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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be upset DGP's are taking DC on holiday?

243 replies

madderthanapissedonchicken · 31/07/2026 20:54

Posting for others opinions on this as I’m not sure if I’m being unreasonable.

my DP’s are having my 2 DC for the weekend next month, while myself and DP are away.

I was told today that they have booked to take them away for the weekend.

I’m in 2 minds, as obviously this is nice of them to do it & DC will enjoy it BUT I also would have preferred to have been asked and not told.

a while ago DP’s wanted to take DS away, and I was worried about it him being away, wasn’t going to say yes, then spoke to DP’s and agreed. So I’m not sure why they wouldn’t ask this time? Or if they thought because they are babysitting anyway that it didn’t matter where?

would this upset you or would you be ok with it?

OP posts:
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Endorewitch · 07/08/2026 23:55

Speaking as a grandparent,I and my husband have frequently taken our grandchildren away. In UK and to France when older.
We didn't actually ask if it was ok. But we did tell my daughter and SIL our plans. Needless to say they were always delighted .

HollyBerri · 02/08/2026 20:18

Can i just say in defence of GPs - we are only in our 50s, fit & active & watch the GC like hawks. I am also very mindful to respect different parenting techniques & would never do anything that didn’t fit.
i can see why you are a bit annoyed at not being asked op but they probably didn’t think & just presumed it would be ok as they were having them anyway.
They probably think they are doing something lovely for all concerned & I am sure they will be hyper vigilant. I know we are and am sure most other GPs are the same.

SouthLondonMum22 · 02/08/2026 15:47

LouiseK93 · 02/08/2026 13:23

Watching DC at home is not the same as out and about with them.

They are watching them for a whole weekend. Surely they aren't going to just sit at home with them for a weekend?

Zerosleep · 02/08/2026 13:26

If they are good enough to take care of them over a weekend then I think they can manage to take them away. Plus they raised you so I’m guessing they are competent enough or you wouldn’t be leaving them with GPs. I would leave them to it.

LouiseK93 · 02/08/2026 13:23

madderthanapissedonchicken · 31/07/2026 20:54

Posting for others opinions on this as I’m not sure if I’m being unreasonable.

my DP’s are having my 2 DC for the weekend next month, while myself and DP are away.

I was told today that they have booked to take them away for the weekend.

I’m in 2 minds, as obviously this is nice of them to do it & DC will enjoy it BUT I also would have preferred to have been asked and not told.

a while ago DP’s wanted to take DS away, and I was worried about it him being away, wasn’t going to say yes, then spoke to DP’s and agreed. So I’m not sure why they wouldn’t ask this time? Or if they thought because they are babysitting anyway that it didn’t matter where?

would this upset you or would you be ok with it?

Watching DC at home is not the same as out and about with them.

Jellycatspyjamas · 02/08/2026 12:15

Chamallo · 02/08/2026 01:11

They should have asked you first. They’re undermining your parenting by not asking, they’ve done that deliberately thinking they know better than you, and it would make me worried about other decisions they’d be making, knowing that they’re going against your wishes.

It’s possible to love and trust them and be grateful, but at the same time not agree with this.

A less important example of where I felt similarly… this summer my MIL (who I love and appreciate) insisted I was putting too much sun cream on 3 yr old, only applying a tiny bit then letting her play for hours in the paddling pool in full sunlight at 2pm. In theory she was child minding so I could have a nap (I’m pregnant and have some health issues), but in reality it meant I had to stay up anyway to secretly top up sun cream. So kind of took away the whole favor she was doing me, and on top of that made me the bad guy.

How much topping up of sun cream can there be in the space of a nap?

I’m actually amazed any of us reached adulthood given how incompetent we seem to think the previous generation were.

smithsgj · 02/08/2026 12:11

Rpop · 02/08/2026 08:13

She wasn’t asked though. She was told. I can’t believe more people don’t think this was a bit odd. Clearly you should be asked if it’s ok to take your children somewhere. It’s also not hard for the grandparents to simple ask the question - probably would have taken 30 seconds.

Ah missed this. If OP had felt strongly enough, thinking there were safety concerns or something, she could/should have told her parents to cancel it and keep the child at home.

smithsgj · 02/08/2026 12:07

Jandern · 31/07/2026 21:09

I think they should have told you. So you can pack the right stuff, prepare the kids etc. It’s just courtesy to you as well.

They did tell her. If they didn’t tell her at all it would be bonkers. The point is she thinks they should have sought her permission before booking.

Missyc11 · 02/08/2026 11:36

You sound ridiculous and ungrateful OP

Rpop · 02/08/2026 08:13

Rumpledandcrumpled · 01/08/2026 21:11

Im missing your point, she does know and was told before they went.

She wasn’t asked though. She was told. I can’t believe more people don’t think this was a bit odd. Clearly you should be asked if it’s ok to take your children somewhere. It’s also not hard for the grandparents to simple ask the question - probably would have taken 30 seconds.

Chamallo · 02/08/2026 01:11

They should have asked you first. They’re undermining your parenting by not asking, they’ve done that deliberately thinking they know better than you, and it would make me worried about other decisions they’d be making, knowing that they’re going against your wishes.

It’s possible to love and trust them and be grateful, but at the same time not agree with this.

A less important example of where I felt similarly… this summer my MIL (who I love and appreciate) insisted I was putting too much sun cream on 3 yr old, only applying a tiny bit then letting her play for hours in the paddling pool in full sunlight at 2pm. In theory she was child minding so I could have a nap (I’m pregnant and have some health issues), but in reality it meant I had to stay up anyway to secretly top up sun cream. So kind of took away the whole favor she was doing me, and on top of that made me the bad guy.

CharlieEffie · 02/08/2026 01:00

They are doing you a favour providing you with childcare and ontop of that are paying to take your kids away. Probably think it will be easier for them, and more enjoyable for your kids to be somewhere where i assume there will be pre arranged entertainment and activities to keep kids entertained. I dont see the problem

ThxForTheFish · 02/08/2026 00:55

Mumtobabyhavoc · 01/08/2026 03:35

"What is it with this generation of mothers that think it's only them who can care for their precious babies properly and mollycoddle them so ridiculously?"

What a belittling statement. 🙄

It’s really not. And I speak as a parent to a 10 & 6 yo so arguably part of “this generation of mothers”.

ThxForTheFish · 02/08/2026 00:53

Floppyearedlab · 31/07/2026 21:30

If you’re that fussed, forego your ‘adults only’ jollies and take your kids away yourselves!

Why aren’t you going away all together?

For all you know they’ve already done a family holiday. But regardless, you’re missing the point (and sound a bit sanctimonious).

BeUmberMember · 01/08/2026 23:45

I think it's normal for you be overprotective of children age 6 and 4 when they are being taken to a different place from usual with grandparents for overnight stays. Even though you trust them and appreciate their help, I think they should have consulted you first.

MerryUmberHedgehog · 01/08/2026 23:20

If you dont trust them then look after your own kids.

SouthLondonMum22 · 01/08/2026 21:29

Eastie77Returns · 01/08/2026 21:04

It’s not about trusting or not trusting the grandparents. Clearly she trusts them. But most rational parents would want to know where their very young children are sleeping at night, regardless of who is looking after them.

That isn't the issue though because OP did get told before they went. She wanted them to ask permission first.

Rumpledandcrumpled · 01/08/2026 21:11

Eastie77Returns · 01/08/2026 21:04

It’s not about trusting or not trusting the grandparents. Clearly she trusts them. But most rational parents would want to know where their very young children are sleeping at night, regardless of who is looking after them.

Im missing your point, she does know and was told before they went.

Eastie77Returns · 01/08/2026 21:04

It’s not about trusting or not trusting the grandparents. Clearly she trusts them. But most rational parents would want to know where their very young children are sleeping at night, regardless of who is looking after them.

SouthLondonMum22 · 01/08/2026 20:26

canthavetoomanylights · 01/08/2026 19:21

I can’t help but wonder what the voting would have been had it been a MIL taking them away without discussion….

I'd feel the same no matter which Grandparent it was if they can be trusted.

RisingSunn · 01/08/2026 19:47

canthavetoomanylights · 01/08/2026 19:21

I can’t help but wonder what the voting would have been had it been a MIL taking them away without discussion….

Fair point.

Bowies · 01/08/2026 19:47

It’s much nicer for them to have their own break away while you are off with DH.

I used to go away with my DGP which felt like a treat rather than feeling “left behind” by DM and DF.

They’ve told you and really can’t see the issue with going on a UK weekend away it’s much nicer for your DC. I would feel grateful as their DM.

If I was anxious to this extent I wouldn’t book trips without DC while they are still young (assuming it’s not a work trip). You can’t expect your parents just to keep them at home for days.

Rpop · 01/08/2026 19:33

madderthanapissedonchicken · 31/07/2026 20:54

Posting for others opinions on this as I’m not sure if I’m being unreasonable.

my DP’s are having my 2 DC for the weekend next month, while myself and DP are away.

I was told today that they have booked to take them away for the weekend.

I’m in 2 minds, as obviously this is nice of them to do it & DC will enjoy it BUT I also would have preferred to have been asked and not told.

a while ago DP’s wanted to take DS away, and I was worried about it him being away, wasn’t going to say yes, then spoke to DP’s and agreed. So I’m not sure why they wouldn’t ask this time? Or if they thought because they are babysitting anyway that it didn’t matter where?

would this upset you or would you be ok with it?

I agree with you. I’m surprised so many others are giving a blanket yes. It depends on so many factors. I think it’s only polite for them to ask first. For example all of our grandparents are pretty old so I would be worried about them taking my children to new places.

canthavetoomanylights · 01/08/2026 19:21

I can’t help but wonder what the voting would have been had it been a MIL taking them away without discussion….

madderthanapissedonchicken · 01/08/2026 19:21

Eastie77Returns · 01/08/2026 19:05

The children are still very small, of course the OP’s parents should tell her they are planning to take them away overnight! When I looked after my niece on a regular basis I told DSIL when I took her on a day trip to a theme park with a friend and her DC. The park was 100 miles away. I wouldn’t dream of taking anyone’s child away, family or not, without telling their parents.

MN is such a weird, parallel universe sometimes!

Edited to say @madderthanapissedonchicken perhaps your post title should have been that you are upset you were not told DC were going on holiday. I think it’s currently a bit misleading since it reads as if you are just upset they are going on holiday.

Edited

Yes you are correct and that should have been the title, I was writing it in a rush last night.

it was def the fact about not being told / having the opportunity to discuss it before it was booked that threw me / upset me - not the fact that they were being taken away for a nice time.

Anyway, I have spoken to my DP’s today, said that I was uncomfortable and anxious about being told after it was already done and we hadn’t discussed it. They explained (as I assumed was the case) that they thought it would be nice for the children, found a good deal and booked it up, and didn’t even think that I would mind. I explained the things I was worried out, had a chat and do feel reassured.

PP’s were correct in saying it was my anxiety - but I can’t turn that off. I just needed to talk it through to feel comfortable with the situation - which I do believe is my right as there mother

OP posts: