To inwardly sigh while having to appear very grateful?!

[BatCave]

I get on well with MIL, and she has offered to look after my 2 year old for a couple hours today so I can get some work finished.

I said anytime would be helpful but that DD would be napping between 1 and 2:30, and that if it was difficult then not to worry at all I can always put cbeebies on

She's text to say she will be here at 1:30. I replied saying, ok but DD will be asleep then. And her reply was, that's ok we can have a cuppa until she wakes.

So I'm losing a precious hour of nap time where I could get loads done, but she's being kind if a bit thick so I can't say anything. She knows how important the work is to finish today - it was her idea to look after DD!

Just a bit of a rant really. AIBU to be a bit annoyed? I obviously won't say anything to her.

Why didnt you just tell her that it wasnt an appropriate time? She offered to help but isnt really helping. Ask her to come at 2 instead.

Yanbu...I can understand it's irritating. I wouldn't say anything either, not wishing to be ungracious, but it would be an ever more useful favour if she'd listened.
You are short on time, so she's helping you out...by taking up a good chunk of your time.
Annoying.

Loving the smear test idea! I would so use that but pregnant so she already knows I can't have a smear. Hmmm... Need to think of an equally hilarious excuse!

Can't you just say that a chat would be lovely but you really need to use DD's nap time to get on with the very urgent work you've told her about?

I would make her the cuppa, hand her a magazine or paper and then breezily say "you don't mind if I finish some work do you? Its got to be done today and during nap time is when I work. Go and sit in the sunshine and relax a bit"

First rule of accepting help from family is to tell them exactly what needs doing and when it needs doing! 'Anytime' was where you went wrong IMO.

If it happens again you need to be clearer. Say 'you can come either before 1, or after 2.30, whichever suits'.

YANBU though, it seems like she's maybe timed this deliberately.

You're right darksecret

Wel I did as headfairy suggested and carried on with the work when she got here so not all bad. (was getting frustrated with it at that point) She'd bought us a new microwave to replace our broken one so now I feel doubly bad

My ILs are like this! They came up on Sunday to help DH erect a playhouse but as my FIL won't stay the night, (he has to put the bins out on a Sunday night ) he rushed the last few bits and DH has spent all this week trying to finish off and sort out little problems. We're very grateful for their help and DH couldn't have done it all without his dad ...but there's always something to take the shine off

As posters upthread have said, just try to be much more specific and clear with your instructions.

And brace yourself for the rest of it