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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:
paperlantern · 24/08/2013 19:52

walter - ^^^^

this. fuck me I wouldn't let anyone near my child if yhere first thought is "my isn't the child fat"

MrsDeVere · 24/08/2013 19:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

paperlantern · 24/08/2013 19:53

so despite your son trying to persue a relationship with you separate from his girlfriend ypu blew him out

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Pinupgirl · 24/08/2013 19:54

This reply has been deleted

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Helpmehelpmydgs · 24/08/2013 19:55

A baby walrus, yes, it was the nearest comparitor for the sheer layer of blubber on the boy. You may never have seen a baby so fat, I hadn't until the other day, but believe me it's impossible not to notice.

OP posts:
ShipwreckedAndComatose · 24/08/2013 19:58

If the op didn't care then why would she start this thread?

She clearly does care about the health and welfare of her second grandchild. That is her focus here

Helpmehelpmydgs · 24/08/2013 19:58

Thank you, MrsDV, as lovely as ever. Flowers

Paper, are we reading the same thread? Where has ds tried to maintain a separate relationship? One invitation so he could show off his lovely new home (and it is) and then radio silence doesn't seem like much effort to me.

OP posts:
TheFalconsmistress · 24/08/2013 19:58

Sorry OP I might be the only one but you sound like a selfish c* that your grandson would be better without, they way you have described him and you obvious lack of care at his birth etc what do you expect??? However there seems to be plenty of people who get your side but I would never be so cold as you have been in your attitude about your son and grandson and I can imagine that contribute to dil not liking you much either Sad

Helpmehelpmydgs · 24/08/2013 20:01

Shipwrecked, thank you! That was indeed the motivation for starting this thread; would I be able to make a difference to the long-term health of this baby if I made nice. General response, no, and you're a bit of a cow for even noticing. Fair enough. :)

OP posts:
Pinupgirl · 24/08/2013 20:02

Aye right.

waltermittymissus · 24/08/2013 20:02

I'd swear you were my MIL, it's quite spooky.

And I can tell you, 99% of my dislike of her comes from her total lack of caring about her own flesh and blood. I just don't understand it.

Now, we've never treated her the way you seem to have been treated so you have more of an excuse I guess.

I was hoping I could sympathise with you, maybe be able to understand MIL a bit more.

But you really just don't care that you're showering one dg with love, affection and, yes, stuff and your only interest in the other is that he's too fat.

The mind boggles.

Helpmehelpmydgs · 24/08/2013 20:03

I didn't visit my underweight, sick preemie gs when I had the virus load of half the western world in my left nostril (this may be hylerbole), and this proves I'm uncaring? Ok, gotta love MN. Grin

OP posts:
paperlantern · 24/08/2013 20:04

no I was trying not to sat it for fear of being deleted.

I want to comment on my gc- well being but I'm not sure I want a relationship with him and don't love him because I can't be bothered dealing with the mum.

ds invited me to show off his new house because I couldn't be bothered

I I I I I

waltermittymissus · 24/08/2013 20:05

I don't think you're a cow for noticing.

I just don't think you really care about your gs.

Helpmehelpmydgs · 24/08/2013 20:06

Oh, my, paper, have you just worked out that this thread is all about meeeee? Grin Are you new to the interwebz?

OP posts:
TheFalconsmistress · 24/08/2013 20:06

You had it for months did you OP? what about calls to the hospital to see how he was doing every day or calls to your son? No?....

RandomMess · 24/08/2013 20:08

Helpme I can understand that you feel detached.

I would advise that you state you would like a relationship with dgs2 and hope to see him again soon and yes buy him Christmas and birthday gifts and try and put the ball back in their court.

I do have to say when you don't have the favoured the dgc it does hurt very very much.

It also seems that you and your ds1 are both at fault for not making the effort to maintain some sort of relationship - that sort of history pre-baby is hard to overcome/change.

Good luck!

Helpmehelpmydgs · 24/08/2013 20:09

I agree, I don't care that much, just enough to wonder if I should/could intervene, on account of blood as mentioned. But I don't think I can do anything, so I won't. Sheesh, this was all decided by the end of my OP!

OP posts:
paperlantern · 24/08/2013 20:11

helpmehelpmydgc - last post sats it all really

stop trying to "fix" your dil your son, your grandson. just enjoy them for who they are.

never call a child a walrus in public or private it's beyond disgusting

Pinupgirl · 24/08/2013 20:13

This reply has been deleted

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waltermittymissus · 24/08/2013 20:13

Just please do bear in mind, OP, that it's truly horrible to not be the favoured child or grandchild, as Random has said.

Maybe you don't care about hurting your ds or dil but this child has done nothing to hurt or wrong you.

If you insist on being in his life at all, as I said up thread, at least pretend you care. He doesn't deserve your cold detachment.

paperlantern · 24/08/2013 20:13

that's the point it should never ever have been about whether you comment about a child s weight.

it should have been how do I see my grandchild having fallen put with my ds and dil

Helpmehelpmydgs · 24/08/2013 20:13

Report the thread, then, Pinup.

OP posts:
paperlantern · 24/08/2013 20:15

particularly having fallen out with mum already over comments over her weight.

youd have thought you learn the first time round

Pinupgirl · 24/08/2013 20:15

No thanks op. Its pretty obvious so carry on.

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