To just want to be left alone!!! Pushy relatives...

[lilforest]

Just that really!! I'm definitely ranting but I'm just so sick and tired of having to revolve weekends around grandparents and great grandparents visits. My DS is 7 months now and I thought this demand would calm down but it's just getting worse! my parents are very controlling and pretty much demand an excuse as to why I don't want to see them that weekend and it's just a nightmare! I just want to see no one but my DH and my DS for several weeks and just have some bloody space. Any advice on how to deal with overbearing parents?! Leave the country? Tell them we've got a sickness bug? Or just tell them to politely feck off?!

Tell them bluntly and don't enter into a discussion. If they turn up, don't answer the door - or go out. When you have done it once it will get easier.

Is everyone far away & overnights have to happen or is it work commitments?

I made it very clear to mil that weekend time is sacred.

At the beginning of our relationship and the when dc were born, she would ask us for lunch every weekend (they live 2hrs away, so can't just pop in) I just kept says by no, that we had other plans. She only invites us once in a while now.

How about making a more formal arrangement every few weeks or so - Sunday lunch out or afternoon tea at yours? Lay down some ground rules now before it's too late. You are the family now and whilst GPs and GGPs have every right to have some kind of involvement you need to set boundaries to fit in with you and your DS

Just explain that you need this thing a lot of people refer to as "me time"

It shouldn't be that difficult for them to understand.

Of course they'll be enthusiastic about seeing your kid, nothing wrong with that and it's better that way than the opposite. But they do need to understand you need your own space.

Tell them, politely. Otherwise put your foot down.

Thanks for all the replies- I'm definitely taking on board the idea of a more arranged get together every few weeks in advance- this will hopefully stop the nagging mid week.
Unfortunately we live just around the corner but they just don't leave and as horrible as that sounds it's true- it's really time consuming for us.
We save time when we visit my parents but can't do that with the in laws as they have a snappy dog that I don't trust.
We've literally been trying to walk out of the house getting our shoes on with them still nattering away asking for more tea.

Christ. This drives me nuts too. I was sick of the sight of DH family at

One point.

DH never arranges anything and still MIL and SIL. (Who apparently have to come as a pair) are ever present.

I now am polite but make no plans. As little interaction as possible. It's up to DH. And I am so much happier for it.

We time family visits so that they don't have much impact. E.G - would you like to come for dinner sunday evening? Come at about 4. That way they get to see ds but don't stay forever

I don't really understand the issue. You just say No, we are not free, see you next week?