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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is this reasonable or not

36 replies

HarlotOTara · 23/07/2013 16:37

Have a friend coming to stay with two young dds, she has requested that I find something to cover the windows so that no light comes in as her dcs can only sleep in a totally blacked out room - don't think they are vampires! Grin. Am a bit stumped tbh, there are blinds in the room they will use but they are evidentially not enough. DH and I are wracking our brains but is this an unreasonable request?

My dds are teens and I used to just adapt when staying elsewhere so just wondering, although suggestions about what can be put on the windows would be welcome - which can be removed I hasten to add.

OP posts:
myfirstkitchen · 23/07/2013 16:38

Use old card board boxes

HeySoulSister · 23/07/2013 16:38

the window request will be just the tip of the iceberg....you watch!

prepare for more odd requests...

DwellsUndertheSink · 23/07/2013 16:39

suggest she invests in this portable black out blind

scubastevie · 23/07/2013 16:39

Black bin bags taped up thats what we've done. Works a treat.

NotYoMomma · 23/07/2013 16:41

duvet hooked round the curtain rail

Wolfiefan · 23/07/2013 16:41

If she is that concerned then I'd ask her to bring something she considers suitable. (Grobag co do groblinds) Towel over the curtain held up with pegs?
Sounds PFB to me. I wouldn't expect a friend to do this (although DS once refused to sleep at a friend's house as her curtains were so thin. He just yelled! Gotta love little babies!)

Thyeternalsummer · 23/07/2013 16:42

The people who do gro bags also sell these portable black out blinds. Spotted them at all the baby places we've been at recently - Mothercare, Kiddicare etc

Suggest she buy some if she's worried about her kids sleeping. She shouldn't be putting you to any extra trouble/expense.

Xihha · 23/07/2013 16:42

we used to pin a quilt cover over the window for dd, but only when she was really little, she took to puling it down and pinging drawing pins across the room when she was about 3

Fairenuff · 23/07/2013 16:43

Why don't you suggest she brings whatever she feels will be needed to black out the windows and sort it out when she arrives so that the job is done to her satisfaction. You could be helpful and provide measurements.

hermioneweasley · 23/07/2013 16:43

My DCS are up with the dawn so I'd be asking for this too, though otherwise I'm not precious!

Bin liners taped over the windows will do the trick

Sirzy · 23/07/2013 16:44

Tell her she is welcome to bring something with her, if needed tell her the dimensions of the windows!

When we hire caravans I always take an extra blanket to cover the window in DS room as caravan curtains are rarely thick enough to block light.

OrangeLily · 23/07/2013 16:44

Tin foil will also work

LadyBryan · 23/07/2013 16:46

I would have thought she'd already own a portable black out blind given I'm presuming when they stay in hotels/cottages etc she doesn't sent a demand for light blocking.

Ask her to bring it

Original poster
HarlotOTara · 23/07/2013 16:49

Bin liners might be ok but the neighbours might wonder what the hell I am up to. I have blinds which I think have a blackout coating but no good evidently. No curtain rail and the window is a bay. I do feel it is a little ott and much as i aim to please, i do feel a little put out now i am thinking about it. I may suggest the portable blinds ( bet that is a no go), I am amazed such things exist.

OP posts:
Groovee · 23/07/2013 16:52

I'd tell her to bring something herself!

specialsubject · 23/07/2013 16:57

I do this when we have a small visitor to avoid the whole house being awake at 5am. I got some black art cardboard and a lot of masking tape, and I also have thick curtains. Works a treat.

(the visitor comes by train, this is to avoid lugging of the portable blind that they do own!)

YoniMitchell · 23/07/2013 16:59

Oh God, I have a friend like this - she brings her own black-out blinds to put up in case her pfb wants to take a nap while they're at our house. They're only ever over for a few hours at a time! Hmm

YoniMitchell · 23/07/2013 17:00

Sorry - my post wasn't too helpful - get her to bring something herself.

Beastofburden · 23/07/2013 17:06

Def make her deal with it. She and they may realise that other people's houses cannot be customised like that.

If all else fails they can sleep in her bed and she can deal with it.

Original poster
HarlotOTara · 23/07/2013 17:14

I did offer to get up with the children if they don't sleep well so that she can have a lie in. I am an early waker so no problem. They are staying for four nights should be interesting. I will look up portable blinds and suggest them as a 'tongue in cheek' option.

So just for the record, is she BU or NBU?

OP posts:
fubbsy · 23/07/2013 17:21

I think she is BU. Your blinds are not good enough?

I would go for the black bin liners option. I would also ask for her help putting them up.

PearlyWhites · 23/07/2013 17:23

I would say she is not unreasonable kids awake at 4.30 am will not be fun for anyone in the house

Original poster
HarlotOTara · 23/07/2013 17:27

Magic blackout blind is about £30 and looks easy to fit, in fact I am quite impressed. I think I will suggest she investigates this as an option. If she isn't keen to buy I think tough, she isn't short of money.

OP posts:
FoodieToo · 23/07/2013 17:29

She is being completely unreasonable in asking you to cover the window.
She should bring something herself. How cheeky!

UC · 23/07/2013 17:33

I don't think she's being that unreasonable. But I do think she could invest in bringing her own portable blinds if they'll fit. Otherwise pin up a dark coloured towel. DSS who's 10 has asked me to do this to stop the light waking him. And I'll admit light wakes me too so I have heavy blinds on my own windows!