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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to be annoyed about MIL coming to toddler class?

163 replies

TheThursdayClub · 30/05/2026 13:37

I’ve been taking DS to a little toddler class which we both really enjoy. SIL has started attending with her LO too - we aren’t particularly close but obviously I can’t dictate what classes she goes to and it’s nice for the children to mix.

The issue is that she always brings her mum (my MIL) along as well. DS is very disloyal sociable and basically makes a beeline for MIL and I’m ending up being the spare part while MIL & SIL participate in the class with DS and DN.

I don’t know if I’m being petty but it’s really starting to grate. It was my special thing I did with DS and now paying £50 a month for MIL to take over.

Since the children have been born, I’ve felt like MIL and SIL will just monopolize the babies and I’m never included (never even got offered a cuddle with DN once!) so this just feels like an extension of that.

I’m thinking about stopping the class and either finding another date or doing something altogether. AIBU and petty or would this annoy you too?

OP posts:
Maray1967 · 30/05/2026 13:55

OP says she’s enjoys the session so why should she hand over to MIL? Given what OP says about MIL & SIL taking over the babies the last thing I would be doing is handing DS over to them.

TheThursdayClub · 30/05/2026 13:55

Blondeshavemorefun · 30/05/2026 13:53

I was going to suggest this

Great minds

I like doing it with DS though so don’t really want to be handing it over to MIL!! Which I suspect is what she and SIL would prefer anyway!

OP posts:
Maraudingmarauders · 30/05/2026 13:54

Drivingmissrangey · 30/05/2026 13:51

Or chose option C. Ask MIL to take your baby along and enjoy an hour to yourself.

Just what I was about to say!

Blondeshavemorefun · 30/05/2026 13:53

Drivingmissrangey · 30/05/2026 13:51

Or chose option C. Ask MIL to take your baby along and enjoy an hour to yourself.

I was going to suggest this

Great minds

Drivingmissrangey · 30/05/2026 13:51

Or chose option C. Ask MIL to take your baby along and enjoy an hour to yourself.

CieloElmers · 30/05/2026 13:48

You say you’re not very close, maybe they attend to spend sometime with you? If you don’t like it just find another class

Yeahyeahyeahnooooo · 30/05/2026 13:48

If you live rurally or in a small town I'd assume SIL will keep popping up, you can't really stop her, or begrudge her taking her Mum along.

Maray1967 · 30/05/2026 13:48

So would I. Spectacularly thoughtless of her to take over your baby in this way.

User711985 · 30/05/2026 13:48

Yes, I’d just quietly and without drama go to another class. It’s you who doesn’t want to be with them so it’s you that’s going to have to make changes.

Larrythecatforpm · 30/05/2026 13:47

I would find another date or another class and just don’t tell them.

Oneandanotheroneistwo · 30/05/2026 13:46

YANBU - I used to do these type of classes on mat leave as a way to meet other mums and spend one on one time with the baby, I'd have been annoyed if I had to 'share' it too - especially with someone who doesn't need to be there (your MIL). Obviously you can't control what they do, so I'd find a different class.

glaciercherry · 30/05/2026 13:45

I’d find another date. I understand your frustration.

SandwichSuperstar · 30/05/2026 13:41

You might as well because as you say, you can't dictate where others choose to go.

But as an aside, I have 3 kids and have never 'offered' cuddles from them to anyone.

If anyone ever wanted to hold them as babies, I assume they would ask.

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