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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not invite this girl round again?

276 replies

WinterIsHereJon · 27/11/2016 10:59

BIL's DP has a DD aged four. She's a nightmare; stroppy, whinges constantly, loses her temper when not getting her own way. Some of it normal for her age, but she's noticeably more difficult than any child I've known at that age. No discipline from her mum, even when she has hit my dcs, broken things etc.

A few weeks ago we invited BIL and his partner for dinner. Evening invitation, didn't mention the child. Our DCs were staying with grandparents. When they arrived, the little girl was with them, in her PJs. Crossed wires possibly, but they were obviously hoping she would end up staying over. She ran riot and unchecked throughout the house for hours. She then through a tantrum as she was leaving and deliberately kicked my dog in the face. I shouted, in shock more than anything, her mum just told her that was unkind and to apologise to the dog Hmm they left soon afterwards.

I was furious! Thankfully the dog is as soft as they come and just wandered off to bed looking confused, but that is pure luck and there are no guarantees she couldn't snap. Had she bitten this girl I have no doubt they'd have demanded she was PTS, and I'd have been forced to rehome her. DP and I agreed that we would not have them over again unless things improved with her behaviour.

Since this, MIL has invited them to join us on Christmas Day without asking me first. They are all basically making out that it's me being precious over the dog rather than taking any responsibility for her behaviour, and suggested I send the dog to my mums "if that's the issue". It isn't!! I sense a big family fall out will ensue but just wanted to check whether IABU before making a fuss!

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 28/11/2016 17:22

At least the little girl has a kindered spirit in your mil.

So that's nice.

diddl · 28/11/2016 17:24

"She then said BIL was invited but we weren't!"

Result!

"she's ashamed her own family would make the mother of her new GC feel so unwelcome etc"

Eh?

You've put up with her daughter running riot & kicking your dog.

You don't want to see them Christmas Day.

Ooh it's all about the baby, is't it?

JourneyToThePlacentaOfTheEarth · 28/11/2016 17:31

For what is worth you've done the right thing and if mil doesn't like it then that's tough I'm afraid. After weeks of looking forward to Xmas I'd be devastated for my kids to have to spend it with skene l someone they don't like and who is such hard work. It's their day too, hope you enjoy it

OutragedKoala · 28/11/2016 17:57

You sound like a dream OP

ohfourfoxache · 28/11/2016 18:02

Sounds like you're going to have a lovely Christmas now.

Oh, and mil is an arse hat.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 28/11/2016 18:06

Was that snarky comment meant for another thread, OutragedKoala? Because I don't think the OP has done anything wrong, nor is she in the wrong for being unwilling to host a child who runs riot, breaks things and kicks the dog, whilst her mum sits and does bugger-all to stop her daughter's misbehaviour!

Iwannabelikecommonpeople · 28/11/2016 18:07

YABU for using the term 'Hosting'....Grrr Smile

OzzieFem · 28/11/2016 18:09

MIL will get the Xmas she deserves .

You can expect lots of texts and phone calls as MIL will be desperately trying to backtrack from saying she will be hosting BIL's mob and still getting you to change your mind OP. Stay strong and enjoy a lovely quiet Xmas day. Wine

RandomMess · 28/11/2016 18:09

Well you are happy for a family Christmas just around at her house Grin

Ignore, let her sulk, she'll get over it!!!

ohfourfoxache · 28/11/2016 18:12

If you back down with mil now then she'll be worse the next time something like this happens

LineyReborn · 28/11/2016 18:15

I'm trying to think of what word people used before 'hosting', Iwannabe. I think my mother would just say, 'We are having so-and-so here for Christmas dinner'. Or, 'Were going to Grandma and Grandad's for New Year's Day'.

But that's quite convoluted for explaining stuff on MN I suppose.

Craigie · 28/11/2016 18:26

It's your husband's family. Make him deal with it. If he won't, then you have to, which might involve disciplining the child if nobody else will!

DinosaursRoar · 28/11/2016 18:27

fabulous that MIL is hosting, here's hoping SGD smashes something valuable and pisses off MIL enough that she sees it.

I would keep repeating "it's not the little girl that's the problem, it's that her mum and step-dad don't try to control her or punish her bad behaviour."

(I'm old, it was always 'hosting' when I were a lass amongst the posher types, others were just having family over)

LineyReborn · 28/11/2016 18:32

Yay! I'm not posh. Grin

EweAreHere · 28/11/2016 18:34

While I understand the fear of telling everyone the truth, I do wonder what you're going to say if MIL calms herself down a bit and announced that she will bring a roast chicken, second roast something round so everyone can still come to yours.

As it stands, you still haven't put your foot down re the behavior, and your things and your children's belongings are being destroyed by a child whose parent refuses to control her. I would not allow that to happen in my house, and you shouldn't either. It's not fair to your children

I would try to find a way to be honest and lay down some very specific rules about having the child in your house again. And hide your children's good toys if you must; don't let her play with them if you know she's just going to destroy them. Make her play in full sight of her parent.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 28/11/2016 18:47

That's the risk I was seeing, EweAre.

HoneyandAlmonds · 28/11/2016 18:49

Is there some factory where all of these very special MILs are made??
At least now you can have a restful Christmas Day and MIL can cosy up to BILs DP, buttering her up so that she will do her bidding when new GC comes...

I do agree with the other replies - the truth, albeit would have been the best way as it looks like MIL would have caused drama whatever you'd have said.

HoneyandAlmonds · 28/11/2016 18:49

albeit very tactfully

LoobysMummy14 · 28/11/2016 18:53

If your children don't like her then tell the MIL so. Why should your children have a crappy Christmas just because Grandma said they could come Hmm
Stand your ground!
I had the same thing.. My parents and siblings were coming for Christmas dinner but then my older brother (plus his dp & dsc) asked my mum of he could spend Christmas with them, so I had to tell them we didn't have enough room. 8 adults and 6 children, no thank you Grin so we are staying home and going to DM on Christmas eve :)

bookbuddy · 28/11/2016 18:55

OutragedKoala are you the mother in law? Grin

Bunnyfuller · 28/11/2016 19:01

Isn't Christmas great for bringing out the twat in people?! Well done op, I remember one of my girls' friends constantly chasing our cats, with me following her and telling her to stop. When her mum came to collect her, I told her what had happened and she said 'oh, that's not too bad, is it?!'

Bye kid, you ain't coming back. Not only the lack of respect for someone else's home and rules but being spiteful to a living creature. What a revolting little grub is being 'raised'.

thatdearoctopus · 28/11/2016 19:10

"Hosting" is miles better than "entertaining," which is the phrase my mother uses, Blush (She's a cross between Hyacinth Bucket and Bridget Jones's mother with a bit of Dame Edna Everidge thrown in )

LineyReborn · 28/11/2016 19:14

My mother could do a tinkly laugh with her cats-bum mouth still intact at dinner parties. Quality.

Iwannabelikecommonpeople · 28/11/2016 19:28

thatdear I disagree..entertaining is is not miles better! I would just say "I'm doing the cooking this year" Grin Hosting sounds so pretentious ! X

Carriecakes80 · 28/11/2016 19:33

No way are you being 'Precious' about your beloved pooch, if that was me I would have gone mad! Cannot believe your MIL has invited them, just tell them you don't have the room! Your dog is as much a part of the family as this kid is, and there is no way you should let their kid round until her parents have taught her how to behave! x Hope you have a lovely peaceful Christmas x

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