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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to be upset that dh has agreed to sil doing this

92 replies

Splatt34 · 26/11/2012 20:50

DD is 2. Pantomime wasn't even on my radar for this year. I got home tonight to DH telling me his sister is taking DD to pantomime. His sister is older & has never wanted kids. She has babysat in the evenings about 5 times but has never had DD to entertain on her own in waking hours.

I also feel that a child's first trip to the theatre is something special & always envisaged sharing this experience with DD & DH as a family. I don't really think she's old enough this year but I am really upset that I won't be sharing her first panto with her. (I am also 15 weeks pregnant & slightly hormonal)

DH thinks I'm being selfish. What do you guys think?

OP posts:

Aero · 27/11/2012 10:30

You are not being unreasonable to feel this way - I've felt the same when ds1 was very young and SIL wanted to do things with him. BUT, let her do it - it will be ok and in years to come (esp when you have another child in the picture), you will be really glad SIL does this kind of thing. I'm saying this now because I have hindsight - ds1 is almost 15 and has two younger siblings. SIL is still an important figure in all of their lives and they love spending time with her and she love having them, and we get a much needed break.
Honestly, I used to feel the same, but over the years I have come to very much appreciate the interest SIL takes in her nephews and niece. This will come to you too. There will be many firsts for you and nice things you can do as a family, but if you allow your dd to build a strong relationship with her Aunt, then this will only serve to benefit you all in the long run. Trust me - voice of experience (and I fell on this by accident - it caught my eye whilst I was looking for advice about something else. I almost never post here these days, but I've been there and felt like you do now and didn't want to ignore) and years of hindsight allow me to see the bigger picture and I now treasure the time my dc spend with their aunty who adores them. HTH

SugarplumMary · 27/11/2012 10:46

In this situation I'd be annoyed with my DH - calling me selfish and not having the courtesy to run it past me especially if it?s a day I could have had plans for.

I?d be annoyed with SIL if she?d bought the tickets before checking with DH ? it?s not clear to me from op if she did so if she presented it as a done deal.

Then I?d pack a change of clothes or a few and let them get on with it.

If it really bothering you book something next year ? perhaps something all of you could do along with SIL ? having extra adult eyes and hands with multiple DC is something that can be very useful in future years.

I have taken a DC younger than two about 20 months along with two other DC - 3 and 5 they were mesmerised - though I did have benefit of still bf for scary bits and bits but we were very pleased they managed so well. They were better behaved than some much older DC present and loved the experience. So I wouldn't bank on it going badly if you think it could be annaul thing and you don't want that.

valiumredhead · 27/11/2012 11:02

Load of 2 year olds go to the Panto - not too young at all, its a great introduction to theatre imo.

I think she was doing something nice - aren't Aunties meant to do nice things for their nephews and nieces?

valiumredhead · 27/11/2012 11:02

loads

whoneedssleepanyway · 27/11/2012 11:07

Pantomimes are hideous, I took DD to her first one when she was nearly 4....I would love someone to offer to take her for me instead.

EuroShagmore · 27/11/2012 13:35

YABU. It sounds like SIL just wants to do something nice for your child (and give you both a couple of hours off). How on earth could you take offence at that?

sooperdooper · 27/11/2012 13:53

YABU, she's trying to do something nice, and you're looking at ways to take offence, and being a bit needy

At 2 your DD won't actually remember it anyway and you have a whole lifetime of going to the theatre/panto, chill out, take the time to have some nice time to youself :)

TroublesomeEx · 27/11/2012 14:29

It's actually quite nice to know that your child has done something with another person for the first time.

It's nice to know that they have done something special with another person; that they are building memories and a relationship with someone else in their own right as their own person and not just as your child.

It's nice that someone in your extended family wants to spend time with your child.

Personally, I do think she's too young for a panto and your SIL will probably end up leaving early with her. And I also think that it is nice to do the important 'firsts' with your child/ren. But really, it's actually quite nice knowing that they've done some 'firsts' with other people too.

This is her aunt and her aunt loves her.

Learning70 · 27/11/2012 14:39

Aw Yanbu but tbh you will get more chilled out about first moments, specially once you have two. Let her get on with it! She'll probably have a mare and wish she hadn't asked!

JollyJock · 27/11/2012 14:47

Someone asked me if I was going to take 19mo DS to the panto this year. My response was "god no, he is far too young for panto".

There are a few pantos around here. i don't enjoy the big 'professional' one at the theatre. The smaller ones at local venues are much more fun and child friendly.

I can't imagine taking Ds to the one at the theatre until he's at least 7, and even then I don't think he'd enjoy it much.

BuntyCollocks · 27/11/2012 14:47

My DS wouldn't sit through a panto at this stage (he's currently 22months). I can see your point about wanting to share it as a family, but honestly, let her go. Then you can have a nice, relaxing night, and laugh when she comes in, frazzled.

I think 4/5 is a great time for panto. Before is maybe a tad too young.

Janeatthebarre · 27/11/2012 15:13

YABU. Are you going to get this whingey every time anyone in your DD's extended family tries to do something nice for her simply because you haven't done it first.
Stop being silly and enjoy a few hours of free babysitting. If DD gets wriggly or restless at the panto that's your SIL's problem and I'm sure she'll deal with it.

MamaBear17 · 27/11/2012 15:34

I think your husband should have told his sister that he would ask you and get back to her. Its lovely for her to want to take your little one and a nice experience for them to share. However, for me, the issue would be that SIL asked your hubby and he answered for the both of you. I always double check with hubby if my mum asks to take DD somewhere, and he always asks me. I am guessing that it is the decision that was taken out of your hands that is more upsetting than the event?

Ragwort · 27/11/2012 15:38

I would be delighted - watching a pantomime is my idea of hell on earth, fortunately DH took DS for the first couple of years; now even DS doesn't enjoy pantomime, DH desperate to find someone to go with .

You are being very precious, let them go and have fun, whilst you enjoy a rest. .

Lavenderhoney · 27/11/2012 17:27

Your dsis might be ok, if you prep your dd and help with advice, like loo before even if she says no- just say well i need to, will you come? Mine love theatre and live shows ( circus!) and have been going since 18 months and six months. The baby used to sleep but they are both mesmerised:) dd at 2 sat through ballet as she loves it so at 2. Mind you, i take non crunchy snacks and water.

What are you going to do, op?

cricketballs · 27/11/2012 18:19

I think YABU - you SIL wants to do something nice for her DN now she is at an age when things become interesting for those who aren't into babies. My MIL has taken my 2 DS since they were this age (going to the panto does not mean they have to sit still, the actors, the audience expect that children will not be still or silent!), and my eldest DS who is now 18 is still going to go with his nan this year -it becomes a tradition and one that is special to them.

I always take my DN (who is now 24!) Christmas shopping and have done since she was 2 I really wasn't into babies but at 2 I could start to have a relationship with her as it is a 'thing' that we do on as aunt and niece and I love it still that we have this special moment without anyone else interfering

Original poster

Splatt34 · 27/11/2012 20:28

Thank you all. I think she will go but I think SIL has no idea. I happen to be day off work so about if it goes pear shaped. DD has never been out anywhere other than nursery without DH or I so that's perhaps another reason I'm nervous of this. (IL's utterly useless and my parents live 2 hours away & while they do all sorts with my nephew don't offer with DD, I assume because of distance). I'm still not happy about it though, but I'll live with it!

OP posts:

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