My house, my rules. Respect them or don't come over.

:thum bup:

[Lisa and Pic]

I certainly understand your situation and have tried all kinds of things when we have company.

Last night we had all adults, so I had the three girls upstairs in a bedroom, then let them out slowly and they were fine.

But, for whatever reason, some of our nieces and nephews just set off one or more of the dogs. I do try to teach them to ignore the dogs and let them smell, but don't touch. I have also put dogs on a leash. Also, we have had children leave dirty plates on a coffee table in the basement within reach, so really have to watch that too.

It is difficult, but to me my dogs' safety is first. So, our company might have to put up with barking and crying, even if it is embarrassing to my DH. Or, go somewhere else for a gathering.

[My lil friend]

Originally Posted by richards6402

I was wondering the same thing about what to do with Macy with 15 people here. I also had the same 15 people her at Thanksgiving and came upstairs and found the 2 year old Great Neice kicking Macy's kennel with Macy in it. I flipped out!!!!

I took the Great Niece back downstairs, got Macy put in a nother safe place..locked the door......went downstairs again and found the Great Niece WALKING on top of the antique pool table. Problem is her Grandpa put her up there to entertain her and got ticked off when I asked him to get her down. Hang on...it's going to be a wild Christmas!!! This would make an entertaining thread......"

"What are some of your family Christmas stories involving your Yorkie"

WOW! Im reasonably sure that you handled this better than I would of. Child would be leaving (after I reminded her parents that she was their responsibility to keep an eye on) ,Grandpa might be leaving (after I wigged out on him). The members of my extended family have only seen me REALLY pissed once or twice and none of them want a return visit.
You are a good person if Christmas is at your house too.

[Mom2TwoYorkies]

Originally Posted by McheleM

Why can't you? You need to explain to your niece that as his parent, she's responsible for him. He needs to obey the rules, just as everyone else is expected to, and if that isn't happening, then neither of them are welcome.

My house, my rules. Respect them or don't come over.

Well, for one thing, my niece is my brother's daughter, I cannot just go about saying they aren't invited, it's not as easy as that, as I am the youngest of a family of 4 and the peace keeper in my family. If it just was my niece that would be affected I would have no issue with it, I'm not a quiet person by any means, but to say to her if you can't keep your demon child in check, you can't come, well, that just won't go over very well. I know that is not how you worded it, but that is how it would come out of my mouth . . .

[Micah my love]

Well the day of what if's are about to unfold tonight

everybody post back and tell us how it went right now i plan on locking mine
in another part of the house, if the "cookie monster" shows up

[Roxiesmama]

Every Saturday morning the local news does a segment about pets. This morning's segment was about safety during the holidays. One of the first things the woman said was that if you're having a party or large gathering at your house, pets should be secured in another room where they can feel safe. So, I feel a bit better about our decision to put Rox in the bedroom in her playpen. I just hope the rest of my family can accept that this is what we're doing in order to keep her out of harm's way.

Good luck everyone. Have a great evening. I'll update tomorrow on how it went!

[Micah my love]

Merry Christmas everyone I am happy to say "the cookie monster" didn't show
last night LOL so all went well..hopefully it did for all of you..I was able to enjoy 2 of my children coming home & 1 grandson & to keep my furbabies happy with us, along with 1 granddog

[Roxiesmama]

Originally Posted by Micah my love

Merry Christmas everyone I am happy to say "the cookie monster" didn't show
last night LOL so all went well..hopefully it did for all of you..I was able to enjoy 2 of my children coming home & 1 grandson & to keep my furbabies happy with us, along with 1 granddog

Awww...It sounds like you had a lovely evening!

We kept Roxie upstairs, and while she wasn't happy about it, it worked out for the best. One of my nephews decided he was afraid of her again (yes, all 7 pounds of her), and there was more food on the floor than I think went into our mouths. At one point DF dropped an entire cheesecake on the kitchen floor...so it's a good thing Roxie wasn't around. My SIL went up a few times to see Rox, but she didn't make a terribly big deal out of things, which is good. All in all, it was a good night, but exhausting!

[yorkiemini]

Just got home from the Christmas family gathering at my Mother's house. My son is home from Afghanistan so we are thrilled to have him here thi year along with his wife and daughter. My son also brought another soldier along who had no place to go for Christmas.

Very interesting:
When we all got in the door my Mother announced that Cali the Yorkie was the #1 guest, although she was so glad to see everyone else, and that Cali could not be fed people food, not allowed to tease or abuse her, and that her role in the family of that of Diva.
And... to be very careful where you stepped. After everyone got a laugh out of that, and everyone also realized she was serious, we had a great day. My son's family had wrapped gifts for Cali and we all had a great time! Actually, even the guys were caught holding her in their laps and giving her her favored belly rubs!

Big day for her, and now she is pooped and wants to take a nap!

[Mom2TwoYorkies]

Well, the "demon child" was a bit under the weather so he was actually really good . . .I did secure the babies upstairs, but Brody kept pounding on the door . . .so I did bring them downstairs and they didn't even realize there was a child here since he was laying quietly on the couch . . .

Next year can only be better since he'll be an additional year older . . .

[navillusc]

Originally Posted by Mom2TwoYorkies

I am in the same situation and I absolutely HATE having to put my dogs away in their own house! My niece's son is 5 now and you'd figure by now he'd not be so horrible acting . . .WRONG! Last year I tried gating them in the hallway, but they really hated that and my niece's son would purposely tease them to make them riled up . . .it was extremely stressful when nobody besides myself was telling him to knock it off.

The year prior to that, the dogs were with all of us and Brody disliked the little boy and was barking at him and every time I tried to tell him just to sit down and let Brody smell him and to pet him nice, he'd stamp his feet and scream and run from Brody just to aggravate him, Brody started to go after him and this little boy at age 3 mind you swung back his leg and was going to literally kick Brody . . .I screamed NOOOOO and picked Brody up . . I mean, really?

So, this year, they are going upstairs in my daughter's old room with the door closed so they won't be teased. They are going to hate it, but unfortunately I cannot tell my niece he's not invited (oh how I wish I could)! I don't think there is any hope for that kid if he cannot control himself in other people's homes . . .the problem is he was never told NO.

I get myself so aggravated about Christmas Eve every year and I just want it to be a night where we can all have a good time and enjoy each other as a family . . .

Put the 'demon child' in a playpen and give the better behaved Brody his freedom.

- Cat

[Lisa and Pic]

Originally Posted by yorkiemini

Just got home from the Christmas family gathering at my Mother's house. My son is home from Afghanistan so we are thrilled to have him here thi year along with his wife and daughter. My son also brought another soldier along who had no place to go for Christmas.

Very interesting:
When we all got in the door my Mother announced that Cali the Yorkie was the #1 guest, although she was so glad to see everyone else, and that Cali could not be fed people food, not allowed to tease or abuse her, and that her role in the family of that of Diva.
And... to be very careful where you stepped. After everyone got a laugh out of that, and everyone also realized she was serious, we had a great day. My son's family had wrapped gifts for Cali and we all had a great time! Actually, even the guys were caught holding her in their laps and giving her her favored belly rubs!

Big day for her, and now she is pooped and wants to take a nap!

Wow, what a great mom taking care of Cali that way.

Also, so glad to hear your son is home from Afghanistan. My stepdaughter has been back from Afghanistan since Thanksgiving and we feel very blessed. I am sure you feel the same too.

[Micah my love]

Originally Posted by yorkiemini

Just got home from the Christmas family gathering at my Mother's house. My son is home from Afghanistan so we are thrilled to have him here thi year along with his wife and daughter. My son also brought another soldier along who had no place to go for Christmas.

Very interesting:
When we all got in the door my Mother announced that Cali the Yorkie was the #1 guest, although she was so glad to see everyone else, and that Cali could not be fed people food, not allowed to tease or abuse her, and that her role in the family of that of Diva.
And... to be very careful where you stepped. After everyone got a laugh out of that, and everyone also realized she was serious, we had a great day. My son's family had wrapped gifts for Cali and we all had a great time! Actually, even the guys were caught holding her in their laps and giving her her favored belly rubs!

Big day for her, and now she is pooped and wants to take a nap!

Originally Posted by Lisa and Pic

Wow, what a great mom taking care of Cali that way.

Also, so glad to hear your son is home from Afghanistan. My stepdaughter has been back from Afghanistan since Thanksgiving and we feel very blessed. I am sure you feel the same too.

I am so proud for both of you...A wonderful Christmas gift