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MIL has forbidden DS to call for his friend when we visit

183 replies

Hellotodays · Yesterday 19:33

The in laws (who live close by and we see regularly) have told DH that our 6 year old should not go to call for his school friend (who lives next door to the in laws) when we go to their house this Sunday. His friend is a girl the same age and her sister plays with them too who is 8. Since they started getting on very well at school they have occasionally called on each other when we have been at the in laws. It's only happened twice in about three months as they are not often home when we are there. The parents are really nice and tell me he should come over whenever we are there. Last time they even let him join them for dinner. My in laws are not so welcoming and though the kids go back and forwards between the two houses the in laws seem a bit annoyed when they are at the in laws house, and this time ahead of our visit they told my DH that he shouldn't go there and we should just have time as a family. The problem is that all the other kids at the family gathering, including our youngest are a lot younger and the in laws don't really play with him, it basically means he gets bored of playing alone of me or DH have to keep him busy. I'm quite annoyed that they have said this to DH. I'm probably not going to counter it, but if it gets to a point tomorrow where he is bored and everyone else is just doing their own thing then I will tell him yes if he asks to go and play. But I'm just wondering how others see it? Thanks!

OP posts:
JJWT · Today 18:21

Vivi0 · Yesterday 20:10

Your in laws are absolute fools - what a way to make your grandchild not want to visit.

What is he supposed to do? Sit and gawp in awe at simply being in his grandparent’s presence? If they are not going to interact with him, and he has exhausted all other avenues of entertaining himself, then he can go and play with the neighbour or you can leave. It’s that simple.

This! They sound like right miseries. I'd say that doesn't work for us, we'll give it a miss then.

Whenisitsummer · Today 18:29

Id just reduce the visit down to a couple of hours. It's the easiest solution.
Why are you spending all day every other Sunday with two people who sound a bit miserable anyway.
You could be doing something better with your time.

Fasthorses · Today 18:29

JemimaTiggywinkles · Yesterday 20:32

Youre going to visit grandparents and he disappears to his friends? If so that’s really rude. While he’s too young to understand basic manners, you aren’t. I’m not surprised at MN saying it’s fine to be rude to your in laws, but in real life I don’t know anyone who would do this.

This, im really surprised by the initial responses from people saying this is ok, its really rude if you are there to see grandparents if he just disappears off?! Its ok for kids to NOT be optimally entertained occasionally. There are other kids at his grandparents he can play with, its not as tho hes forced to sit there with literally nothing to do.

user1492757084 · Today 18:43

This indicates that you could take some things with you to help your DS interact with GP and small cousins.
Specific games, puzzles or activities could assist them to engage happily for an hour or two.
Could you instal a swing, sandpit etc.
It is rude for your DS to go next door when his GP and cousins would like him to be with family.

I agree with MIL.

LittlePaintBox · Today 18:47

When my son was about 6, he became very close friends with a boy round the corner, and they were always at each other's houses for sleepovers. I'm not sure what the attraction was - except he told me their house was much tidier than ours! - but they got on really well and had great fun together. I think friendships at this age can be very important, and I wouldn't give in to the in-laws when, in practice, they're asking you to stop him seeing his friend.

Hellotodays · Today 18:49

user1492757084 · Today 18:43

This indicates that you could take some things with you to help your DS interact with GP and small cousins.
Specific games, puzzles or activities could assist them to engage happily for an hour or two.
Could you instal a swing, sandpit etc.
It is rude for your DS to go next door when his GP and cousins would like him to be with family.

I agree with MIL.

I will definitely be taking more games in future. There is a sandpit in the garden that BIL bought but MIL doesn't like the kids playing in it because they end up getting sand inside 😩 but I was thinking of suggesting a basketball hoop...

OP posts:
Owl55 · Today 19:08

Maybe suggest he must spend an hour with grandparents and meal times with them but then allowed to play with friend x

sittingonabeach · Today 19:42

LittlePaintBox · Today 18:47

When my son was about 6, he became very close friends with a boy round the corner, and they were always at each other's houses for sleepovers. I'm not sure what the attraction was - except he told me their house was much tidier than ours! - but they got on really well and had great fun together. I think friendships at this age can be very important, and I wouldn't give in to the in-laws when, in practice, they're asking you to stop him seeing his friend.

No they are not, just when DS is at GPs. They go to school together and live in walking distance, they can see each other plenty apart from the 2 days a month DS visits GPs

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