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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not babysit again

177 replies

wazzzock · 14/03/2017 15:54

Hiya, please bare with me, I'm aware I may be over reacting & hormonal but ... a bit of back story so no drip feeding
I often used to look after my nephew as a baby, my brother works away and SIL worked shifts. I would help out where possible, do nursery runs (it's right next to my work).
SIl became SAHM for a while so for about 16 months I didn't babysit at all, but would still pop over to see SIL while my db was away.
SIL has a new job & I have a weeks holiday, nephew was poorly at the weekend so couldn't go to nursery but SIL didn't want to cancel her shift, I offered to help last minute.
Nephew is now 3, I haven't looked after him since he was a baby and don't have much experience with toddlers, all morning he tested boundaries - expected behaviour.
I went to the supermarket just to grab a couple bits for our lunch, took DN with me, walked past magazine aisle he asked for one and I said yes as a treat, explained we could sit and colour/do puzzles together after lunch.
next aisle... sweets, DN turned into devil child, demanded I bought him something, and it all escalated into ww3. I put the magazine back and dn proceeded to throw himself onto the floor, kicking screaming. I tried picking him up to get him out the shop & he started kicking and pushing me. Just at that moment SIL phones to check we are ok Confused she could hear the commotion & I explained what was going on and that I needed to go.
I am 32 weeks pregnant with our 1st baby, and the reply I had from SIL was ' maybe you should have thought about having this kid if you can't handle a toddler for the day'.

The comment really hurt, we've been ttc for nearly 4 years & are more than excited about the imminent arrival, and secondly I was doing her a favour. I was kind of hoping for a few words of 'what to do' rather than a slating.
He had another once we were home as I told him not to keep pushing the Telly making it wobble, and he then smashed his toy he'd bought for the day into little bits. Hmm
I am due to look after dn again Thursday but now I really don't want to.
So wibu to say no, and if not then any advice on dealing with these tantrums, they are beyond any kind of strop I've witnessed before.

It's not like I can even have a glass bottle of wine afterwards!

OP posts:
comedycentral · 14/03/2017 19:42

Good for you for telling her how you feel

NewPuppyMum · 14/03/2017 19:43

Silly advice to say you should cancel having him because you're tired from pregnancy. Tell her the truth. She was unkind to you so you don't owe her more than SIL, I don't wish to help you in Thursday as your comment was cruel and unnecessary. Blames her behaviour not your nephews'.

eddielizzard · 14/03/2017 19:46

you've done good. but i don't think she'll get it.

Nospringflower · 14/03/2017 19:46

Well, I think she was mean saying that but I wouldn't go falling out with my relatives if I could help it. Just because she was rude doesnt mean you need to be rude back so I would be careful of it all getting out of hand - fuelled by advice from others who dont need to put up with the fall out.

Mcchickenbb41 · 14/03/2017 19:46

Well done for cancelling op and telling her why. What a horrible thing to say to you. As others have said. Her behaviour was worse than her ds's. good luck with the rest of your pregnancy I'm sure you will make a great mum Flowers

NewPuppyMum · 14/03/2017 19:47

Missed so many posts.

Your second text was excellent and even more so that it was second. You were nice. Then she was a bitch so you stood up for yourself after provocation. Well done.

Astro55 · 14/03/2017 19:51

Well, I think she was mean saying that but I wouldn't go falling out with my relatives if I could help it

Why? SIL isn't concerned about fall out? Why is it ok for her to be rude and OP isn't? OP had done everything to be diplomatic - but there's a point when you just have to note back!

wazzzock · 14/03/2017 19:56

I know what you're saying nospring, there have been lots of little comments and weird digs I try and ignore but this really got to me, like I said, I am all hormonal at the mo.

I don't want to fall out, that's why I didn't go in full throttle in my first text, but some things I can't let slide.

Me and baby waz have a date with a massive bowl of cheesy doritos and crap day time telly

OP posts:
Note3 · 14/03/2017 20:09

Wazz I have great admiration for you that you ended up sticking up for yourself. You say you're hormonal but actually I think women often stop putting up with crap towards the end of a pregnancy as your mindset begins to change along with priorities. I think baby Wazz has started triggering your mama bear personal Grin

Note3 · 14/03/2017 20:10

Bloody phone!
*persona

Aderyn2016 · 14/03/2017 20:17

I thibk you did well to reply as you did. No one likes to argue with relatives but if you never stick up for yourself and allow people to dig at you, their behaviour gets worse not better!
Too many women worry about causing offence to people who don't care about offending them.
Your sil sounds like her nose is being put out of joint by the arrival of your baby - if she cannot be happy for you then she has no place in your life.

BerylStreep · 14/03/2017 20:23

Excellent second text! Well done for standing up for yourself.

SIL is jealous of you and trying to point score. No more favours.

I agree the second text was all the more effective because you had tried to be nice to begin with and she was still a bitch.

I'm in awe.

Notagainmun · 14/03/2017 20:26

Wel l done on your second text. Cheeky cow.

Falafelings · 14/03/2017 20:27

I'm very impressed OP!

Timeforabiscuit · 14/03/2017 20:35

Enjoy the doritos OP!

FrancisCrawford · 14/03/2017 20:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AntiHop · 14/03/2017 20:58

Perfect reply.

How dare she. I wonder if she'll avoid replying as she'll realise she's in the wrong.

BerylStreep · 14/03/2017 20:59

I bet 20p that SIL will reply with a snide dig about OP being hormonal.

DartmoorDoughnut · 14/03/2017 21:03

Really glad you sent that second text waz hope you and baby waz are enjoying your doritos!

Valentine2 · 14/03/2017 21:08

OP
Do you think she is trying to get rid of you before your baby comes along and she is expected to return the favours you have done for her?

Cosmicglitterpug · 14/03/2017 21:09

Good work Wazz

MrsDesireeCarthorse · 14/03/2017 21:13

Maybe she felt like you were critiquing her parenting by saying her sons behaviour was so bad, so she got defensive

Then she needs to grow the fuck up and not be so bloody rude to someone doing her a favour. She's not 10.

Nocabbageinmyeye · 14/03/2017 21:17

Excellent reply!!!

MrDacresEUSubsidy · 14/03/2017 21:23

What a cow. She sounds jealous and insecure. Ignore her.

Ohyesiam · 14/03/2017 21:25

Loving your second text.
You will be a great mum

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