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This is very, very long, and yes, I've NC'd.

216 replies

Helpmehelpmydgs · 24/08/2013 14:44

My DS1 and his gf lived together for a few years, half here and half with her family, before finally moving into their own place a couple of years ago. They got together as teenagers and are now mid-twenties.

I will admit I was massively relieved when they moved out, the atmosphere in my home lightened immediately. They were always rather "disapproving" towards dh and me, there was a fair amount of "antler-clashing" (words, no violence) between DS1 and dh, and ds1 and ds2, and it was all just getting a bit tired. While they were here, they contributed nothing; no housework, no bills, no rent. They didn't even provide company and entertainment, they just took their evening meals upstairs to eat and wouldn't be seen again till morning.

Anyway, they have basically cut communications since they left. Ds1 passes close to our home twice every working day and has never called in just for a natter and a cup of tea. He has never phoned just for a chat, and eventually stopped even responding to his dad's friendly sports-related texts. He didn't even acknowledge FB messages. (I know, I know...) Eventually I blocked him on FB because it became obvious that his dp was using the login to post snidey, passive-aggressive comments aimed at me, and I don't need that kind of childish shit in my life.

So, roll on the months, and ds1 drops by to tell us they're having a baby. We say "Congratulations, when's it due?", he tells us and leaves. Five minutes tops, and the next we hear is when the baby is born premature, by emergency CS, and later needs surgery at a few weeks old. We were "permitted" to visit in the hospital, dh and ds2 went, I didn't because I had a streaming cold and didn't think a tiny newborn should be exposed to that. Eventually I met him at about three months when they dropped by for five minutes; he was taken out of the car, but not the carseat (fair enough, he was asleep) so I could admire from a distance. I was never invited to visit him in their home, and I have never been the kind of person to drop in uninvited; particularly where dil2b is so clearly hostile towards me I wouldn't even consider it. I know how hard the early days are and would never just "drop by" on a new mum, especially one who'd just had major abdominal surgery, I don't even phone in case I'd disturb a nap.

I don't think I've emphasised how much dil2b actually hates me, btw, she really does. She maintains I broke her trust, I think she's an attention-seeking drama queen, this is never going to end well. As is right, ds1 is fully supporting his dp and the mother of his pfb, and as a result relationships between ds1 and me have completely broken down. Frankly, I'm past caring. I've run the full gamut of emotions from hair-tearing grief, through shock at their blatant rewriting of history, to rage at the fucking using wee twat I birthed. I'm now "meh" about the lot of them.

DIL2B, however, has other ideas. She has started to demand that I have a relationship with their ds, which sounds positive, but what she actually wants is "stuff", and her email to me makes that very, very clear. She hates me, will not forgive me, does not accept my apology and will not be in the house when I visit (by arrangement, of course.) She's upset because I bought dgs1 (ds2's boy, now 4) lots of "stuff" when he was little, and I should be buying the same sort of "stuff" for dgs2. Thing is, when dgs1 was born it to two teenage parents, only one of whom was working (pt, zero hours contract, nmw), and who did not, at that time, live together, though they spent most nights together either here or with her family. Dgs2 has been born to two fully-adult parents, at least one of whom is ft employed on a rate considerably higher than nmw (am unaware of her status) and who have their own home. And who don't speak to me.

So, yes, I probably did go a bit daft on the toy front, but most of it is usable by other dc. I bought the bigger-ticket items, indoor trampoline, chute, paddling pool, ride-on toys, that sort of thing; they're all durable. I keep them here because my house is big enough and although ds2 and his ex are no longer together, they have resolved their differences and dgs1 stays over two or three nights a week, so he gets a lot of use out of these toys. But dgs2 won't be brought here to visit, so he'll never get to use them; does that mean I should shell out again for stuff they'll keep and I'll never get to see dgs2 enjoying? It's not that they can't afford this stuff if they want it, ds1 got a substantial inheritance from my uncle a couple of months ago, but they want me to pay for it.

So, well done if you've read this far, go and put the kettle on for a Brew because there's more.

If we're sitting comfortably... So, she emailed me this vituperous claptrap four weeks ago. I put off opening it, I'll be honest, I was scared to read it, actually shook at the thought for days. Eventually I had a drink steeled myself, and actually ended up snorting in derision at how blatant her demands for "stuff" were, which was a relief tbh. The email is a complete rewriting of history, apparently she has tried everything to keep communications open blah blah blah. I do intend to reply, but I veer between the emotions decribed above (though I left out the rending of hair this time) and can't quite get the right tone. Ds1 has sent dh horrible texts demanding to know when I'll reply, really nasty in tone, and snotty about me. Yeah, that makes me get the rage want to communicate calmly, and forge a relationship with your pfb.

So (I use that too much, eh?), I am pretty much in a place where I want absolutely nothing further to do with any of them. She hates me, and I don't recognise the ds1 I raised, he's grown into an unpleasant bully, and I'm ashamed of him. It's a pity I won't know dgs2, but dh and ds2 are persisting so I'll still have news, and perhaps he'll choose to visit me when he's older. He'll get nothing positive about me from his mother, but his cousin (dgs1) loves me, so he might get curious.

Then ds2 visited dgs2 during the week, and took photos. He showed me, and I am genuinely shocked.

DIL2B has been overweight, massively so, all of the time I have known her. She has had an eating disorder in the past, and I don't think she's resolved any of the background issues (of course, she might have had intensive counselling, I have no idea) and I think she has a problematic relationship with food, equating it with love in some way?

Anyway, dgs2 looks to me (not a trained professional) to be clinically obese, dangerously so. He is HUGE, he can't move because of his weight, he can't even wave his limbs in the air. This is not "normal baby" chubbiness, cute wee dimples and squidgeyness. This is baby walrus territory. And it has been achieved in about three months; he was a perfectly normal size when I last saw him, and is only 6 months now.

Apparently she has been adding baby rice to every bottle feed since 12 weeks, and spooning purees into him from 16 weeks. :(

So, do I start to take an interest in the child, perhaps rebuild bridges with ds1 (tbh, I don't want to, I don't even like him much any more) and persuade him to see how wrong this is, how dangerous for his pfb? Do I hope the HV sees and says something? Why can't ds1 see for himself? I think he does, he put up a video of the child blowing raspberries and carefully showed nothing but his face (and that's pretty fat, too, but not as revealing as his limbs). Why does he want me involved, and why does he think that being bullying and aggressive will do that?

Sorry, wandered off on another tangent. Wwyd, re-establish relationships in the (quite possibly vain) hopes of changing dgs2's diet to something more babyish, or tell them all to piss off and hope they come to their senses? They're not going to listen to me anyway, are they, I'd just be a judgemental and interfering MIL.

Ok, talked it all through now, they can fuck off. Sorry, dgs2, hope you and your mum get the professional help you so much need and deserve.

Thanks for reading, I don't really expect replies, but it's been cathartic to get it all out.

OP posts:
SirRaymondClench · 24/08/2013 16:25

Captain I don't think from what Help said it would have been possible for her to have visited. The door was hardly held open in a welcoming manner. It's one of those situations where Op was damned if she did, damned if she didn't!

Helpmehelpmydgs · 24/08/2013 16:30

You're right, birdybear, I don't care. She hates me, and ds1 is acting like a complete knob. After years of this, years of them scrounging and contributing nothing, I don't want anything further to do with them. And no, the door was not open to me, she would have been horrified had I "just dropped by" and it would not have been a happy time.

OP posts:
alreadytaken · 24/08/2013 16:39

think Random Mes had the best idea - sorry you feel that way, together with IComeFrom's suggestion that the grandson is welcome to come round and play. Apart from that try not to respond too much.

Oh and on Facebook - you can, don't know how, keep someone as a friend while not allowing them to post. So unblock your ds on Facebook but restrict him and ignore the dp.

Interested in this thread?

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VivaLeBeaver · 24/08/2013 16:40

I'd reply, reply and tell them a few home truths. About how selfish and rude they're been. Though I suppose they won't see it and you will still be the unreasonable one and it will all be your fault.

Maybe something more restrained. Say sorry they feel that way, that you will always be your DSs mother and anytime they want to have a relationship which isn't based on nastiness and blame that you will be there.

Don't say anything about the baby's weight and hope to god a HV notices soon. Sadly even if they do I doubt anything they say will change things.

NoSquirrels · 24/08/2013 16:42

Listem, don't let your relationship with your DH suffer because he is getting grief for an unanswered email.

Reply, keep it brief, respond in broad brush strokes but then don't engage any further. Be honest but keep it as free of emotion as you can. CC your DH to the email so it's clear to everyone that there's transparency and no point in anyone playing divide and conquer.

Something like

"Thanks for getting in touch. It's good to get news of DGS and I'd like to see more of him - as you know, we bought a lot of toys to keep at our house with the hope that all our DGC can get use out of them. Thank you also for the offer to visit DGS at your house. I hope we can get to know one another better."

BelieveinWigan · 24/08/2013 16:44
Hmm
SirRaymondClench · 24/08/2013 16:44

I just don't think there is any point in Op replying to this email.
The only thing they want to hear is that she will buy their stuff and meet their demands and even then she will be treated with contempt.
So she can't win.

I would ignore and disengage from this nonsense and when your son next hassles his dad about why you haven't replied tell him to get a life.

Helpmehelpmydgs · 24/08/2013 16:48

What's the face for, Wigan? Disbelieving? Grin

OK, I know I have to reply with something because he'll just keep doing these random dropins and he'll catch me one day, and I will be unprepared, and it will not go well. Voices will be raised, and I can do without the adrenaline rush, too old for that crap. So, I do have to reply.

And I should keep it calm, and neutral, not ranty.

Or I could just say, "Fuck off"

OP posts:
heartisaspade · 24/08/2013 16:49

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IThinkOfHappyWhenIThinkOfYou · 24/08/2013 17:01

I don't know what you should do re the relationship but in terms of weight ime it's fairly easy to avoid a HV. You might get a home visit for a fairly young baby and then nothing until the development check at about 9-12 months. My youngest child has only seen he HV once, although she did phone once and I told her everything was fine. When they go for jags it's sometimes a bit of a conveyor belt and the nurses aren't looking out for fat babies etc so if he is walrus sized then I think you should consider reporting them rather than assuming it will get picked up by someone.

Maryz · 24/08/2013 17:13

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SisterMonicaJoan · 24/08/2013 17:13

Oh that poor baby Sad

I would probably send a very brief reply, don't get drawn down to their level, keep it to the point "DGS very welcome to come and play with the toys we bought for the DGC here". Just keep the email focused on your DGS and don't mention anything else. I think I would just want to keep a door open to keep an eye on the baby tbh, nothing else.

Your DS1 and DIL2B sound truly horrible. If a baby is THAT overweight, it will be picked up by someone soon; GP visit, hospital visit, HV development checks, maybe they will get reported by a neighbour? I agree that overfeeding is abuse and she is transferring her issues with food onto the baby. I wonder if it could be because the baby was prem? Its easy to think you just want to fatten them up a bit - but I think in this case, this is extreme overfeeding.

Maryz · 24/08/2013 17:13

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TheCrackFox · 24/08/2013 17:18

I think Maryz advice was spot on.

Put the ball in her court.

kilmuir · 24/08/2013 17:19

as someone who has been subject to a younger sister's bizarre behaviour over the years, I would leave them to it. concentrate on your family. I have had no contact with my nasty sister for 3 years and have to say it really does not bother me. Her not being in my life is easier all round

Helpmehelpmydgs · 24/08/2013 17:19

Grin Acting lessons!

I'm a bit uneasy at the idea of reporting them for abuse though. I do see what is meant, but I'm hoping an hcp will step in and get him in some sort of "maintain weight till he grows into it" programme, iyswim? I have no reason to think they're deliberately hiding him, and agree that part of it might be because he was preemie, then ill.

OP posts:
Mintyy · 24/08/2013 17:22

I think op has to reply to the email in some way, because ignoring it is just another thing that could be held against her.

Maryz · 24/08/2013 17:23

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NoSquirrels · 24/08/2013 17:24

yy to Maryz -- that's what I was trying to say! You need to have the moral high ground (which "Fuck Off" will not grant you Grin) and you need to ignore anything goading and any history and just be nicey-nice.

Helpmehelpmydgs · 24/08/2013 17:24

I think your friend is braver than me, Maryz, but it's a lovely idea.

OP posts:
Maryz · 24/08/2013 17:27

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Repeatedlydoingthetwist · 24/08/2013 17:34

When you say he's pushing for a reply, do you think he's pushing for a reply telling him what he wants to hear? It sounds to me like he's expecting you to buy this stuff and wants it soon which is why he's chivvying you.

paperlantern · 24/08/2013 17:44

tbh you broke a confidence regarding a medical condition. I kinda think however good your intentions in doing so you were very much in the wrong. You may otherwise be the most superb person but i can see how such an error in judgement might lead to your dil's dislike.

how you deal with the email depends on how much you want a relationship with your grandchild.

But, particularly in light of your previous relationship I think I can guarantee that if you use any contact as a way of commenting on weight in any way shape or form, the choice to persue a relationship in any way shape or form will no longer be there.

your call, but I think if you genuinely want a relationship you should do it without commenting on your grandson weight, just enjoy him

Helpmehelpmydgs · 24/08/2013 17:47

I've just reread the email (and one of my draft replies, glad I didn't send that one!) and there is an excess of !!!!! and emotional blackmail (you don't think he's good enough for you because he's not the first), with a smidgeon of "remember I've been in your house and can reveal all those embarrassing personal habits" and finishing with a list of stuff I bought for dgs1 but have failed to ante up for dgs2. The central question, is "why don't you want to see him?" So, ignoring all the goady stuff, how do I say "I don't want to see him because that means seeing his parents, and I despise both of you." without causing offence?

OP posts:
Maryz · 24/08/2013 17:48

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