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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel uncomfortable with SIL teasing baby

162 replies

MarthaHarbour · 02/01/2020 08:52

I have a DD of just over a year, who is the only female GC in DH's family. SIL, for years, very much wanted a girl, but had boys. As a result she is keen to be the favourite, "fun" auntie. I think she means well, but DD can take a while to warm up to people, and SIL tends to bounce up to her right away, be a bit loud and over the top, try to take her out of my arms, asking for kisses and hugs. DD then gets a bit upset and tends to cling to me. SIL sees this as evidence that we have spoilt DD. I still breastfeed too, which she is very Hmm over.

Recently, now that DD is more mobile, she has started a new "game" where she basically entices DD with a toy or a set of keys or something that DD wouldn't usually have, then she corners her/blocks her ability to crawl away, and dangles the thing out of DD's reach so that DD has to pull herself up on SIL's front to try and get the item (if that makes sense) SIL will then restrain her and start going all "yes that's right you LOVE Auntie, Auntie is the BEST, you're giving Auntie the BEST HUGS" and then if DD tries to get away she'll just hold on to her.

The first few times I let it go, but then it kept happening basically every time we saw her, so when she started dangling the item, I just said "please don't tease her, she doesn't like it" and lifted DD away. SIL then did an eye roll and gave MIL a look, and I just know that'll be a whole big discussion behind my back about how spoilt and precious DD is.

Am i being oversensitive? I know that SIL just sees this as being affectionate, but I really don't like it and it makes me uncomfortable to see my child effectively restrained and frustrated. SIL's boys tease a lot, to the point where I feel that although it starts out as fun, it ends up betti g quite nasty, and someone is upset and crying, and I just don't like it. It's very much seen as "boys will be boys" but I have a much older DS from a previous relationship and he didn't behave this way because I simply didn't let him.

OP posts:
Molly2016 · 02/01/2020 18:30

I’d make a comment like ‘you’re obviously not used to playing with girls, she doesn’t like that’.
Hit her where it hurts.

beautifulstranger101 · 02/01/2020 18:32

I have also caught her calling herself mummy and she got stroppy when I wouldn't let her bath my son

This is very VERY creepy. If a friend of mine did this I would be distancing myself immediately. WTF

blubelle7 · 02/01/2020 19:27

@Chocmallows and beautiful

DCs and I are NC with said friend now. DP still entertains her. I told her I really didn't feel comfortable having her around my DCs and they are not her surrogate children because she failed to have children.

Ohyesiam · 02/01/2020 19:38

Because she is so self absorbed, offer that dd will bond better and like her more if she ( and then describe playing fairly like a non-psycho adult would)

Chocmallows · 02/01/2020 19:47

Blubelle good to hear you have distance in your life from a jealous person.

OP any updates / decisions?

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 02/01/2020 20:32

For all the naysayers claiming the OP is being precious, below is a quote from the NSPCC's guidelines on encouraging positive relationships for early years settings:

Talk about personal space and explain that some people might like more or less than others. Teach children that it’s OK to say “no” if they don’t want someone to touch them.

Mrsmadevans · 02/01/2020 20:34

She sounds like a jealous cow don't leave your DD alone with her op .

Ohyesiam · 02/01/2020 22:00

Is she your PFB? It’s not coming from a bad place so I’d allow it and don’t let it upset you x

Seriously? So restraining a child against their will and forcing physical contact so that the child is ( in the ops words) uncomfortable and upset ,is coming from a good place? It’s a power trip. How can anyone be so lacking in perception.

I pray that some of the posters on this thread don’t have children and never will. But it does account for how fucked up some kids are.

Excited101 · 02/01/2020 22:13

I’m very non precious but that would do my head in. All it will do is make Dd cling to you even more, stupid woman- how selfish.

JaneDarcy · 02/01/2020 22:55

It's horrible. My aunt did similar to my little boy last week - hid a toy and he was chasing her round trying to find it. I hadn't seen her hide it, I only realised what had happened the second before his little face crumpled up and he couldn't handle it any more. He came crying over to me heartbroken. And my other family members had seen what was going on and just watched. To be fair my aunt was sorry and I doubt she'll do it again. She certainly won't in my company anyway.
What your SIL is doing is mean, invasive, rude etc. You're right to stop it before it begins/reduce contact with her

Seahorse77 · 02/01/2020 23:04

I would not like that at all, your SIL sounds horrible for doing that.

Lunde · 02/01/2020 23:45

Savingshoes - Is your SIL in junior school or second school? Either way, I'm sure she'll grow out of this childish behaviour when she is an adult.

WTF - are you actually reading the thread? The SIL is an adult - with children of her own

Despite this she taunts the baby and blocks the baby to force cuddles and physical contact by restraining the baby so that the child cannot escape the unwanted contact

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