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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To refuse my MIL access of our DC...

250 replies

MrsAlexis87 · 20/05/2016 20:17

DH says no way. Which is a bloody piss take, I would love his support in this, but maybe I'm being unreasonable, so here I am!

We have 3 DC. 3 (girl), 5 (boy) and 7 (girl). MIL has been living in a separate country since DS was born. However, she met him just before she left.

DH and I often phone them and FaceTime, etc. always seemed relatively friendly, I admit, my MIL is a bit 'up her own arse', but there we go. She often cries about how she is missing the 5 and 7 year old (obv uses their names) and never really mentions DD2 (she had Down's Syndrome). I kept saying to DH about how I think it may be because of that; he told me to not be silly and paranoid, which I admit, I probably was, and that it's just because she hasn't met her yet. I thought fair enough.

She came back to the UK, she dislikes flying so refused to do the 15 odd hour flight just for a week, so she hasn't seen them in years, DC barely know her, but do speak to her on FaceTime, so familiar. She stayed with us for the first 2 nights. It started from that night really.

Claiming how unfortunate we are to have had a child with Down's. How the other 2 children are absolutely gorgeous, but never mentioning DD2. It was making me upset, as I knew DD2 would go her whole life being different, but I never expected her to 1) receive it at such a young age and 2) from her own family!?

She kept bringing gifts for the other 2 children and then booked a trip to London, to go to that wax place (cannot spell it!) and I said about how DH and I could come along too, as 3 children would be a bit of a handful for her and she goes "no, I'm just taking the grandchildren", I was a bit like... Oh, are you sure you can manage the 3 and she corrects me and goes "the 2". I was fuming. I literally could not believe she was ignoring the fact that DD2 was her granddaughter too.

I called DH upstairs, he said that she is just getting used to the fact she has another Granddaughter. She then leaves after the 2 nights, to go to her rented place. We then received this very long text explaining how she is "finding it very tough to come to terms to have a granddaughter with a disability" blah blah blah. And how it'll be easier for her to just "to stick with the 2 grandkids". I went of in one, had a good old shout to DH, for him to tell me that maybe it'll just be easier all around and that "we need to get used to people rejecting our daughter", erm, no we don't. My argument is, if she wants to spend time with the grandchildren, it includes all of them and not just the ones she picks and chooses. AIBU? Fuming.

OP posts:
aimeesj · 20/05/2016 20:38

YANBU. What a vile woman. I would absolutely refuse access. So sorry you're having to go through this.

redexpat · 20/05/2016 20:39

She's vile. YANBU.

Your DH is right in that she will be treated differently throughout life, but that doesn't make it ok and as you say, her family should abslutely not be leading the way in differential treatment.

mygorgeousmilo · 20/05/2016 20:39

YANBU at all! It's making my stomach churn just reading this! How can anybody have like this, I am disgusted. You should tell her you are coming to terms with the fact that she is bloody vile! DH needs to get a grip, it starts with you two - the 'acceptance'. If her parents love her and protect her, and don't take any crap from ANYONE, then she will grow up with confidence and her self esteem intact. If you allow MIL to be a part of the family whilst she openly rejects her, then she will learn that being rejected is acceptable and normal - which it really fucking isn't! Unless she changes her behaviour and attitude, then you are doing your daughter a true disservice in having her around.

HooplaLoopla1 · 20/05/2016 20:40

I agree with everyone else. Your husbands mum doesn't even deserve the honour of the title Grandmother, the spiteful old bitch. She hasn't considered your youngest, you, your husband OR your other 2 children. How are your other 2 supposed to feel, knowing their sister is being left out? As for your husband, I'd tell him I get she's his mum, but his priority should be his children, not her. If he doesn't feel he can be objective, he should step back and accept your decision.

srslylikeomg · 20/05/2016 20:41

FUCK your mother in law FUCK her. You don't get another shot, she's out and to be frank I'd be having crisis talks with my husband if that happened in my family.

Liara · 20/05/2016 20:41

Oh, great. Does your dh think that your older dc should get used to people pretending that their sister doesn't exist too?

Your mil is a write-off. I wouldn't even bother with her. However, you have some work to do on your dh, who needs to change his attitude soon, before it starts to damage your other children!

Your lovely dd needs a family who will stand up for her and make sure she is included, not one which will collude in her being left out because she has a disability.

littlemonkey5 · 20/05/2016 20:41

Outrageous!! I thought my MIL was bad but she's a saint compared to yours!!

I wouldn't even let her skype them any more let alone take them out. Your poor DCs to be related to a woman like that. You don't want any of them mixing with someone like that - related or not!!

Tell your DH that she has just insulted his daughter and by not defending her, he has joined his mother! Tell him he is disgusting and to go out of the house and have a word with himself. Come back when he has realised how serious this is and when he has grown a spine!!!

TheHobbitMum · 20/05/2016 20:41

Fuck me that's the worst I've seen on here! Your MIL would never see the kids and husband needs to rethink asap or he'd be out!

RumAppleGinger · 20/05/2016 20:42

Your post has made me tearful. Your MIL is a horrible, hurtful, ignorant fuck wit. How your DH can be so totally in different to her comments shocks me.

DrE678 · 20/05/2016 20:43

What a world class bitch. I can't believe your husband isn't raging. I have a DN with Down's and I can only wish your MIL knew just what she was missing out on.

RaspberryOverload · 20/05/2016 20:44

OP, your DH needs to realise that by standing by and not pulling up his mother on this, he is also rejecting his own daughter to some extent.

Your DD will need the love of her family as she grows and if her siblings realise she is being treated differently, they may also treat her differently. This may well drive a wedge between them and her, which will not help if she needs their help when she's older.

TremoloGreen · 20/05/2016 20:44

THat's all just so sad. Obviously your MIL can fuck off. She shouldn't have access to any of your children. What's wrong with your DH? Has he not bonded with the youngest one?

TheSkyesTheLimit · 20/05/2016 20:44

I rarely post but after reading this I feel absolutely gutted for you. Why is your DH not standing up for your precious DD? God, how bloody awful

cosytoaster · 20/05/2016 20:45

YADNBU - she'd be dead to me

DragonmotherKhaleesi · 20/05/2016 20:46

YADNBU
Angry on your behalf

TrillKitten · 20/05/2016 20:47

Agree with all the above, and I would be worried about how her attitude would come across to your other two children, too! YANBU at all. I'd cut off contact all together for the collective DCs sake. Your DH needs to step up. Turning a blind eye isn't okay, he has to pick sides and he better bloody side with you and the kids.

crazydil · 20/05/2016 20:47

What an idiot. Push it out of your mind. Show the man your married to that its a no-go zone. She finds it difficult to accept your daughter. No problem. You find it difficult to accept her. Definitely put your foot down

wolfpackonly · 20/05/2016 20:48

Block her on Skype, Facetime. Block her number.

Sending her a text saying she will no longer have access to your children. If she wishes to see DH and vice versa it is to be arranged between themselves. State you do not wish to hear from her and any further contact will be considered harassment and reported to the police.

I didn't read your last paragraph- I hope your "D"H is sitting on his arse in the rain while you throw his shit out of the door.

NeverbuytheDailyMail · 20/05/2016 20:50

Holy Shit! Nope - there would be no contact with MIL until such a time as she apologised to my entire family for her fuckwittery! ANd I would be seriously reconsidering my relationship with DH. What is he like generally with your daughter - has he shown any indication of thinking/feeling less of her than the other two because of her disability?

SauvignonBlanche · 20/05/2016 20:51

Bloody hell! Shock
YANBU

MrsAlexis87 · 20/05/2016 20:52

Wow! Thank you all for the replies. So glad you agree with me.

DH tends to just be very quiet and don't like arguments. He seems to have bonded with DD2, well, I haven't noticed him not bonding. I do have to do most things with DD, like when we go out as a family, he will hold the other kids' hands, I'll always be with DD2, but I thought that was my fault for being over protective of DD2.

OP posts:
TruJay · 20/05/2016 20:52

WOW...just wow. I'm so sorry, that is a vile thing to say, it's hard to believe someone could think that way. She wouldn't be seeing my kids again yanbu

TheFuckersBitingMe · 20/05/2016 20:52

YANBU at all, she's an arsehead of the highest order and your DH needs a long hard think about his bullshitty attitude towards his own Daughter. Who the fucking fuck are these people, the Trumps?

NeverbuytheDailyMail · 20/05/2016 20:53

In fact scrap the "until she apologises" bit. She doesn't deserve to have your lovely chiblets in her life.

TeenAndTween · 20/05/2016 20:53

Your DH needs to get used to standing up for his DD2.
He can practice on his DM.