Help me stop this behaviour - MIL

[TravellingSpoon]

I will start the thread by saying that we have a good relationship overall, she is funny and the kids love her, its just this one thing she does which drives me mad.

She will message that she is popping by and asks if we will be in. Sometimes I will say 'Yes I am but I am going out at X time'. She will then turn up every time without fail extremely close to that time and try and delay us going out, then feel affronted when I am trying to hussle her out of the door, and tell DH that I was abrupt or rude. I have tried explaining to her the stress her behaviour causes (I really dont like to be late, it makes me really anxious), have tried inviting her along, have tried telling her that I need to be out an hour before I do, nothing works. I think its a control thing, but its frustrating. I dont want to say to her that we are not in when we are, but its getting to the point where if its important, like DD's eye test on saturday I tell her we are not in.

She messaged this morning and I told her we were going out at 10.30. She said she would pop in and she still isnt here. She will turn up in about 15 minutes and try and delay us going out, by messing about with the children, telling long winded stories and making a cuppa.

I could leave her here I suppose, let her get on with it.

[HennyPennyHorror]

Has your DH pointed out her bad habit to her?

[turnaroundbrighteyes]

Tell her you're going out at 10am next time?

[WhyCantIThinkOfAGoodOne]

God that sounds frustrating. I think you need to completely ignore her when she delays even if that involves leaving her there. Get the kids out and go. DH also needs to shut her down when she moans to him. He should say flat out "well it was rude of you to come by when you knew we were going out".

[AnalUnicorn]

If you have plans to go out at any time that day then tell her you are not available. That way she won’t be able to disrupt you.

[Sciurus83]

Tell her you had to leave already and go

[CoffeeConnoisseur]

Well really your DH needs to have a word and tell her that she’s the ride one coming over when she knows you’re back on your way out.

When she turns up you’re going to have to be really blunt. Cut her off mid-long winded story “you’ll have to finish that another time MIL, we’re leaving now, no I don’t have time to make you a cuppa, here’s your coat...” and pack her out of the door.

Do that every single time.

[HopeMatters]

Stop saying 'yes but'

Say 'no because'

'No because we're popping out in half an hour' instead of 'yes but we're popping out in half an hour'

You're inviting her in the way you're currently explaining it.

[SophieTurnersEyebrows]

That's really annoying and would make me anxious too.

How about the next time she asks saying something along the lines of no good popping in as we are going out this morning, but we will be back around x time, so do pop over after then.

If she persists in popping in shortly before you go our, you need to either just tell her this is becoming an issue, or be more abrupt when you're trying to leave, and or give 10 and 5 minute warnings, akin to what you do for a toddler. Don't let her delay you - "sorry MIL, no time for a cup of tea as we are leaving in 5", and do this every time, no matter how much she complains to DH.

[CareBear50]

Tell her that you'll be free from X o clock (the time you're back from your appointment). Ie you're not lying about being at home or not and it avoids any unnecessary controlling behaviour from her???

[Whisky2014]

Just dint reply to her textsbif you can't be bothered. And if she dies come just say to kids to get ready to leave and if MIL makes a fuss just say "I did tell you we are leaving as we have x,y z".

[BabyBadger2]

That's annoying. My mum does this all the time - she just doesn't see time in the same way as us. Even when it's important she will show up late. I love her and we have a great relationship but this drives me crazy.

The problem with telling her that you need to leave half an hour before you do is that it reinforces the message that she can delay you by half an hour... I'd just tell her when you need to leave and consistently leave at that time.

Do you think you are abrupt as she says? I can probably be like this with my mum because it keeps happening and irritation caused by the building resentment can creep in! If so maybe try to be a bit softer/cheerful but still matter of fact? i.e. "we're leaving now, but maybe see you when we get back if you're still here"/ "If you've got time to pop in later then we'd really love to see you properly - we can have a glass of wine/some cake" - whatever.

[GuineaPiglet345]

I hate the pop in, I’ve pretended I was just leaving just as MIL arrived before, I had to get DD in the car and drive around the block

Next time she asks if you’re in just say no, it’s not untrue if you’re going somewhere at 10:30 because technically you’re getting ready to leave from 10 and before that you’re having breakfast and getting the kids dressed etc so you’re not able to host to visitors.

[KC225]

You need to give YOURSELF a larger window. If you are going out in an hour or two hours she can't come round you as she won't leave in time in time. Only agree to her popping round if you plan to be in all day/rest of the day.

If she complains, call her out on it and say - but then you get upset and complain to DH that I have been rude when I told you we only had an hour before we were on our way out. It also let's her know you and DH are a team and she can't divide and conquer.

Don't answer the phone if you have an appointment and you know she wants to pop round. If she calls, text her just going out - will phone you later. Perhaps she is hinting about some more invitations to cone over.

She is not going to change, you have to change your way of dealing with her.

Good luck OP

[Babooshkar]

This would annoy me no end, if I’m going out, I don’t really want people coming over just beforehand anyway - so I would actually ignore her messages until I was back from going out.

[WhatchaMaCalllit]

Or how about replying something like "No, not in at the moment" (even if you are and you're preparing to go out) "but we will be back at 4pm" so she can pop in when you've done your shopping/optician/dentist/whatever and she has no reason to be peeved.

[blackcat86]

I would be telling her that you were not available this morning but would she like to come in the afternoon. You know that she'll be a pain so by all means call her on her behaviour but I'm like you and hate being late so I just wouldn't put myself through it

[twoshedsjackson]

Variation on the coat routine (coat on as you answer the door; depending on the caller, you can either say "Oh good I just got in" or "Oh I'm just going out"). And then kindly but firmly go.
I realise that in your case this means having the children ready for the off as well, so might not work as well in your circumstances, but you can shift the "blame" for your "rudeness" by making it time critical, as in "If I miss this optician/ dentist/whatever appointment, I still have to pay! (true for me) or, "Sorry MIL, but you know how hospital appointments are so hard to get", adapt to your situation, and it's force of circumstances making you promptly out of the door; timing is out of your control, you have to fit in.
How would she feel if you had one child to get to the eye appointment, and you would really appreciate leaving siblings at home with granny so they're not bored and stuck in the waiting room for their brother's benefit? You say she's a nice DGM, they might prefer it. She might or might not! Leave some nice biscuits for her, and promise to be back as soon as possible.
My DM was a shocking timekeeper in her later years, and I had to "adapt" timings to keep my sanity, but I see from your post that you tried that already, and it didn't work.
DH is calling you rude; is he there, in which case he can entertain his own DM, or is he getting the edited version later, in which case you can set him straight.........

[SmellsLikeAdultSpirit]

Honestly I would call her out on it
Sorry you can't come as we are going out at 10. 30 and you will be offended when we go

[WhyCantIThinkOfAGoodOne]

Come to think of it I'd agree with PP don't lie but say "we're not free this morning". She can't be trusted to pop in and be gone in time so she doesn't get to pop in when you have plans for later on.

[Tinkobell]

Leave her there. Life doesn't grind to a halt just because she rocks up 10 mins Pre appointment. Tell her to hang on have a cuppa then you get back when you get back. Make her wait around.

[GetOffTheTableMabel]

Would it work to convey the same information in a different way? So, if going out at 10.15 am, you could say “Am due to go out soon so it’s fine to pop round if you can get here before 9.30 am.”
Every word of it is true but you haven’t said what time you’re leaving,

[Fairylea]

I would say I’m already out and will be for the day.

[Nanny0gg]

Just say 'No, not today, we already have plans. See you on such and such a day'

Stop the popping round.

[QuickThinkOfAName]

What does your dh say in all this? When she calls you rude for leaving when you say you will?

Frankly you’ve given her enough chances. She knew the limitations when she rang up. She has 30mins/1 hour/till 11am to stay and then you’re off. If she repeatedly ignores you then she’s the rude one and can’t be trusted to ‘pop in’. I would just say no to everything unless you are free the whole day and she can’t pull this stunt.

I’m curious to know if this behaviour leaks out anywhere else. It seems such an odd disrespectful power play for it to be only in this instance.

[AnnaMagnani]

If it isn't convenient for her to come round as her coming round always takes ages and she delays you leaving, just say so.

So instead of saying 'Yes, but we have to leave at 10.30', say 'No we aren't in' or 'No, about to leave the house'

At the moment in her head, it's a mixed message. OK it isn't a mixed message but she is receiving it as such

You don't have to be in every time she wants to pop round.