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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Are they expecting lunch?

369 replies

PedroThePonyCowboy · 20/06/2019 14:55

Fil and step mil ask to visit to see dc, we don't invite them. They stay for about three hours and aren't that helpful/ hands on. They always say they will arrive at 12 o clock. Are they expecting lunch?

OP posts:
S1naidSucks · 20/06/2019 19:47

So the answer to everyone’s question is, he’s a useless, lazy git, that can’t even look after his own child, while you do all the wife work. I’ve never actually said this before, but I really feel sorry for your PILs, because they have a DIL problem.

By the way, how are you sending messages through Mumsnet, way back there in the 1950s?

honeygirlz · 20/06/2019 19:48

OP, I agree with you. Have you ever tried telling them to come at a different time e.g. 2.30pm?

Why do you let them come when DH is not there?

YourSarcasmIsDripping · 20/06/2019 19:48

Tell them 12 doesn't work for you. You are out. Ask them to come either early morning or afternoon.

TBH if they came to my house they could expect all thy want as we don't really do lunch.

S1naidSucks · 20/06/2019 19:48

In 10 years of being with dh I have never stepped foot inside their house.

HAVE YOU ASKED THEM IF YOU CAN VISIT?

Yes, I’ve taken to shouting now.

MrMakersFartyParty · 20/06/2019 19:48

Well then dont let them come round!
What answer do you want?

BertrandRussell · 20/06/2019 19:48

“Why don't you just invite yourself round like they do to you?”

Because why the fuck would you do two hour of driving to see people you don’t want to see rather than let them do it

honeygirlz · 20/06/2019 19:49

So the answer to everyone’s question is, he’s a useless, lazy git, that can’t even look after his own child, while you do all the wife work. I’ve never actually said this before, but I really feel sorry for your PILs, because they have a DIL problem.

Eh? So he’s a useless lazy git yet the PIL have a DIL problem? How does that work?

PedroThePonyCowboy · 20/06/2019 19:52

S1naidSucks so it's okay I and dh are not allowed to go to their house. Nor are DH's siblings for that matter. Fil used to only see dh for an hour at Christmas. Any rare family get togethers with fil and dh's siblings were at fil's sister house or a pub. So it's okay for step mil to not allow people to visit her house but not me? I must let them visit whenever they want and whatever time they dictate also. And prepare them lunch too

OP posts:
BertrandRussell · 20/06/2019 19:53

Do you actually want to drive for 2 hours to visit them?

Bluerussian · 20/06/2019 19:54

orenisthenewblack, LOL at your post. Do Kate or Meghan not like their FIL or stepMIL?

OP, leave your little one to the visiting grandparents while you sort out lunch, it'll be a novelty for him and they will no doubt like it; make sure your husband helps, even if it is only carrying things to the table - and clearing away afterwards. Presumably, at 18 months, your baby will be lunching too so he can sit on your lap to eat or else in high chair.

Not a difficult task.

wotsittoyou · 20/06/2019 19:55

Your dh can just say "come after lunch" if it isn't convenient for him. However, why can't he make his dad a sandwich once a month?

It's clear that you are resentful of them visiting no matter when they come. But your dh is responsible for catering to them, not you, so it isn't really your problem.

Why is it a strain to keep the house tidy with one toddler? Also, is his sm putting her cup on the floor because you don't have side tables? If so, you can't blame her for not putting her tea back on your dining table after each sip Confused. They've got some for £8 in Ikea.

Just make an excuse to get out of the way while they're there if you dislike them. They're not there to see you anyway. I usually spend my time in the kitchen making lunch (except that I'm actually on my phone) when my pil come, and Dh makes lunch/teas when mine come.

I love my dad visiting. I'd be horrified if dh sulked about it.

sweeneytoddsrazor · 20/06/2019 19:57

OP just tell them not to bother coming round. You obviously dont want them to and you obviously cant cope. Let DH see them elsewhere you stay away. Do you have any visitors at all. Hiw do you manage with them?

TurnAroundWhenPossible · 20/06/2019 19:58

Visitors at midday take up a whole day. Ask them to come at 3pm, or even later when DH's home from work. Really he should be facilitating contact with his father. It's good that you get on with his mother, and I don't think you are unreasonable to be a bit miffed FIL refuses to have you at their house.

boobirdblue · 20/06/2019 20:01

Why should I prepare lunch for people who say I'm not welcome in their house? People who never bothered to have any relationship with the dc until they retired.

You don't , either say after 3 or get your useless feckless husband to do it!

Are you deliberately being obtuse?

sweeneytoddsrazor · 20/06/2019 20:02

But if they come later then they will be there at evening meal time. If OP cant make a sandwich she sure wint be able to rustle up a hot meal.

PedroThePonyCowboy · 20/06/2019 20:02

wotsittoyou dc could reach tea on a side table. They can climb onto the dining table from the chair also. The centre of the dining table is the only safe place for tea. Even them you need to make sure he doesn't climb on it.

OP posts:
PedroThePonyCowboy · 20/06/2019 20:04

boobirdblue I'm saying I want to tell them to come after lunch around 2 or 3. But people are saying I should just make lunch for them

OP posts:
sweeneytoddsrazor · 20/06/2019 20:04

People put tea on side tables up and down the country every hour of every day. As long as you are watching DS it will be fine. Nobody keeps standing up to put a cup in the middle of the dining table.

Needcoffeecoffeecoffee · 20/06/2019 20:05

I'm still really confused after 10 pages you can't say 'I'm really sorry but we aren't about at 12, we will be back by 1.30/2.00/4.00 (whatever time suits you)'

Then you can wrangle /lasso you're one toddler and one man-child over lunchtime in peace

cptartapp · 20/06/2019 20:06

What a lot of fuss about nothing.
I would stick at one child if I were you.

Needcoffeecoffeecoffee · 20/06/2019 20:07

Or if the hot tea is an issue why don't you either go out somewhere so your child can play and you can have a hot drink and a chat or just serve nice cold drinks and explain that while your child is young you don't feel its safe to give them a hot drink

They may think you are a bit odd but not inviting relatives to your house for ten years they are hardly in a position to criticise

RosieCockle · 20/06/2019 20:08

You are really hard work!! Can't you take on any of the numerous helpful suggestions that people have made instead of lamely wailing: do it's ok if...?
Just get on with it!!

boobirdblue · 20/06/2019 20:10

@PedroThePonyCowboy they come 12 times a year? How often is DH there? Say 50% of the time? You've ignored me telling you to get your lazy feckless husband to do it while he's there! You concentrated on telling them to come after 2.

I could perfectly cope with two DC under 28 months old, make lunch, dinner and have visitors you can't do adjust the situation.

Although you strike me a a martyr mum, DH can't cook, can't clean properly, can't look after DC like me, can't be trusted to keep DC safe.

I personally find this so unattractive and embarrassing to treat a fully grown man as a child.... 🤢

boobirdblue · 20/06/2019 20:12

wotsittoyou dc could reach tea on a side table. They can climb onto the dining table from the chair also. The centre of the dining table is the only safe place for tea. Even them you need to make sure he doesn't climb on it.

Jesus you've one child and you need to say this word NO!

Lipz · 20/06/2019 20:13

3 hours once a month is nothing really. As many others have said, when they say they are visiting, you can say what time suit you. When my PIL say they are visiting, I usually ask them what (approx) time they'll be here, gives me enough time to wipe the jacks and hide the crap in the utility room, If I'm not available I tell them that and arrange another day.

Your dh is well able to help you, if he is not going to be there, arrange the visit for a day he will be there and if he is so useless in the Kitchen he can hold the toddler. I'm sure he can butter bread or stir a pot of soup.

They probably haven't invited anyone over because they are hoarders ?????

I get some people like invites, some just pop in, some like neon lights with fireworks and some people don't like visitors. I do honestly think though that for the sake of 3 hours once a month suck it up.

People change, my own parents worked full time, I rarely seen them when I had kids, then they retired and they wanted to vist alot, but then I didn't mind as I enjoy visitors and usually cook up a small banquet when people visit, unfortuantely their health go bad and both died before they could even settle into a visiting routine. Your PIL have more time now, they want to see you and their GC, they could be ignoring you completely and that would be worse.

If you are struggling to manage to cook meals, which is a BAD idea as you need to eat yourself and you need to have set meals for your child, you can buy larger high chairs, jesus some of them are like flying spaceships now with bells and whisltes on them, your ds would be delighted with himself and occupied by YOUR side while you make something to eat (not just for visitors) you can also get the standing yokes on amazon, I bought 2 of these, the kid stands inside what looks like a tall wooden box (sorry can't remember the name of it will look it up) but you can adjust the standing height, it lets them stand beside you at a safe height for when they are very active and want to be involved in everything, the stand goes right up against all counter tops.

What you could do and this is what I do, when we arrange a date for PIL to come over, they come over once a week but the day can differ, we usually arrange it begining of week, the day before I cook a lasagna or a shephards pie, we have that for our dinner and I make it bigger and use the rest the next day they call, 5 minutes in the microwave with supermarket salad bowl on the plate it's done and dusted. You'll be cooking dinner anyway the day before so no harm doing it a bit bigger bang whateven is left over in the fridge and bob's your uncle.

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