To have a word with MIL about her kids

[Blondiexx]

To give a bit of background, DP works most evenings so I am alone with our 9 week old baby. We have a lovely dog but she barks like crazy if anyone knocks at the door. MIL lives a few streets away and has 9 year old twin girls. They are lovely, me and MIL get along pretty well.

However, I’m getting fed up of them knocking on my door to see the baby/they’re bored. Most days they knock on their walk home from school, about 7pm whilst playing out and even as late as 9pm. Most of the time I welcome them in, but if I’m busy I tell them I’m sorry, I’ll try pop round tomorrow to their house. It’s getting really difficult as they just knock again within an hour or so of me telling them I’m busy. I’ve told them the baby is sleeping, that the dog has woke her up, I’m doing the cleaning etc but they just don’t seem to take no for an answer!

Earlier they knocked on at 5pm, DP was in and told them that my family was coming round and that we will try visit them tomorrow after school. They agreed and went, and an hour later knocked on the door again asking to come see the baby. My parents were still here so they went home. And knocked again at 8.30pm.

I don’t know how to approach MIL about it without making it sound like I never want them to come. I don’t know whether to send a text asking if she can speak to the girls, or whether I should just deal with it and carry on turning them away if I’m busy.

*on a few occasions I’ve just ignored the door (feel bad saying that!) but they persistently knock if my cars outside which makes my dog bark and bark so I end up having to answer

If mention it. Be as honest as possible and basically say what you've just written.
I have a 10 month old and a dog that barks when the door goes, it's terrible when he's just settled for a nap and then he's woken up and is tired.
It's not fair on You, but worse it's not fair on your baby as they need their sleep.

@MsHopey it’s so frustrating isn’t it. She calms down once I shout her name about 50 times so by then I’ve woke DD up anyway lol.

I think I’ll speak to her in person about it when I see her rather than over text might come across better.

I totally get it!!!
Thankfully I don't get many visitors, but the postman, leaflet men, and the occasional visitor set my dog off every time. And it is so annoying.
I love my son, but he's a bit of a crap sleeper, so when he's finally dropped off I am happy. His morning nap coincides with the postman and it's so hard to keep him asleep.
I like to think your MIL would understand. Just word it honest and polite and put the emphasis on your LOs well-being, I like to think there's not much of an argument would come from it as she also wants what's best for her GC.

Maybe tell your MIL that visits need to be arranged in advance and that you won't be answering the door if the girls show up unannounced. You might also tell her that it seems the girls are bored. They might benefit from some after-school activities.

OP, the girls are old enough to understand that they can’t keep popping round uninvited. Tell them!

If they are playing putside, your MIL may not even know they are knocking so often. Can your DH have a word. Can they text from MIL's phone to see if the baby is awake or if they can come as it saves the dog barking etc.

Get your husband to talk to his sisters and mum?

Could you put a note on your door asking everyone not to knock when the baby is sleeping?
To save any bad feeling, you could explain to MIL that the baby is getting woken by 'people' knocking on the door so you will now be putting a sign on the door. You could ask her to explain to the girls that if this sign is there they are not allowed to knock ( obviously you could use the sign at any time you wished including all evenings)

They are 9 Just tell them ! Keep it gentle as in a few years they will be possible babysitters

I don't know if this will help. When my last was a babe, I taped (gives a clue how long ago it was) my vacuum then played the tape as white noise to help him sleep through his older siblings voices. Most of the day it was quiet but then they came home from school!!!

These days there are possibly CD's or downloadable white noise sounds.

It won't hurt to have your DP to mention the knocking problem to his mum. She had twins, surely she would understand.

Train the dog?
Why can't people say no? Be grumpy the second time and shout 'I told you not today, now b..... off'. These kids are rude

When you send them away for the first time for whatever reason just say "we will call tomorrow, do not call back this evening, do you hear me?". If they call back then do not call the following evening, they are just bored 9 year olds, they are old enough to be told and to know better but you have to make it clear too

Thanks everyone seeing MIL today. With other visitors they know what the dog is like so always text or ring beforehand. I have mentioned to the girls before to WhatsApp me first (both have phones) but they only do it every now and again so I’ll make it clear to them that if they are going to turn up they need to atleast ask first

It should be your husband talking to his family. Not you as the outsider unless you want bad feeling.