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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to say no to FIL visiting around the twins’ birth?

111 replies

craicandcats · 25/08/2026 16:00

DH and I are expecting our first children (twins) at the end of the week. As you’d expect we’re obviously excited but also nervous and trying to make sure we’re both as prepared as you can be before the twins arrive. I’ve had a really healthy pregnancy and everything is looking good, but because it’s twins we may be staying in hospital after birth for a little while and possibly a NICU stay depending on how the babies are. Our family know this and have basically said they will come to visit the babies when we’re at home and ready. For context, we live a couple of hours away from our family so it’s not like they can just pop round, I know some family are going to come up on a weekend when we choose so they can spend a couple of days with the babies (but will stay in a hotel so we can have our own space when needed).

Anyway, FIL has a habit of booking things up or coming up without telling us. It’s not been that much of an issue, but there’s been a couple of times where it’s caused some annoyance. However, DH had a call today to say that FIL has booked a hotel for this weekend, he’s said he’ll keep himself to himself but if the twins happen to come along then it’ll be good because he’ll be around. It’s really annoyed me, he’s framed it in a way that suggest he always planned on coming up this weekend as a sort of holiday and it had nothing to do with the babies being born, but it’s obvious that isn’t the case considering I’m scheduled to be induced.

DH has told him that we’re busy getting ready for the babies and he won’t be visiting if I do go into labour until we’re ready, which we thought was the end of it, but now SIL has called to say that FIL has complained to her about us not letting him come over if he’s in our city because he doesn’t know the next time he’ll be able to come. I just don’t know what to do, if I feel ready for visitors and we get home before he leaves then of course he could meet them, but that just doesn’t seem likely and I’d really rather not have visitors in the hospital or until I’m slightly more settled at home. I’m not saying it will be weeks (as long as the babies are okay) but literally just a day or so at home before people come and visit. Maybe I’m being a bit pfb about it. But it’s just really got to me. It feels like we can’t tell him not to come because his argument is that it’s just a city break that he was planning for himself, but at the same time I know we’ll be getting constant texts to see if he can visit.

How would you handle this?. I really don’t want any extra stress and I don’t want fall outs but I also want to make sure he knows he cannot visit until we’re ready.

OP posts:
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Longtimelurker1980 · 30/08/2026 14:27

Huge congrats OP! Enjoy your gorgeous new bundles and remember - you’re in charge. Politely but clearly set out your expectations for visiting, it will set the tone for the next 18 years!

wishing you a speedy physical recovery too.

Nearly50omg · 30/08/2026 14:23

My Fil used to turn up on our doorstep to stay with us with no invitation no message asking if it was convenient etc! He turned up on a Sunday afternoon just before we were due to go out to a friends engagement dinner and he came with us!!! No amount of telling him he’d not been invited etc made any difference and my husband didn’t want to be “awkward” telling him straight - Fil didn’t listen to me! - so we turned up very embarrassed with an extra guest and of course no seat for him, no meal and he literally barged his way into an formal engagement party for someone he had met once at one of our bbqs - that he also gate crashed! He lives the other side of the country so even a text when he was setting off driving saying I’m on my way I’ll be there in 10 hours would be better then I can say no or yes! Or leave the house earlier and not be put in awkward situations! But he literally used to turn up and stay for days/weeks until I lost my shit and told my dh that he had to leave as i had had enough! Even when we had visitors staying already and he turned up he expected the INVITED visitors to be put out of the guest room and put his stuff in their room!!! It literally was the cause of my divorce!

put your foot down NOW and say well enjoy your stay but we’ve already plans and had you wanted to see us you’d have actually communicated that and planned it but im
having major surgery and our focus will be on the babies and no one will be seeing them until we are ready and people will be Invited over then!

StormGazing · 30/08/2026 14:23

Awesome! Many congratulations 🥳

justasking111 · 30/08/2026 14:22

Congratulations. Both of you hold firm. No-one visits with the sneezles a bug. No-one visits unless invited. Breastfeeding is relentless with twins.

BaileysHotChocolateByThePool · 30/08/2026 14:16

Congratulations ❤️ ❤️

BlueMum16 · 30/08/2026 13:58

Congratulations. I'm glad they visited in hospital too so less pressure while you are learning to juggle two little ones

Good luck

JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff · 30/08/2026 13:38

Oh and here's some more unsolicited advice: if you have even a tiny bit of spare cash, book in now with a women's health physio.

Twins is rough on the body, and the NHS is often not much use. It's really common to have after effects. I started seeing one when mine were maybe 8w old and it's some of the best money I've ever spent. You will feel in a fog for a long time, but hold onto a little bit of time to look after yourself. It really helps in the long run.

JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff · 30/08/2026 13:33

Congrats OP!

I have B/ G twins and they're totally exhausting the best 😆

Those are really good weights.

Mine are 8 now and what I'd say is, don't fall out with any family who might help you out. I mean, not that you were planning to!! But twins are full on at times, and help with bedtime, ferrying to activities, staying home with one whilst the other goes to a party etc.... take it from me, family can be a huge help!

Congrats on the start of your twin journey... mine are 8.5yo now!

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 30/08/2026 13:22

Great news. Congratulations. Wishing you all the best x

SerafinasGoose · 30/08/2026 13:21

I'm late to the party, but all I'd say to your original question is that basic good manners dictate that you don't invite yourself. You wait for an invitation, or at the very least ask when it will be convenient to call.

Many congratulations to you, OP. Enjoy your new family.

Bluebeast · 30/08/2026 12:32

craicandcats · 30/08/2026 11:08

Just wanted to check back in to update everyone because you were so kind with your advice and reassurance. The babies are here, a boy and a girl! Weighing 4lbs 9oz and 5lbs 6oz. I went into spontaneous labour on Wednesday night/Thursday morning so babies were born earlier than expected and I had quite a traumatic birth, although physically everyone was okay and we’re all healthy and home now. Family did actually come to visit in the hospital, which did feel a lot easier because I can now focus on recovering at home and enjoying our new babies without needing to host guests!

Wow congratulations OP!

Bluebeast · 30/08/2026 12:30

I understand its irritating, but would it kill you to just have him over for a takeaway one evening?

B9waiting · 30/08/2026 12:25

OMG - that’s fantastic news! Congratulations!

lottiegarbanzo · 30/08/2026 12:11

Oh, well congratulations!

lottiegarbanzo · 30/08/2026 12:10

It’s just stress you don’t need. Leave it to your DH to tell him no firmly.

HeatwaveHoratio · 30/08/2026 12:00

Congratulations!

jdb9803 · 30/08/2026 11:37

craicandcats · 30/08/2026 11:08

Just wanted to check back in to update everyone because you were so kind with your advice and reassurance. The babies are here, a boy and a girl! Weighing 4lbs 9oz and 5lbs 6oz. I went into spontaneous labour on Wednesday night/Thursday morning so babies were born earlier than expected and I had quite a traumatic birth, although physically everyone was okay and we’re all healthy and home now. Family did actually come to visit in the hospital, which did feel a lot easier because I can now focus on recovering at home and enjoying our new babies without needing to host guests!

Congratulations - enjoy your babies xxx

mondaytosunday · 30/08/2026 11:35

Great news!
With my first (not twins) my father came to the hospital and I was quite disappointed my mother didn’t - I think if anything they were too much in the ‘let’s not intrude’ camp. In laws were never an issue as they weren’t that interested really. And despite not being a very social person I was happy to have a stream of people visiting us (not overnight) for the first few days once we were home.
May you and your babies enjoy a happy healthy rest of summer!

AppleButterGutter · 30/08/2026 11:29

Amazing! Congratulations OP. Hope the next few weeks are calm and peaceful with your lovely new babies.

Smileyface1991 · 30/08/2026 11:29

Lovely news! Congratulations!

YourHeartyFatball · 30/08/2026 11:18

Lovely news, congratulations! I hope you are recovering well. Wishing you all a lifetime of happiness together.

craicandcats · 30/08/2026 11:08

Just wanted to check back in to update everyone because you were so kind with your advice and reassurance. The babies are here, a boy and a girl! Weighing 4lbs 9oz and 5lbs 6oz. I went into spontaneous labour on Wednesday night/Thursday morning so babies were born earlier than expected and I had quite a traumatic birth, although physically everyone was okay and we’re all healthy and home now. Family did actually come to visit in the hospital, which did feel a lot easier because I can now focus on recovering at home and enjoying our new babies without needing to host guests!

OP posts:
NacMacMama · 27/08/2026 15:48

Do NOT let him break your boundaries and visit. You will be setting yourself up for a lifetime of boudary breaking. If he has to spend the weekend on his own then that will teach him not to be so ridiculous in the future.

W0tnow · 27/08/2026 09:49

I had twins too. Honestly, visits from in-laws while I was in hospital were much more convenient. Your twins will be in those little crib thingies with wheels. I stayed in my room ‘resting’ and my husband rolled the twins out into the visiting area and they were free to coo over them to their heart’s content for an hour or so.

My babies were induced too, because I was 39 weeks and technically’overdue’. So full term robust babies. Not sure why yours may need nicu but perhaps you have worries that I didn’t have. I hope all goes well.

Anyway, congratulations on your twins. Twins are brilliant. Mine are 19 and the loves of my life.

Bloozie · 27/08/2026 09:40

craicandcats · 25/08/2026 18:46

The thing is, if he had booked the trip for a week or two after then I’d have no problem with him visiting. But to book it on the weekend I’m due to be induced just feels a bit too intrusive.

He's centring himself and inserting himself into the story. Fuck that. Keep holding that line.