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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To refuse to visit the inlaws this Christmas?

82 replies

Grewia · 18/12/2017 15:54

My inlaws are lovely generous people, but illness has resulted in them living in an untidy and unclean home. When visiting I have cleaned a room to help out, encouraged their other children who live locally to help more with the cleaning and purchased and fitted a toilet seat. The first time I visited I left the next morning. Since then I've tried to accept it, but it's not a small issue. The floor is rotting in the bathroom, rotting food on the stairs, utterly filthy toilet, stuff everywhere on every surface. I saw a piano used once for icing a cake, the rack was placed on the keys as there was no other available surface. When I purchased a toilet seat one visit, there hadn't been one for years and they were very offended.
By far my biggest issue is the kitchen, in which the cooker is never cleaned and is encrusted, the floor is similarly so, and there is washing up piled on every surface. Food is often left out. When I visited once, there was no bin. There is frequently cat litter all over the floor, although shredded paper is often used in the litter tray. The fridge is never emptied and is refilled, leading to rotted food dripping onto food below and the sink is often inaccessible.
Each Christmas we have visited for a week, we don't live close enough to visit for a day. This year we have a newborn and I'm concerned about taking him into such an environment. I had asked to stay at home this year and have them visit. Question is, AIBU to refuse to go? Knowing it will upset my MIL to miss Christmas with the new baby.

OP posts:
Maelstrop · 18/12/2017 21:42

You would be totally unreasonable to take a new born into that environment. They need help, OP, but I don't think it's illegal in the UK to live in a shit heap (been watching American programmes on hoarders and they can force hoarders to clean up)DH can go, no way should you or the baby, don't care what dh has promised.

Maelstrop · 18/12/2017 21:46

And for those of you saying the family ought to be ashamed of not cleaning up for them: hoarders refuse help and deny there's a problem. Hoarders don't let others in to clean and the OP already said the house returns to shit once cleaned.

CotswoldStrife · 18/12/2017 22:00

Gosh - no, I wouldn't be staying there or taking a baby. There is a difference between clutter like a pile of magazines and used cat litter on the floor!

I would also say that it seems unlikely to change, unfortunately. So you may need to gently raise a more long-term plan (such as them visiting you as previously mentioned). I honestly doubt they'll change now. It must be very difficult for your DH as well, he must feel terrible about it all but I do think he may have to face it and tell them you'll be at home this Christmas.

Would they really not visit for a day or so?

Grewia · 22/12/2017 11:54

Thanks all, we have come to an arrangement to stay nearby, which will hopefully help.
Will have a chat about the situation before we leave and see if we can club together for a cleaning service.

OP posts:
NotAChristmasCakePop · 22/12/2017 16:24

Great update. What is happening with regards to meals/visiting there?

Hebenon · 23/12/2017 16:36

Well done, OP! That is a step in the right direction.

Oly5 · 23/12/2017 16:41

Well done OP. I feel desperately sorry for them but I think you’ve done the right thing staying elsewhere. I think it would have been sad for you not to visit at all.
Sounds like a regular cleaner for them would be a great thing

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