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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:
Carriecakes80 · 13/09/2017 19:07

YANBU. I might be a bit old fashioned, but if my kids ever tried to go through anyones things, it would be a No once, a firmer No the second time, and at the third go, a smacked arse.
Never hurt me, well, it did lol, and thats why I grew up to respect others and other people, and so have my own kids.
Padlock on your bag, no, you shouldn't need to, same as with the pills, if you are worried, can you buy a childproof bottle and put your pills in it. No, you shouldn't have to, but God forbid the kids did get into the bag and take something, it would be your sisters fault, but you would never forgive yourself.
Or, can you try going through your sisters bag, throw her shit across the room, break her tablet, break a few windows in your mums house and say "Now, do you lot bloody like it???"

brotherphil · 13/09/2017 19:08

I have scaled it down alot but the thing is, they ask for me when they come to see my mum.

This might be a useful handle - presumably, DM tells you this to try to guilt trip you into putting up with it.
If she does, tell her that you are unwilling to put your property and their lives at risk by coming round when they are like this, especially as DS actively takes offense at any attempt to protect your property and keep the medicine away from them.

kali110 · 13/09/2017 19:09

Why should the op take responsibilty for them?
They're not her kids.
Why should she also leave her handbag in the car?
The bag with her medication in?Confused
I couldn't transfer my medication into a childproof bottle, there's too many!
I would see less of them op.
It sounds very stressful and you don't get much out of it.

Fudgefase · 13/09/2017 19:10

I agree. You need a good break. You'll find that you can cope. If they ask, just say you need to carry your pills and if your sister won't set limits to protect her own children then you must, and that involves only ever seeing your sister or mother, sans children, in an adult situation. Keep the contact open with the adults but ban the children. You are NOT being unreasonable.

Fudgefase · 13/09/2017 19:11

Or put a mousetrap in your bag. Short sharp shock. That'd do the trick.

entitledmuch1 · 13/09/2017 19:15

Im sure you have probably tried it but what would happen if you took a simple game in?

I take things all the time. DVDs, toys, colouring. It always swings around to wanting phones as they play with them all the time at home.

OP posts:
butterfly990 · 13/09/2017 19:27

I bought this for a holiday abroad and was able to attach the cable inside my handbag when travelling. This maybe an answer if you still want to visit them.

www.amazon.com/Travel-Safe-Lock-Box-Black/dp/B00XIWAXIG?tag=mumsnetforum-21

treacletoffee23 · 13/09/2017 19:33

Sounds like you are fighting a losing battle then. Time to withdraw... If you want to keep contact, meet in a park for an hour. I feel sorry for the kids it sounds like the parent cant or doesn't know how to, cope. Or worse, cant be bothered. They will struggle at school

Mummyoflittledragon · 13/09/2017 19:43

This post is so sad. It sounds like they are desperate for human attention.. I hadn't thought of that. It's a terrible shame. Maybe the only way they've learnt to emulate is to play on their phone like mummy and grandma.

HelenaDove · 13/09/2017 19:48

"Why should she also leave her handbag in the car"

Crime prevention officers advise that people dont do this.

HelenaDove · 13/09/2017 19:49

"They will struggle at school"

So will their classmates.

cao32xx · 13/09/2017 19:53

Harsh as it seems id cut all contact. Definitely got to an age where I don't need any added stress or drama from anyone no matter who they are. It's so worth it.

Mumandteacher123 · 13/09/2017 19:57

Mrs Koala you're the rude one "you're obviously shit at hiding stuff". Tsk.

Identity1 · 13/09/2017 20:04

I'm always telling my 2 leave grandma's handbag alone either at mine or hers... I very much dislike them rooting- they absolutely mean no harm but i wouldn't like it if it was mine so I don't let them do it to anyone else's. It's just respect. They always want phones but understand when they are told no. I'd definitely be keeping my distance.

Primrose06 · 13/09/2017 20:16

Your sister seems to have a problem.
I do wonder if she is envious of you and your lifestyle?

Perhaps your mum feels sorry for her so accepts things. Just a thought.
As for your bag, you should be able to set it down with no worries. For your sister to encourage them is worrying.
Do they behave like this with other people or just you.? They could be winding you up deliberately to annoy you.
As someone who also carries medication in their handbag, I would not want anyone near it. They would be told politely once.
You either stop seeing them or find out why they are allowed to behave in such a way and then decide.

Cantthinkofabloodyusername · 13/09/2017 20:24

Giant vibrator in your bag! Children won't know what it is but your sister and mother won't let them near it ever again!! I may have a naughty/evil streak though! 😜

Zsuzsika · 13/09/2017 20:25

Ok. I can see how annoying all of this is but what I gather from what you're saying is that these kids are not only spoiled, they are also bored. So you need to find something what you can use to engage with them in order for them to forget about your bag. You can't just take away their "fun" you have to give them something instead. So maybe next time you go there take a game of some sort with you, sit down with them and get their attention to focus on that. Don't leave your bag anywhere other than the sofa and when they try to go for it simply get their attention to the new toy/game whatever you bring to them and teach them this way to lay off the bag. It will work and yes after a while they will get back on the bag idea but then explain to them how this is yours and you would not like them to touch it but also refer back to the game. Basically bribe them! But always offer something else instead. You will need time and persistence if you want them to learn once and for all not to touch your stuff but once you mastered it you shouldn't have a problem with them again :) they just need discipline.

Good luck!!

Copperbeech33 · 13/09/2017 20:35

I'm getting angry for you just reading the opening post!

Lorddenning1 · 13/09/2017 20:38

Omg it's like you have written it about my sister, there are others!!!
It's drives me crazy how she lets her two behave like this (2 girls age 3 & 4) the older one will think nothing of going through your bag and taking what ever she likes, so far she has taken my hair brush and make up brush, she keeps them and puts them in her bag, her mum just thinks it's cute. She went a step too far though once and went into my mum and dad's bedroom and took 2 of my mums diamond rings, my mum now locks the door when she turns up, my sister does not think anything of this behaviour, she didn't encourage it but also dissmisses it, but it really gets to me!!
When she leaves my house I have to discreetly check her pockets and bag and take back the things she has taken, if u watch her I can see her sizing up my little boys toys/figures that she wants, it's so annoying and it makes u not want to spend time with them. I'm a mother and there is no way my child would do anything like that (my child isn't an angel either)

Ippydippyskyblue · 13/09/2017 20:41

YARNBU at all. I would be furious. I too am in the same situation; I have to carry very potent drugs including morphine in my handbag, but as little as I can get away with. However there's too many to carry in the inside zipped part. I put them inside a separate pencil case in my bag to keep them together. When I see DM or DS I put my handbag on the floor but with the handle around my foot (it's an over the shoulder type). However, for my own peace of mind I am going to purchase the lock suggested by a previous MN'er. Yes, I shouldn't have to but I'd have to live with the consequences if the kids took any of my drugs.

I have kids of my own btw and there's no way on earth that my kids would go into someone else's handbag. I wouldn't let them go into mine either. It's one of my few private areas!

If it's any consolation, something that I noticed when seeing other mums and socialising was that children like your sister's become very unwelcome in other people's houses. People simply exclude them when they're inviting other mum's over. They'll definitely have a bad reputation which will make them and mum unpopular. I've seen it happen.
I can't even say that school made a huge difference. If they know they can get away with such behaviour when in her presence, they'll make the most of it. I wonder how they are when their father's around? How do they behave with his belongings? What about your sister's belongings? Is there nothing that she totally treasures that she'd be upset/angry if the little monsters damaged her things? I'm also intrigued about your mother's behaviour in that she doesn't intervene. But what does she do with her belongings? How does she react when her home is trashed? 🤔

I suggest that whenever you do decide to meet up with your mother, it's on your terms. I take mine to a very posh child-unfriendly hotel and have a pot of tea or maybe lunch. That keeps my DM very happy. Make sure that if you see your sister, it's always at her house. Don't take your handbag in. Take a coat with multi pockets where if need be, you can put some of the medication you may need at short notice. Or a light summer coat for 'light showers'. I'd go when their father is there. I'd be fascinated to see just how the dynamics work out when he's around. In my situation DBIL really puts his foot down, as in WOW😉. The children are so profoundly different, it beggars belief. That's the only time I see my DS now. And my DM if she insists that we get together; I insist that DBIL is there too, so he "doesn't feel excluded." So I always look better for including my father &/or DBIL😉. What about your DF? Where does he fit into all of this debacle?

When my DS kids come here now (which is very rare), I admit I'm on edge. Everything is hidden. They're not allowed upstairs. I only invite them over if my husband is here (they're more wary of him for some reason). Otherwise, I'm 'in the garden' out of earshot of the door and why would I take my mobile into the garden (if she does try to ring it)?! Just make sure it's turned down/vibrate!😉 Or I'm having an afternoon nap, because I was out the night before, had a bad night,migraine, etc. The reasons are endless as to why you're not answering your door. Even when your car is parked on the drive!😂

Good luck OP. My heart goes out to you.

Eveforever · 13/09/2017 20:49

I consider myself to be quite a laid back parent, however, no way would I have ever let me daughter play with/destroy other people's property whilst I egg them on/sit and watch. I don't blame the children, your sister and mother are the problem. I'm loving the suggestions that you change your behaviour when it's the children that need to be taught how to behave. And yes, dealing with children can be challenging, tiring and repetitive, but if you can't manage, or at least try to teach them something basic like not touching/stealing/breaking other people's property, you're really setting yourself up for trouble in the future.

Eveforever · 13/09/2017 20:51

The devil in me loves the vibrator and permanent marker ideas!

paxillin · 13/09/2017 20:57

I have nephews like that. I bring a lockable little suitcase, lock it and store it where I see it. Any requests at handing anything over are met with a firm "no".

CaptainMarvelDanvers · 13/09/2017 21:10

From your previous post it seems like they only play you up when their mum is around. It sounds like they are trying get positive attention off her and the only way they can do that is to misbehave for you, then she gives her kids some "positive" attention via undermining you.

Frazzled50yrold · 13/09/2017 21:12

What about seeing them away from your home or maybe arranging family outings. A lot of the anxiety seems to be based around your house and belongings so maybe take that out of the equation and things might be easier. Are you wealthier or do you have a nicer home than them , there seems to be a bit of an imbalance in the relationship.