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

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think she needs to stop turning up uninvited..

26 replies

Frillsandspillsx2 · 03/10/2015 13:37

I live with my parents at the minute as I'm 29 weeks pregnant but will eventually be moving out. My DF has recently been diagnosed with mouth cancer and after an operation to remove it he found out it had spread to his glands. It's an aggressive form of cancer however doctors are confident it can be treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

This is a stressful time for the whole family and I appreciate that everyone has been rallying round in support. My grandmother, DFs MIL has been a big help to my my DM, however, myself and my parents have had a number of experiences where we get a bit fed up of her interfering and constant moaning.

She has a heart of gold, but will often turn up uninvited ridiculously early in the morning, between 8 and 9am, by which time we are all up and about but not in any way expecting visitors. She will turn up when my DM is in work, and tell my DF she's here to clean, and understandably, my DF gets a bit peed off as we are all more than capable of cleaning our home. I understand why she wants to help as I'm pregnant, my DF has cancer and my mum works a lot, but as his treatment hasn't started yet and my arms and legs work perfectly fine, cleaning the house isn't an issue.

often when she comes round early in the morning I will still be in my room and if I'm not working I will take advantage of having a sleep in as falling asleep at night has become increasingly difficult. When she comes round, she will tell my DF she is just 'popping to the loo' and on her way down she will come into my room and wake me up. Now i understand she wants to say hi, but I wouldn't dream of entering someone's bedroom knowing full well they will be asleep (and had I known she would be visiting I would have woken up and make myself look presentable, but as she always turns up unannounced it makes it difficult). My DF cannot stand the idea of her walking into bedrooms upstairs but he's far too polite to say anything.
She will always comment on our finances, and I know she is trying to help, and often offers to pay for a lot of things which really isn't necessary but she insists, so I do feel guilty for ever moaning because she is trying to be nice. I think at the minute for me and my DF, it's getting far too much but as its my DMs mum he will not say anything about her just turning up. A week or so ago, a nurse came round to see my DF and my grandmother was eavesdropping through the door, then came upstairs to tell my I needed to make sure my DF goes to his doctors appointment because he has just refused to to the nurse, or at least she thinks that's how the conversation went. I told her he wouldn't miss a doctors appointment and I wasn't going to tell him to go as he is a grown man he doesn't need me to tell him what he should be doing. Of course he did go to his appointment as she heard wrong, but it was just another example of her interfering.

It probably sounds really petty, but with the stress of a newborn on the way who is due during my DFs treatment, and of course the stress of my DFs health, the last thing we need is someone who thinks they are helping but really isn't at all.
She moans about everything from our dogs to our choice of kitchen appliances we choose to have on show. She will also start dictating what rooms our dogs should or shouldn't be allowed in, and each time she comes, she insists on locking them outside despite them barking to come back in. Then when we let them in because it's unfair to leave the locked outside obviously, she makes comments about how unreasonable it is and how with a baby on the way they need to learn to like being outside. (Very annoying)

She turned up unannounced once again today, and I hadn't realised til about 5 minutes before she was due to leave, and before I had a chance to go and say hello, she burst into the living telling me how rude I was for not coming in to say hi. I apologised explained I was about 2 minutes away from coming into the kitchen to see her (I was sorting something out on my phone at the time) and I hadn't realised she was here but she responded by pulling a face and walking out. I was tempted to tell her that I would lay out a red carpet next time but I refrained.

Is there a polite way of telling her she can't just keep turning up unannounced? AIBU for thinking she should ask first before she comes? I understand she is my grandmother and is family, but I would never dream of going to her house without asking first. My DF most definitely agrees with me but my DM just tells us to 'let things go in one ear and out the other' - perhaps easy for her but certainly not for me or my DF as she mostly turns up when my DM is at work.

I'm not sure if it's just the stress of hearing the news about DFs cancer spreading and I'm being a little harsh but I just wish she wouldnt turn up every 2 days or so without checking we're not busy first, or at least if she does insist on coming round, to try and not moan.

OP posts:
NameChange30 · 03/10/2015 13:40

YANBU. Your parents need to tell her to fuck off. Sorry, I mean lay down some boundaries. Weird that they are old enough to be nearly grandparents and they don't seem able to do that.

Sighing · 03/10/2015 15:10

She wants to help, as you recognise. If they set some boundaries she will be a valuable source of support. Figure out with your parents how best to use her support and channel her into that (with profuse thanks etc)

LeftMyRidingCropInTheMortuary · 03/10/2015 15:31

So she's letting herself in with a key? When you're at home?!

PeppaWellington · 03/10/2015 15:48

Your parents need to sit her down and talk to her. And also they need to change the locks.

How old is she? Has she always been like this?

kissmethere · 03/10/2015 15:53

She sounds bossy and interfering. Is she going to take it well If you tell her to do one? No she won't. What's it going to be like when the baby comes? I'd say address this asap. Make it certain days and say you all need your peace and quiet.

LookAtAllThesePhucksIGive · 03/10/2015 15:55

Tell her. Do what your parents can't or won't. She doesn't sound as if she minds giving out a tongue lashing so I'm sure she can handle one in return. Sort it out now so it's one less thing to worry about when your dad is taking up your time or you're looking after your new born.

greenfolder · 03/10/2015 16:04

She wants to help
She thinks she is helping
Nobody has told her she isn't being helpful
Think about how she can help
Tell her how she can help
Say thank you for helping

Asteria36 · 03/10/2015 16:10

The woman has no boundaries and you are being far to generous when you say that she just wants to help. It is in no way unreasonable to tell her that she needs to limit her visits to within a certain time of the day and also the number of days per week she is with you. I suspect that if you presented this in a "please back off and stop being an interfering old bag" way she would be incensed at the ingratitude of you - in her mind she is helping the pathetic rabble sort their chaotic lives out. It is a very narcissistic trait. As such you may have to manipulate your true feelings slightly - tell her you really appreciate her visits, but that as your df and yourself need as much rest as possible at the moment, you would like to set some times that you can guarantee you will be prepared for her arrival. When she passes comment on your dogs/kitchen appliances/sleeping etc just keep your response to a very mild "that is what we have chosen to do" an leave it at that.
If all else fails change the locks and tell her to fuck off

Georgethesecond · 03/10/2015 16:14

Surely if it's your parents' house it's up to them to tell her, if they want to?

Hellocampers · 03/10/2015 16:18

She doesn't sound helpful or lovely at all op. She sounds an unpleasent control freak.

Tell your dm to sort her out.

AdjustableWench · 03/10/2015 16:18

Her behaviour sounds quite controlling rather than helpful. She may be saying she wants to help, but actually she wants to control your household: where the dogs are, when you wake up, how your DF manages his appointments.

Change the locks, set boundaries and stick to your guns. It's all very well for your mother to tell you to ignore her, but your mother isn't there having to deal with the intrusiveness and the complaining.

You need to sort this out before the baby comes, or it will be ten times worse... Sorry to be negative, but if it's intolerable now, it will feel much worse when you're even more hormonal and sleep deprived.

florenceandermintrude · 03/10/2015 16:19

YABU - a bit. She will be feeling out of control with her son-in-law having cancer and very worried. She will be scared about what will happen to her daughter, grandaughter and new g grandchild while he is having treatment and if anything awful should happen. The only thing she can see to do to provide practical assistance just as she is doing.
The only thing that needs doing is someone - probably your Mum - needs to have a chat about the best times and place to help. I'd give in gracefully on the cleaning but ask her not to come until at least 10 and only on certain days (explain about your sleeping) and suggest other ways she could help - cooking meals at your house, maybe going on trips to hospital. Also explain that if she comes unexpectedly that you may well be busy and unable to spend time with her and if she rings first to check then you may be able to see more of her.
Maybe its a generational thing - my Mum (and many of her friends) would be exactly the same as your Gran. You worry more as you get older and they were brought up to try to help in any bad situation.
For goodness sake don't "tongue lash" her, tell her to "fuck off" or take away her key. She will get very upset, feel alienated and you would miss her "heart of gold". Just ask gently for the changes you want and explain why.
Hope all goes well.

WeAllHaveWings · 03/10/2015 16:24

As you are temporarily living with your mum and dad I think you should leave be. Its their DM/DMIL and their boundaries to set IF they want to. If they don't want to set them because they don't mind/don't want to rock the boat they are adults and that's their decision to make.

If you don't like it move out to your own place with your own boundaries (although YANBU to ask her to knock before entering your bedroom).

EponasWildDaughter · 03/10/2015 16:24

This is for your mum to deal with. It's her mother, and it's probably primarily for your mothers sake that your gran is coming round so much. She thinks she's making her daughters life easier.

You need to sit down with your mother and carefully explain everything that you've said here, especially about how stressed your father is getting due to his MIL coming round all the time. She needs to see it clearly from the point of view of the other members of the household. Ask her to take the key to the house back, at the very least. (she can say she's lost hers and forget to get another one cut).

Frillsandspillsx2 · 03/10/2015 16:27

DF would like her to back off but doesn't want to make her feel unwelcome as she's DM's mum (if it was his mum he'd have no problem telling her where to go..)
DM doesn't want to offend her, however she is very understanding that we need our space.
DM is going to speak to her to tell her she doesn't need to come round as often and as much as we appreciate her coming we're going to be busy in the next few months with hospital trips and what not but if we do need help we will ask.

She means well, and is a lovely woman so I'm sure she will eventually understand where we are coming from it may just seem like a kick in the teeth at first.
DF has just came out of hospital after having pnuemonia and being on a life support machine and she accompanied DM to see him whenever I was working which we're all grateful for, but as we are aware when he starts his treatment he will be extremely ill and we'd like to enjoy time together before this starts whilst myself and DM have some time off to be with him.

It's been a hectic few weeks in regards to DFs health which is why she has been here so much, so with his treatment plan sorted and lots positive vibes I think she will realise that actually we are all coping ok!

OP posts:
bessarabiantiger · 03/10/2015 16:31

greenfolder summed it up for me.

She sounds from your description like one of those people who isn't going to stop trying to help, but happily, they can have such a rhino hide that when you say 'actually, I reallt need xyz thing doing' they feel all needed and get on with it.

I also agree (I am so damned agreeable) that setting boundary times in the morning could be achieved by saying "you remember what it was like the last trimester trying to get a comfy sleep don't you? I'm trying to rest as much as I can before baby arrives".

Option 2. She must live nearby if she's arriving so frequently, so announce that you have become a "shy pooper" during your pregnancy, and cannot go when more than two people are in the house. So if she has to turn up when you would usually be quietly evacuating, then you'll be going to her house to have your dump.

Sonetimes with people like this, one has to become baffling.

MrsDeVere · 03/10/2015 16:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Shutthatdoor · 03/10/2015 16:39

Nothing in your OP suggests to me that she is a horrible control freak

It sounds like she thinks she is helping and that she is needed.

Completely agree

MrsDeVere · 03/10/2015 16:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

APlaceOnTheCouch · 03/10/2015 16:59

I don't think it's your place to tell her to stop turning up. She seems to be coming to help her DD and since your DM doesn't seem to view the visits the same way that you do then you just have to bite your tongue.

I know you say your DF agrees with you but there's a difference between your DF nodding along as you vent, and your DF being so unhappy about the situation that he would ask your DM to say something to her mum. If he felt as strongly about it as you do then he would have had a conversation with your mum, and then either your mum or dad would have spoken to your gran.

I think you have to try to reframe this. Your gran is offering support. And there will be a dynamic between your DM, DF and gran that is different to the one you have with all of them. Perhaps, your parents are aware that your gran's support isn't always ideal but they appreciate the times when they do need and value it eg when she accompanied your DM on hospital visits.

Flowers I'm sorry your DF is ill. And being pregnant must make it even more difficult. It might be helpful if you can access some support for yourself eg if there is a Maggie's Centre near you.

NameChange30 · 03/10/2015 17:00

I disagree, she is controlling and has no boundaries.

Glad your DM is going to talk to her OP. I think insisting on agreeing the time of her visit in advance would be a vast improvement!

If she persists in turning up early in the morning, put a lock on your bedroom door.

MrsDeVere · 03/10/2015 17:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NameChange30 · 03/10/2015 20:42

Maybe I've missed it but I didn't see the word "lovely" in the OP. I did read this:

"She moans about everything from our dogs to our choice of kitchen appliances we choose to have on show. She will also start dictating what rooms our dogs should or shouldn't be allowed in, and each time she comes, she insists on locking them outside despite them barking to come back in. Then when we let them in because it's unfair to leave the locked outside obviously, she makes comments about how unreasonable it is and how with a baby on the way they need to learn to like being outside. (Very annoying)

She turned up unannounced once again today, and I hadn't realised til about 5 minutes before she was due to leave, and before I had a chance to go and say hello, she burst into the living telling me how rude I was for not coming in to say hi. I apologised explained I was about 2 minutes away from coming into the kitchen to see her (I was sorting something out on my phone at the time) and I hadn't realised she was here but she responded by pulling a face and walking out."

Doesn't sound 100% lovely to me.

NameChange30 · 03/10/2015 20:42

Argh bold fail on some of those.

NameChange30 · 03/10/2015 20:44

Oh and we get a bit fed up with her interfering and constant moaning.