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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not want to give them my baby stuff?

487 replies

TheCheekOfSomePeople · 21/10/2019 15:02

Bil and his fiancé are expecting a baby (12 weeks pregnant I think) and dh has just told me that mil has just asked dh when can fil collect our baby furniture, clothes, toys and books with his van. I think they are even expecting to collect the pram which my parents bought and we are still using (my dc is 22 months old).
Me and dh are also thinking about trying for another baby in the near future.
AIBU to think they are being cheeky?
AIBU to want to keep the stuff because my dc is still using the pram, toys and books and it might be difficult to get it back if we have another baby. And it might not be in as good condition as we gave it.
Dh didn't mention that we were thinking of trying for another baby

OP posts:
Mummyoflittledragon · 23/10/2019 09:33

To add, I wouldn’t be responding to thIs latest text. It’s just a hook to fight. She’s dying for your dh to engage and will absolutely hate being ignored. She’s decided you’re the bad guy. It sounds as though you can live with that. Nothing you or he could say will change this anyway. If she says something beyond the pale face to face or again, he just needs to say “enough mother” or “I am disgusted by your behaviour” or some such then refuse to engage, leave, walk away etc. If he’s too scared, say it in his stead and. United front stuff.

notthemum · 23/10/2019 09:37

Have you changed the locks yet ? Please do this urgently.
You can get new ones from BnQ.
Make sure PIL can't get access to them. Then tell them they are Not getting any of your stuff.
You don't need to explain. Just No.
It's your stuff and they are cfs.

TheCheekOfSomePeople · 23/10/2019 10:10

I'm going to change the locks at the weekend, my dad has offered to help. Dh thinks it's a silly idea to change the locks Hmm.
My Mil definitely is a toxic interfering b. She is the biggest problem in our marriage.
Dh definitely is a mummy's boy who finds it hard to stand up to his mum. His mum in the past has said I need to make more of an effort with my appearance and he didn't say anything to defend me. He has his good points but why can't he stand up to his mum.
I do have some well worn toys and half ripped up books, I'm tempted to bag them up for them.

OP posts:
Aderyn19 · 23/10/2019 10:12

Maybe you should consider having another baby with an actual grown up, rather than this pathetic man child you appear to have lumbered yourself with!

Beesandcheese · 23/10/2019 10:15

Change the locks. Text the SIL saying a polite "MIL has apparently offered our childs baby stuff to you. No idea why as obviously it's still in use, I hope the pregnancy is being kind to you x"
It really sounds like the MIL trying to impress or take charge, so I'd circumvent her and go to the source to say. As your child is 22 months don't let her have any say at all in your child's birthday. She sounds the type. No doubt she'll be eying everything up at Christmas to make an inventory.

diddl · 23/10/2019 10:17

"but why can't he stand up to his mum."

Because it's easier to upset you than her.

Looked back & found the post where MIL asked if it was a no because it was you being selfish.

He absolutely should not have explained about ttc to her, but should have been angry & asked her wtaf was she asking that?

That it was a no & that was it.

Beesandcheese · 23/10/2019 10:17

If she is I'd toxic definitely cut her out of the majority of family discussions. Always go back to the individuals. You'll find a different story in my experience.

diddl · 23/10/2019 10:18

Yes, it would be interesting to know how involved BIL & SIL are in this!

Tweetingmagpie · 23/10/2019 10:24

She sounds awful but she’s not your problem, she’s your husbands, I would just keep her at arms length and make sure he knows where you stand on everything( assuming he is worth the hassle, I couldnt be doing with someone so pathetic tbh)

ohfourfoxache · 23/10/2019 10:25

Please be careful that he doesn’t give her a spare key

ohfourfoxache · 23/10/2019 10:26

Sorry, I meant a spare key for the new lock

Idontwanttotalk · 23/10/2019 10:44

Well at least you know now how unsupportive your husband is. By him saying he'll ask you, he has put all the blame for refusing onto you. He'd really be in the doghouse if I was married to him.

I definitely agree that you should change your locks and just hope your FIL doesn't come around before the weekend.

To whoever said to give ILs your cot because MIL paid for it, I definitely wouldn't. It was a gift to you.

I can't believe her attitude to you planning another baby. I'm hoping you fall pregnant very soon now. Grin

Mummyoflittledragon · 23/10/2019 10:46

Wow that was a nasty comment!

Mummyoflittledragon · 23/10/2019 10:47

.... I mean about your appearance.

ChangeAndThenChange · 23/10/2019 10:49

This is so cheeky Op. just assume you are willing to give all your baby things away. Not only do you need them for the future if your like me I feel sentimental over my baby’s things. I want to keep it until I’m comfortable giving them away. YANBU they are extremely cheeky

Wixi · 23/10/2019 11:01

My DSis is like this. I saved my baby stuff for her as it was good stuff, John Lewis etc. She got changing table, pram, push chair, car seat, etc. A lot of expensive stuff, saving her hundreds for which she gave me ..... a bunch of flowers! As she has finished with stuff I see her selling it on via Facebook market pages giving me nothing. When my DD grows out of stuff (electric car recently), she says "we'll have that!" and was most upset when I told her it would cost her. She hasn't asked since!

LittleOwl153 · 23/10/2019 11:10

If he thinks changing the lock is silly, make sure you get a lock that has keys that are difficult to get cut. I know that would be a pain for you - but otherwise she will get him to get one cut for her - and potentially won't tell you (- because you will be being selfish about that too no doubt!!)

averythinline · 23/10/2019 11:39

there is no problem with using 2nd hand clothes/furniture - I think your comment about the fiance being tight for that is quite mean....It is ridiculous how much stuff goes into landfill that could be reused....

but it should be offered / discussed there is a problem with your MIL though just demanding!
you dont even know if they've asked/said anything- sounds like your MIL has just assumed...
dont make an argument with BIL & Fiance just because .... it maybe nice if you can share stuff with teh expectation that you will get it back when you need it..... but thats for you and them to sort out not MIL
think changing the locks and directly communicating with them is a better solution

diddl · 23/10/2019 11:43

Tbh I'd be tempted to give the cot that she bought as I wouldn't want the bloody thing anymore!

FizzyGreenWater · 23/10/2019 11:51

Ok, you need to sort this - or try to. As you're beginning to see, you can't just 'keep out of it' when you start having babies. It doesn't work!

This is the nub of it:

but why can't he stand up to his mum.

Because it's easier to upset you than her.

You need to make it easier to upset her than you, in a nutshell :)

Time for a sit down chat with your DH where you explain, in nice easy words, that you are done with an interfering person causing issues in your marriage. That is could be sorted out, but he is the only one that can do it. No more toeing the line. No more not standing up for you. No more sitting on the fence. He either grows some balls and is a real adult man who sees his wife and child as his primary family and puts them first, or - eventually - you'll walk.

Point out too that if this were sorted out by him putting up normal adult boundaries, she wouldn't like it at first but over time a new respectful relationship would be built where everyone - including her - would be happier. Right now, you can only function relative to MIL by keeping her at complete arms' length. And you aren't going to be walked over, so unless MIL changes, bottom line is that she isn't going to get to be close to her grandkids, no matter how many keys she steals to your home. She can't win this way, and neither can he now he understands that right now he's at the start of a long thorny road which ultimately ends in him back at his parent's house in his old bedroom.

Waspnest · 23/10/2019 12:03

I think most of the MIL problems on MN can be summed up with you do not have a MIL problem, you have a DH problem. Perhaps we need a new acronym - YDNHAMILPYHADHP?

fedup21 · 23/10/2019 12:32

As she has finished with stuff I see her selling it on via Facebook market pages giving me nothing

Why didn’t you say anything??

DisneyMadeMeDoIt · 23/10/2019 12:43

@Waspnest

I TOTALLY agree. However, I can’t help thinking about how many ‘MIL’ issues my DH could have if he were as assertive with my DM as I am with his 😂

My DM is very active in our lives (massively helpful tho and ⭐️ free childcare) but my DH just goes with it. DM comes and goes as I/she pleases and DH never bats an eye 🙈

The difference is, if I’m unhappy with my DM I tell her (and she tells me). Whereas when I’m annoyed with MIL I complain to DH - who either doesn’t/ or In effectively communicates that.
If we spoke to MIL’s the same way we do our own DM’s a lot of tension could probably be avoided.

WhenPushComesToShove · 23/10/2019 13:30

Very pleased to hear that locks are being changed at the weekend. In the interim, hide all baby stuff and as Pp suggested, text proposed recipients of baby articles and say a definite NO to lending stuff as you still need it. If Mil moans about not being able to have access, tell her you are busy shagging and would rather do it in private!

Majorcollywobble · 23/10/2019 13:39

I can’t believe you are being so restrained about this ! Probably a combination of sheer shock and disbelief ?
The sheer cheek of the expectant couple is one thing - who the heck has everything for a newborn at 12 weeks pregnant?
But the fact your mil and fil are getting involved is beyond the pale ! Plus even the prom which was a gift from your parents !
I think DH needs to just say no - no explanation either as whether to plan an addition to your family is no one’s business but yours after all. And if that’s not on the cards you will dispose of the baby stuff as and when you see fit .
Honestly the more you read about people like these who feel entitled to take take take from others the worse they seem to be.