to think that anyone who visits my house should expect my 2yo to want to play with them?

[ithoughtofitfirst]

Cut a really fucking irritating long story short.

A couple of nights ago my brother and his boyfriend descend on me expecting feeding. They both snapped at my ds that they were too tired to play with him on arrival, sat down and played on their ipads. Neither talking to me nor playing with my son. Who was visibly hurt that his uncles didn't want to play cars with him. One of them was playing music through their Ipad too so cbeebies was drowned out. So there I am cooking for 5 people and have a sad little 2 year old moping around. When I left the room at one point I even heard one of them complain about feeling 'hen pecked'.

Aibu to think I should have told them both to leave?

(might be worth mentioning too that I have never asked them to babysit in the two years ive had him)

Days later still fuming and have the image of my poor little boy sitting in the hall calling their names.

[ithoughtofitfirst]

hooby go on then you charmer

atrocious he did reply! I didn't lay it on thick I just said that I was a bit upset because of what I overheard and that he might have upset the boy a bit because he adores him. Ohwait I can hear violins maybe I did lay it on a bit thick.

And... drumroll... he was mortified. Apologised for being a dick. Gens thought he was going to rip me a new arsehole over it. I was glad I brought it up because I couldn't shift the image of my sad little toddler moping around and pulling on my trousers as I cooked.

[hoobypickypicky]

Good for you! :)

[ChasedByBees]

Good for you! However, you wrote a perfectly reasonable text after he was incredibly rude and you were worried he was going to go ballistic. You know you don't have to put up with that don't you?

[ithoughtofitfirst]

Thanks guys

chased I think I was worried that I would hit a sore spot and that he would be defensive. But I felt sort of prepared for it. I just kept thinking oh I really don't want to see them for a while, but now I'd happily meet up with them again soon. So it was definitely worth listening to all the lovely MNers.

[TheRealAmandaClarke]

YANBU, and I think the majority agrees here.
It's just ridiculous to say that "some ppl are just not interested in children"
Fuck off then. They live here.
Can you imagine ppl being so openly rude about an elderly parent who you live with? "go away, I don't want to listen to you talk about the war, I'm playing on my iPad"
Oh, some ppl just don't like to spend time with old people.
And don't cook for them.
Just don't have them round. Annoying pair.

[TheRealAmandaClarke]

Bugger. X post.
Hurrah for DB and for being able to talk it through.

[TheRealAmandaClarke]

And they were not being expected to neccessarily play with him. Just to expect that he would want to. And to not be rude and dismissive.

[ithoughtofitfirst]

Exactly realamanda but he seemed to really get it in fairness to him. I really thought he wouldn't get it.

This thread has made me realise that not everyone particularly enjoys or is thrilled by the company of other peoples' children. I have literally thought about It all day. But actually I'd hate to be like my MIL all high and mighty like 'oh one simple must enjoy spending time with children and engage with them at all times'

Actually. Long drawn out conclusion. If it doesn't float your boat... fair enough. There are loads of types of people I find boring and probably would rather not speak to. But you can make a child's day by just humouring them by listening to how the tooth fairy gave them a quid or whatever. 2 year olds are a bit more intense and require quite a tiring amount of energy. I know this, I spend all day every day with one!

[Mintyy]

What a strange thread. Glad it all worked out in the end.