Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask MIL to wear socks?

98 replies

quellehorreur · 14/01/2014 11:24

I have namechanged for this so DH doesn't see.

MIL wears boots and shoes with bare feet. When she arrives at our house and takes off her boots I can see her feet look a bit slimy and she walks all over the carpets where the children are crawling and playing. I really hate this!

I'm going to have to say something (or get DH to as I'm a coward) but I have no idea if I'm being unreasonable and actually it is a perfectly normal thing to do?

It seems so revolting to me! Her sister does it too, she took her boots off once and she had a tissue wrapped round her toes obviously to soak up the wetness. Why not just wear socks?! Am I being unreasonable to find this unhygenic and gross? Is this a normal thing for people to do?

OP posts:
Original poster
quellehorreur · 14/01/2014 12:49

It's not the walking around barefoot that I find revolting, we walk round barefoot often, especially in the summer. It's the fact that these particular bare feet have just been cooped up in a leather boot, which is regularly worn, have got all hot and been perspiring lots and then are unleashed onto my carpets. It's different in the summer, people tend to wear footwear that keeps their feet cool.

OP posts:
BabyDubsEverywhere · 14/01/2014 12:50

I would have an involuntary gag every time she came round - but I have a weird anti foot thing going on...

buy her some slippers, and make sure you and the dc are always wearing yours when she comes, tell her the dc wanted her to have some for you house.

feel sick at thought of foot slime - bleugh!!!

Original poster
quellehorreur · 14/01/2014 12:51

I missed the septic toe post. Aaaagh!

Yes re skin rubbing off - although maybe that's what the tissue toe rag thing was there to prevent. I'm feeling a bit sick now.

OP posts:
ilovepowerhoop · 14/01/2014 12:51

why not keep a special pair of slippers at yours just for her

Original poster
quellehorreur · 14/01/2014 13:05

Yes I'm going to do that, hopefully she won't ask why!

Grin at 'get your sweaty slimy trotters off my shagpile', I hope I don't blurt that out if she asks why I got slippers for her

OP posts:
flatmum · 14/01/2014 13:08

YANBU and I completely agree with you- it's gross.

I ask my mother to wear socks for the same reason and she does so, making a big song and dance about it each time

oscarwilde · 14/01/2014 13:12

You could offer her a thick pair of socks to use as slippers when she arrives. Then tell her the cat/a passing cat brought in fleas and she might get bitten....

Yamyoid · 14/01/2014 13:18

Are shoes preferable to her bare feet? You could say 'don't worry about taking your shoes off', although that wouldn't be any good if the weather's awful.

PrimalLass · 14/01/2014 13:21

I wear socks in boots, but hate the feeling - claustrophobic toes. Hence why I am usually in Uggs or Converse in winter (both washable) and ballet flats or birks in the summer.

NearTheWindmill · 14/01/2014 13:22

Oh MIL - look I got you some slippers - we dropped a glass the other day and the shards went everywhere; and then next time oh MIL do wear the slippers again, I thought it had all gone but DS's knee found a bit yesterday - those little shards are just so small and sharp and the hoover must miss them - ooh MIL those slippers look lovely. Next time ooh look MIL here are your lovely slippers, I've been trying to get the DC always to wear theirs - will you help me and set an example.

Job done - no upset. Don't forget to put a little plaster on DS's knee.

aciddrops · 14/01/2014 13:28

I'm not sure how she can even be comfortable without socks.

Joysmum · 14/01/2014 13:31

Given what kids come across when playing at the park, sweaty feet aren't going to be a problem to your child, just a problem to you.

Fairylea · 14/01/2014 13:33

Yanbu. At all.

Wasn't there something in the news recently about food infections increasing 3 fold because of the recent trend in wearing brogue type shoes and no socks??

It is unhygienic. The socks soak up sweat and bacteria. Otherwise you are just leaving it to fester in your shoes.

The only time I don't wear socks is when I swear sandals because the air can circulate freely.

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 14/01/2014 13:35

Do you feel the same in the summer if say she were to come round in sandals?

Original poster
quellehorreur · 14/01/2014 13:36

My thoughts exactly Fairylea! Socks get washed regularly, boots can't be washed as far as I know.

OP posts:
Original poster
quellehorreur · 14/01/2014 13:44

I don't mind in summer, although I think I've been conditioned somewhere along the way to think it's not very polite to have bare feet in someone elses house. A bit irrational probably and I wouldn't say anything about that because I know a lot of people would probably think I'm being snobby or silly. My mum never has bare feet in our house. I carry socks with me in my bag in the summer should the need arise!

OP posts:
BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 14/01/2014 14:07

It's wierd isn't it.....I personally think the thought of boots without socks is gross (surely her boots stink) but then don't wear socks in the summer and would happily go barefoot in someone elses house as they would be welcome to go barefoot in mine.

OneEpisode · 14/01/2014 18:04

I'd consider NearTheWindmill's approach. Or perhaps turn your heating down to discourage both bare feet and sweaty nylon tights.... you can tell your DH this is for environmental or cost reasons ..... and get DCs involved in choosing socks for their DGM

RevoltingPeasant · 14/01/2014 18:54

I think YABU and I wouldn't wear socks or slippers if they were given to me like that. I hate slippers personally and would find you passive aggressive.

Look, a small bit of sweat on your carpet is no biggie. It will evaporate. Your DC probably drool on it if they are small and have probably sicker up on it or dropped milk products etc which is much worse.

There is no way to offer her slippers etc that won't be deadly obvious and offensive. Just leave it!

RevoltingPeasant · 14/01/2014 18:54

*sicked

MaidOfStars · 14/01/2014 21:09

No no no to slimy bare feet on my carpet, especially those belonging to other people. Ok on the wooden floors, but not the carpet.

Pigsmummy · 14/01/2014 21:27

Have you got any pets OP?

DeeJayYouth · 14/01/2014 21:38

Sorry. I don't get it. Surely it's better than having outdoor shoes worn around your house ?????

pigletmania · 14/01/2014 21:40

Get her some slippers for your house and when she comes offer them to her

DontmindifIdo · 14/01/2014 21:45

well yes dee, but surely just because "sweaty foot slime" from bare feet that have been enclosed in boots, is better than "outdoors dirt possibly including animal poo" from outdoors shoes, that doesn't mean it's not still rather horrible.

OP, go with the special slippers for your house. You will have to have slippers for everyone else, perhaps make a point that the DCs wanted to get her some while you were getting everyone else slippers, it's it lovely they are so thoughtful? Same again for SIL. Get your DCs to make a big thing about getting Granny's special slippers for her when she comes over. Ideally get your MIL slippers that can be washed so you can bung them in the washing machine after she's been over coating htem in sweat.