Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Did I really send that email to in-laws??

87 replies

Alittlebitfunny · 20/02/2023 19:55

Massive cringeworthy parenting moment....
I was searching for an old email and found one to my parents in law nearly ten years ago. They used to have my then 2 year old for one day a week. It's polite but lonnnnggg....and sets out a number of very detailed "requests" around potty training, snacks and daytime naps. I can't believe I sent it!

Both poorly these days. I always let them know how appreciated their company was but I wish I could apologise for that email!!

OP posts:
Motheranddaughter · 20/02/2023 22:33

I didn’t do a list,but only because I didn’t ever feel I knew what I was doing and felt everyone I was leaving them with knew so much more than me 🤣

frostyfours · 20/02/2023 22:36

QueenOfWeeds · 20/02/2023 22:16

DSis sent me videos of eg nappy changes so I could refer back to them. I’d never looked after a baby before, and was really grateful. Still ended up calling my mum for moral support.

She didn’t send one of how to put the sodding rain cover on the pram, either. Had to YouTube that from the shelter of a bus stop.

GrinGrin

Original poster
Alittlebitfunny · 20/02/2023 22:38

These have really made me smile. I was incredibly anxious so I was implying it was a bit precious on my part. However I have been outdone by other posters and Bohemian Rhapsody singing! I know if I could rewind and talk to in-laws a few years ago they would laugh. (Illness means that isn't possible).

Sounds like a lot of grandparents would find it helpful anyway.

Pictoosh I'd have thought I wasnt "that parent" if I hadn't found the email..... Are you sure???

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Potty training
TeenLifeMum · 20/02/2023 23:14

I remember my dm asking for a detailed list when she had Dd overnight the first time. She was about 14 months. I was perplexed and just said oh I guess I could write it out but our routine doesn’t really work and she doesn’t sleep so you might be better off doing it your way. My only instruction (that dm never quite grasped) was dd1 needed to eat dinner before 6pm as from 6pm onwards she would refuse all food. She was like a timer lol.

TeenLifeMum · 20/02/2023 23:16

Dtds 2 and 3 however had a regimented routine with very strict nap times but funnily enough no one offered to have them overnight until they were older!

Teresa777 · 20/02/2023 23:22

Our eldest and his partner left us a very, very long note the first time we had our eldest grandchild to stay, including instructions on how to bath a baby. We weren't angry or offended really (well not too much), but neither them nor my other kids ever did it again with subsequent grandchildren😂

To be fair though, notes with instructions are helpful, especially with regards to food as each child is different. But don't worry OP, they won't have thought badly of you in the slightest although it may have tickled them somewhat!

Coxspurplepippin · 20/02/2023 23:27

Awwww, if your ILs are good sorts, which it sounds as if they are, I'd forward it on so you can all have a smile and remind yourselves how much DCs have grown. I think we all did similar will not remind self about screeching at DDad when he gave 5 month old DS ice cream on his finger. Cringe.

TheaBrandt · 20/02/2023 23:28

I did a lot of evening babysitting as a teen and remember one mother solemnly taking me round the house to show me the best exits if there was a fire. Even 17 year old me thought she was a total loon.

helpnameaweddingvenue · 20/02/2023 23:29

Danioo · 20/02/2023 20:32

I cringe when I think about a similar note I gave my friend, including writing out the lyrics to bohemian rhapsody in case she didn't know them, as that song always settled him.

She asked if I was joking, said I wasn't and she heroically didn't laugh and just nodded.

She's the best Grin

I laughed at loud at this!
X

Teresa777 · 20/02/2023 23:30

I cringe when I think about a similar note I gave my friend, including writing out the lyrics to bohemian rhapsody in case she didn't know them, as that song always settled him.

😂

SouperNoodle · 20/02/2023 23:39

I did the same when my parents had my PFB for her first sleepover when she was 6 months.
I wrote a few drafts out before printing out the final.
It was colour coded, separated into different sections of the day, had bullet points and also had my name and number at the top in big red letters (I'm their sodding daughter! Why did I think they wouldn't already know my name and number??!!? 😂🤦‍♀️)

Honestly, trusting someone with your PFB is scary and if a neurotic list makes us parents feel a bit less terrified, I think it's not the worst thing.

Daffodilsandtuplips · 20/02/2023 23:41

My daughter filled three sheets, both sides, of A4 paper with instructions on how to care for my grandson when she finished Maternity leave.
GS was 8 months old and I was doing childcare for 2.5 days a week.
The last entry was “5.00pm wave us off at pick time, Sit down and relax mum. Open the bottle of wine I’ve left in the fridge”. ❤️

Jux · 20/02/2023 23:43

I wrote one for putting dd to bed when she a baby. I did cringe, but now it makes me laugh. MIL died some years ago and to her credit never mentioned it.

Theunamedcat · 20/02/2023 23:54

I was the opposite when ds3 went to nursery they said what's his daily routine I said the is my third so he just slots in with the rest of us eyebrows were very raised at that one 😂

Ds1 went to stay with nanny for the night my husband detailed his evening and morning routine which in fairness is backwards to most children no evening bath (it wakes him up) morning food first then milk THEN bath of course she did it differently then moaned to everyone that he was a "difficult baby" told us he was wonderful and she couldn't wait to have him again she also never offered again 😂 dd was old enough to grass her up for everything she did that we told her not too and sadly all her struggles even to the point of her telling her husband to come get us because she couldn't stand it any longer!

Poor kid has never lived it down!

WedonttalkaboutMaureen · 21/02/2023 00:03

@Danioo wins the Internet for me today GrinGrinGrin

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 21/02/2023 00:17

I did the step by step instructions for my parents. Dd was about 9 months old. My mum is brilliant and taught primary etc so far better at little children than I ever was. We laugh about it but in my defence dd turned out to be autistic and routine really was important.

WentForAWalk · 21/02/2023 02:12

I'm having my GC next weekend for the first time. I'll be perfectly willing to try and stick to their routine.

Its fine, most of us do it.

DifficultBloodyWoman · 21/02/2023 03:07

Waystation · 20/02/2023 22:14

I “helpfully” provided a A4 folder complete with dividers, a different section for feeding , nappies, play time, which story books to read, emergency numbers, clothing and nap time, all timed to the minuet. DD was three months old and I was leaving her for approximately 6 hours!

Hmmm. Should I be concerned that I see nothing wrong with that and actually admire your organisation skills?

BiasedBinding · 21/02/2023 03:55

My MIL asked my husband for everything written down as she said she wouldn’t remember if she was just told verbally. I could probably find it somewhere, but my children were older then, it was more about school pick-up timings

seasaltsprayismyjam · 21/02/2023 04:06

The first time I looked after my friend's baby pre my own children, it took me 20 minutes to get clothes on them. They're so pudgy and bendy and they wiggle. I would've appreciated a few videos Grin

MarshaMelrose · 21/02/2023 04:07

Danioo · 20/02/2023 20:32

I cringe when I think about a similar note I gave my friend, including writing out the lyrics to bohemian rhapsody in case she didn't know them, as that song always settled him.

She asked if I was joking, said I wasn't and she heroically didn't laugh and just nodded.

She's the best Grin

😂😂😂😂😂

"Hahaha. Oh, you're not joking!" 😂😂😂

What a brilliant friend.

Tourmalines · 21/02/2023 04:46

CloudPop · 20/02/2023 21:20

I'm with you @pictoosh

Show quote history

Same here .

MooBaby · 21/02/2023 06:23

My mum asked for instructions!

Blessedwithsunshine · 21/02/2023 06:43

My mother loved my pages of instructions, of course she did! She also enjoyed bringing contraband sweets and chocolate and buying banned Barbie dolls, she least bought the fuller figure one but sadly none of the clothes would fit! Slightly off topic.

MeinKraft · 21/02/2023 06:55

I hope one day I have a daughter in law who cares for my grandchildren children so perfectly that she writes me a list like this Smile

Swipe left for the next trending thread