Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

MIL coming to stay with added extra

567 replies

Babycatsmummy · 26/04/2024 19:12

I'm heavily pregnant with my first baby and always knew that my MIL would be coming from Italy to stay with DP and I. We've had many arguments about when that time would be.... he is very traditional and wanted his mum here for when the baby arrives, but I wanted her to come after his paternity leave so we could get used to the huge change in our lives and bond with our baby.
In the end i felt like I really didn't have a say, tickets were booked and she's arriving imminently.

I called her to ask if she needed me to get her anything as I was going shopping and she dropped the bombshell her best friend is coming back with her and staying for a few days, she will share the guest room with her. I was taken aback a little as obviously, at the moment my emotions are all over the place and I'm spending the majority of my time walking around in my big nanna knickers and vest tops as pretty much just resting as it's all I want to do. The thought of added guest, someone I hardly know and having to look after them as well has really upset me.

I asked my DP if he was aware and he said he wasn't, but what is the issue? She's a very close family friend so his mum shouldn't have to ask. I pointed out it's respectful and courteous- this isn't her home it's ours and I could go into labour at any point now. The best friend has her own family in the area she could stay with so I asked him if he could just politely ask his mum to see if the best friend could stay with them and he's refused.

I feel really upset and a little put out that DP isn't seeing things from my perspective and is siding with his mum. He's told me I'm not being fair!

Am I being unreasonable to asks he stays somewhere else?

OP posts:
ButterCrackers · 19/05/2024 14:26

That’s a good update. Keep firm boundaries. If your MIL keeps handwashing clothes tell her to leave. Just say only come back when you don’t wilfully go against my childcare instructions. Never let her forget what she did to you. She’s selfish as disrespectful to you. Keep her in her place.

KidsandKindness · 19/05/2024 00:32

Thanks for coming back to tell us how things are going OP. Still sounds like she's trying to take over. I'd put a stop to her washing LO's clothes altogether, as she doesn't sound capable if she's managed to ruin things while washing by hand.

A word of warning! With people like your MIL, give them an inch and they'll take a mile, so be sure and keep those boundaries FIRMLY in place.

Oldtigernidster · 18/05/2024 21:14

Good to hear you are doing so well and keeping her in her place. Enjoy your walk in the sunshine when it happens.

Babycatsmummy · 18/05/2024 21:11

strawberry2017 · 17/05/2024 11:53

How are things going op?

Hello!

Things haven't been too bad.

I put in place times in which she could come and help me out, mainly when baby is sleeping so I can get some sleep! She's been doing cooking and washing etc but we've had a few run ins! She refuses to wash any of his clothes in the washing machine and hand washes them....not sure how she's done it but she's ruined a few of his clothes with what looks like bleach on them.... so I said to her please stop hand washing, it's better to put them in the machine as he's had a few accidents on some of his clothes. I caught her trying to give him his first bath after his cord fell off so I had a bit of a hissy fit 🙈 she likes to try and tell me what to do.. how to change his nappy and dress him etc. we've had a few unannounced visitors and she doesn't seem to like other people holding baby so constantly says " do you want me to take him??" But DP has been really supportive and tells her to pack it in when she oversteps.

I'm finally feeling ready to go out for a walk in the sunshine with him when we get some.

He's a really good baby though and I'm coping really well so hopefully he will tell her to foxtrot Oscar back to Italy in the coming weeks 🙈

OP posts:
strawberry2017 · 17/05/2024 11:53

How are things going op?

StaunchMomma · 08/05/2024 19:22

Congrats, OP!

So glad to hear you and the little one are doing well.

Stay focused on you and don't let anyone break your bubble! These first few weeks are so precious.x.

Soosi · 08/05/2024 19:19

Well done, Congratulations. Glad all is going well for you.

Youtwodeserveoneanother · 08/05/2024 17:46

Reading this has made me very happy. Hope you enjoy getting to know your lovely baby boy. 💐

ButterCrackers · 08/05/2024 16:16

JFDIYOLO · 08/05/2024 08:44

Congratulations!! How lovely. All the very best to you all. 🤗

And congratulations on taking your rightful place as the woman of the house.

So good to see your DH has realised he is husband & father first, son second, and his mother has finally done the right thing.

Do not lift a finger to prepare for her visit. You're all about resting, healing and bonding, now. You say how long and what happens. Make sure he knows that if you feel it's time for her to go, he backs you up.

I hope he's cleaning, cooking, doing the laundry etc?

I think that the MIL only left because they can’t have guests more than two weeks as per the agency contract. The op found this out and told her dp. The mil and friend left. I don’t think that was from a sense of doing the right thing but being forced out by the contractual obligations.

Playinwithfire · 08/05/2024 14:16

Congratulations 🎉

Hope you get plenty of rest ☺️

PinkArt · 08/05/2024 12:38

What a lovely update all round. Congrats to you on the birth of your lovely baby and congrats to your other half for finally realising how badly he was fucking up!

alrightluv · 08/05/2024 12:12

Fantastic news. Many congratulations. So glad mil is out of the picture.

KidsandKindness · 08/05/2024 12:01

Fabulous news OP, many congratulations. Do come back and let us know how the visit on Friday goes, won't you?

LemonyFace · 08/05/2024 11:18

Congratulations 🎊 💙
Delighted to hear that great news.

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 08/05/2024 11:05

Congratulations on your lovely baby and on making sure you had the birth you wanted. x

VJBR · 08/05/2024 10:12

Congratulations. Enjoy this special time.

Nanaof1 · 08/05/2024 09:23

@Babycatsmummy

CONGRATULATIONS on the birth of your precious baby boy!👶👶💙❤

CanaryMary · 08/05/2024 09:08

Congratulations and well done for sticking up for yourself! I hope your dh has realised what a nightmare his mother is and can be more supportive of you and his child in future

Fortunefavoursthebrave · 08/05/2024 08:52

Congratulations! So glad DP finally stepped up. Long may it last! Enjoy every precious moment with your new baby

diddl · 08/05/2024 08:48

I think that even if you got on well after what you have been through a rethink might still have been in order.

Sometimes you just need to know that you can get up & get on at your own pace without having to feel that you need to be up & about & "presentable" & making small talk!

JFDIYOLO · 08/05/2024 08:44

Congratulations!! How lovely. All the very best to you all. 🤗

And congratulations on taking your rightful place as the woman of the house.

So good to see your DH has realised he is husband & father first, son second, and his mother has finally done the right thing.

Do not lift a finger to prepare for her visit. You're all about resting, healing and bonding, now. You say how long and what happens. Make sure he knows that if you feel it's time for her to go, he backs you up.

I hope he's cleaning, cooking, doing the laundry etc?

Whatsitcalled38 · 08/05/2024 08:41

Congratulations you absolute hero among women!

So happy for you!

Look after yourself and your baby , you're the absolute priority.

diddl · 08/05/2024 08:40

Congratulations!

Good luck for Friday!

ButterCrackers · 08/05/2024 08:15

Congratulations on the birth of your baby. I hope that all will go well for you and newborn. Stay strong against the MIL one hour is one hour. Make sure she washes her hands before picking up your baby. After the agreed time tell her to leave. I’d also say to tell her that you’re doing this because of her attitude towards you in her taking over your home before the birth. Let her know that her actions now have lasting consequences. You are wise to her and will always keep firm boundaries against her lack of respect. Tell her that she will never be staying in your home again.

Thursdaygirl · 08/05/2024 08:09

Congratulations OP!