to think this is bonkers

[BonneKers]

Namechanged as I think SIL might be on here.

I slept for an hour last night, due to a combination of the baby refusing to sleep and the toddler waking at 5.

This week, my mum, who we don't see as often as we'd like - lives too far away, is catsitting for my brother and his wife, half an hour away. My mum would love to see the kids, so I phoned her this morning to see if she would come over to play with my toddler so that I can rest a little.

The answer? She'd love to BUT DB has decreed that she can't leave the house for more than an hour or two, in case the cat 'needs' her. Nor is she allowed guests. This is for a whole week. At the end of the week, DB and SIL are picking her up to spend a night away with her (leaving the cat alone).

AIBU to think this is bonkers? I asked my mum if she has any fun cat activities planned. She doesn't know what to do with herself. A whole week of watching a cat. The cat, by the way, is allowed to leave the house for as long as it pleases. Just not her.

Despite the name change i should have added!

They won't know my normal posting name though.

Oh dear. My mum is on the phone. The cat hasn't come in for its 11am treat, and it's 5 past... she's panicking!

Your Mum needs to give them a brisk 'don't be so ridiculous, I'm doing you a favour, I'll go where I please.'

I assume they don't actually stay with the cat all day themselves? Or does your SIL not work specifically so that she can be a SAHCM (Stay At Home Cat Parent)?

If not, then what they ask doesn't even make sense.

If yes, then your Mum needs to tell them not to ring this morning for a couple of hours because the phone lines will be tied up with her arranging for them to be sectioned on their return from holiday.

Are you very fond of the cat owners?
If not, enter into a conspiracy with your mother.

She must develop an acute case of cabin fever, send the cat off to kennals/a cattery/whatever they are called, and spend the rest of the holiday phoning them often with tales of the starling that she is tracking across the countryside .

Heavens to Betsy, L.o.v-ing this thread - fruit loops make for such good entertainment!

You could have a look round your local colleges/library's perhaps they are running some holiday course for the active puss, like:

Hairball removal - the holistic approach.
Cat-Nip - 10 reasons to just say NO.
Caterwauling for beginners.
Retractable Claws and the art of Scratching.

Seriously, just go round there. Your mum can just say there was an emergency she needed your help with (maybe kitty was mewing in a peculiar fashion that suggested an imminent psychological break with reality and she needed a second opinion as to whether to take pusskin's to the rapid assessment unit or give it a saucer of milk).

:( I offered to go there and pick her up and take her to lunch, (not entering the house as she has been forbidden from letting anyone in) but she's too worried they'll be cross. :(

WOW! That is weird!!!!!!! Have they seen "I love cats" on youtube? It would suit them to a T!

This is really strange.. your poor mum. Why don't you ring your brother and ask him if you can take your mum to lunch, he can't seriously object can he?

I think he might. Odd, I know. Maybe he wouldn't, but he might mind that we had discussed it... or something.

:( She's really grateful and thinks they've been really generous - they've left her £30.

Get a grip OP.

Your mother is not a prisoner in the house.

What are the cat owners going to do, sue her for emotional neglect of the cat? Breach of contract?

Would your mother perhaps be better off if they decided to have nothing more to do with her?

Or is your mother likely to go off and do something quite mad if not watched closely, in which case the cat thing is just a cover story?

It's not my grip to get. I can only go along with what she wants to do - she is an adult and has decided to allow this. I just think it's sad.