Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To have finally had enough of this shit?

235 replies

entitledmuch1 · 12/09/2017 02:37

Posting under a name change just in case. But I have finally had enough of my sister and her children and my mum.

In short, they are allowed to do what they like. If they don't they whine. It is so totally scripted. They ask for something. Any hint of a no gets a long whine or a grizzle until they get given what they want.

My mum dealt with us as children that no meant no and that is it. But her "cute" grand-kids are allowed the most appalling behaviour for no reason.

A huge bugbear of mine is respect for my property which is never shown. I have banned them as being guests in my home as my sisters children are in my bedroom, my study, my bathroom cupboards, my fridge, my food cupboards, the lot. They take what they want. One of them took, stood on and damaged the screen of my tablet in my study. My sister sits and watches it and when I finally deal with them myself and shout at the children to stop what they are doing in my home, she sternly tells me not to be mean to them and she will deal them...but she doesn't. So I banned her from coming to my house but I still get it at hers and on family gatherings at my parents.

The little one in particular (they are 3 and 5) is particularly disrespectful of my things. My phone is a target for him and he has been trying to get it for about a year. He knows I wont let him have it and he tries everything to get it. He sits next to me when I need to use my phone, asks what I am doing, are you playing games, I want to play, etc. I just ignore him and put it away when I've finished.

But what drives me crazy is a few times I have caught him taking my handbag and going into it for my phone. The screen is passcode locked so he wouldnt be able to use it but he may break it. I have gone as far as putting my bag high on a shelf and they have climbed on chairs to try and get it. So it isn't me being careless. At 3.5 and nearly 6 they are old enough to understand they are not allowed my handbag and to respect that. They aren't babies.

There are also prescription drugs in my handbag. They are in foil blisters so not in child proof bottles. I need to take them during the day so they need to be in my bag. I finally let rip at my sister last time I caught the 3 year old with my bag and said to teach her children to keep out of my handbag and respect peoples property. She said they were doing no harm. I said there are prescription drugs in there and would she like to risk a hospital trip just because her kids wont leave my bag alone. My sister actually said I shouldn't carry my pills in my bag.......!

So I am not supposed to carry my pills that I need during the day in my own bag and I am just supposed to allow them to go in my handbag?

It has got to the point where her children are deliberately goading me every time they see me about this issue.

They see their mother and grandmother letting them do what they like and telling me to give them the things of mine that they want. Their mother tells me in front of them to let them have it and when I say no, they get annoyed. But because their mother tells me in front of them oh let them have it, they see it as a game now I think, seeing when I'll give in.

It is EVERY time I see them. There are certain things of mine they want and they KNOW I will not allow them to have but they try every time as their mother encourages me to hand my stuff over. I have to watch my things like a hawk as I know they dont respect things and will take without asking.

It is a horrible thing to say but I actually now cant stand being around the children. I dont actually want to see them anymore. In a way in it not their fault but their mother won't see sense and their behaviour is terrible.

WIBU to back off and just stop going to see them at all?

OP posts:
HelenaDove · 13/09/2017 18:08

Madhatter its not the OPs job to moderate her life around someone elses choice.

If the aunt is responsible for the children will she be getting some of the Child Benefit and child tax credits then.

Or are childless people just expected to put up with all the shit bits like the bad behaviour and the risk of nits.

pussinhavaianas · 13/09/2017 18:12

YANBU - Sounds awful. I would keep a distance for a while. Maybe they will get better with age.

stealthsquiggle · 13/09/2017 18:18

YWNBU to stop seeing them - they sound obnoxious.

OTOH, if you do actually want to see your mother/sister - is it not possible to stuff the bare essentials into jeans pockets and/or lock everything in the car and put the key in your pocket? If your phone stays in your pocket they won't even know you have it.

HectorPlasm · 13/09/2017 18:22

If any kids went into my wife's handbag, the only thing they'd get is hepatitis .....

angelfacecuti75 · 13/09/2017 18:25

The reason your nephew is constantly on at you for your phone is because this is probably how he gets what he wants at home. Kids need boundaries to feel loved.I've learned this at work. If your never told no as a child and aren't taught how to respect other people's things what type of adult will you be? It might be cute as a three year old but can you imagine what an 18 year old who's never been taught the word no would be like? Maybe in prison. ..

Mamabear4180 · 13/09/2017 18:25

If you've tried talking to your sister about it and aren't getting anywhere then YWNBU to just stop asking them over. It's give and take, you could put up with a bit but kids shouldn't be allowed in other people's handbags that's ridiculous.

abbey44 · 13/09/2017 18:26

YANBU - your sister isn't doing them any favours by not teaching them boundaries and how to behave with other people's belongings. They're not going to be welcome at their friends' houses once they start school if they don't change their behaviour. I can't believe your DM doesn't say something either.

I do like the playdoh and glitter ideas that have been suggested a few times for your next visit to their home....

Marcipex · 13/09/2017 18:26

I have a very small flat Kipling messenger bag that I wear under most coats instead of on top. You wouldn't need to take it off.
No prowling kids could raid it. Maybe it would be less stressful.
If you ever bother again that is.

entitledmuch1 · 13/09/2017 18:29

The problem is not that the child keeps trying to get the phone, (ETC), it is that the mother and sister are undermining the OP by telling the child it can have the OPs phone when the OP has said no, with a reasonable explanation.

That is it exactly. They goad me every time they see me as they know their mother will tel me to give it.

I'd forgotten this but I babysat them for most of the day about 3 months ago and they were fine. No whining, nothing. As soon as their mother got back through the door it started: the whining the grabbing my stuff, the throwing my things around.

My sister openly admits that she lets them do whatever as she can't be bothered with the telling all the time but then she doesn't get that they act up because they know it works so she has made a rod for her own back.

Thing is I dont often see them when their mother isnt there.

OP posts:
MatildaTheCat · 13/09/2017 18:32

There are a few options.

Stop seeing them at all. Maybe you don't want to since you have continued to visit? That's fine.

Have your own set of rules. I have a couple of spirited DN and DN. I am extremely strict with them and on the whole they behave well for me. BUT! I give them quite a lot of attention, read to them, chat and have a nice relationship. However they would never pull some of the shit I've seen them pull on their parents for me. Children know from and early age who they can mess around.

Either completely forbid the bag/phone stuff and mean it OR bring a decoy phone and let them use it. If it's broken just shrug and say what a pity. And yes to play doh, messy toys or other generally irritating things if it helps to annoy your sister and mum who sound stupid.

I would,mif you are fond of them really, try the option of building your own set of rules and boundaries. Address them directly and explain you are different to mummy and granny. Still be fun and loving. Obviously minimise all chances of them misbehaving but be consistant.

They may well end up loving your strict ways. Mine did. Smile

DanHumphreyIsA · 13/09/2017 18:32

''It's wrong of me but I'd intentionally wind them up by dangling the phone when no one was looking shock''

😂😂😂😂

randomer · 13/09/2017 18:33

Those kids will be fun as teenagers

guilty100 · 13/09/2017 18:36

Can you ask your sister to babysit them on a regular basis? Surely she'd be grateful for some time out? Then you can build your own relationship with them, by your rules.

entitledmuch1 · 13/09/2017 18:36

Stop seeing them at all. Maybe you don't want to since you have continued to visit? That's fine.

I have scaled it down alot but the thing is, they ask for me when they come to see my mum. They always ask where I am apparently and enjoy seeing me and I take them places when we see each other so I would feel a bit mercenary just vanishing as they wont understand and it isnt their fault it is their parents.

OP posts:
Belleoverandover · 13/09/2017 18:42

I don't think you're being unreasonable at all. I'm surprised some people think you are. If my toddler behaved like that I'd be horrified. Yes she's had the odd moment but it sounds like her kids know they can get away with that behaviour with her. Do they behave like that when it's just your mum that has them? Can you have a quiet word with your mum on her own? See what she really thinks? She maybe doesn't want to openly tell your sister she's wrong in front of her kids?

FaveNumberIs2 · 13/09/2017 18:43

Drop them like a hot potato. Drop all of them. Move away if you have to, that's what I did.

I don't care that they are your family, if they cannot treat you with respect, then they don't deserve to be part of your family xx

Kewcumber · 13/09/2017 18:44

I think the bad tempered handbag Chihuahua was the best idea.

Bekabeech · 13/09/2017 18:45

Can you just arrange that you only see them "out". Or even you take them out while they are visiting your Mum, leaving their Mum and Grandma to have a relaxing catch up.

entitledmuch1 · 13/09/2017 18:48

I've been alone with them and my mum and they have been ok too. Hardly ever happens though

No mum is full on wont hear a bad word, everything they do is cute and I am nasty for saying anything.

OP posts:
Cuppatea85 · 13/09/2017 18:49

Mrs koala I completely agree with you

entitledmuch1 · 13/09/2017 18:49

Yeah I might wait until they are a bit older and take them places but then again I dont want to eat in family time when their dad is around at weekends as he works all week.

OP posts:
treacletoffee23 · 13/09/2017 19:01

This post is so sad. It sounds like they are desperate for human attention. Im sure you have probably tried it but what would happen if you took a simple game in? It may take time but as a prev poster says some children are more or less compliant. All children enjoy attention and in this case, its sounds like its usually negative attention. This can become a very vicious circle.

Relightmyfire2017 · 13/09/2017 19:01

I would categorically tell your mother, sister and kids that, not only are they already banned from your home, until one of them grows a pair and reins these horrible kids right in, you're also no longer going to visit any more. Where is their dad in all this? Is he at all approachable? Or is he another whiny wet blanket who needs to grow a pair? I'm surprised you haven't had a nervous breakdown! They sound like a bunch of spoilt, entitled horrible shits. Tell them to fuck off if they can't learn some respect. Btw I love kids, and I'm a mum myself but i think I would have murdered one of them by now 😠😠😠

brotherphil · 13/09/2017 19:04

Plenty of people have already said it, but I'll back them up - stay away, just as you have done. Some people are toxic. You can't help the kids (though there is always the option of an anonymous call to social services if DS's negligence puts them at risk), but you can help yourself. You have no obligation to put yourself through this.

CrankyTheCrane · 13/09/2017 19:07

Is your sister the woman who tried to get me thrown out of soft play because her child had rummaged through my bag when I was supervising my child and found my insulin? Apparently softplay shouldn't let druggies hang out around young kids Hmm

Swipe left for the next trending thread