To loathe the phrase

[Mishy1234]

'Tidy up time', when used in reference to adults.

Let me explain. My PIL are amazing and they do a lot for us, but my FIL can be astoundingly patronising sometimes (imo).

We've had a lot of work going on in the past week, all the windows being replaced, garage roof replaced, house roof repairs. Apart from working mon-wed, my youngest has had a vomiting bug (started tues) and now his older brother has started an hour or so ago.

PIL called to see how things are (as they do and very nice of them it is too). FIL asks about the house and then asks if I have done "tidy up time" on the garage. I mean seriously. What planet is the guy on? I replied that no, I hadn't as I had been too busy trying to work whilst small children vomited all over me. Plus trying to keep them away from the builders as I can't take potentially contagious children out.

So, AIBU to have been mildly rude to my FIL (my delivery was a bit snappy) and to loathe a phrase which only has a place in nursery school?

You respond with - 'If you mean, have I tidied it yet, then no. I've had more pressing things on my mind. And kindly do not say 'tidy up time' to me, I'm not 3.'

YANBU, it does sound very patronising, but if I'm trying to find a good angle on it, maybe he thought that it sounded less bossy if he called by a daft name?

Parents and PILS do tend to get fixated with stuff like this. I reckon its because they have forgotten what's it's like to be dealing with the unpredictability of children and the general stress of school-age life. If they want to get something finished they can.

DH started some decorating some weeks back. Realistically it isnt going to get finished before Christmas, if then, but my Mum will keep asking "How the decorating is going" and then being shocked to hear that actually it hasn't progressed since last time she asked.