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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:
roxyro · 29/05/2026 14:34

Sis should just stay away.

Bigtrapeze · 29/05/2026 14:34

Why on earth would you visit someone who didn't tolerate half of your children? Everyone can absolutely decide who they want in their house but can't be overly surprised not to maintain a relationship with blood relatives who are banned.

Katemax82 · 29/05/2026 14:33

Bloody hell that's awful! If any of my family banned any of my kids from visiting I wouldn't bother with that family member anymore. Especially if it was my own mother!

bumptybum · 29/05/2026 14:33

Who is it that wants the visits to continue?

Lomonald · 29/05/2026 14:32

Oh no your poor Sister, I don't really have any advice cant your mum visit them ? But tbh I probably would just stay away if it was me.

rainbowstardrops · 29/05/2026 14:32

What does your mum propose your sister does with the twins? Leave them home alone?
I’d stop visiting and say to the mum that she’ll have to make the effort to come to her house instead then.

Tsundokuer · 29/05/2026 14:32

She can ban the twins from visiting if she likes, but she then does not get to whinge about not seeing your sister enough, or not getting to spend "quality time" with the older two. If this damages your mum's relationship with your sister and her children, it is completely on your mum.

Costatesco · 29/05/2026 14:31

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Shoxfordian · 29/05/2026 14:31

Didn't the older two misbehave when they were younger? It depends a bit on the level of mess and noise involved really, and how much your sister is doing to stop them as to how unreasonable your mum is being

SnappyQuoter · 29/05/2026 14:30

Is your mum actually fully aware that she is pretty much giving up a relationship with her child and grandchildren? If she is fully aware of that, then it’s up to her. It’s a real shame for your sister but why would she want to keep pursuing a relationship with a woman who is so hostile to her own grandchildren?

I’d have a word if it was my mum, and I’d tell her how ridiculous she was being and how she was risking the family, and wouldn’t have a relationship with her grandchildren if she carried on. But then I’d have to leave the decision to her, as it is her house. But I’d probably also limit contact and spend the time I’d visit her at my sister’s instead.

Costatesco · 29/05/2026 14:30

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GinWizard · 29/05/2026 14:29

That's batshit. Of course she can make whatever decisions she wants about her own house and who comes into it but that's categorically insane behaviour unless the twins are drawing on walls or really damaging the house and your sister does nothing to stop them?

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