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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think he's her problem

52 replies

strawberrycake · 12/11/2010 13:09

My Grandad started an affair 20 years ago, 5 years later he left my Nan and moved in with with the OW. My Nan died soon after after a fall at home alone (not relevant but info).

In the last 15 yrs he has lived as her dh, DIY etc. Her kids/ grandkids have been his with daily contact. He's worked hard, even helping her ds build his house and lots of babysitting etc. The house is plastered with photos of OW's family, there is not one photo of his kids/ grandchildren or great grandchildren. There has been minimal contact (a card at birthdays or christmas, one a yr or so phone call). He's acted like an arse generally to his family in other ways too, too many to mention.

Now he's ill with a form of dementia, caused by mini-strokes, it only gets worse if he has more. Now her family suddenly want practical/ financial help with him now he's difficult. He has worked hard for them for years in so many ways.

Are we as a family BU to say he's now their families issue? We'll lend a listening ear, be civil etc. but don't feel inclined to do much practically in terms of money for care/ letting him move in with us. Her family are well off btw, partly thanks to his input.

OP posts:
HecateQueenOfWitches · 12/11/2010 13:16

I'd be the same, tbh.

And bluntly.

"My grandfather abandoned my grandma and has cut us all out since. Now he's ill and you expect us to help? Fuck off."

Chil1234 · 12/11/2010 13:17

It's a tough one. When someone walks out on a marriage, people don't forgive them and they often think it's best to give everyone a wide berth. But you say he's done other things as well. I think the phrase is 'you reap what you sow'... and any offers of help should be down to the individuals in the family, not because of any sense of obligation....

sixpercenttruejedi · 12/11/2010 13:17

It's hard but I think you should help out. He is your grandad and I think you would feel awful in the future if you didn't help. I'm not saying he deserves your help but sometimes it's not about that. And it doesn't have to be much, don't let them dump everything on you, but I think helping where you can is the right thing to do.

HecateQueenOfWitches · 12/11/2010 13:19

See, I think that an accident of birth entitles a bastard who treats you like shit to fuck all help.

You're a very kind person sex, if you can take someone who shits all over you and help them out, because of an accident of birth.

Me, I'm far too mean to give any duty care and help to 'family'. Blush

HecateQueenOfWitches · 12/11/2010 13:20

sex?

Blush Blush Blush
SIX.

Six

iiiiiiiiiiii

Well. nice talking to you.

Off to dereg and join netmums.

badfairy · 12/11/2010 13:21

Oh god I am waiting for this nightmare with my FIL ( not that he is anywhere near this at the moment) but he has minimal contact with us and my DH is constantly concerned that as his next of kin he is going to be left to pick up the pieces when he falls apart ( FIL and MIL split up over 20 years ago)

My head says it's her problem and why should you help out now after he has ignored you and your family for all this time but my heart says I probably would because at the end of the day it's grandad and that's what you do for family even if they have been estranged.

Only you know what feels like the right thing to do.

We will probably end up looking after FIL as DH's siblings won't. DH is resigned to the fact and says "he maybe an antisocial cantankerous bastard but he's our antisocial cantakerous bastard." .....great

sixpercenttruejedi · 12/11/2010 13:22
Grin
BornAgainBokononist · 12/11/2010 13:22

What Hectate said (not the sex bit Grin)

BitOfFun · 12/11/2010 13:35

I have just read this out to my mum, who admits she is the 41st English martyr Grin, and the kindest person I know, and even she agrees with Hecate.

So you are definitely not being unreasonable.

sixpercenttruejedi · 12/11/2010 13:40

I can see why you wouldn't help, but I have no spine and end up feeling sorry for people

Squitten · 12/11/2010 13:46

Totally agree with Hecate - blood ties didn't stop him treating you like crap so I don't say why it obligates you to do anything for him

Bucharest · 12/11/2010 13:49

I agree with Hec as well.

booyhoo · 12/11/2010 13:54

what hecate said. he chose his family 15 years ago. they accepted him and all he did for them. they need to accept that this is what they accepted all those years ago.

booyhoo · 12/11/2010 13:55

too many accepts and accepteds in taht post. sorry. Blush

frgr · 12/11/2010 14:08

he made his choices a long time ago. stick with your own initial thoughts on this!

OTTMummA · 12/11/2010 14:09

Made his bed, in her house, he can rot in it i say.

Oh im horrid Shock

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 12/11/2010 14:11

I agree with Hecate.

And frankly you should tell them why. They have all benefited from having him in their lives for the last 15 years, now they have to do the hard bit.

Lulumaam · 12/11/2010 14:12

YANBU

i think hecate has nailed it

they were quite happy to rub along without you for 15 years, so they need to carry on doing so

if well off due to him , pay for carers and assistance

too late to ask for input now after the way things have been

sixpercenttruejedi · 12/11/2010 14:12

I'm clearly in the minority Grin

TheProvincialLady · 12/11/2010 14:13

I accept your point booyhoo.

And agree with you, OP.

TheProvincialLady · 12/11/2010 14:14

As in, I agree with Hecate.

Pixieonthemoor · 12/11/2010 14:16

Tbh I agree with what Hec said. Also I think the other family are being incredibly cheeky to expect you to weigh in esp with money. He made his choice. Sod 'em.

2rebecca · 12/11/2010 14:19

If he now has dementia and children and grandchildren from his second partner then you wouldn't be doing this for him but for her and her family. Whether or not you want to do this for them depends on how they have treated you all.
If you have had minimal contact from them then I would feel under no obligation to help them. As your grandfather never married her they aren't even your relatives.
If however your stepgrannie (in all but marriage) has been a part of your life and good to you then I'd want to help).
The fact that he left your grannie is sad, but divorces happen. It's how he behaved, and his partner behaved afterwards that's important.
It sounds as though you owe this woman nothing.

DinahRod · 12/11/2010 14:22

How have they worded the request for assistance? Have you generally been in contact or has it come out of the blue?

PfftTheMildySpookyDragon · 12/11/2010 14:24

Look at his actions, not the fact that he happens to be related to you.

No, no, no. I would not help out. A lot of people would do anything for family. Clearly, he is not one of them.Hmm