My mom moved in with me about two weeks ago. My dad is occasionally also here on the weekends. For the most part, it’s going fine. But I have a few pet peeves that are consistently happening: papers left out, lights being left on, and dishes not being stacked neatly.
I’m the type of person who is very organized. Messes just make me feel chaotic. If I set something where it doesn’t belong, it doesn’t stay there long. But my parents just love to read a newspaper, and then leave it on the table and/or countertops. For days. Bills? Stacked on the table or countertops. Newspapers should go in the recycling when you’re done reading it, and bills should go to your desk/office! Not sitting a week in the kitchen!
I’m also the type of person who turns a light off in a room as I leave it, if I’m not immediately returning. This is a habit that was drilled into my consciousness by my parents. The very people who now have a problem turning lights off after they leave a room. They also have to turn on, like, every single light possible. I guess I’m more familiar with my house than they are, and their eyes aren’t as good as they used to be. So I understand a little bit why they turn on every light in a room. What I don’t understand is why they can’t turn the lights off. You moved in to save money, but you’re wasting electricity!
I do not have a dishwasher. So dishes have to be stacked by the sink until they’re washed. I put the silverware in a pile, and stack everything else neatly. Rinse everything right away so it doesn’t get smelly. My mother always leaves her spoon in her bowl or her fork on a plate when she sets them by the sink, making it annoying to stack other dishes. My father likes to leave dishes in the sink, making it a pain to use the sink, because you first have to pull out anything that’s in it.
I’m used to living alone, so having to deal with other people’s quirks is definitely a struggle. So far, luckily, it’s trivial little things that are bugging me. But damn! I learned my neatness mannerisms from these people, and it’s like I’m going to have to train them to be neat and not wasteful of electricity! So weird.
Also funny: my dad was really against me getting a dog. But every time he’s here now, he’s playing with her, or letting her out of her crate after I’ve put her in there for the night. Giving her table scraps (which I hate!). That’s my wacky old dad. A softie for pets. I just find it amusing that he’s spoiling the dog he didn’t want me to have.
Aah.. My boyfriend is like you and I’m like your parents.. therefore I apologize on their behalf.
Great Blog btw. Long time reader, first time caller ;)
Living with people is so hard! I find that I actually live quite differently from my parents too. They are happy to leave things if they are broken, whereas that kind of thing drives me mad!
I always turn off the lights when I leave a room as well. My parent’s don’t. They always leave the lights on, oh and the tv, computer etc…It’s annoying.