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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU for thinking MIL is taking over

26 replies

Ddcroker · 17/08/2018 18:36

Sorry just needed to vent and this is the only place I can vent about this really! My daughter's first birthday is next Friday and me and my partner decided to take her to Blackpool zoo for the day because it's quite local to us and we haven't been yet, so it will be a fun family day out. My mum lives over 200 miles down south and because of this I don't see her regularly. As a nice surprise, she has purchased coach tickets to come up on the 20th August and then she'll leave 2 days after DD birthday. She said she would help me on DD birthday and she'll purchase her own ticket for the zoo. While talking to my MIL, she asked me who was attending the outing to the zoo. I told her myself, my mum, DD, and DP. She seemed off but then was fine after 10 minutes so I thought nothing of it until about 3-4 hours ago. She rang me and explained that because I had changed my mind about MIL and FIL going to the zoo as well, FIL feels very pushed out and upset and they don't want to cause awkwardness or upset but they needed to tell us how they felt. I kindly explained that I haven't 'uninvited' them, I was unaware they were even coming but they are more than welcome to come if they like. I also apologised for any miscommunication leading to them being under the assumption there was already an agreement of them coming. MIL seemed very pleased with this news and started running through some things with me. Even though she had guilt tripped me on FIL feeling pushed out, she then turned round and said that he couldn't make it due to work commitments (why would he feel upset and pushed out and apparently 'made plans to come' if he never intended on going because of work??). She then demanded we change the day of us going to the zoo because DP is working Friday morning so we wouldn't get a decent amount of time there. But he would be back by 12pm so well be there at 12:30pm if we leave as soon as he arrives (which is what he said he wanted to do) and the zoo shuts at 5:45 so that's a decent time anyway. She then said 'well I'm not available that day either and because I am coming it's extremely selfish of you to pick a date that doesn't accomodate everyone'. I explained we wanted to go on the day of her birthday, but we can go twice. One on her birthday and then as just a family day out when she has time. She then said 'but It won't be the same, ill ring you when I find a date I'm available at and then we'll have her birthday outing when' she's 'ready'. She also demanded that my daughter doesn't open any presents til she arrived. One of the main presents I wanted to get my DD was a trike that a parent can control with one of them handles, after hearing this she went and bought one herself for DD! Tbh she won't even be able to use the trike because it has no straps to secure her to the seat, mil suggested I just buy baby reigns and hold the reigns while pushing the trike so she doesn't fall off. I usually get on with MIL but she seems to be very demanding about DD birthday, how do I approach this without causing any fall out!?

Sorry about the long post and bad grammar.

OP posts:
SharpLily · 17/08/2018 18:44

'This is what we have planned, this is what works for us. You are welcome to join us'. And repeat. And repeat.

BarbarianMum · 17/08/2018 18:46

Never heard anything so ridiculous and I'm a big MiL fan by Mumsnet standards. Will your dh support you? If so, get him to gently but firmlu lay down the law: you will proceed with your plans for your daughter's birthday. MiL can slot in as and when invited but doesnt get to dictate. You are being too accomodating.

Luckily your MiL believes in being open about feelings so she'll be happy to hear about yours I'm sure. Wink

Ceecee18 · 17/08/2018 18:46

Go to the zoo on her birthday, if she can't make it that's not your problem, you've already told her it's for your DDs birthday. Buy her the trike you wanted anyway (DD has one of those and it's great). Tell her the one she buys can be kept at her house.

If she mentions the zoo just state 'we are going on 'x day' at 'x time' if you can make it. If not then we will do it again another day'. Repeat until she stops asking. She sounds like my mom, will boss you about as long as you let her.

Shakirasma · 17/08/2018 18:47

You stick to the plans that you have made to suit yourselves and make it clear that MIL is welcome to join you but you won't be changing anything to suit her whims. She can like it or lump it.

Holidayshopping · 17/08/2018 18:48

Just stand your ground-we are going to the zoo on her birthday at 12.30 as planned. If you want to come, come.

comedycentral · 17/08/2018 18:49

Go to the zoo on the day you planned and the trike from Nana and Grandad can stay at their house and you can use the one you wanted to get at yours. We have toys, trikes and all sorts at grandparents house around the corner so they have lots to do when they visit and all the grandchildren play with the toys together.

Fluffyears · 17/08/2018 18:52

What @sharplily said. Those are the plans either she comes or she lumps it. This is your child and your family. Ignore thebtrike she bought and get your own suitable one.

Ddcroker · 17/08/2018 18:58

Thank you guys. I appreciate the advice. I will speak to her tomorrow and let her know plans aren't changing and zoo will be on her birthday.

OP posts:
Fluffyears · 17/08/2018 19:12

Stand your ground this is your child and she is getting a treat from her parents on her birthday.

BigFatGoalie · 17/08/2018 19:14

How does your DH feel about this?
Surely he should be dealing with it too?

LokiBear · 17/08/2018 19:18

Stick to your plans do not budge an inch. If she feels pushed out it is her own fault.

Ddcroker · 17/08/2018 20:21

DH is a mummy's boy so didn't stand his ground at all. All he said about the situation was 'shes just excited she doesn't mean anything bad'. I didn't say anything about what he said at the time in fear of a huge row but I will be discussing it with him tonight when he's home from work

OP posts:
Sleepyandtired21 · 17/08/2018 20:28

Just go to the zoo, any day she suggests as an alternative say you have a smear test/blood test/annoying mother in law test in the middle of the day that can’t possibly be rearranged

IceCreamFace · 17/08/2018 20:40

Your DM is coming up for DD's birthday and it's all planned so continue with that plan and go that day (a one year old isn't going to need more than 5 hours in a zoo anyway!). If your MiL isn't available on DD's birthday she can come and celebrate a different day and you can all do something special then.

Honestly DD doesn't know or care what her birthday is and will probably be less overwhelmed by two separate days with her two separate grandma's.

BrynhildurWhitemane · 17/08/2018 21:02

Stick to your plans. MIL can fit in with them, she doesn't get to dictate.

Cuddlykitten123 · 17/08/2018 21:08

Say no more to her about any of it!

Have the day out you planned. Open Gifts when you want. She can fit in or not. Buy the trike you wanted, her unusable will just have to be returned.

Grammarist · 17/08/2018 21:08

Your child, your decisions. My MIL wanted me to change my child's middle name recently. One that's been there for a good few years now. This is a usually normal and sane woman. They can get some utterly mental ideas stuck in their heads sometimes!
Just keep repeating - this is the plan and works best for us. We'd love you to join us on (insert day and time that works for you). Don't cave but be firm and polite.

Fluffyears · 18/08/2018 14:17

How dare she dictate how you spend YOUR CHILD’S birthday. You can go where you like, let her open her presents straight away when she wakes up and it is nothing to do with her. It is not her child to dictate how things will be done.

Ddcroker · 18/08/2018 18:28

Thank you for the advice and support everyone xx

OP posts:
Sallycinammonbangsthedruminthe · 18/08/2018 19:06

Who is in charge here OP? Yep thats right its You! You do not ever need to explain to anyone your actions thoughts ideas regarding your very own child to any one ,,nor do you need their advice or permission to do exactly as you wish! It is your daughters birthday and you decided as a loving parent to make it special for her as you know best..if the MIL doesnt like it well thats hardly your fault she will just have to suck it up ! Oh and tell your husband to sort his bloody mother out or you will! You dont have to mean it but it sometimes shifts them into action!!! Well it does mine anyway!

HeebieJeebies456 · 18/08/2018 19:19

She rang me and explained that because I had changed my mind about MIL and FIL going to the zoo as well, FIL feels very pushed out
Gaslighting at it's finest.

I also apologised for any miscommunication leading to them being under the assumption there was already an agreement of them coming
OP...you're too nice Grin
There was no miscommunication - or ANY communication about them joining you.
Your mil is manipulating you.

You do realise you and your dc are well within your rights to spend some quality time with your mum without the in-laws being present?
Especially seeing as your mum doesn't see either of you often and definitely not as much as your in laws?

ZenNudist · 18/08/2018 19:25

So are you supposed to sit at home and twiddpe your thumbs on dds birthday (looking at a pile of not to be opened presents) until ILs can grace you with their presence.

Stand your ground.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 18/08/2018 19:41

So rude for her to muscle in on your mum's limited time with her granddaughter. "Pushed out"? She really needs to grow up a bit.

Jenwen22 · 18/08/2018 19:50

I had this with my SIL and a few others at DS birthday.

Hadn't planned on doing anything till DSIS texted to say why didn't we have a family BBQ as she and DBIL were up from London.

Thought nothing of it. Yes in hindsight I could have invited everyone else, however as my DP had stage 4 cancer and was going through intense chemo, most things went out of my head.

DSIL and everyone else had said nothing about seeing him on his first, as in can't remember, birthday so I went along with it.

Turned up on the day and DSIS and BIL had put out balloons, banners ECT as a surprise.

Later that day SIL put a passive aggressive status on th about how her want her boys were pushed out.

Later transpired her feelings were hurt they weren't included.

Even though she had made prior plans with friends for that day....Hmm

So yeah it's a 1st birthday, the bairn will no know nothing about it. My DS played in the paddling pool all afternoon, ate a load of BBQ food and passed out in his pram. Yet it ruined my baby's first birthday because every time I look back on it I feel annoyed that others hykacked it and made it about themselves.

So yeah tell your MIL what you originally planned to do stands and she can either like it or lump it. Not your circus, not your monkeys xx

Ddcroker · 18/08/2018 21:01

I couldn't agree more with any of you. I don't try to make myself a pushover 😂😂 I'm fed up of arguing and I guess they've clicked onto that and manipulate situations so I give them what they want. Time to put my foot down now though. Thanks everyone x

OP posts:
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