MIL calls at stroke of midnight on new years eve every year

[ventia]

yes thats right! If we are at home the phone goes. No idea if she calls the years we are out.

so last year I unplugged phone and will replug 10 mins after midnight.
(she does not call mobiles for some reason)

DH seems oblivious and picks up phone to her.

I have not mentioned it to him, I am sure he would tell her to phone later, if I say something, he seems not to mind, but I do. I would rather unplug her, as it seems so bizarre that she expects to pick up just as most people are raising their glasses. I think she has always done it. She has other kids, but she calls DH at midnight, no idea if or when she calls the others. she is not controlling in other ways

last year when plugged back in, the call came through 10 mins after and she seemed very flustered that she did not come through. BTW she is with her own husband and sometimes other people/neighbours when she does the call, so she is disrupting x2 stroke of midnight glass clinks - bizarre

[Vika1985]

Honestly don't see what the problem is?

[jessstan2]

That's not unusual at all. My mum and my in laws (& some friends, now my adult offspring), always did it if we were not with them. My birthday is actually at that time too.

As you say, you can unplug the 'phone if you're in and don't want to be disturbed. Plug it in again in the morning (I mean a reasonable hour of the morning, like 10-11am).

[BertrandRussell]

What is your problem? Doesn't everyone ring everyone else at midnight? Is't that just what happens?

[strawberrypenguin]

I'm not seeing the problem? She's calling to wish you a happy new year I presume?

[JemSynergy]

My family sometimes do or they text. I thought most families did this?

[ventia]

no I meant I unplugged it just for midnight, dont care after that - isnt the stroke of midnight and the fireworks on TV and all that special!!?? 10-15 mis after I am not fussed

[AdelaideK]

It's pretty normal to do this.

[Kescilly]

My family always does this and it’s one of the things that I miss now that we are in different time zones.

[BaronessBomburst]

Ask her to wait until the last strike so you can finish your toast, kiss and congratulate DH etc.
I always phone my grandma but wait until after the chimes stop.

[Magicstar1]

We all do that ... there's usually a bit of "hold on a sec" and flustering, but it's part of the fun.

[Sethis]

If this is somehow an insurmountable obstacle to your enjoyment of your NYE party, then how about calling her at 5 minutes to midnight, shout Happy New Year! down the phone and then ring off just before making your toast?

No idea why it's a problem though. Just put her on speakerphone and carry on as usual.

[ventia]

text is fine. she doesnt text.

I mean a landline phone call. So you miss midnight with the people in the room.

[Philomensapie]

Is nobody else understanding this? She rings as people are raising their glasses. Most people wait until afterwards.

[ventia]

dont care after the chimes. she does it during.

yes I might tell him to tell her to do it after the chimes. Just thought it was the oddest thing to do............

[CryingMessFFS]

I think it’s weird tbh. I live away from my family and I’ll call them earlier in the evening or half past midnight. While the bells go and it’s actually 12 I prefer to focus on who I am with, I’d be annoyed answering the phone. I can see some people don’t mind but it would bug me

[Applepudding2018]

There's no law that says you have to answer a ringing phone!!

[Philomensapie]

I agree ventia. Yes to unplugging the phone.

[ventia]

yes DH didnt know I had unplugged and didnt even notice she did not call at midnight last year (as she was unplugged) he doesnt seem to care or mind.

[ItIsChristmasTime]

I don’t see the issue. Why don’t you invite her to spend New Year’s Eve with you since you have other guests round?

[ventia]

see if DH tells her to call after midnight - guess who MIL will think put him up to it. Not that I care, but unplugging is more fun......

[Alanamackree]

Your DH seems extraordinarily passive in all this, not minding whether the phone rings, or is unplugged, soon to be sent as a go-between for you and mil.

[ItIsChristmasTime]

Not that I care, but unplugging is more fun......

So you basically want to start the new year by being cruel to woman who just wants to speak to her son and give him new year best wishes?

[thepotato]

Not during the chimes!

[Pomsinspace]

I think you seem a bit mean. Bet if it was your own mother you wouldn't do it?

[BertrandRussell]

So fireworks on the telly are more important than a real person phoning. And unplugging the phone is "more fun"....