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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To go out?

49 replies

SilverdaleGlen · 30/09/2017 16:48

Planning on going out for max 3 hours. Friend coming to babysit I have said kids can stay up until I'm back (c.10pm).

DD1 has always hated me going anywhere. She's currently screaming and throwing things and I've tried to talk her down but she says I sont know how people treat her and she will only be looked after by family.

She's had an issue with another friend whose kid she doesn't like (well when she is babysittting fine at school Hmm ) so I thought asking someone else would fix this. But she clearly hates everyone. Other two have never had an issue with anyone.

She's had a bit of a traumatic time with a marriage breakdown so a bit of me thinks I should just stay home.

Friend says I give in this time and she's learnt she can get away with this.

Would you go or stay?

OP posts:
newnamechange84 · 30/09/2017 17:17

Go. Don't let your 8 year old dictate to you when you can and can't go out. Separation anxiety or not, you deserve to also have a life. Start as you mean to go on, plus I'd be putting her to bed at 9 if I was your friend. I'm a single mum to three - 11, 8 and 4. Is their dad having overnight contact at all?

Wolfiefan · 30/09/2017 17:17

Does she know you're meeting someone? Could that be the cause of her kicking off?
I would tell her to behave or she won't be going on the sleepover. You can't send a child who can't behave to someone else's house.

Jasminedes · 30/09/2017 17:18

Its ok to go out. Tell her you know it makes her upset, you want to try and work on that with her, and that you will give her a kiss and a cuddle when you get home.

What age is the friend she doesn't like babysitting - but is ok with at school. Sometimes young children can't articulate what has happened, but might have had an upsetting experience (not being able to stop something that they don't like, or someone saying something).

KarateKitten · 30/09/2017 17:21

It's not good for her to be able to dictate this type of situation. You'd be doing more harm than good pandering to her.

FreakinScaryCaaw · 30/09/2017 17:21

Hope you're going?

SilverdaleGlen · 30/09/2017 17:24

Sorry I'll try and respond to all:

Separation anxiety, I have considered this but as long as its family she's fine and I just asked if this friend of mine was bringing her eldest girl with her (also 8) would I be ok to go. Sudden smiles and yes that would be fine. She can't tonight so back to screaming but surely that can't be true anxiety if having a mate there solves it??

Ex is variable, full on then you don't see him for 3/4 weeks, no overnights at the moment. It could very well affect her, he knows this but "can't" do a routine.

I can't cancel sleepover as all other kids said no so the little girl only has her to comeSad

Friends boy is also 8 and they can fight but like normal kids.

OP posts:
SilverdaleGlen · 30/09/2017 17:24

Oh and no, no clue I've said I'm working. BUT I have heard ex questioning her on the phone about "mummy having a new friend".

OP posts:
Sandycarrots · 30/09/2017 17:33

Difficult one op. Doesn't sound like true anxiety if she would be ok with a friend there. And sorry to hear your ex making situation worse. Hope you manage to get some time out.

PalmerViolets · 30/09/2017 17:35

Is the ex putting her up to it? Shameful behaviour if so.

youarenotkiddingme · 30/09/2017 17:35

If she can be happy about the arrangement on her terms and happily go for a sleepover then she's just being controlling imo.

I expect the marriage breakup is the route cause but I'd say go and work on the route cause through showing her consistency and love continuously. This doesn't involve you being at her beck and call.

My friends DD was like this from an early age and friend literally bowed down to her energy whom and need. Now at 12yo she's about to start counselling as her anxiety is really bad about things not going the way she thinks they should and not having full control over everything.

MammaTJ · 30/09/2017 17:40

I think you would be unreasonable to give in!

If your friend is happy to deal with her, just go, have a good time and hope you have taught her you do not give in to tantrums.

Chances are, once you are out, she will know she has not won and be fine!

Wolfiefan · 30/09/2017 17:41

You can cancel the sleepover. You absolutely can. It's horrid. But if she plays up then why should that behaviour be rewarded?
Does sound like your her only stability at the moment and she's insecure. But that's something to discuss. Not throw a wobbly about.

AnnieAnoniMouse · 30/09/2017 17:54

I've been yes/no/yes/no through the thread as you've been posting.

I'd be very worried that's she ok with family, but no one else as I'd be scared she's been upset/hurt/abused by a non family member. Also with her being ok if your friend brings her DD but not as an adult on their own, I'd be concerned that she felt 'safer' if there was another girl her age there. Not that 'this' friend of yours has done anything, just an adult on their own.

Kids can be manipulative & controlling, there's no doubt 8 yo's can play you like a pack of cards.

However, they can also be scared & unable to explain it. My cousins used to babysit us, when I was your DD's age I started to get very upset if the eldest one was babysitting, but not the middle one (both boys). No one listened to me, they just told me not to be silly & that I loved him so stop being daft. Thank god he wasn't abusing me because I wouldn't have been able to 'tell'. The reason I didn't like him babysitting all of a sudden was that he was bringing his gf (my parents knew that) and I liked her, but not when they were babysitting - simply because they were so wound up in each other & kissing (just kissing) I was scared they weren't looking after us properly & keeping us safe, especially my younger siblings. We. Were. In. Bed! As an adult I can see why it seemed daft to the adults, as a child I was just shit scared in a way I couldn't explain.

When did your Ex move out?

For tonight, does your DD have another friend she could invite for a sleepover?

Then tomorow, you need to talk. You need to get this sorted out. Engineer a way to talk while driving/cooking/walking etc so it's not so intense & try to get her to just chat without it seeming like an interrogation. Or is there someone she's more likely to,open up to like a grandparent? That's no refection on you, but sometimes it's easier if it's someone whose feelings they can't hurt & isn't so close to the situation.

Go tonight & have a good time. She will be fine the minute you close the door. 🍷🍷

NC04 · 30/09/2017 17:54

I'd go out if I were you, and I'm saying this as a child who was the same. To this day (30 years on) my mother moans she couldn't go out because of me. In my opinion it was her choice not to go out. She was the adult. I would have been just fine.

AnnieAnoniMouse · 30/09/2017 18:03

I wouldn't cancel the sleepover.

Two reasons, firstly because it's completely unfair on the other little girl who has already had all the others say they're not going and secondly because it doesn't achieve anything. You'd be no closer to knowing why she's upset/pissed off that you're going out & that's the problem, not an 8 yo stropping because she can't adequately express herself in another way.

You also need to explain to her that you and her Dad will NOT be getting back together, no way, no show, no how. That if Dad gets a girlfriend you'll be happy for him & you are now allowed t have a boyfriend if you want one - Dad may or may not be happy for you that's his choice, but no matter what you and Dad will NOT be getting back together. not even if hell freezes over

Foslady · 30/09/2017 18:06

Please go out - you have to draw a line in the sand, otherwise how bad do you think it will be next time?

RandomMess · 30/09/2017 18:09

I remember being manipulative with my Mum at the age because I was frightened of my Dad.

Please go out - the fact she turned it off at one point says an awful lot IMHO.

MinisterForMagic · 30/09/2017 22:31

What did you do OP?

SilverdaleGlen · 01/10/2017 13:29

Hello, I went out Smile and had a very very lovely time and while she got a bit stressy when I was on the way home and my friend called me about something other than she was absolutely fine as soon as I was gone.

OP posts:
SilverdaleGlen · 01/10/2017 13:29

Thank you all

OP posts:
SilverdaleGlen · 01/10/2017 13:31

I'm going to talk to her over lunch one day so it's not in the heat of the moment and I'm going to take Annie's advice to make the situation with me and ex clear.

Especially as he turned up 3 hours late to see them after three weeks today and I had to deal with the fallout from waiting Hmm

OP posts:
FreakinScaryCaaw · 01/10/2017 13:35

I'm glad you went. Good luck with the chat.

Foslady · 01/10/2017 14:07

Another one here glad you went - good luck with the chat

Mittens1969 · 01/10/2017 14:22

Well done for sticking to your guns, it was so important to do so. Of caring she was fine, children are very good at laying it on thick! Good luck with the chat. Flowers

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