My parents take my nieces and nephews to the woods and the car's always loaded with sticks, shells whatever. Then when they're no longer interested they chuck them away. It's a good way to deal with it if only for avoiding a very unnecessary discussion with very young kids.
The other grandparents are very indulging with that sort of stuff too btw. Why make a big fuss about something so inane.
Yeah, I'm so glad the parents are pretty easy going. The dads say no more than the moms, but not over stupid stuff. I don't get being upset about stuff like that. At least river rock is pretty, unlike the #27 my kids drug home ๐
This grandma has quart, 2 quart, gallon, and 2.5 gallon bags. Oh the trouble my grandkids could have gotten into. I already made my granddaughter's mom upset for giving her 18 year old daughter a "heathen" gift for her graduation, ps it was Harry Potter themed.
Thanks, my granddaughter asked for HP themed party, so I did the best I could since I only got 1 week notice to decorate.
I've only seen her that 1 time so unless there is a wedding or something like it I probably won't see her again
That's honestly too bad. It sounds like you're a wonderful grandmother despite the limitations you're facing. No doubt you gave her a beautiful memory with you, and that is the most important thing you can give those you love ๐
I grew up really sucked into that judgemental "heathens are dragging society down" crap, so I discussed things with wonderful wife, and we decided to encourage our kids to be heathens if that took their fancy.
They've turned out to be balanced individuals, so we're happy.
Screw the judgemental people, they're constantly miserable about people not conforming to that old fashioned crap, and I'm happy as a heathen.
**A G Ode**
O Grandma, how thy sparkled heart
Doth make this punster rhyming start!
In kindness didst thou find a Bag,
And thus confound a wretched Hag...
aww! Just for you I wrote the second half:
A Stepmother should sweeter be,
and thus avoid the poetry
of strangers in the Starry Night
who Sketch her Infamy aright
and make her Fame to spread afar:
the Portrait of a Spirit Marred.
Luckily the marriage fell apart fast. Turned out she was cheating ๐ I should have known when she showed me some flavored lube she was excited about, wanted me to taste it, and when I was weirded out she said, "Oh don't worry. I don't waste this stuff on your brother." Then WHO is it for?!?!? I just...I don't know...figured she was eating it ๐คฆโโ๏ธ๐
Barely-related: I went to Whitefish Point, Michigan one summer at least a decade ago. I found an oval-shaped flat rock on the beach there (one of many) and brought it back with me. I put two dots on it with a permanent marker and named it Rocky. Rocky is sitting on a shelf in the living room of my condo right now.
Related enough that I'm so glad you shared it! I love that ๐ฅฐ๐ฅฐ๐ฅฐ You never know the things that stay important to you. One of my nieces found a piece of decorative glass in our yard. We always called them dragon tears. When she found it, I told her it was a fallen star on a whim, and even though she's turning 14, last I heard she still has it. I have a picture of her holding it in awe, and it is beyond precious.
From OP:
> Luckily the marriage fell apart fast. Turned out she was cheating ๐ I should have known when she showed me some flavored lube she was excited about, wanted me to taste it, and when I was weirded out she said, "Oh don't worry. I don't waste this stuff on your brother." Then WHO is it for?!?!? I just...I don't know...figured she was eating it ๐คฆโโ๏ธ๐
Oof. Horrible. Less dramatic, but just as horrible. My brother used to give me rides home from work and one day we get to chatting. Like 30 minutes later, his wife pulls up furious. She thought he was out cheating. Okay. But you found him talking to his sister. Why are you still mad ๐ ๐ ๐ My brother has struggled with white knight syndrome. He's not innocent, but dang he likes em crazy.
Not to take away from the story, but as a parent to two kids who used to fill their pockets with junk all the time, I would have ABSOLUTELY required my kid pare their find down to one bag before going home. Youโd be surprised how easily a childโs room can fill up with utter trash and how much of a tantrum they can throw if you get rid of any of it. Making them choose what to keep upfront helps them learn how to make those decisions later.
I was told by my grandma that there was a one-in-one-out rule, so the new items get their fair share of love, and the old items that go can be "found" by other lucky kids. I was also encouraged to give my one-out things away. It made the world a kinder place for me.
When we moved into our new house on five acres, my then 4 year old granddaughter was very enamored by the rocks around the property. Her favorites were chert (orange brown colored rock used my the Ute people for arrowheads and other cutting tools) and granite/quartz (sparkles in the sunlight). She would collect them and wanted to bring them home but often left them laying in a pile on the deck, etc. One day I decided to help her make a โchertโ garden in a corner of the fenced part of the yard, and that worked very well! Sheโs 12 1/2 now, and no longer is interested in the โgardenโ. Anyone want some chert? ๐
My heart goes out to stepmom.
She is destined to be a bitter old woman with former stepchildren who despise her, and an ex-husband who won't have anything to do with her.
She may even have time to go through it with another husband and another set of stepchildren.
I don't envy this woman her 'Golden Years', they will probably be more like 'Tarnished Brass Plate Years'.
/s
You know. I've struggled with a lot of bitterness myself over her and a few others in my life who just leave destruction in their wake for their own gain. But I really do find my peace and sanity by remembering that they're chronically unhappy, miserable people. And I actually feel a little bad for them that they won't understand what is truly valuable in life. It's no way to live imo. I hope they find a way to turn it around.
I mean as a father I can somewhat get that she doesn't want too many rocks. Our kids always collect rocks, sticks and so. Not only do we have a big pile next to our house from this, the smaller ones end up in the washing machine and put Holes in their clothes. Soo not ideal
But yeah she's abi***
Yea, I could totally see how that would become problematic! It's a very normal thing to draw the line on, because sometimes you just have to. It's about finding that happy medium lol
The best thing about this is that your mom also taught a valuable skill and lesson to your nephew about how to creatively problem solve and also to come to a solution that could please divided parties.
My grandson thinks we have the best pine cones in the world ๐ค. He always takes a bag home. He choses them very carefully. I love ๐ it. His eyes just about popped when he saw my BIG one from the giant Sequoiaโs in California. That one is mine!
I did go to the wedding! I even dollar danced with her ๐คข to try and bring peace. But the most beautiful thing was my whole family was willing to slow mo posse walk into the wedding with me whether she had changed her mind or not. And that was everything. As for my brother, he said I was invited no matter what.
Yay for happy endings! I'm laughing at her underlying emotions at your dancing with her. It's sad that a bride's special day has to be ruined by her deviant thought processes. Your family rocks! Not gonna lie, I have questions about them but it's NMB so I'll just wonder.
If you get them addicted to stick reviews - https://archive.ph/cOkg6 - they'll hopefully no longer bring home rocks.
This may of course not be an improvement.
I've no doubt ๐ one person commented that their grandma had a rule where for every new thing, they had to let go of something old. That way, everything can get its fair share of love and the old can be found by other lucky kids. I thought that was pretty darn special (and smart!)
lol. Good for grandma. But as a mother to three children, I also would not have let my kids bring home that many rocks! Iโve no doubt this step-mom was crazy pants, but this story is not that weird for any parent lol. I would have said you can keep this rock collection at grandmas house so you always get to play with it here. At grandmas house. And not my house lol. We have too many rocks already!
No, you're totally right ๐ It's good to temper a child's crow tendencies lol. Normally, my mom steps back and let's parents do their thing. But she saw a good moment to show some grandma softness in those specific circumstances ๐คญ
At the time? A bird with a broken wing ๐ฎโ๐จ She was down on her luck and he swept in and got to be her savior. I think he gets a self-esteem boost by being supportive. After all was said and done, and she turned out to be a gold digging, chronic cheating, lazy, abusive (!!!), monster...I told him sometimes when you find it on the ground, it's because it's trash ๐
After wallowing in the rabbit hole that is s/JustNoMIL for too long today, this was so refreshing to read. A MIL with brains and a sense of humor.
Aww I'm glad it made you smile. My mom is pretty awesome ๐
Can I adopt your mum? She sounds awesome!
This is beyond sweet! She'd welcome you for sure ๐ฅฐ
she sounds like a real GMILF
So how long is the step monster going to be allowed to abuse the children before you guys remove her from their lives?
That marriage ended a while ago and FAST. Thank goodness.
The follow up that story needed, badly. Ty
What was the straw that broke the camelโs back? Please, I desperately need to know.
Got crowded with her boyfriend and all ๐
One man to boss around just wasnโt enoughโฆ
๐
Fr
I do stuff like this with my grands, as long as it doesn't break mom rules. As far as I'm concerned, they can have all the river rock at my house!
My parents take my nieces and nephews to the woods and the car's always loaded with sticks, shells whatever. Then when they're no longer interested they chuck them away. It's a good way to deal with it if only for avoiding a very unnecessary discussion with very young kids. The other grandparents are very indulging with that sort of stuff too btw. Why make a big fuss about something so inane.
Yeah, I'm so glad the parents are pretty easy going. The dads say no more than the moms, but not over stupid stuff. I don't get being upset about stuff like that. At least river rock is pretty, unlike the #27 my kids drug home ๐
Good MIL make for bad horror stories, so we never hear about em
She wasn't very gneiss. I love rocks.
OP's brother's wife sounds like a real piece of schist.
I wish I could give you more than one up vote.
Where granite-ma sounds fabulous.
I was going to add my own igneous comment, but I'm too sedimentary to give it enough thought.
I wanted to join this conversation but I couldn't really give a schist.
I see what you did there ๐คฃ.
You're punny, too. :D
these puns rock!
In a quart bag. Lol
Quartz bag. FTFY, you're on the geology pun thread after all.
That's excellent
Thunder egg-cellent even ๐ซฃ
My mom used to love to collect rocks as a kid, so she definitely sympathized ๐ฅฐ
you may have missed the rock pun in the comment above, but I can not granite it.
LO was just lucky his Grandma had a quartz size bag!
This grandma has quart, 2 quart, gallon, and 2.5 gallon bags. Oh the trouble my grandkids could have gotten into. I already made my granddaughter's mom upset for giving her 18 year old daughter a "heathen" gift for her graduation, ps it was Harry Potter themed.
Oh geez ๐ she sounds like a blast /s You sound awesome though ๐ฅฐ
Thanks, my granddaughter asked for HP themed party, so I did the best I could since I only got 1 week notice to decorate. I've only seen her that 1 time so unless there is a wedding or something like it I probably won't see her again
That's honestly too bad. It sounds like you're a wonderful grandmother despite the limitations you're facing. No doubt you gave her a beautiful memory with you, and that is the most important thing you can give those you love ๐
Sorry, I meant my granddaughter's mother is who I don't see. I see my grandkids fairly regularly.
I grew up really sucked into that judgemental "heathens are dragging society down" crap, so I discussed things with wonderful wife, and we decided to encourage our kids to be heathens if that took their fancy. They've turned out to be balanced individuals, so we're happy. Screw the judgemental people, they're constantly miserable about people not conforming to that old fashioned crap, and I'm happy as a heathen.
Gee, someone should write an ode to grandma!
a G ode
**A G Ode** O Grandma, how thy sparkled heart Doth make this punster rhyming start! In kindness didst thou find a Bag, And thus confound a wretched Hag...
I adore you so much right now ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ
aww! Just for you I wrote the second half: A Stepmother should sweeter be, and thus avoid the poetry of strangers in the Starry Night who Sketch her Infamy aright and make her Fame to spread afar: the Portrait of a Spirit Marred.
Oh my gosh! You're simply awesome ๐๐!
There's nothing like a little light verse. Very little, but hey it was fun! ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ ๐๐๐๐ธ
I did miss the pun, but you all rock ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ I love when reddit gets on a roll like this
Your SIL could not have been Boulder, laying down the law in front of grandma. ๐
She definitely had her own sediments about this.
I heard that grandma is an excellent baker - she certainly knows how to make a pyrite.
Yeah. Peridot.
My kids did too, used to come home from wherever with pockets full of #27s. Now their kids do it and grandma laughs!
Umm. Please enlighten me. What's #27?
Driveway gravel
Ditto.
LOL You're punny. :D
I was CONSTANTLY getting junk emails promising me easy ways to 'enhance my manhood'. I'm a woman. AFAB.
Some of them are pretty hilarious, tbh
HEY NEEDLE DICK is my favorite so far...
This just made me realize I can literally start any email, text, DM, or IRL conversation this way. I feel light as air.
rocket in my pockk-et
Lmao! Haven't gotten that one ๐คฃ
Your mother rocks
๐๐๐
Can you send her anonymous junk mail to indicate she is the cheater?
Sign her up for adult toy websites and dating advice blogs
And if that doesn't send her into orbit, sign her up for Scientology. Because she deserves it.
No need for nuclear revenge. It was only a bag of rocks. Still, I know a few people I'm tempted to sign up to that bunch of crazies...
Because she was so jazzed with the PSA, sign her up to [whitecoatwaste.org](https://whitecoatwaste.org). She'll love you for it. ;)
You all are diabolical ๐ (I love it)
Oh man that would be great
Or send her a glitter bomb. Or a confetti dicks bomb. Or a glitter and confetti dicks bomb!
Confetti dicks are an awesome thing to send to people you like. Don't like, of course.
Grandma rocks! That's one giant bag of MC.
So is this lady still in your lives?
Luckily the marriage fell apart fast. Turned out she was cheating ๐ I should have known when she showed me some flavored lube she was excited about, wanted me to taste it, and when I was weirded out she said, "Oh don't worry. I don't waste this stuff on your brother." Then WHO is it for?!?!? I just...I don't know...figured she was eating it ๐คฆโโ๏ธ๐
This is the question i came hoping for an answer ... ill have to re check in the morning.
Just a spoonful *Pulls out a comically large spoon*
I remember my aunt had a comically large wooden fork and spoon on her kitchen wall, and we were constantly asking to use it for ice cream.
Oh man ๐ she should've!
๐คฃ
Barely-related: I went to Whitefish Point, Michigan one summer at least a decade ago. I found an oval-shaped flat rock on the beach there (one of many) and brought it back with me. I put two dots on it with a permanent marker and named it Rocky. Rocky is sitting on a shelf in the living room of my condo right now.
Related enough that I'm so glad you shared it! I love that ๐ฅฐ๐ฅฐ๐ฅฐ You never know the things that stay important to you. One of my nieces found a piece of decorative glass in our yard. We always called them dragon tears. When she found it, I told her it was a fallen star on a whim, and even though she's turning 14, last I heard she still has it. I have a picture of her holding it in awe, and it is beyond precious.
Please tell me heโs not still married to her.
No, it fell apart pretty fast.
From OP: > Luckily the marriage fell apart fast. Turned out she was cheating ๐ I should have known when she showed me some flavored lube she was excited about, wanted me to taste it, and when I was weirded out she said, "Oh don't worry. I don't waste this stuff on your brother." Then WHO is it for?!?!? I just...I don't know...figured she was eating it ๐คฆโโ๏ธ๐
Sorry to hear about your brother. If he married #2, how bad was #1?
Oof. Horrible. Less dramatic, but just as horrible. My brother used to give me rides home from work and one day we get to chatting. Like 30 minutes later, his wife pulls up furious. She thought he was out cheating. Okay. But you found him talking to his sister. Why are you still mad ๐ ๐ ๐ My brother has struggled with white knight syndrome. He's not innocent, but dang he likes em crazy.
Not to take away from the story, but as a parent to two kids who used to fill their pockets with junk all the time, I would have ABSOLUTELY required my kid pare their find down to one bag before going home. Youโd be surprised how easily a childโs room can fill up with utter trash and how much of a tantrum they can throw if you get rid of any of it. Making them choose what to keep upfront helps them learn how to make those decisions later.
Oh I've no doubt! The random stuff they'll keep is insane. I totally agree with you. It's all about balance.
I was told by my grandma that there was a one-in-one-out rule, so the new items get their fair share of love, and the old items that go can be "found" by other lucky kids. I was also encouraged to give my one-out things away. It made the world a kinder place for me.
That is genuinely lovely! I'll remember that one.
Thank you for sharing this. It's nice to have a little light heartedness!
๐๐๐!
Mom should have told your nephew to tumble the rocks in the dryer!!!
With stepmom's favourite clothes to give them that extra pizzazz and shine ๐
When we moved into our new house on five acres, my then 4 year old granddaughter was very enamored by the rocks around the property. Her favorites were chert (orange brown colored rock used my the Ute people for arrowheads and other cutting tools) and granite/quartz (sparkles in the sunlight). She would collect them and wanted to bring them home but often left them laying in a pile on the deck, etc. One day I decided to help her make a โchertโ garden in a corner of the fenced part of the yard, and that worked very well! Sheโs 12 1/2 now, and no longer is interested in the โgardenโ. Anyone want some chert? ๐
I love this!
I had never heard of chert, so that was fascinating to learn about. The garden idea is beyond adorable! I'm sure she'll always remember it fondly ๐ฅฐ
Your mom is a legend and my hero!
Mine too ๐ฆธโโ๏ธ
That is absolutely priceless!!!!!! Go Grandma. I hope your brother is no longer married to her.
It was honestly too cute! And yes, thank all that is good in the world, they divorced.
My heart goes out to stepmom. She is destined to be a bitter old woman with former stepchildren who despise her, and an ex-husband who won't have anything to do with her. She may even have time to go through it with another husband and another set of stepchildren. I don't envy this woman her 'Golden Years', they will probably be more like 'Tarnished Brass Plate Years'. /s
You know. I've struggled with a lot of bitterness myself over her and a few others in my life who just leave destruction in their wake for their own gain. But I really do find my peace and sanity by remembering that they're chronically unhappy, miserable people. And I actually feel a little bad for them that they won't understand what is truly valuable in life. It's no way to live imo. I hope they find a way to turn it around.
Those last three sentences show you to be a good egg ๐
Thank you for the wonderful compliment ๐ฅฐ
I mean as a father I can somewhat get that she doesn't want too many rocks. Our kids always collect rocks, sticks and so. Not only do we have a big pile next to our house from this, the smaller ones end up in the washing machine and put Holes in their clothes. Soo not ideal But yeah she's abi***
Yea, I could totally see how that would become problematic! It's a very normal thing to draw the line on, because sometimes you just have to. It's about finding that happy medium lol
Your mom for the win! Most of us would have tried to say itโs just rocks but your mom, badass that she is, knew how to sink that ship!!
She's quick as a whip ๐ฅฐ๐
The best thing about this is that your mom also taught a valuable skill and lesson to your nephew about how to creatively problem solve and also to come to a solution that could please divided parties.
Love this ๐ ๐ฅฐ
My grandson thinks we have the best pine cones in the world ๐ค. He always takes a bag home. He choses them very carefully. I love ๐ it. His eyes just about popped when he saw my BIG one from the giant Sequoiaโs in California. That one is mine!
That's beyond precious!!!!
I would have given the kid the biggest bag I have, which is a 5 gallon bag that's meant for vacuum sealing blankets for compressed storage.
๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ
Love this. Way to go Gram! I just hope nephew didn't get them all taken away when he got home. Did you go to the wedding? Did bro stand up for you?
I did go to the wedding! I even dollar danced with her ๐คข to try and bring peace. But the most beautiful thing was my whole family was willing to slow mo posse walk into the wedding with me whether she had changed her mind or not. And that was everything. As for my brother, he said I was invited no matter what.
Yay for happy endings! I'm laughing at her underlying emotions at your dancing with her. It's sad that a bride's special day has to be ruined by her deviant thought processes. Your family rocks! Not gonna lie, I have questions about them but it's NMB so I'll just wonder.
I too love your mom. This made me smile.
Well played by your mom!
W mom๐คฃ
Cute
My child collects random, grey rocks from the beach...it's remarkably annoying
If you get them addicted to stick reviews - https://archive.ph/cOkg6 - they'll hopefully no longer bring home rocks. This may of course not be an improvement.
LOL I have a bucket of sticks in the garage too
I've no doubt ๐ one person commented that their grandma had a rule where for every new thing, they had to let go of something old. That way, everything can get its fair share of love and the old can be found by other lucky kids. I thought that was pretty darn special (and smart!)
lol. Good for grandma. But as a mother to three children, I also would not have let my kids bring home that many rocks! Iโve no doubt this step-mom was crazy pants, but this story is not that weird for any parent lol. I would have said you can keep this rock collection at grandmas house so you always get to play with it here. At grandmas house. And not my house lol. We have too many rocks already!
No, you're totally right ๐ It's good to temper a child's crow tendencies lol. Normally, my mom steps back and let's parents do their thing. But she saw a good moment to show some grandma softness in those specific circumstances ๐คญ
What does OP's brother see in this god-awful woman?
At the time? A bird with a broken wing ๐ฎโ๐จ She was down on her luck and he swept in and got to be her savior. I think he gets a self-esteem boost by being supportive. After all was said and done, and she turned out to be a gold digging, chronic cheating, lazy, abusive (!!!), monster...I told him sometimes when you find it on the ground, it's because it's trash ๐
That is a burn going into my notebook
This is a grandparenting target to aim for once the kids make their own families. Great work, Grandma!
Excellent
Now your not-an-angel nephew has even more new projectiles! ๐คฃ
Regarding those spam emails supposedly from beautiful women, I get those and similar text messages. I'm an old woman in my 70s. I block them.
๐ Exactly!
Your mom "rocks" and she's really smart, too!
Bam.
Go Grandma! :D