"We thought we'd pop in!"

[ArsenalsPlayingAtHome]

Last night my parents "popped in". I'd been in from work for about 20 minutes, during which time I'd said a brief "hello" to DH & children, and immediately started ploughing through the laundry. Had plans to change the sheets on our bed, and give the bathroom a quick clean before starting to cook the tea.

I'm exhausted by the time the DCs are going to bed, and wanted to get as much as done as possible while they were happily spending time on their tablets, so that after tea I could spend a bit of time with them without being knackered and irritable.

I work FT, have very little time to do anything between getting in from work and sorting the kids out at bedtime. Our children have various hobbies, one of which means that either myself of DH are out with at least 1 DC for at least an hour and a half every evening.

Now, I'm not moaning about how busy we are, but AIBU to be pissed off that, knowing how busy we are, my parents decide to "pop in" with not so much as a phone call to see if it's convenient, or if another day might be more/slightly less inconvenient?

My parents aren't fun people to be around, They sit there with miserable faces saying either nothing, or repeating what they've just asked.

PS - This isn't a thread about how DH needs to do more - he does his fair share.

AIBU to be pissed off, and would it BU to ask them not to pop in without ringing?

Getting ready for work now, but will read any responses as soon as I can this evening.
Thanks.

Amaried my mum's family is Irish too and they are fond of popping in but the key thing is they pop in and muck in or accept that it's a bad time and leave ... so if my parents came when I was busy they'd either offer to meet up another day or they'd put the kettle on and make a brew while I finished putting the washing in and doing the beds. If they were popping in and expecting me to stop everything to sit and chat, then it's a whole different ball game.

I have thought about this I cut of my family because they make no effort to see my children. They don't want to listen or change. Don't answer your door ignore them for a while they will get the message and hopefully sort themselves out. Best medicine is silence they will have to reflect on what they have done eventually. Don't talk to them or argue after a few months just tell them you were busy with the children. It's pointless complaining if you do nothing about it.

I would get them to help!

Would drive me mad UNLESS they were prepared to help out once there - chat while they help you fold laundry or some such.

Arthur2shedsJackson

I lost my mum a few years back I wish she could just pop in the house work can wait you wont have your parents for ever
^^
This

When my MIL comes over at a bad time I say "oh glad you're here, can I give you a job?" Then I set her to work peeling veg or stirring a pan or whatever. My FIL used to iron!

Greenicicle, did you read the part where she said this would not be acceptable to them?