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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think a grandparent who hits DC can never see DC alone

30 replies

mcrlover · 22/05/2026 20:17

Posted about this a while back, and am ashamed to say I haven't resolved anything with DH. DH's dad hits his grandkids (my nieces). Their mum (the grandfather's DIL) didn't like it and told the grandfather so - he gave her the silent treatment for year, she caved, now they are talking again and she is turning a blind eye to the abuse.

That side of the family live in a different country. We are about to go stay in that country for a month. Grandparents wanted to babysit our DC (nearly 1 year old, I can see the start of minitantrums coming already), I said no so we have organised daycare. I work full time, my DH does not. DH and I have had so many arguments - he refuses to tell his DF that we don't want him hitting our DC. DH has never hit our DC, but he seems afraid of his own DF (though would never admit it). Now DH says his parents will collect DC from daycare (usually that's my DH's job while I work).

I don't know what to do. Hate my DH right now. Do I tell the grandfather he can never hit our DC, before allowing him to collect DC from daycare (maybe he wouldn't listen anyway?) Do I switch my work hours to pick up DC from daycare and continue working in the evenings after she's in bed (sounds like a miserable month for me).

AIBU in thinking there isn't even any point in trying to talk to grandfather about it anyway, as it will never be safe to leave DC with him, no matter how the conversation went (remembering what happened with my SIL)? Has anyone had an experience where they managed to "convince" grandparent to not be physically violent? Seems unlikely!

OP posts:
PrizedPickledPopcorn · 22/05/2026 20:27

I would tell my husband that I’d find it hard to forgive him, if I’d had to change my work hours because he couldn’t be trusted to stand up for our DC.

IcedDrinkWithUmbrella · 22/05/2026 20:24

It wouldn’t be enough for me to tell his grandfather not to hit the DC. You couldn’t guarantee that he would listen. You’d be tense and on edge the whole time he was with the DC. Besides, if someone is happy to hit children then they aren’t really someone I want round them regardless!
Sorry OP, that’s really rubbish for you and really stressful.

BeTaupeBear · 22/05/2026 20:24

No you cannot leave your child with their abusive grandparent and you cant trust your husband to protect them. I think you will have to switch your work hours to pick them up.
Your big issue is your husband isnt protecting your child and honestly that would make me lose all respect for him.

Peopleshouldhavetails · 22/05/2026 20:22

Seriously, do not leave your child alone with him at all. Even if it will be a miserable month for you , collect your dc yourself from nursery.

I would have no problem at all telling my in laws not to hit my child. And I would tell my dh that I will tell his parents that message, as I would want to make sure the message was delivered in very clear words

IcedDrinkWithUmbrella · 22/05/2026 20:22

I would not leave my DC with anyone that hits children. Absolutely not. They would never babysit my DC.

If you don’t think you can trust your DH to not leave DC with them then I would switch your work hours as suggested. But my opinion of my DH would hit rock bottom if he wouldn’t ensure the safety of our DC.

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