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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to think DM is unfair to ban the twins from visiting?

487 replies

timetoban · 29/05/2026 14:27

My sister has four children: an 6-year-old, a 5-year-old and 2-year-old twins.
The older two are easy visitors. They tend to sit quietly, chat a bit and spend a lot of time on their screens. The twins, however, are typical two-year-olds. They run around, make noise, have the occasional tantrum and create a bit of mess.
DM is very house-proud and likes everything neat, tidy and pristine.

She has become increasingly irritated by the twins whenever they visit. She complains that they don't sit nicely, don't behave properly and are too noisy. Personally, I think her expectations of two-year-olds are unrealistic.

The latest development is that she has told DSis that the twins are no longer welcome at her house. She says DSis can bring the older two, but not the younger ones.

The problem is that DSis's husband works long hours and isn't always available to stay home with the twins. So in practice, this means DSis often can't visit at all, or has to choose between seeing DM and staying with her younger children.

DM says it's her house and she's entitled to decide who comes into it. DSis feels hurt that two of her children have effectively been singled out and excluded.

OP posts:
timetoban · 30/05/2026 13:51

Anarchy99 · 30/05/2026 13:48

Which is why I asked what kind of noise and mess they are making

Do you have no experience of 2 year olds? My sister is constantly trying to keep the twins quiet and occupied whenever she visits DM. She cannot bandage their mouths and force them too play without a mess 100% of the time.

No defensiveness just amazed at your expectations of 2 year old twins.

OP posts:
Anarchy99 · 30/05/2026 13:48

KeepDancing1 · 30/05/2026 13:47

One person’s mess/chaos/havoc is another person’s three toys on the floor!

Which is why I asked what kind of noise and mess they are making

Anarchy99 · 30/05/2026 13:47

timetoban · 30/05/2026 13:41

I guess she will have to figure out how to ensure they do not make a noise or sound then.

Totally realistic for 2 year old twins 🙄

i don’t think you need to get so defensive when people are asking you things. What sort of mess do they make?

And there is a difference between kids making normal noise and having noisy toys, screaming etc.

KeepDancing1 · 30/05/2026 13:47

Anarchy99 · 30/05/2026 12:37

Which is why your sister needs to be ‘on it’ with them - you say she does her best as she has four children, but they shouldn’t be able to make a mess in the house.

One person’s mess/chaos/havoc is another person’s three toys on the floor!

timetoban · 30/05/2026 13:46

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

As I said try reading my posts. It really does help.

OP posts:
Costatesco · 30/05/2026 13:44

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timetoban · 30/05/2026 13:41

Anarchy99 · 30/05/2026 13:40

That is for your sister to work out - also the noise. Does she take (non noisy) toys for them? What sort of mess do they make?

I guess she will have to figure out how to ensure they do not make a noise or sound then.

Totally realistic for 2 year old twins 🙄

OP posts:
Anarchy99 · 30/05/2026 13:40

timetoban · 30/05/2026 12:40

She is on it. But how do you expect 2 year old twins to play without ever making a mess?

That is for your sister to work out - also the noise. Does she take (non noisy) toys for them? What sort of mess do they make?

timetoban · 30/05/2026 13:39

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Try reading my posts. It really does help.

OP posts:
timetoban · 30/05/2026 13:35

LittleBearPad · 30/05/2026 13:17

Then take them for however long it is that they can behave. It’s not impossible for 2 year olds to sit relatively quietly for a short period of time. The older two definitely can sit quietly for a period of time.

Otherwise give up and she doesn’t see them at all. However I would still make the effort to see her without them despite all the hyperbole on this thread

How does my sister take them when they have be banned?

It’s not impossible for 2 year olds to sit relatively quietly for a short period of time.

Do you have or have you had 2 year old twins?

OP posts:
TomatoSandwiches · 30/05/2026 13:30

Your mother doesn't cope well with young children, they're obviously too much for her even when she was younger as a parent, she probably hated those years and only really started to enjoy you and your sister as adults.
She has tried to cope with the grandchildren but I'm not surprised she has drawn this line considering what I can about her personality and prefrences.
I don't think it's nice to ban children but I think she has to do what's best for herself.
I get the impression she won't be bothered about not seeing your sister or the other grandchildren much, her priority is her peace.

At least you know where people stand.

Costatesco · 30/05/2026 13:25

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Gentlydoesit2 · 30/05/2026 13:22

She will die a lonely woman if she keeps this up. Totally unreasonable and disrespectful. I'd be telling her where to go

OttersOnAPlane · 30/05/2026 13:21

timetoban · 30/05/2026 13:13

DM will not like the mess or noise for 45 mins either.

Your mother doesn't like small children. She didn't even like her own very much, from your comments. She values order and quiet.

The result of that is that she just won't often get to see her daughter. Maybe a monthly visit for an hour or so, but nothing more because your sister is busy with her four young children.

Choices have consequences. Either she puts up with noise and chaos because her daughter is worth it, or she rarely sees her daughter until the children are school aged.

Even then, four children in a house is going to be pretty chaotic.

Dumakey · 30/05/2026 13:19

Is it possible your mum has undiagnosed Autism and OCD? She sounds exactly like my mum. We have a troubled relationship as she is the same with my children. I also have OCD and undiagnosed Autism, my brother at 50 has just been given his diagnosis.

LittleBearPad · 30/05/2026 13:17

Then take them for however long it is that they can behave. It’s not impossible for 2 year olds to sit relatively quietly for a short period of time. The older two definitely can sit quietly for a period of time.

Otherwise give up and she doesn’t see them at all. However I would still make the effort to see her without them despite all the hyperbole on this thread

timetoban · 30/05/2026 13:13

LittleBearPad · 30/05/2026 13:01

2 hours is too long. 45 mins to an hour then say this has been lovely and go.

She goes weekly - there’s no need to stay for 2 hours. Any child is going to get bored.

DM will not like the mess or noise for 45 mins either.

OP posts:
Vivi0 · 30/05/2026 13:09

Oh dear, looks like she won’t be seeing any of her grandchildren then.

What’s the point in spending your life raising a child, only to reject them and push them away like this later in life. Your sister must be really hurt by this.

LittleBearPad · 30/05/2026 13:01

timetoban · 30/05/2026 11:57

She takes them for 2 hours.

Her DH does look after the kids so she can go by herself but he works long hours so it is rare.

DM is not being vilified. I think it is unfair but she is not being treated badly as a result of her choice.

2 hours is too long. 45 mins to an hour then say this has been lovely and go.

She goes weekly - there’s no need to stay for 2 hours. Any child is going to get bored.

Cornflakes44 · 30/05/2026 12:45

It’s clear your mum doesn’t like children if the only way she can tolerate the older two is if they essentially behave as adults or are pacified with screens. I would compromise with a monthly or every two months visit without kids if you can manage that (but I wouldn’t also be killing myself to do it). She doesn’t have to be dropped completely but how your lives are right now means you can’t see her often if she can’t compromise her needs a bit. It’s not
your fault.

JustABean · 30/05/2026 12:40

Wow I could never see my mum doing this our twins 2 and single 3 then olders are always welcome for the day and sleepovers

timetoban · 30/05/2026 12:40

Anarchy99 · 30/05/2026 12:37

Which is why your sister needs to be ‘on it’ with them - you say she does her best as she has four children, but they shouldn’t be able to make a mess in the house.

She is on it. But how do you expect 2 year old twins to play without ever making a mess?

OP posts:
Anarchy99 · 30/05/2026 12:37

timetoban · 30/05/2026 11:19

How much good behaviour are people expecting of 2 year old twins? Realistically, 2 year olds do not sit quietly and play without making a mess for hours.

Which is why your sister needs to be ‘on it’ with them - you say she does her best as she has four children, but they shouldn’t be able to make a mess in the house.

timetoban · 30/05/2026 11:57

LittleBearPad · 30/05/2026 11:48

But then don’t take them for hours. Take them for a time they can manage.

When your sis’s DH is about can’t he look after the kids so your sis can go and see your mum by herself?

Your mum cannot cope with the noise of four small children - don’t vilify her work with her to see what’s possible.

She will have to accept she sees them less / for less time but overall everyone might be happier.

She takes them for 2 hours.

Her DH does look after the kids so she can go by herself but he works long hours so it is rare.

DM is not being vilified. I think it is unfair but she is not being treated badly as a result of her choice.

OP posts:
LittleBearPad · 30/05/2026 11:48

timetoban · 30/05/2026 11:19

How much good behaviour are people expecting of 2 year old twins? Realistically, 2 year olds do not sit quietly and play without making a mess for hours.

But then don’t take them for hours. Take them for a time they can manage.

When your sis’s DH is about can’t he look after the kids so your sis can go and see your mum by herself?

Your mum cannot cope with the noise of four small children - don’t vilify her work with her to see what’s possible.

She will have to accept she sees them less / for less time but overall everyone might be happier.