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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To hide a little warning note to MIL when she comes to babysit tomorrow?

945 replies

Wheresmygalaxy · 08/02/2013 21:49

Tomorrow will be the 3rd time MIL has come to babysit for us since our son was born, hes 7 months.

The 1st time dp and I went to ikea and when we returned she was prattling on and on about applying for child tax credits, all about how wonderful sil is eligible for them but doesnt claim - good for her, thought it was an odd topic but she is odd Smile

so the next time she babysit upon our return she was now gabbering on about which local hospital is the best to go to, she didnt like the one i gave birth in and made it well known that it wasnt as good as the 1 her friends daughter went to, so again im thinking what on earth is she on about. Then after she had gone i opened a drawer in my bedside table only to find my next hospital appt check up letter was in there and it was clearly obvious that she had gone through it while i was out. I find this just really odd i know shes really nosey but to go through of all the things in the house my bedside drawer i just found weird. She has mentioned other things that have made me think how does she even know that but having put 2 and 2 together its clear shes snooping around while were out. I love her for coming to babysit, shes giving up her time but that doesnt mean come in and go through my things does it!

I mentioned it to DP nad he said yep she always used to do it to him and his sister growing up and in fact continued to clean their rooms up until the ages of 21 and 24 when they finally left home (believe me ive shared my views on that alone since i found out Hmm ).

so aibu to write a note something along the lines of "get out you nosey old cow" on a piece of paper. or something a bit more dramatic like some retirement home brochures with her name at the top Grin

OP posts:
TheDarkSideOfTheSpoon · 09/02/2013 09:47

Shamelessly marking place.

Some genius ideas on here, can't wait for update OP, hope you nail the snooping cow get the situation sorted.

JeezyOrangePips · 09/02/2013 09:48

Its going to be so disappointing if she doesn't snoop

GoSuckEggs · 09/02/2013 09:50

I would be googling booby traps to try and find something that makes a massive, massive mess. Glitter/confetti would be good for going everywhere and meaning she has to spend ages clearing up.

^^^^
Then taking the fuse out the hoover so she either pickes them all up by hand ,
or is forced to leave them all there

briliant!

wonderstuff · 09/02/2013 09:55

Marking place, genius!

MerryCouthyMows · 09/02/2013 09:56

I hate nosy buggers. I can't wait to find out what she says!

And the person who wrote the letter to themselves, that was inspired. Grin

FruOla · 09/02/2013 10:00

The thing is, if the OP does something that strikes at her MIL's dignity, like embarrassing sex stuff or exploding glittery stuff, it probably won't have a huge impact - after all, it's not exactly dignified to be rootling around in other people's drawers anyway, so clearly the woman has no shame!

I think the OP has absolutely nailed it with doing something that's going to strike at MIL's soul - emigrating to Australia. After all, the OP did say "there is no way she would let her darling 36 year old son leave the city let alone the uk."

Grin
Arithmeticulous · 09/02/2013 10:02

Use licked down hair sellotape to create seals on doors and drawers so you know which obese she's opened.

Arithmeticulous · 09/02/2013 10:03

*ones

HecateWhoopass · 09/02/2013 10:03

oh come on, please update Grin

FruOla · 09/02/2013 10:04

Hec - the babysitting MIL is coming tonight ... we're going to have to wait until tomorrow!

MardyBraWouldDoEddieRedmayne · 09/02/2013 10:04

Is there any sort of booby trap which would leave permanent ink on her?

FruOla · 09/02/2013 10:05

Why did I put 'babysitting'? I meant to say 'nosy' Blush Grin

GroupieGirl · 09/02/2013 10:06

Brilliant!

(I think the nursing home/dignitas is my favourite)!

ZillionChocolate · 09/02/2013 10:08

I think whilst it's not the most entertaining, cheeseandpineapple's idea is best.

Jojobump1986 · 09/02/2013 10:16

How about some information about houses for sale or jobs available in Australia? Maybe schools so it looks like you're thinking ahead? Lots of different pieces of information to go in different drawers. She might not happen to check in the one drawer you did hide something in! Definitely spread the evidence around. I agree though, don't write your names on anything so you've got the 'helping out a friend' defence!

Kittenkatzen · 09/02/2013 10:17

Blatant place marking Grin

i'd be slightly concerned though that it will just make her sneakier - she'll stop mentioning what she finds but will keep on snooping

QuietNinjaTardis · 09/02/2013 10:22

What cheeseandpineapple said is genius.

HecateWhoopass · 09/02/2013 10:27

oh. Blush

I was really overeager Grin

mumofapirate · 09/02/2013 10:29

My mum does this it drives me insane! marking my place and getting some tips Wink

badtemperedaldbitch · 09/02/2013 10:30

We wenton holidays and asked our neighbours to feed the animals. Three weeks after we returned he brought back a tool head borrowed. He said 'i knew you wouldn't mind me using it'

Indeed we wouldn't have minded him borrowing a specific tool except

1 it was not out, on view or even remotely accessible.....It was under the stairs.....you know right in the very, very back.....we would have had to empty the cupboard to find it

2 it was a garage related item so he should have been looking in there not under the stairs

3 he is a prison officer! And I'd have thought he had a higher moral code than that. I'm not bashing his job, but I just trusted him because of his job. Iykwim

shrinkingnora · 09/02/2013 10:31

Brilliant. Can't wait for the update Grin

headlesslambrini · 09/02/2013 10:31

marking place for the update!!

ScrambledSmegs · 09/02/2013 10:47

I

mrsscoob · 09/02/2013 10:56

Too late now I know but next time leave something on the draw so you know it's been opened and looked through, something like a small piece of thread or hair that she wouldn't notice but you would if it had been moved! That way youll know shes been snooping, even if she doesnt say anything. Also can't wait for update!

Goldmandra · 09/02/2013 11:04

Blatant place marking as I am looking forward to hearing how long the MIL manages to hold out before asking about their plans Grin

OP make sure your DH's phone is switched off in case she goes into meltdown and decides to interrupt your evening. You can head her off on your own phone.