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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How on earth do I stop mil ringing at this time of the morning?

338 replies

janejon · 23/05/2011 11:53

My mil keeps rings us at 6 am whenever she wants to talk to my dh (sometimes earlier!). She does this because she thinks my husband gets up early- he used to, but does not have to get up this early anymore (fortunately). I mean b*s to my still being asleep and everything but that's another story...

Anyway, I'm absolutely sick of this- dh won't confront her (again another story, she won't 'remember' apparently Hmm) but I have really, really got to stop this cap. I mean who in their right mind rings at this time anyway? (unless really, really important and not just* for a 'chat'?) Please, folks, how can I stop this. Sneaky tricks accepted as long as not illegal!! Wink

People are either running around like anything getting ready for work or, if not, asleep. So why do this anyway?! At end of tether regarding this particular issue. Help.

OP posts:
pommedechocolat · 23/05/2011 11:54

Unplug the phone before you go to bed?

Eglu · 23/05/2011 11:55

Crikey, that is very rude. I would answer the phone say you were all sleeping please phone later and then hang up.

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 23/05/2011 11:56

Yep, unplug it before bed and then plug back in again when you are up..........

either that or actually tell her.....just ask her to call at a more decent time.

ajandjjmum · 23/05/2011 11:57

SIL went thru' a phase of doing this - and sometime DH was up and about to take the call, but quite often not, and the DC were woken.

We stopped answering. She stopped calling. Grin

mousymouse · 23/05/2011 11:57

switching off the phone during the night if that is an option?
I have a lovely uncle who lives on another continent and never gets the timezones right...I know you pain (but at least he doesn't call very often).

Disasterpiece · 23/05/2011 11:57

Turn off all the phones...

I refuse to answer the phone between 9pm and 9am.

I wouldnt dream of ringing anyone between these times either.

TheProvincialLady · 23/05/2011 11:57

Get a whistle. Tell DH that unless he speaks to his mother about this and gets her to stop immediately, you will blow that whistle very damn hard down the phone whenever it rings before a decent hour.

WalterFlipschicks · 23/05/2011 11:58

Wow, what a pita!
My MIL rings about 9 every morning and I want to scream, I'm getting ready fgs! WHAT DO YOU WANT!!? But 6am??? Shock

I don't know what to suggest, leaving the phone off the hook or putting your phone on silent would solve the rpoblem short term, but really you shouldn't have to, what if you got a real emergency call!?

Maybe just mention politely to her, could she please ring after 9/10 as you are still asleep at 6....... then shout YOU MAD OLD BAT and hang up! Grin thats the grown up route I reckon!!! Grin

Amaretti · 23/05/2011 11:58

I can turn the ringer off my phone, so it will ring six times as normal and then go to answering machine. Or if you unplug it then it will just ring and ring. You'd have to remember to plug it back in/ put the ringer back on every morning, though, which would be a pain.

ZacharyQuack · 23/05/2011 11:59

Tell her. She's waking you up too, so of course you have the right to speak to her. Ring her up and say please can you stop calling us so early. We're all still asleep at 6am and you wake everyone up.

Then unplug the phone.

Amaretti · 23/05/2011 12:00

I think really, you just have to tell her.

Original poster
janejon · 23/05/2011 12:01

Thanks for replying, but I am afraid to unplug phone just in case -as Walter says above- I get a REAL emergency.

OP posts:
bibbitybobbityhat · 23/05/2011 12:03

Well short of unplugging the phone or asking mil not to call at 6am, you haven't got any other options so its up to you to decide which its going to be.

manicbmc · 23/05/2011 12:03

You wouldn't have to unplug it forever though - just probably a few weeks til she gets the message.

Grabaspoon · 23/05/2011 12:03

Could you not use your mobile for an emergency call

GreenToes · 23/05/2011 12:03

Try asking her yourself, and if that doesn't work - next time it rings, answer, really groggily and then tell her you'd hate to disturb your darling husband while he is sleeping so peacefully, and doesn't he deserve his sleep because he works so hard and is such a wonderful husband etc., she'll then most likely feel the need to show that she loves him even more than you do and will not phone so early in future Grin

Do make sure your husband still phones her though as if she is living on her own she is probably just lonely. Maybe she's been up since 4 or 5 and doesn't realise that other people haven't :)

tabulahrasa · 23/05/2011 12:04

are you likely to have a real emergency while you're asleep? If so would they phone your mobile anyway?

Hammy02 · 23/05/2011 12:05

Perhaps the next time she does it, answer it hysterically as if you are assuming it is regarding something horrific as that would be the only reason anyone would call at that time? Grin

WalterFlipschicks · 23/05/2011 12:05

janejon, honestly, as painful as it might be to tell her (I HATE confrontation) you will feel better for it, because currently I bet the phone ringing at that time sends you into a violent rage!!

Cat98 · 23/05/2011 12:07

Tell all the people you are close to that if there is a real emergency and they need to call you between x hours, call your mobile. Then unplug the house phone. Sorted!

Original poster
janejon · 23/05/2011 12:07

Grabaspoon Yes, I could use my mobile if there was an emergency call made by me, but what of others trying to get through? That's the problem.

OP posts:
Yama · 23/05/2011 12:08

We don't answer the phone if it's not convenient - mealtimes being an example. We always check for messages, ring 1471 afterwards though.

If someone were to phone at 6am for a chat I couldn't remember not to, I would happily turn the phone off or silent if that's possible with the particular landline.

TotemPole · 23/05/2011 12:08

Tell her to write it down and stick it next to her phone so she can't forget.

cornsilks · 23/05/2011 12:09

Get an answering machine and turn down the volume on the phone

madonnawhore · 23/05/2011 12:10

Tell your DH to stop being such a pussy and just tell her it's not on for her to be ringing so early ffs.