How do you deter your husband's annoying relatives from staying for holiday at your house without offending your husband?

A month is a long time for house guests. I think your husband should be the one to let them know that your house will not be available to them for that long. Maybe he can let them know that a week (or weekend) is okay, and give them some dates, and then recommend affordable lodging.

If their parents are just planning to ship two kids to you to babysit and host for a month, those parents need a wake-up call. That would be insane! No one should ever really have to give want-to-be house guests more of an explanation than "oh, I'm sorry, we won't be able to host you those dates, but we would love to meet for dinner while you're in town," but of course family causes a bit of a tricky situation.

Especially when you've allowed them to stay with you before. I would suggest letting them know that you plan to be very busy this summer, and perhaps that one of your projects is to rip your house apart (reorganizing closets, redoing bathrooms, painting, whatever), and you're sure your abode will be neither comfortable nor quiet. If they insist it's fine, reiterate that your schedule is going to be busy, and you just aren't available to be hostess.It's not a lie: you're going to be busy not hosting them, and you aren't available to be their hostess because you don't want to!

Or, actually do stack your summer with projects, and tell them that if they come, they should expect to work about 6-8 hours per day. Room and board is their wage. If you're worried that your husband will be shocked and offended that you don't want to be a bed and breakfast to his lovely nephews for a month, I suggest the following: you: "Dearest, that's a lot of work.

Are you sure you can cook for and clean up after them for a whole month? " him: "Well, I figure we he means you cook and clean anyway. What's two more people?

" you: "Oh but sweetie, I'm not really up for doing it all again. I was planning to have a relaxing summer, enjoying my hobbies and unwinding." him: "Well, they won't be in the way. " you: "Oh that's good.

I would hate for you to feel like you were being crowded! While I'm at the spa, you should be sure to take some time for yourself. The boys can entertain themselves a few hours a day.

" him: "Spa?" you: "Oh, I didn't mention? " You're not saying his nephews are bad people. You just want a little privacy, a little breathing room, and to not be a 24/7 hostess for 30 straight days.

If he can't get that, allow him to enjoy his lovely nephews, sans you. By the way, I think you would enjoy reading some Dear Prudence. Her most recent chat has a good one about house guests: slate.com/id/2240501/pagenum/4.

I would put my husband in charge of the extra work to prepare for the visit. When he sees how much extra work it is me might change his mind. If that didn't do it, when they show up since it's his relatives he should take care of the extra work then too.

He might decide to cut their visit short.

I would just be upfront with my husband about my concerns. I think open communication is very important. However, I would try to put a positive spin on it instead of just saying, "your nephews are super annoying, and I do not want them to stay here."

I'd probably say something about being concerned about not having enough alone time or privacy with him while his nephews are visiting. If that didn't work, I would be more blunt about it. I would not have someone stay in my house for a month when I didn't want them to.

I could deal with a week or so. But a month? No way.

A compromise might be them staying with you guys part of the time and somewhere else the other part.

I tend to use existing circumstances to my advantage. For example.. our house is small, we only have one couch, we have a toddler and a newborn soon. (-er than later I hope lol) however if my subtle hints that I don't want house guests fail I usually fall back on the well known fact that I am reclusive and do not like to be around people all the time.

I need alone time and I need space. That way it's my fault and not what ever relative I am less than fond of. :) Though I usually also am not shy about sharing my dislike for anyone whether its someones family or not.

Truth is always best.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.