I am so tired of my children. I have four teens and an 18 year old nephew. I work two jobs and am always in the hole financially. I have a ex who doesn't help at all. He is now many states a way and likes to tell me all about how rough it is for him. My daughter is 15 and seems to hate everyone. She is just moody and mean. I think she is suffering from a pms that never goes away. The 18 year old is my sisters son. She kicked him out because he didn't get along with her husband when he was 17 and I took him in. He is pretty immature and I really need him to get a job. He eats alot, wastes alot, and loses things that belong to other people. My own boys 17,14,and 12 I can deal with but none of them are very helpful and they all eat more than I can afford. Is it normal to go through two gallons of milk a day? I don't want anyone to be hungry but this is rediculous. For example. I made a huge thanksgiving dinner. When I put the leftovers away there was a gallon bag of turkey I cleaned off the bones, two bowls of potatos, sweet potatos, broccoli casserole, stuffing, and three pies. I went to work friday, came home and in 8 hours the had eaten all of that with two loaves of bread and a gallon of milk. I opened the refridgerator and all that was left was condiments. Did I mention that I am really struggling financially and at my wits end. The awful thing is I work with other peoples kids, (I provide therapy to autistic children) and my own kids are breaking me down. I spent alot of time trying to listen to my kids and compensate them for the fact that they didn't have two parents, and the result seems to be that they do not appreciate what they do have. Time are tougher than they have ever been before financially so I hope the thinking turns around. I am done trying to make up for something that They didn't have. I am in this place because I have spent too long living on credit cards trying to make them not feel deprived. Nobody appreciates me anyway. I try to explain that the cash cow is dead but it seems to fall on deaf ears.I love my kids, and when my marriage fell apart and I knew early on that I wasn't going to get any help from him I went to work and supported my family. I haven't had a relationship since because I had four kids. Now I have four teens and I am not sure I am going to make it.

Ok, my daughter is only six, but I can say that I think some of these things are common.

When my brother was a teenager he would come home and eat whole packages of pork chops and steaks that were meant to feed the family. He would poor half a box of cereal into a mixing bowl and add half a gallon of milk for breakfast. So, I think the eating is normal.

I also know that being a 15 year old girl is probably one of the worst things in the world to be. I was the same way. She'll grow out of it.

I see no reason that the 17 and 18 year old can't get a job and contribute. Especially if they're going to eat like that.

Here's the upside: In a couple years you'll be down to 2 kids at home. And within 6-8, you'll be almost done. Sweet Freedom!!! Hang in there.

I cannot imagine having that many teens in one house. Are you on food stamps.. sounds like you need to be and it sounds like if they are going to keep eating like that then they need to get jobs.
I can relate to the struggling financially, but there is some help out there. Also, you need to make the dad responsible. State agencies will help get support from him~ my son's father lives in another state. Hang in there!

I agree with you KC mom and Misabb.... teenagers eat a LOT!

the 17 & 18 yr old should contribute to the family even if it means working 1 day a week.