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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be upset when my son goes to my mother to be comforted

33 replies

keely79 · 22/01/2013 13:53

My mother is a lifesaver and looks after DD (3) when she's not in nursery and DS (1) full time. We do pay her, but it is a much more flexible arrangement than a nanny would be. I work full time, as does DH. This is partly financial and partly by choice - I love my career and it is not something I can do part time. My mother is enabling me to progress in my career while secure in the knowledge that my children are being looked after by someone who loves them. So far, so good - right? We are also all living together at the moment while various house sales and purchases progress - that's also going fine for the most part.

However, my son currently has chickenpox. He is therefore miserable and it breaks my heart because he is too young to understand what is going on and why we can't make it better. Last night he woke up around 9pm. He was making complaining sounds but we have been leaving him for a few minutes when he does this as he often self settles. However, yesterday my mother swooped upstairs and brought him downstairs. I was home from work by this time and offered to take him but (a) he didn't want to come to me (which was really upsetting); and (b) my mother said "he only wants me and he's upset because he was left to cry".

This really got to me - but was it unreasonable to be hurt about this?...

OP posts:
PandaNot · 22/01/2013 14:04

Not U to be hurt and definitely not U to be annoyed at your DM! In fact I would be furious if mine did the same. I've had quite a few rows over the years about her not agreeing with the way I do things but eight years on and she's a lot less vocal about things and keeps her hands off. However I'm not upset if my dc go to her for comfort, they have lots of family that they have strong and secure attachments to. But I understand that not everyone feels the same and I can see how you might be hurt. She should understand this.

Anonymumous · 22/01/2013 14:16

Sounds like your mother was just stating the facts there - sorry. Leaving a child to cry / self-settle is one thing, but it's different when the child is ill. I remember crying when I was ill in bed as a child, and how lonely it felt when no-one came to make me feel better.

I think you're going to have to accept that a child of your DS's age is probably going to want his main caregiver when he's not well, and in this case your Mum is his main source of comfort. There's no point getting upset or jealous about it, or blaming your Mum - it's just the way it is.

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 22/01/2013 14:26

YANBU and I can understand how hurtful it is but........your mum spends more time with your DS than you do so naturally he will ask for her.

Original poster
keely79 · 22/01/2013 14:28

We are not leaving him to cry - only if he is only making small whimpering complaining noises - which he does in his sleep and they cease after a couple of minutes. The minute he properly cries/sits up/stands up, we go in and get him. I know my son well enough to know the difference between the sounds.

OP posts:
BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 22/01/2013 14:29

But he is poorly....why would you leave him to cry when he is ill???

JollyRedGiant · 22/01/2013 14:29

She probably knows him better than you do at the moment. This is going to happen when a child is in full time child care. There's not much you can do about it.

Floggingmolly · 22/01/2013 14:33

What JollyRedGiant said.

Original poster
keely79 · 22/01/2013 14:42

I repeat - we are not leaving him to cry.

OP posts:
YDdraigGoch · 22/01/2013 14:49

I think that if you outsource your childcare its reasonable to expect that the child forms a strong attachment to the carer. This isn't a criticism, I went back to work when my DDs were each 6 months old (financially, I had to). They both loved their CM, and I was really pleased that they felt equally comfortable and comforted by her as by me or DH.

I also see it as a good thing, because you never know when you might not be able to be there for your child, and if there is someone they love who can deputise for you, you are very lucky.

Children are notoriously fickle - they will go to the adult they think is most likely to give them what they want. One day it will be you, the next day your mother, another day DH.

I really wouldn't be concerned, I would be happy that DD has three adults who care for her, instead of just two.

ApocalypseThen · 22/01/2013 15:21

I think my SIL must feel like you do right now, OP. my parents do the childcare for my nephew during the working week and the little guy has formed a particularly strong attachment to my mum as a result. It's tough on you, and I can see why you'd bristle.

Having said that, your son is happy with his carer, feels loved, can ask for affection and comfort when he needs to so there's a huge upside.

2rebecca · 22/01/2013 15:35

I would be telling your mu that she is undermining your parenting and that comments like that do nothing to help your relationship and that although you are living in her house you don't want or expect her to act as your child's parent just because you are all together and that although you are grateful for the help she gives you don't want the undermining to continue.
I hope the house sale goes through soon so you have more control over your life.
I think the fact that your son has a strong bond to his granny isn't a problem, the fact that she over-rules you when you are there is a problem.

theweekendisnear · 22/01/2013 16:04

I would be upset too.

However, you are so so lucky that your DC are looked after their loving GM, a person that you can trust 100 %. I know you are paying your mum, but the flexibility you can have, the fact that you don't have to worry about "will the babysitter be nice/fair to my children", the fact that you can rely on your mum's love and experience, well, all this has no price. I have no family around, and I hated when I had to leave my DC with essentially a stranger. Your DC spend their time with their granma, what a wonderful thing.

Also, I am convinced that any child would actually prefer their mum to anybody else
(under normal circumstances, not if they are being abused or neglected, but even in these cases I think that the child/mother bonf is really strong). So i wouldn't worry that your child is closer to your mum than to you. Your DC will always love you above anybody else, but sometimes their behaviour might not show this.

Really, I do envy you and the fact that your DC get to spend so much time with their grandparents. Please, remember to show your gratitude to your mum as often as you can.

farewellfarewell · 22/01/2013 17:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

2rebecca · 22/01/2013 17:25

The son's behaviour was natural. The mother's behaviour and comments were nasty unkind things to say to your daughter and the swooping upstairs undermining her daughter was completely unnecessary.
The mother must have known her behaviour and comments would upset her daughter, she could have been much nicer about it but chose to be unkind and undermining.

ApocalypseThen · 22/01/2013 17:29

She probably didn't analyse it that much.

farewellfarewell · 22/01/2013 17:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EugenesAxe · 22/01/2013 17:50

She was wrong and unfeeling to guilt trip you about 'leaving to cry'. I have seen first hand what rushing to a baby every time they cry can do; you end up with very needy babies 9 times out of 10. I'm not advocating minutes, but like you do, a couple of minutes to see if they are 'serious' - and I don't know about you but I know when it's a cry that means they are in need, or one that is just attention seeking.

Don't feel guilty about being upset that he goes to her for comforting, but also don't take it to heart. If he is very little he won't understand, and in time he will tell you how much he values you! My DS often used to go to his CM for comfort and sometimes cried when we left! I am a SAHM now... but I had to mantra myself out of it at the time as it was a bit heartstring tugging.

Casserole · 22/01/2013 18:52

I never get these threads. My kids love my Mum pretty much nearly as much as they love me and I AM SO FUCKING THANKFUL FOR THAT.

I am so thankful that someone cares for them so well that they love them. I am so thankful that they are looked after by someone who loves them as much as I do. I am so thankful that I don't ever have to worry about the care they are getting.

Count your blessings. Then stop, start again, and count them again. You have what people would give their right nipple to have.

I hope he gets well soon.

GirlOutNumbered · 22/01/2013 19:07

I'm with you casserole. My ds1 loves my mum so much, I think he would probably move in, but that's a wonderful thing.

cansu · 22/01/2013 19:14

I think your mum is probably well meaning but she said the wrong thing. She should be more sensitive and respectful of your feelings. That said try not to take it personally. I think this is probably a good reminder of why your mum should not live with you even if she is a great carer for your child. Having a bit of distance is a good thing for everyone's sanity.

defineme · 22/01/2013 19:16

You cannot reasonably employ your mother for full time childcare and live with her and not expect boundaries to get blurred.
She's human and your mother, you can't expect her to live with you/care for your children more hours than you do AND never slip up from deferring to you when you're there-she's be super bloody human if she didn't.
Tbh I think you're asking too much of her if you do expect that.
I think your dc will do nothing but benefit from this situation, but I'm not sure if your relationship with her will survive intact.
Hopefully things will improve when you move out.

Joiningthegang · 22/01/2013 19:28

Yabu - as others have said, she is is main care giver, they probably are more tuned into each other than you do.

What she said eas thoughtless but she has had a long day.

If a sahm ran straight up to the baby and her dh had just got in and wanted to let them cry everyone would be saying "as the mum who has been with yiur poorly son all day you know what he needs" - i dont think this situation is all that different.

We all make choices and you have to take the rough with the smooth.

Hope he is better soon.

lopopo · 22/01/2013 21:32

I love my mum to bits. She is a fantastic mum to me and my brother. But a couple of occasions my son 5 months has got upset and she has literally pulled him from my arms to comfort him. I've been a bit put out to be honest. It has felt like she thinks I don't know how to comfort my child. However I realise its really just because she loves that much she can't bear to see him cry. It's a bit weird but its completely from a loving place. I think that's what's happening with you and your mum. It's her mother's instinct (like yours) coming in to play.

DIYapprentice · 22/01/2013 21:43

YANBU to be hurt about this - it is hurtful when your DC prefer someone else to you.

Your mother - she was MASSIVELY unreasonable. To say 'he only wants me' is really cutting. It must be hard enough leaving your child at home and going to work full time, and that would just make it 10 times worse.

I think you need to make it clear that when you are home you are their main carer. You appreciate that they have a strong bond, but that as their mother you must have the primary bond. She has to give way to you, even if she finds it difficult, and it will be difficult for her.

Hopefully this was a one off, and doesn't happen usually, but a frank and honest discussion is needed.

theweekendisnear · 22/01/2013 21:50

keely79 - not that it is really important, but is your mum living at your place while she buys/sells her house, or are you living at hers, while you buy/sell your house?

I think you were all tired that evening...