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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.

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OttersOnAPlane · 30/05/2026 17:20

How much noise and mess from two year olds? It depends on the two year old.

People used to tell me how much easier it was having a second child over to play with their toddler because it kept them entertained.

Until third, I completely disagreed - my 2 year olds liked to play by themselves and quietly narrate what they were doing all the time.

Then I had the ball of energy that was DC3 and having another toddler over was a lifesaver. That kid was a relentless talker and needed to be busy every second of the day.

If your sister's twins are like DC3, I can understand someone in their 70s who isn't keen on children finding them very draining.

Your mother isn't remotely maternal. She values quiet and order over family connection. Accept that's who she is, and then see her or don't, whichever you feel happier with.

You can't change her.

Costatesco · 30/05/2026 17:18

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timetoban · 30/05/2026 17:17

Shatteredallthetimelately · 30/05/2026 17:06

How aged 2 are they, as in 2 and 1 month or 2 and 8 months, IYGM

Even at just under 2 my GC played happily for an hour or so with Duplo or play doh, yes messy but contained in one place.

They were 2 last month.

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Shatteredallthetimelately · 30/05/2026 17:06

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 🙄

How aged 2 are they, as in 2 and 1 month or 2 and 8 months, IYGM

Even at just under 2 my GC played happily for an hour or so with Duplo or play doh, yes messy but contained in one place.

nomas · 30/05/2026 17:06

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Maybe when you get to her age you’ll have more sympathy.

My mum can’t take much noise either. That doesn’t make her unpleasant.

Costatesco · 30/05/2026 17:04

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nomas · 30/05/2026 16:56

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Why is the mother ‘so unpleasant’?

Costatesco · 30/05/2026 16:42

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timetoban · 30/05/2026 16:40

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😂

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Costatesco · 30/05/2026 16:38

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timetoban · 30/05/2026 15:47

Piglet89 · 30/05/2026 15:46

So the older ones are being pacified into submission on screens? Fantastic.

What is it with grandparents who aren’t actually willing to engage with their grandchildren during the course of a visit? So lazy.

Yes but as people say it is her home and exactly how much noise and mess are the two year old twins making?

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Piglet89 · 30/05/2026 15:46

So the older ones are being pacified into submission on screens? Fantastic.

What is it with grandparents who aren’t actually willing to engage with their grandchildren during the course of a visit? So lazy.

Knackeredgrandma · 30/05/2026 15:33

If your Mum doesn’t want to visit other people’s homes, doesn’t want to go to the park and doesn’t want young children visiting I’m wondering whether she would actually be that bothered if she didn’t see much of any of you.
Does she like her own company? Does she have friends her own age or does she prefer pottering at home.
The only solution seems to be to only visit occasionally for short periods when the kid’s Dad can look after them. If she isn’t happy with that you can only explain that she doesn’t want the kids there and, as you have no one to look after them you can’t visit either. Some people are quite happy on their own for a lot of the time.

JLou08 · 30/05/2026 15:29

If my mum tried that with me she wouldn't be seeing me or any of the children again.

timetoban · 30/05/2026 15:28

AprilMizzel · 30/05/2026 15:22

My Dmum never bothered much with my kids but niece she did childcare for and seemed to love it. There's 13 year between her and next GC she botheres with. Those have been aging 13 years for Dmum - she no longer has any patience with young kids and constantly want youngest on a screen. It's not got any better and GC got older TBH - she gets shorter and fewer visits.

If you Dsis and you can't get much childfree time she'll see you less.

You could try childfriendly cafe or locations when twins get bit older but if she won't do that well then she'll see less of your sister and the DGC and probably moan about that. This isn't really something that can be fixed as it was.

My sister will no longer visit with the twins as DM wants.

Similar here too - she wants the older two on screens all the time. No doubt it will be the same with the twins once they get a bit older.

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AgnesMcDoo · 30/05/2026 15:26

If my mum told me my kids weren’t welcome that would be the last time
she saw any of us

timetoban · 30/05/2026 15:26

LittleBearPad · 30/05/2026 15:15

Not twins no. But I’ve had 2 year olds. Your expectations are very low

Twins are very different as a pp said.

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AprilMizzel · 30/05/2026 15:22

My Dmum never bothered much with my kids but niece she did childcare for and seemed to love it. There's 13 year between her and next GC she botheres with. Those have been aging 13 years for Dmum - she no longer has any patience with young kids and constantly want youngest on a screen. It's not got any better and GC got older TBH - she gets shorter and fewer visits.

If you Dsis and you can't get much childfree time she'll see you less.

You could try childfriendly cafe or locations when twins get bit older but if she won't do that well then she'll see less of your sister and the DGC and probably moan about that. This isn't really something that can be fixed as it was.

twoshedsjackson · 30/05/2026 15:21

Your DM sounds very set in her ways, which is entirely her right, but I wonder what she gains from any visits?
The older DC are acceptably quiet, now that they are a bit older, but sitting quietly at Grandma's house for a couple of hours doesn't sound like a barrel of laughs for them, hardly building fond memories of what fun they had.
She will probably have to accept that when the DC are a bit older, with more autonomy, they will quietly. politely, vote with their feet, and avoid visiting her.
You have suggested alternatives ways of fostering family bonding, which don't suit, so I guess that leaves her sitting alone in her beautifully clean and tidy house.

Manthide · 30/05/2026 15:18

CruCru · 30/05/2026 15:09

I wonder if this is a side effect of us all having children much later. There was a time when I could perhaps have had grandchildren at the age I am now (not quite 50). Now if my children have children at the same ages I did, I’ll be in my early 70s while the grandchildren are the ages described in the OP.

I think you're right! Dgm and dgf were 41 when I was born, my dm and df were 48/49 when dd1 was born and I was 56 when dgs1 was born. I was 42 when I had dd3 so I'd be 84 if she had dc at the age I was when she was born! (And my cousin will be a dggm at the age of 58 this year)

LittleBearPad · 30/05/2026 15:15

timetoban · 30/05/2026 13:35

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?

Not twins no. But I’ve had 2 year olds. Your expectations are very low

timetoban · 30/05/2026 15:09

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😂

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CruCru · 30/05/2026 15:09

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I wonder if this is a side effect of us all having children much later. There was a time when I could perhaps have had grandchildren at the age I am now (not quite 50). Now if my children have children at the same ages I did, I’ll be in my early 70s while the grandchildren are the ages described in the OP.

Costatesco · 30/05/2026 14:59

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timetoban · 30/05/2026 14:57

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You should be a psychologist 😂

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