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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Mil and childcare

11 replies

Chilly224 · 17/05/2018 23:20

Okay, so we have managed to upset mil.

Dh and I are off on a mini break soon and dh arranged childcare with a relative/good friend of ours whom dd is extremely close to and their dc, again dd is extremely close to their dc so we are confident dd will have a whale of a time.

We feel guilty about going as dd is only 2 but we are newly weds had a tough few months and we could just really use the break.

Mil is furious she wasn't asked to babysit. We have explained that my dad also offered and would love to have her too but we have chosen to to with our df as we are sure dd will have fun with the other dc plus mil and my dad are not in the best health and it might be a bit much. Mil hasn't accepted this and says it doesn't matter who else wanted to babysit she should get to do it as she is the grandmother and it's her right and basically all her friends are going to laugh at her because they all get their grandchildren atleast once a week and she says she never gets asked (not true we always go to mil and my dad for babysitting for a few hours by day or in the evening but we never leave dd with then for longer due to their health and they have both proven more then once they wouldn't manage) my dad is probably the more fit out of the two but I'm always very careful to treat them the same so nobody's feelings are hurt.

How to I show mil this arrangement isn't to hurt anyone it's simply what is in dds best interest and she really will prefer having other children to play with? I have already told my dad and mil that whilst we are away they can arrange with out friend to take dd out for the day if they want to. Dad is totally fine and understands just said he would of been happy to have her if we hadn't been able to sort anything else.

OP posts:
FuckingHateRain · 17/05/2018 23:23

is in dds best interest
I wouldn't put it like that, that's hurtful....
I'd say something like she's a 2yo, she s hard work, she ll knock them out etc

AmazingPostVoices · 17/05/2018 23:23

Personally I’d be kind and polite but firm.

Your DD isn’t a doll your MIL gets a turn of showing off to her friends.

Decisions are made in the interests of the child and tantrums by adults are unacceptable.

And next time? Don’t tell her you are away.

KarmaStar · 17/05/2018 23:30

With all due respect to your mil,she is your child,it is not up to your mil to dictate who cares for her.She is being unrealistic.
Remind her of the occurrence you mentioned above where she was unable to cope due to her health and say that your DS will be happy with another child to play with to take her mind off you being away.
Suggest when your dc is older and can do more for herself then you can rethink.
You could mention his good your dad is being about it.
Don't let this ruin your much deserved holiday,explain it once more then close the subject and refuse to keep going over it.
Congratulations on your wedding and have a lovely relaxing holiday.FlowersWine

Chilly224 · 17/05/2018 23:31

Sorry I wouldn't say those words I wouldn't ever wish to hurt anyone's feelings as I know she means well.

OP posts:
AmazingPostVoices · 17/05/2018 23:50

Chilly if that reply was to me I wasn’t suggesting that you quote from my post! (I did say be kind and polite!)

deboraci · 17/05/2018 23:53

Perhaps stress that your dd is really looks forward to having a sleepover with these other children, but soften the blow by scheduling an afternoon for your mil to have your dd after you get back?

Chilly224 · 18/05/2018 00:09

Amazing that wasn't to you it was to the other poster who mentioned about it being in dds best interest sorry for the confusion!

OP posts:
agnurse · 18/05/2018 00:37

You don't need to justify your baby-sitting arrangements to her. If she whinges you just say "We've already discussed that." If she continues you say "This discussion is over." It's YOUR child. As the PPs have said she's not a toy that you need to share.

MightyMucks · 18/05/2018 06:52

Could you promise her an overnight when you get back? Would that be manageable for her?

KC225 · 18/05/2018 07:00

I agree with the above poster who said you have told your daughter it's a 'sleepover' with one of her best friends so all the children are looking forward to it. Apologise and say, its all been anrranged now and but you will definitely take up her offer in the future. When the future comes, do not let on about weekends away until it's over and done.

Chilly224 · 18/05/2018 09:44

Thanks everyone I really do feel the wicked witch here im close to both my dad and my mil and ive always made sure dd has a strong relationship with both of them. We don't use either of them for over night babysitting. Mil has taken to not speaking to me but it wasn't actually me who arranged this child care it was dh.

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