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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To want a break from my ILs

193 replies

Maggiepryor · 11/04/2018 05:43

Married 15 years, three dcs. My family get on well but everyone is pretty independent and we do our own thing. DH family are very close, in each other’s pockets. They live 3 hours away.
Over the last 15 years, we have supported his family though every drama. Not interpersonal drama, just normal life drama. Every job offer, pregnancy announcement, career change, etc we have been physically and emotionally present for, as my Dh and they expect us to be.
It is what families do, but there is a marked difference between the way dhs family work, and mine. And now with my dcs quite a bit older than dh nephews and nieces, my career taking off and feeling like I’m coming out of those little kid years I just want a break. I no longer want to jump in the car at a moments notice and rush en masse to a pil, bill or sil because there has been a redundancy, house move, sickness, major purchase or major life decision that requires our presence. I don’t want to spend my weekends babysitting toddlers so sil and bil can have a break. I’m exhausted and drained. Dh and the dcs can still be fully involved but I want a back seat for a while. AIBU?

OP posts:
Appuskidu · 12/04/2018 11:34

The latest event is that dh wants me to finish work early this fri so we can go and babysit for bil while he and his wife go to a work do.

Is it an emergency work do? One that they only found out about yesterday?

They could:-
A-Not go
B-One of them could go and the other babysit
C-pay a babysitter
D-Mother in law could babysit
E-your husband could babysit and hold his mummy’s hand.

Four simple solutions to this ‘emergency’ that don’t involve you.

WineAndTiramisu · 12/04/2018 11:40

Can't you suggest that if help is needed earlier on Friday that he goes alone due to your meetings? Then you can stay at home and leave them to it! Keep the kids with you as well

ElizaDontlittle · 12/04/2018 11:48

This sounds awful!! I think you need to really stand up for your DC's needs here because most tweens do have stuff on at the weekend - sports/music/plans with friends/other clubs/etc. These are good things for them to have and for you and them to wind down. Every couple of months is surely plenty often enough to make them visit nana. Is it just his parents and brother + family or are there more siblings etc in this intense group? Could you make an ally of the other (s) who have 'married in'?

DSHathawayGivesMeFannyGallops · 12/04/2018 12:08

YANBU. Stand up for your time and for your DC to have a life outside the family- they sound a bit Mafioso! I've always found it exceptionally weird when families have to be in permanent convoy over every non event. A work colleague had it and the impression was that they were all a bit needy and couldn't function alone.

DP was obliged to spend each weekend with his GPs until he was 17. Much as he loved them, he seriously resented it and reckons it stunted his social life as a younger teen. It does colour his feelings, looking back. If your MiL loves the DC- and recalls having teens, she'll understand and accept this.

Appuskidu · 12/04/2018 12:17

I know plenty of people with awful in laws, but in 99% of cases, their child is totally aware of what they’re like and has happily moved away with the new husband/wife to get away from them them!

In your case it’s different, as your husband still seems to like it and you have foment along with things fine yeara by the sounds of it. I think you have a battle on your hands as he doesn’t want anything to change.

Shizzlestix · 12/04/2018 12:36

My family can be a bit like this. Big holidays together which I’ve always resisted. I’ll do a weekend here and there if it suits me. My dh has refused to participate and they think he’s weird. I have one branch of the family who are all close, live within 10 minutes of each other (and their parents). I moved abroad. Grin

GabriellaMontez · 12/04/2018 12:46

Have a lovely relaxing Friday!

With a bit of luck they'll 're label you as stand offish and not invite you again.

It was sad when I realised exdh valued me way less than his brother/mum.

But perhaps an evening babysitting with his mum and sister will make him feel differently...

himalayansalt · 12/04/2018 12:47

Wait, your husband and your inlaws expect you to drive 3 hours on a Friday to babysit? Are they joking??

My inlaws live 3 hours drive away and we see them 6 times a year max, less so now the children are older. And quite often dh goes on his own to visit, or takes the children without me, and I get a blissful whole weekend to myself!

Yanbu op. Your husband's family are being incredibly selfish.

topcat2014 · 12/04/2018 20:32

@appuskidu - do you play piano? That was the name of the music book the teacher used in my primary school decades ago

Dermymc · 12/04/2018 20:37

Gosh this is scary!

Come on OP start booking activities for you and your children and fuck them right off.

Butterymuffin · 12/04/2018 20:54

The latest event is that dh wants me to finish work early this fri so we can go and babysit for bil while he and his wife go to a work do.

"Oh, sorry, I can't get away early on Friday but you could go and do it!" Smile Hmm

Appuskidu gave plenty of reasons why this is a crap thing to ask. Let me guess, all your ILs believe children should be looked after by family always rather than 'strangers' ie paid babysitters.

Lacucuracha · 12/04/2018 20:58

Place marking for picture of OP's socked feet put up on the coffee table!

You deserve it!

Seeinthedark · 12/04/2018 21:16

Yanbu that sounds awful and far too much. I'm a sahm now, but when I was working the last thing I'd be doing on a weekend is travelling 3 hours to babysit anyone's kids.

My dp actively avoids his family and now I'm sorta seeing it as a positive.

Enjoy your night in.

ChampagneSocialist1 · 12/04/2018 21:18

I think you need to just not respond directly to these ‘dramas’. I know families like your dhs and they’re so involved in each other’s lives it’s claustrophobic. Your ILs will talk about you in your absence and try to emotionally blackmail/guilt trip you into getting involved but stand your ground as the quiet life you crave will be worth it.

hammeringinmyhead · 12/04/2018 21:19

Hmm. I get the feeling that if DH hadn't decided to live 3 hours away it would be acceptable to MIL and DH if you were occasionally all busy for these "events", but as he did move away this is his FOG talking? (Fear Obligation Guilt)

Cheeseislife · 12/04/2018 21:28

I'm pretty gobsmacked at how together (and pretty awesome) you appear to be, yet you married a lemming?!

The herd mentality observation you made had me Grin

Time to take back your life, if your DH doesn't like it at least you know he won't be sulking alone Wink

AnathemaPulsifer · 12/04/2018 21:47

A 3-hour drive would cost considerably more in petrol for the round trip than it would cost to pay a proper adult babysitter. Though of course they won’t need to because MIL IS RIGHT THERE! This is simply bonkers. Stand firm.

Maggiepryor · 13/04/2018 05:30

Ahh @cheeseislife i am a late bloomer! And mumsnet has helped massively. Trust me i was a wee lemming when i got married Grin

To all the pps - thank you so much for your support. DH has a company car with free petroleum so Petrol cost is not a factor. An no they would never consider a stranger doing the babysitting. They are one of those families with no outside friends - its all family. And i thing they use all the babysitting needs, life events etc as a excuse to get together. Which is sweet. But i cannot stand compulsory attendance, never could, and Eastergate (whole thread in itself) broke me and now i am saying, no more!
I am in a different hemisphere to most of you, sock/wine/couch photo coming in approx 3 hours!!
And yes DH is on his way to ILs, without me, in a silent jaw clenching rage Grin

OP posts:
IAmSproutycus · 13/04/2018 05:48

Well done you. Hugs for the sully days ahead xx

IAmSproutycus · 13/04/2018 05:48

SULKY!

Freyanna · 13/04/2018 05:52

Maggiepryor Good for you! Smile

BouleBaker · 13/04/2018 05:54

Glad he’s going without you. Where are the kids? Are they going with him or staying with you?

Arapaima · 13/04/2018 06:15

Well done OP!

CallingDannyBoy · 13/04/2018 06:16

Did your children go as well?

You can’t tease us like this -what happened at Easter.
Enjoy the wine, take out and feet up

JingsMahBucket · 13/04/2018 06:30

Good job on standing your ground and laying down boundaries! Did your kids go too?