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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:
Holeymoley28 · 25/08/2026 16:15

If there is a nicu stay he won’t be allowed to visit them anyway.

His just got a man strop on. Is he actually in the area for an event or just hedging his bets.

YourHeartyFatball · 25/08/2026 16:14

He’s complaining to his daughter, not you. I’d say that means he understands and hopefully will respect your wishes and not turn up. YANBU at all though to not want visitors. Good luck with the birth!

craicandcats · 25/08/2026 16:13

Thank you for the support, I’ve really felt like I’m being dramatic because my family were all happy to have visitors as soon as the baby was born, but I just want to make sure I feel more prepared. As you’ve all said, babies might not even be here by the time he leaves, which would solve the problem for us!. We could offer next weekend but as there’s a possibility of a nicu stay I’d rather wait and see how I feel about it!. It’s just frustrating because everyone else has been very understanding, even though they obviously want to meet the babies ASAP, but FIL does have a habit of not really listening.

OP posts:
Ratbag7 · 25/08/2026 16:12

My in laws stayed at our house when I had my first child, I couldn’t even get into the bathroom as my FIL was having a bath despite me bleeding. Was blinking awful. My DH spent most of his time cooking for them and offering drinks around. They tried it again when my DD was born, we managed to get them to stay in a local travel lodge then. And when I had twins they were definitely not allowed to stay at ours even though the twins birth was straightforward. Can’t believe I was so agreeable about the first baby! Good luck, twins are lovely! X

socks1107 · 25/08/2026 16:11

Your having twins, ofc your not being unreasonable. Let him stay nearby and don’t tell him if the babies do come and only do so when your ready and happy too

EatMoreChocolate44 · 25/08/2026 16:09

Hospital visits in some ways are less stressful OP as there is no expectation to host and there are visiting hours so they can't out stay their welcome. I had quite a traumatic birth with my first and my bil and his partner were over visiting from Scotland so they came to the hospital as they were heading home after a couple of days so it was meet their new niece now or wait 4 or 5 months. In saying that both my mil, fil, mum, my siblings and nieces and nephews etc all came to the hospital. I didn't know I could say no 😂. It was fine, it was harder when they came to the house to visit when we got home. Ultimately it's up to you. You will be exhausted and if you are breastfeeding that can be really difficult. It's something only you can decide once the babies are here.

Treemouse · 25/08/2026 16:08

It sounds like you clearly communicated your plans and wishes to your families and your FIL has not respected that. YANBU to want to settle back at home after the birth of your babies. You will need time to rest, recover, bond and settle into life as parents. Being induced is also hard on you physically and emotionally ontop of giving birth and then the day post birth 3 hormone drop . I think your DH needs to have another conversation with your FIL and tell him that he won’t be visiting until you are all ready. Wishing you the best of luck with the birth OP ❤️

ToKittyornottoKitty · 25/08/2026 16:07

Can your DH not just ask if he can rebook for the following weekend so he can see the twins then? Frame it as a good thing because he obviously won’t get to see them this weekend so it’d be a bonus if he can move it and see the twins. If you are only being induced at the end of the week you may not have even had the babies on Sunday so even if you wanted him to be the first visitor it’d be pointless coming this weekend

Brandyb · 25/08/2026 16:06

Absolutely not. You are not being PFB - this is setting out how the boundaries will need to be if you're going to manage the sometimes competing demands of your immediate and extended family in the future. Sometimes that means absolutely putting yourselves and your needs first.

You've been clear that this doesn't work, and now you need to enforce that. I can promise you that you won't want people turning up in the hours and days after your labour. You need to focus on whatever is at the forefront, not trying to make yourself presentable for visitors.

Holeymoley28 · 25/08/2026 16:04

You don’t impose your self on brand new parents.

Although you are being induced you could still be very pregnant Sunday.

You don’t have to let someone visit before you are ready just because they are in the area.

ShowOfHands · 25/08/2026 16:03

It sounds like you've told him and the fact he's complained to sil means he's understood. That's it. If he asks again via text, you simply repeat your "no". Let dh handle it.

Good luck with the birth and congratulations.