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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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To be bloody fuming with SonIL's family over selfish xmas arrangements

280 replies

azarragye · 22/12/2012 17:31

This could be long, sorry.

Basically this year it's DD1's husband's family's turn to host Christmas, we alternate between me doing it and SonIL's parents doing it, their turn this year. In previous years, it would be DD1 going to SonIL's with DGD, myself and DS, DD2 would go to her DP's that year and then she and DP would come to mine the year I hosted Christmas if that makes sense. DD2 and DP don't have any children, DD2 sadly found out earlier this year she can't have them due to a medical condition. DS is grown up but much younger than the DDs and single, so tends to spend Christmas with me and DD1, either at SonIL's parents or mine. Hope that makes sense so far!

DD2 and DP separated a few months ago very messily, exP became nasty once it was confirmed that DD2 couldn't have children and it ended badly. DD2 is suffering the effects of this, no official diognosis as I can't get her to the doctors but DD1, DS and I are worried about her, we're keeping an eye on it.

Since the separation, DD2 has been made legal guardian of a friend's daughter for various complicated reasons, she hasn't adopted her but this is the long-term aim, depending to a point on what happens in the next few months/year. I've been quite heavily involved with the little girl since DD2 is now effectively a single parent and she's a real sweetheart, fits in perfectly. DD2 was invited to SonIL's parents for Christmas as she obviously won't be going to exP's. DD1 asked her DP (SonIL) if her DD (friend's little girl, not official yet but going to be the easiest way to refer to her) could come too, he said that was fine.

Earlier in the month SonIL's father was taken ill with appendicitis and rushed to hospital, he's been back at home 5 days now and still recovering, it's a slow process due to his age but he's expected to make a full recovery. I offered to take over Christmas this year but SonIL's mother said no, she would be fine to do it at hers as long as we all helped out, which I was fine with as that's what happens anyway, if I end up doing more than usual at hers this year then that's fine, I don't mind at all.

So SonIL's mother has phoned today to say that she's thought about it, and actually she's happy to have the usual lot from my DD1's side of the family over and DD2, but not DD2's DD because she's 'not family.' I was absolutely furious, began explaining to her that actually she is, at which point she said she had to go and put the phone down on me Angry So now wondering how on earth to play this one! Advice would be much appreciated.

OP posts:
gimmecakeandcandy · 24/12/2012 08:09

Why has she turned on your daughter? What has made her turn so vile?! It all sounds very odd. Is she losing her marbles?! Your poor girl x

Lambzig · 24/12/2012 08:21

Just catching up, but have to say I am loving the 'Jesus was adopted/ivf/surrogacy' idea - would save that one for the dinner table at the in-laws, but unlikely we will ever be invited there again.

OP, I hate the term 'stuck up' (not sure how she can be precocious if she is an adult) as its usually used by someone to cover their own social inadequacies. It sounds like MIL has realised she is in a hole of her own making and is working hard to keep digging. Almost beginning to feel sorry for her (only almost).

ShipwreckedUnderTheTree · 24/12/2012 08:28

I am gobsmacked that she might have used a child to get back at an adult...both of whom sound as though they have been through a huge amount and need a loving family environment just now.

Who does that????

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 24/12/2012 08:30

I'm horrified by how many of you have experienced this prejudice again adoption and adopted children - and IVF???

Lambzig - would your MIL rather have had no grandchildren?

I really am genuinely shocked. I know several people who have adopted children and who are adopted themselves, and this is not something that I have ever been aware of, thankfully.

MrsFlibble · 24/12/2012 10:05

Dont understand how Lambs MIL, cant accept the children, they afterall are still a part of her child, dont get the difference.

If there is a God, i'd like to think that he gave mankind the tools like, IVF.

And the more i think about it, IVF, is a lot more realistic and less far fetched than Jesus conception, it just happened, yeah sure. Confused

OhTheConfusion · 24/12/2012 10:26

Just dropping in to say Merry Christmas Azza. Hope you have a lovely day out with your grandaughter for her birthday and a fab day tomorrow. Xmas Smile

Chubfuddler · 24/12/2012 10:41

Has she suffered some sort of episode? I mean it's just not normal behaviour is it? It's like she's become wildly disinhibited - vile comments, turning up demanding her presents. Has she had a stroke?

WeWilsonAMerryChristmas · 24/12/2012 10:59

Chub I have to admit this has crossed my mind as her behaviour has escalated. I guess only sonIL really knows if this has come 'from nowhere' or has been an escalation of some long-held dislike of the dd2. If it really has come out of the blue I would actually be a little bit concerned. It can be one of the symptoms of dementia too iirc.

azarragye · 24/12/2012 12:25

Ohhhh gosh I hadn't thought of stroke/dementia Confused What to do??!! Will mention to SonIL and see what he thinks. MIL has apparently never been overly keen on DD2 ( she doesn't have a 'proper' job, I won't say what she does but it's perfectly fine as a career, not eyebrow raising, just not
what traditional MIL counts as 'proper' IYSWIM. Though this has never been said in front of DD2 or me before, this is what DD1 has told me now in light of recent events.

On the plus side DD2's DD is having a lovely birthday so far :) Still rather worried about her mum but trying not to think about that and just enjoy today and tomorrow, then we'll deal with all that!

OP posts:
FeelingFestiveCheerMum · 24/12/2012 12:33

Happy birthday azarragye's dgd xx

Hope you all have a fab day xx

Pickles77 · 24/12/2012 12:42

Have a fantastic day xSmile

lastminutepanic123 · 24/12/2012 12:58

Coming down on the other side of the argument here but I think you're the one BU. MIL doesn't know the girl DD2's looking after, she's not related to her and she's not currently part of the ILs family either. Her DH is ill and she's being a saint and still agreeing to host xmas, maybe she doesn't want non-family in the house in case of her DH getting ill- his immune system's probably down as it is. You said that MIL suggested the girl could go to your DD2's dad's for xmas- well why can't you do that? Of your DD2 really is serious about looking after her long term then she needs to get to know that side of the family too, that way everyone gets a good xmas and poor MIL and FIL aren't left alone with xmas dinner for however many.

Do you think DD2 would have been so keen to look after her friend's girl if she could have her own DCs? I think that's the point MIL's trying to make.

Pickles77 · 24/12/2012 13:07

Bloody hell. I can have my own children and I'd be honoured to take legal care of a friends DC hence why I take god parent duties very seriously.
I think most people would say the same as the care system in this country has a bad reputation!!

FeelingFestiveCheerMum · 24/12/2012 13:09

Lastminute that is a horrible thing to say about dd2. Jeez.

bunchamunchycrunchycarrots · 24/12/2012 13:09

Last minute, you know nothing of the OP's DD2 to make the frankly shitty assumption that she would not have been keen to be her DD's legal guardian had she been able to have her own kids. Do you think that is the only motivation someone has for stepping in to take care of a child in need? And the MIL here had the option to let the OP have everyone for Xmas to take the weight off if it was too much for her.

HollaAtMeSanta · 24/12/2012 13:12

Clearly she was not being a saint but a martyr, lastminutepanic. Even if the food had been bought, Christmas dinner could easily have been relocated to the OP's house.

Oh, and "non-family" are no more likely to have infectious diseases than family.

And it is not for the OP's DD1's MIL, let alone you, to judge the OP's DD2's motives for taking in a young child in need. I think it would actually be harder for a single and childless person to take on a 7yo than it would be for someone who already had a family, but that's by the by.

SDTGisAChristmassyWolefGenius · 24/12/2012 14:13

Lastminute - the dd2's dd has barely met dd2's dad, so spending christmas with them would be like spending christmas with strangers. Tbh, it sounds like she has had a pretty difficult time of things recently, so sending her away to spend christmas with strangers would be pretty horrible, wouldn't it?

MrsReiver · 24/12/2012 14:32

Last Minute. What a horrible thing to say. perhaps you should pop round to the mother in law's for Christmas. it sounds like you have a lot in common.

firawla · 24/12/2012 14:38

wtf, she can't exclude a child like that and phoning so last minute too - awful. hope you sort something out

nkf · 24/12/2012 14:49

Someone offered to host Christmas Day in her place but she said no. She's being a martyr rather than a saint.

WeWilsonAMerryChristmas · 24/12/2012 15:58

Oh OP, I didn't mean to worry you. I think if there's history there then she's probably fine (although evil natch). I was probably overthinking it, it doesn't look like its truly come out of nowhere, does it?

I hope you're all having a lovely day.

TidyDancer · 24/12/2012 16:26

Hi again OP, just wanted to say I hope you and your whole family (especially the birthday girl!) are having a fun day together. You sound like a lovely bunch. Xmas Smile

lastminute - what a horrible post. You should apologise for that. I don't expect you will though.

LoopsInHoops · 24/12/2012 16:28

Oh my god another vile... oh no, I won't say it, got deleted last time. Xmas Grin

ShipwreckedUnderTheTree · 24/12/2012 16:37

Nope...tried really hard to understand what you are saying there last minute....

It's still a load of heartless bollocks however way you cut it.

(I have a feeling you have not read the thread very carefully either because your interpretation does not fit with the facts)

pumpkinsweetieMasPudding · 24/12/2012 17:03

lastminute-blimey you sound like you are the mil.
Family can be family, blood related or not!

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