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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:
BlueFolly · 27/11/2016 11:43

Bluntness100 WTF is a 'broken' home?!

I am divorced from my child's father, but we are certainly not 'broken'.

rollonthesummer · 27/11/2016 11:44

Who on earth invites people to someone else's house for Xmas day??

Spadequeen · 27/11/2016 11:45

Stop trying to save everyone's feelings, no one cares about yours.

Tell them the dog is one reason, another is the breaking of things, no boundaries and the fights and tantrums. This is your children's Christmas Day too, do you really want all their new stuff being broken?

Spadequeen · 27/11/2016 11:46

And why do people automatically assume that a badly behaved child has sn? Isn't that rather insulting to children with sn?

Puppymouse · 27/11/2016 11:46

Nobody would be welcome in my house if their child kicked my dog, regardless of previous form. I'd stick to your guns OP.

Only1scoop · 27/11/2016 11:48

So rude of her to just invite people around to your house AND instruct you what to do with your own dogAngry

AmIImaginingThis · 27/11/2016 11:48

If the mother was horrified and disciplined the child it wouldn't be as much of an issue. I would allow anyone, man, woman or child to kick my dog in the face Angry if this happened to my dog I would go batshit.

In your position I would speak to BIL and the mother of the child beforehand and say that you're really looking forward to hosting them but you need guarantees the child won't behave like that on the day. That's of you're feeling generous. I'd be more tempted to tell MIL she can host them and the little brat if she felt that way inclined and have a peaceful Christmas without them!

SVJAA · 27/11/2016 11:48

After 5 years of nightmare Christmas days, with a demanding, ungrateful nightmare of a SIL and general family politics getting in the way, this year I have told everyone that it's just us for Christmas this year. No cooking for fussy eaters, barely seeing the kids because dp and I are in the kitchen all fucking day, then doing the bloody dishes while everyone complains.
They're all horrified that they'll actually have to make their own plans and actually pay for their own ridiculous demands . This year we will be doing things our way.
OP, can you do the same?

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 27/11/2016 11:50

Err, no YANbU, and that woudl be a big fat "fuck off" from me to them as well!

How DARE they suggest that your dog, your family dog, should be ousted on Christmas Day so their little termagant can run riot unimpeded? Fuck that!

And your MIL lacks manners. It's not polite to invite people to someone else's house, especially if it's known there are issues already! My MIL lacked manners in a similar fashion until I made an issue of it - she only did it a couple of times, and never since.

AmIImaginingThis · 27/11/2016 11:52

Sorry just RTFT. So this isn't even a long term partner of BIL's? I wouldn't event bother attempting to play nice then I'd just flat out refuse to have them round. It will spoil your day and your children's day to have the ineffective mother and awful child there. Not to mention your poor dog risks another boot in the face. No chance.

WinterIsHereJon · 27/11/2016 11:54

The sort of relevant back story to this, I suppose, is that BIL and his DP have a baby on the way. Prior to this announcement, MIL felt largely the same as I did about the behaviour and lack of discipline - MIL took her to her caravan with our DCs in the summer and her behaviour spoiled the trip (not suggesting mine are angels in anyway of course, but it's an annual trip that usually goes without a hitch!).

Unfortunately I'm rather a disappointment as a daughter in law and MIL felt she didn't have the access/overnights they she wanted with our DC, damned breastfeeding, but things look more promising on that front with this baby. So since the announcement she's very much about keeping them on side. Apologies for the drop feed!

OP posts:
Aeroflotgirl · 27/11/2016 11:55

Exactly, if they don't respect you, just have you, your dp and DC, no others!

Konyaa · 27/11/2016 11:55

no discipline from her MUM
her DM has allowed her to get like this

Wtf??? Is this DM a single mum? Did the dad not allow her to get like this?

Aeroflotgirl · 27/11/2016 11:56

Well MIL can host and please them then, not at your expense. We're only in Nov, plans can be changed.

rollonthesummer · 27/11/2016 11:56

She still can't invite people to your house!

What did you say to her when she told you she'd invited them?

LordRothermereBlackshirtCunt · 27/11/2016 11:56

No one who kicked my dog would ever be setting foot in my house again. Irrespective of special needs, broken home, or any other "excuse".

cheekyfunkymonkey · 27/11/2016 11:57

How rude! Irrespective of the child you are hosting so mil has no right to invite anyone. You need to make it clear to her that she can spend Christmas with them in her house without you, or in your house without them. Her choice, then let her deal with any fall out. Not a chance I would be letting her get away with that.

merrymouse · 27/11/2016 11:58

Just say no. It sounds as though your MIL has plenty of access to your children.

She can choose to be offended, but she can't take away your right to say no.

NataliaOsipova · 27/11/2016 11:58

No - YANBU. At all. MIL has no right at all to ask people to your house without asking you. End of. Fair enough for her to ask you if they could come - family and all that - but not in a way that you couldn't say no nicely. But to dictate to you who comes and what you do with your own dog? No way. Say no - and make sure your DH is fully behind it so it's not you as the wicked DIL.

sandragreen · 27/11/2016 11:59

Why does MIL think she has the right to invite people to your house on Christmas Day? Or any other day?

Is this a MIL problem or a DH problem? Will he back you if you tell MIL how out of line she is?

Maudlinmaud · 27/11/2016 12:02

Aaahhh you can't win in this situation can you? Mil will slag you to the heavens with her new daughter in law for the sake of the new baby. Prepare yourself op.

shockthemonkey · 27/11/2016 12:02

I had a niece like this... MIL would bring her to ours to stay for a week.

If there's one thing I reproach myself for, it's not standing up for my rights.

Had you invited your BIL and SIL over for Christmas, then of course you would be expecting the nightmare niece would be part of the deal. However, you did NOT invite any of them and your MIL is BU.

Just tell everyone that there's been an embarrassing mistake but you are not hosting BIL and family this Xmas.

Your MIL will soon figure it out! Do it for the doormat I used to be ten years ago!

Wifflewaffles · 27/11/2016 12:05

My ds has sn. He's never kicked a dog.

merrymouse · 27/11/2016 12:05

I feel a little sorry for the 4 year old if she was expected to happily spend a holiday with her mother's new boyfriend's mother and her grandchildren.

However, that doesn't in any way indicate that it would be a good idea for her to spend Christmas with you.

SpangledBoots · 27/11/2016 12:06

My mother's brother has 5 unruly children and Christmas was usually hosted at their house because it was more convenient (for their children to run wild, tossing rubbish everywhere and scribbling on the walls...) but my grandad was 90 and found the noise and drama quite distressing so mother said she would host Christmas and not invite them...they ended up going out for their lunch and there was a bit of a rift for a few years afterwards.

OP - is there any way your DH could speak to your BIL one on one and explain that the little girl needs a parent to keep an eye on her all day to make sure she behaves? (agree with other posters - it's not her fault, it's the parenting)

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