Your brother-in-laws lack of foresight. Important repost

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Your Sister, Husband and 3 Kids, just came through the back door.

You had planned and practiced for your immediate household to be resolve and to stay the course with any crisis that comes to your neighborhood and you, your wife and children are ready to handle what comes your way. 

And so it happens. The disaster. 

Now the immediate crisis has passed and it's time to take inventory of your situation. Family, ok/check. Supplies, enough for several weeks-check. Skill set, wife and yourself are well seasoned in many modalities-check. Water and medical supplies are adequate-check. Yep, things are well and under control, when. . .

Two days later

Your sister, her 3rd husband, their 6 kids, two big dogs and a cat show up at your house expecting you to take them in because they know you have an alternative source of heating and it is getting cold. They took notes when you were bragging about spending your overtime pay on stocking the freezer, trying convince them to do the same.  But since they didn't take the hint, and the power has been out for a few days now, dear Sis explains to you that you need help eating all that frozen food before it spoils so we are here to help with that.

These family members "tell you" that they are here for the duration of the power outage or disaster because their place "is too cold, and there are no lights. It's just uninhabitable the way it is. You wouldn't want your nieces and nephews cold and hungry would you?"

You agree, it's not the youngsters fault, nieces and nephews do deserve a warm meal and a clean bed, even though your inept brother-in-law and sister saw no need to plan ahead. But seriously, your ability to care of another family will put your supplies and comfort zone in danger. Your immediate household, your children and spouse are always first in importance, as it should be.

Between a rock and a hard spot

Damn, that's not fair, you think, just because he didn't plan ahead for his family, it's not my responsibility but in your heart, you feel the need to take care of the kids at least. What are you to do??

Below is something that can help with this situation. Expressed, in no uncertain terms, that if they can't live with these guidelines they will be free to find another host. Please feel free to copy the following guidelines and distribute to your house guests. The earlier the better. You may even hint to them before any disaster, prepare them ahead of time. Everyone will be happier knowing where things stand. Life rules are much easier to enforce once all parties understand what is expected of them. Yes, this is hard core but, they are family after all.  You are saving his ass.

Have this ready and available, now. Then hand it to his uselessness and your sister.

Please read and sign; this is what/will be required of you should you plan to stay here. Things you will need to bring with you or retrieve from your place.

1. Your children are your responsibility, no exceptions; bring what they need.
2. Pets are also your responsibility; bring what they need. 
3. Take note: Aggressive, dangerous, uncontrollable or unhealthy animals will be taken to the woods and dispatched. No exceptions. The groups' safety and survival always takes precedence. 
4. All Pets; with this many people in the house it will begin to feel small and crowded. All pets, every single animal will remain outside or in the garage. Plan on it.
5. Clothing; sturdy work clothes, shoes and easy care clothes. You will be responsible to wash your own clothes by hand and hang to dry. Plan on it.
6. Food; bring with you as much as possible. It will be shared by everyone. Plan on it.
7. Bedding; you will be responsible for bringing your own bedding or sleeping bags.
8. Cleaning supplies, toilet paper, trash bags etc; with this many people it means more cleaning to keep everyone healthy. Bleach, if you have it will be greatly appreciated.
9. Soap, shampoo, toothpaste, feminine products etc; you will need to keep yourself clean and sweet smelling. It may mean heating and hauling water, too. Plan on it.
10. Weapons, ammo, hunting and fishing gear; until needed, weapons and ammo will be locked away. Kids will be taught what firearms are and the need to respect them. Older children will be taught to shoot. Plan on it.
11. Your prescriptions and first aid supplies; you will need to bring your own meds, this needs no explanation. First aid supplies will be locked away and shared by all as needed.

Please take note; your personal items, such as clothing, bedding, prescriptions and childrens items etc. will be available for your own use. Everything else will be locked in the storeroom and shared with the house.

         You will be expected to work for the house each day. The greater part of work will depend on the need at the time. Plan on it.

NO chores, no food, no exceptions!! The following is a list of chores that you can expect during your stay, during this crisis. These are not all inclusive, more will be added as needed.

1. Daily Chores; included in this section, but not limited to, cooking the meals and cleaning up after, sweeping the floors, cleaning the bathroom and removing waste to outdoor disposal site. Any other task that may be required to help the house survive.
2. Hauling water and purifying it; the creek is half a mile away and water will need to be hauled to the house and purified. A wagon and containers will be provided.
3. Hunting and fishing as needed; all the work involved from harvest to the ready to cook stage will be your responsibility for that day. Everyone that can, will have their turn at hunting and fishing.
4. Gardening; this will include but not limited to, seed starting, tilling the ground, planting, weeding, watering, harvesting, canning and drying etc.
5. Foraging; this is the gathering of wild grown food such as apples, raspberries, gooseberries, blueberries and elderberries. Also, roots such as dandelion, burdock and others. Herbs and other plants to assist and ensure flavorful meals and drinks. 
6. Firewood; in the fall or as time permits, firewood needs to be gathered and cut, chopped, hauled and stacked. Everyone helps. Plan on it.
7. Babysitting; this will be designated as a chore. 1 or 2 people will be that days designated sitter so mothers can work.

Childrens' responsibility; when in a long term survival situation children under the age of 14 will be fed twice a day. The rest of the household may not be so lucky. Children 14 and older will be treated as an adult, with adult responsibilities and all that entails. Children younger than 14 years old WILL be supervised at all times. There will be no exceptions.

Children 10 and up will learn how to use communication devices, those 14 and up will provide household watch. All others will be put on an outdoor security rotating schedule. 

  This is a survival situation; it is not a vacation! All members will sign this agreement.

For those friends and relatives that think you are one cookie shy of a dozen, or those who you love but simply tell you that there is no reason to prepare or don't need to prepare because they will just come to your house when things get bad. Leave this agreement laying around the house where they will be sure to see it when they come for a visit. It should make terrific conversation starter, or start a fight. Either way they will know in advance what to expect when showing up to your house after a disaster.