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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Help me write a text to my DS? (Christmas Related)

192 replies

BecauseIDontPlanItsaNo · 21/11/2017 22:02

DS is 24, and has a 2 year old DD with his wife. DS has just enquired about our plans for Christmas, and as it's over a month away I don't have any. I haven't even started my Christmas shopping yet.

He said that as I haven't got plans sorted yet and I can't say when I will have a solid plan as my DH (DS's dad) is in and out of hospital for various bits of treatment for an ongoing condition he has, DS has said that I can expect to see them sometime in January but he can't give me an exact date as "it's over a month away" (yes I see the irony of him saying that back to me). I already have no idea what to get GD as her other grandmother (DSs wifes mum) starts shopping in June and DS says his wife has bought all her presents, so they've got her everything she wants/needs. DS says his wifes work colleague gives her clothes throughout the year in the next size up for GD as the WCs DD is a bit older than GD so they pass down huge bags of clothes.

So can you help me write a text to DS saying that just because I don't plan my Christmas in June I should still be able to get presents for and see my GD. I see her every other week apart from when either my DH is ill or when GD (who also has a few extra needs, not exactly sure what but they're not serious from what I can tell) is in hospital/ill.

What should I say? And how can I do it without upsetting DSs wife and/or her mum?

OP posts:
Mix56 · 22/11/2017 07:31

I am guessing you don't particularly like DIL ? & she is v close to her own family & you feel excluded
Her mother is probably pushing for Xmas decisions, DIL has asked her H to discover what you are doing, & you have seemed vague & disinterested. I am not judging. It is not always easy to like & get close to someone who is simply not interested in sharing & soI think you should telephone, not text, & tell DS you'd love to see them, unfortunately it is a little early to know what day exactly as his father may be in hospital, but you are happy to fit in around their plans & will obviously be finding something for all of them, as its Xmas & you love them all. If she "needs nothing", I agree get something & keep it at yours, so she has stuff to play with there.

Happydoingitjusttheonce · 22/11/2017 08:02

Stop being a bloody martyr! You sound like hard work to be frank

monkeymamma · 22/11/2017 08:14

Gosh, the presents thing sounds incredibly silly. She's two. She'll like whatever. Just get her a cute toy or something that she'll enjoy playing with. Pick something - it really, really doesn't matter what (I say this as the mum of a 2 year old). Stop with the jealousy of the other GM, it's unbecoming and petty. Your son wants to know what you're doing at Xmas, just explain you don't know yet because of his DF's hospital treatments but you hope to see him over Xmas, if not then it will be lovely to see him in Jan.
Focus on your DH health and CHILL. THE. EFF. OUT about the rest of it!

monkeymamma · 22/11/2017 08:17

"They're closed off... I don't know if it's because the wife is close to her own family..." - arrrghhh the jealousy! As I would say to a toddler... there's enough love to go round, you know :-)

Witsender · 22/11/2017 08:23

It depends on phrasing doesn't it.

"I've asked both DS and his wife several times if they're investigating whether there might be an underlying cause to GDs problems, I just get told that she'll be fine so I assume they don't want to talk about it." Could quite easily sound like you are implying they haven't investigated her issues.

Similarly, not talking and wearing nappies at 2 isn't all that unusual

Witsender · 22/11/2017 08:24

And it really isn't that unusual to start discussing Christmas in November. Could you not make plans and if they have to change for medical reasons so be it?

ReanimatedSGB · 22/11/2017 08:41

OP's probably feeling too battered to come back...

redbuss · 22/11/2017 08:43

to be perfectly honest from the DIL side of things in laws are always
often hard work. Don't expect the gilt edged invitation - if she perceives you as not being massively interested in visiting she'll probably think "Thank god for that" and leave you to it.

You're making it too easy to exclude you.

ShowMePotatoSalad · 22/11/2017 08:53

I already have no idea what to get GD as her other grandmother (DSs wifes mum) starts shopping in June and DS says his wife has bought all her presents, so they've got her everything she wants/needs. DS says his wifes work colleague gives her clothes throughout the year in the next size up for GD as the WCs DD is a bit older than GD so they pass down huge bags of clothes.

I think YABU. You could ask your DS if there is anything specific you could get for her, and if not buy her something and give a receipt so they can exchange if she already has it.

You could say something like "I would love to see you and GD around Christmas - is there a particular day I could pop in?" He did ask you what your plans for Christmas were and you replied that you didn't have any. You could have taken that opportunity to say you were free so could come and see them on a particular day? Your reply made it sound a bit like you weren't doing anything. And even though it's over a month away people do start to make plans now. There are a lot of practical considerations to Christmas so it makes sense to plan now.

BecauseIDontPlanItsaNo · 22/11/2017 09:03

I do like his wife from what I know of her she's very well grounded and has helped my son grow up in the time they've been together, they only got married last year and the wedding was lovely, small affair with only a few people invited. I never thought of her as "daughter in law" like I never thought of my husbands mum as my "mother in law" she was always my husbands mum. I don't want them to come over out of duty, I do really enjoy seeing them and of my children DS is the one I have most in common (not that I don't love and like DD I do it's just DS and I have a lot more shared interests).

GD has hearing aids, not cochlear implants but thanks for the links. She has been an impatient a couple of times but generally has a lot of appointments with outpatients, I'm not sure what they're all for. GD doesn't talk but does understand loads and signs a bit, I'm not sure what language she signs in, but I am going to ask to try and learn a bit so I can talk to her. She doesn't always bring toys when she comes here, sometimes DS will ask if he can put TV on for her, but it doesn't seem to be any particular program she likes. I am going to look at some toys for my house maybe, I can move bits of furniture out of the way to make room for a toy kitchen or something. I'd love for her to have toys here so even if they're a copy or repeat of what she has it'll be worth it.

Unfortunately I'd have to invite DS and his family here as although I can drive, I very rarely do, last time I drove was about 2 years ago and I'm not insured on either DH or DDs cars. DS and his wife do both drive though.

My husband has only recently been the way he is due to his treatment, he's the same with friends has the attitude that if they care they'd get in touch with him/offer him help.

DHs last round of treatment for the year is due to be on the 19th December, but as always tends to happen it could get delayed and even 5 days delay takes us to Christmas Eve, he has an eye condition which needs treatment every 4-6 weeks and the day after treatment he can't see and needs me around to help as he's not able to drive or even dress himself for 24 hours - my dad or sister drive us to and from the hospital. He's having an operation in the new year which should hopefully fix the problem for at least a year while he awaits a more permanent fix, so I may need to cancel last minute which worries me.

I'm thinking of texting this:

"Hi DS, DIL and GD, I'm sorry I seemed so non-committal on the phone yesterday I'd love to see you all over Christmas but it might be a bit tight for time because your dads last treatment for his eye for the year is supposedly on the 19th December but often gets delayed so could be after then. I'm off work between 18th December and 6th January if you have anytime over the holiday to pop in your more than welcome, if you tell me in advance I can even have a meal ready for you all, is there anything in particular you want? Does GD have a favourite meal? You said she's not fussy but she must have a favourite I can have ago at making. Of course if you choose a date and the treatment gets moved to there I will let you know ASAP and we can rearrange. Hope to see you all soon, mum xx"

Does that sound ok? I really don't want to impose. I know the wifes mum lives around the corner from them and helps with childcare so I know they might go there on Christmas Day, should I invite her mum as well? I've only met her a couple of times, but she seemed nice enough.

OP posts:
LuchiMangsho · 22/11/2017 09:13

I don't know why you are so worried about imposing. This is your son. Your granddaughter. The text is nice but very very formal. My mum's text to me this morning about DS2 was: how's our favourite SnotFace this morning?!
I sense you don't have that kind of relationship and I wonder if your DH's attitude has something to it. But yes, invite her mum, be open, maybe you can meet them somewhere. Just be open.

BecauseIDontPlanItsaNo · 22/11/2017 09:16

We've never had that kind of relationship Luchi even as teenagers I addressed both my children by their full first names, no shortenings, no nicknames, I just don't like them. DS does use a shortened version of his name day-to-day at work and the like (think his name might be Vincent but he shortens it to Vince day-to-day) but his wife always uses the full version too.

OP posts:
redbuss · 22/11/2017 09:16

Playing devil's advocate, there are parts of that text which could come over as passive aggressive.

Even if you're not feeling that enthusiastic, you have to sound it!

Also, keep it simple.

Something along the lines of "Hi DS, DIL and GD, I'm sorry I seemed non-committal on the phone yesterday I'd love to see you all over Christmas. It might be a bit tight for time because your dads last treatment for his eye for the year is supposedly on the 19th December but often gets delayed so could be after then. I'm off work between 18th December and 6th January if you have anytime over the holiday to pop in your more than welcome"

I think that's all that's needed really.

BecauseIDontPlanItsaNo · 22/11/2017 09:16

They also don't shorten GDs name or use a nickname

OP posts:
redbuss · 22/11/2017 09:17

Mind you reading that back I'd actually try to firm it up a bit more. Suggest a couple of dates, or ask them to suggest a couple of dates.

Keep. It. Simple

differentnameforthis · 22/11/2017 09:24

As far I'm aware needing hearing aids and glasses isn't serious, I wear glasses as does DS and we both lead perfectly normal lives, I also know DSs wifes mum has hearing aids (hereditary conditions maybe?) and works and is perfectly ok, so no I wouldn't consider her issues serious.

Your lack of insight into their child's condition is a red flag for me. She is 2. She wear glasses, and has hearing aids. I know people are almost completely deaf without hearing aids, and also people who are almost completely without vision without glasses. How can that NOT be serious, let alone serious at 2yrs?

Add to that, you causally say she is often in hospital.

Wearing nappies at 2 is not an indicator of anything, though the way you throw it in, it seems to bother you!

Your posts also reminded me of the song "Cats in the cradle" ... Your son was obviously reaching out, and got dismissed.

LuchiMangsho · 22/11/2017 09:27

You realise it's not about the nickname? It's about the tone of my Mum's message rather than the actual message?
I cannot tell you how repressed and formal your family life sounds!

BecauseIDontPlanItsaNo · 22/11/2017 09:32

If i text in any other way my children would wonder if I'd lost my mind, I am always formal and polite on texts, I know it's used for informal communication nowadays but it's just not me. I do admit to not having much of a sense of humour.

OP posts:
differentnameforthis · 22/11/2017 09:35

Your proposed text sounds too formal. Phone them, don't text.

Set dates now. Dates where you know that treatments can't get moved around
Ask about food for GD
Ask about a present

But stop skirting the issue, or assuming they will call 'if they want to see you" because soon they WILL stop.

LannieDuck · 22/11/2017 09:45

Couldn't you take a taxi over to visit them? There was a thread on here recently about GPs who always expected the parents (and grandchildren) to visit them, but never vice versa.

You have loads of options for presents with a 2yo - duplo lego sets? nice set of pens? soft toy? new PJs? a nice alphabet or numbers book (my 3yo still loves a number book my parents bought her 2 years ago)? a book that makes sounds? if she likes play kitchens, you can get some pretend cake to slice up (stuck together with velcro!). tricycle, baby doll and baby carrier, car garage, doctor's kit?

Or offer to take her out for the day to a nearby attraction - a zoo/ farm?

toolonglurking · 22/11/2017 09:56

I don't understand why you don't invite them over for a nice meal on say, boxing day - there is no way your DH will be having hospital treatment then, so you can commit to the date, and then you get to see eachother.

Also, how your DGD's other grandmother shops is completely irrelevant. Buy some story books, or a nice jacket/waterproof suit - if they get a hand-me-down from colleague they can hand it down again to someone else!

You are making this way more difficult than it needs to be.

redbuss · 22/11/2017 09:57

I wouldn't offer to take her out for the day. If I was your DIL I wouldn't be comfortable with it and then you risk a row.

redbuss · 22/11/2017 10:01

You sound a bit like my ex in laws. A bit too much like hard work.

They're always full of "let us know when we can visit" or "let us know what to buy". I'm fed up organising for them so I don't bother (note they are ex and not current in laws). Result is they've taken their GC out once in five years and I'm not sure that I've ever seen a gift (although I'm sure she has stuff at dads).

I can't be arsed with them and if you're not careful your DS and DIL won't be bothered with you either

BecauseIDontPlanItsaNo · 22/11/2017 10:03

I won't offer to take GD out as offers of babysitting have been rebuffed before so think I'd just be told no.

Taxi would be too expensive, but will look into trains and/or buses to their house and offer to go over, I hadn't actually thought of that, they always come here and I've only been to their house once, we just got into a routine I think. I would be happy to take it in turns to go there - like I said I don't want them to feel they have to come out of duty.

I've started buying presents GD after suggestions on here. I've found some books and I'll get some play food, I love the cake suggestion I think DD would love that.

OP posts:
BecauseIDontPlanItsaNo · 22/11/2017 10:03

Sorry GD would love that

OP posts:
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