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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

They didn't use car seat!

604 replies

jollybobs89 · 24/01/2020 03:34

Ok so DD almost 2! Grandparents looked after her at the weekend for the day asked if they needed the car seat to which they said no probably won't go out!

Anyway turns out they did go out and took DD in the car with no car seat on MIL knee to a supermarket which was probably a 13 mile round trip!

DH has gone mental said it's not acceptable at all which it isnt! Caused a massive row as they said she was 100% safe that they are upset that we think they would put her in danger?! (But they did there was no need to take her in the car one of them could have stayed home) they have said that she was probably safer on MIL knee that she would be in a car seat!!! And said thats just what they do ?! They have numerous grandkids.

AWBU? To be mad re this?? They didn't tell us they'd gone out it was till a few days later we realised from pics they sent of having her.

Just don't want everyone falling out re this! But they won't hold their hands up and apologise they just think it's acceptable

OP posts:
SunshineCake · 02/08/2020 17:23

Your MIL is gas lighting you by saying she is glad it is all getting sorted. Nothing has been sorted.

Your SIL is a bullying bitch.

No child needs to spend time with someone who is vile to their parents. Why should they get the joy of your children when they disrespect you and also could have killed them.

jollybobs89 · 02/08/2020 18:22

@Onekidnoclue basically SIL is always round at her parents so if we was to go round or if we was to drop DD etc there for a while (which probably won't be for a long time) she would end up going round she only lives round the corner.

Also DP parents like to have all the kids sleep over etc together again this won't be happening etc but they are saying we are putting them in an impossible situation by asking SIL not to be there if we go round.

OP posts:
TrainsandDiggers · 02/08/2020 18:29

I would be fuming! I used to get angry when my ILs always insisted on loosening the car seat straps (think child hanging out), keeping their coats on in the car seats and covering them with blankets whilst they slept - cue dangerously overheated child with wet hair and red face. Suffice to say after ignoring our warnings once, they weren’t trusted again. It’s a dreadful shame when parents are made to feel that they are being precious or OTT when all the warnings (and even the law in this case) supports you. Best of luck with this - it’s unlikely to be an easy confrontation but my goodness, so important!

TrainsandDiggers · 02/08/2020 18:48

Sorry - I just read the whole thread. How awful for you OP. Absolutely toxic - I felt equal anger and hurt on your behalf 💐

Throckmorton · 02/08/2020 19:18

Your daughter will not miss out if she never sees any of these toxic people again. I would certainly not ever let her spend time with any of them without you there - think of all the hideous things they might say to her about you! Honestly, she's better without seeing any of them

LovePoppy · 02/08/2020 19:39

[quote LovePoppy]@jollybobs89 he needs to back off until they apologise to you.

This will all blow up again

Why did your partner change his tune?[/quote]
This is not to say “I told you so”, but more to point out patterns.
You said your partner hadn’t changed his tune. He had. It was all about trying to get you to give in.

They are STILL trying.

You deserve more.

jollybobs89 · 02/08/2020 20:07

@LovePoppy I know 😫 god don't even know why I bothered in the first place hey that's taught me a very good lesson!

OP posts:
jollybobs89 · 02/08/2020 20:08

@Throckmorton @TrainsandDiggers very toxic and not good for my mental health either think I need to steer clear of these people !

And yes tbh that's what does worry me I don't want her getting her toxic mits on my babies

OP posts:
LovePoppy · 02/08/2020 20:29

[quote jollybobs89]@LovePoppy I know 😫 god don't even know why I bothered in the first place hey that's taught me a very good lesson! [/quote]
Because you felt badly they called you a bitch. Just as before.

They use words to attempt to control you

Onekidnoclue · 02/08/2020 20:43

Ah! We’re not close to parents so I never really get the living in pockets set up some people seem to have.
Tbh your SIL sounds like a nutcase and the rest of the in laws seem to have a relaxed grip on reality and common sense at best.
I’d just go low contact with the GP and make it clear that it’s because SIL has a negative impact on your family and that’s your priority. If they moan about missing out I’d broken record at them “I’m sorry you feel like that but I’m sure you understand we have to prioritise our children’s well being”.
I would totally abandon the idea that they will understand or come around. The best you can hope for when dealing with nutters like this is to wear them down with repetition and consistency so they finally ‘get’ what the set up is. They won’t like it, they will complain but if you keep at it eventually they will realise that’s the way it is going to be and work with it. Good luck!

TheMandalorian · 02/08/2020 21:01

@jollybobs89

There's 7 grandkids in total mine are 2 and 4 months.

PILs are asking for all kids to be able to mix without us being present at their house if we can't get on with SIL however allowing the kids to see each other will mean that SIL will end up being there as she's always at her parents house and I feel like she's too toxic to be around my children.

It's all just a mess wish I'd never bothered resolving the situ in the first place.

I don't understand this bit. The whole start of the argument is that pil can't be trusted alone with your dc safety. So no way would they be taking them alone. Also the whole thing with pil seems to have been brushed under the carpet and you never received an apology from them. Forget about sil and cousins. Most people live too far away from cousins to have a meaningful relationship with them and generally drift apart once they become teens. I would be focussing my boundaries on pil. They are still pushing to have your children alone and to cut you out. It's sad for dh but I would not allow them alone time with a 2yo a 4mo who still needs a lot of supervision and their mum.
Onekidnoclue · 02/08/2020 21:09

@TheMandalorian I think OP is talking about a long time in the future, years away. She’s not going to leave a little baby with the mad PILs.

jollybobs89 · 02/08/2020 22:24

His mum has just contacted DP to try and justify what SIL has done by basically saying well she didn't want to be fake so that's why she said what she did!

Honestly can't make this up! And then she's said but we need to sort something so that all the kids can mix as it's not fair them missing out honestly they are mental

OP posts:
TrainsandDiggers · 02/08/2020 22:58

It feels like you almost need to send them a bullet pointed memo of what has happened and who said what so they can stop conflating it all in their minds to fit the narrative as they go along!

jollybobs89 · 02/08/2020 23:01

@TrainsandDiggers even then I don't think they will get it 🤣 hahaha

OP posts:
crankysaurus · 02/08/2020 23:01

So, nasty SIL aside, am I right that the parents still haven't apologised for how they behaved to you?

jollybobs89 · 02/08/2020 23:02

@crankysaurus nope his parents never apologised not once! They still actually have me blocked on Fb haha

OP posts:
crankysaurus · 02/08/2020 23:06

And I don't think that apology will ever come.

I'm close to my cousins but we would go quite some time without seeing each other, your kids will be fine and will be able to catch up in later years, this whole 'oh lets put it aside for the kids sake' is just a way to have one over on you.

Sounds like it's a conflict for your partner but it's great he's on your side.

jollybobs89 · 02/08/2020 23:31

@crankysaurus no it won't and his parents just want all the grandkids together so that they can play happy families with my children no thank you they have zero respect for me.

OP posts:
NeedsAdvicePlease11 · 02/08/2020 23:54

Block them all and no more second chances for any of them.
Regardless of you and dhs wishes, they will all do what they want and treat you like shit in the process. All while your dc watch on and learning the 'acceptable' way everyone treats their parents- including the dc themselves eventually as they grow around these toxic people.
It really is okay to say these people are too toxic and not what i choose for my dc.

I bet your life was a lot more peaceful and happy when you where all not talking.

Pheasantplucker2 · 03/08/2020 04:53

I don't think your kids are missing out on big gatherings of grandkids when they're so little. Mine certainly wouldn't have had big sleepovers at that stage, even with loving grandparents. 7 kids all together with such little ones would be too much for the grandparents to cope with in my eyes.

Unfortunately I don't think you're ever going to get the relationship you thought you had with any of your inlaws. As someone who also thought they had a good relationship with their inlaws and had a massive shock when they showed their true feelings, our lives are now much happier for not having contact.

I understand that you're especially hurt because you treated SIL as a friend and she clearly wasn't. This is so much more about the type of people they are than the conflict itself. This situation was always going to arise at some point, so don't focus on the car seat incident as they were always going to challenge your decision making.

As someone who has always got on with most people I spent a lot of time agonising over what had happened and my part in it. Eventually I realised that they had an agenda that didn't include me. It was really hurtful as they'd been lovely to my face all the way through the relationship and I'd really put myself out to help them at various points.

My kids don''t have a relationship with them, and it's much easier. It took a few years for me to come to terms with it and not feel as though they were missing out because of me, but it helped that OH was in agreement and it was his decision to go NC.

I think in your shoes I'd just leave it now with SIL. I wouldn't allow any unsupervised contact between PIL and DC, and I'd probably discuss with your OH as to where and how they saw the kids.

Where and how do you feel most comfortable? Having them in your house? Meeting at a park? I would avoid having OH and kids at their house unless you are comfortable going too, as I am sure SIL will "pop round" to surreptitiously see your kids.

Agree a plan of action with your OH and grey rock anything else. Mute the whole family on social media so that you don't have to see any offensive or goady comments.

Ignore any comments about sleepovers and all the kids together at the grandparents. Have a neutral deflection ready - "oh, we don't feel they're old enough for that yet".

There must be another sibling of your husband's for there to be 7 grandchildren, how are they behaving? Can you have separate contact with them and their kids? SIL's kids are very likely to spout SIL's opinion to your kids as they get older, so low/NC with them isn't going to be a bad thing for your kids.

Good luck - it's hard and stressful, but once you have finalised your and DH's agreed plan then just stick to it and ignore all the comments. You will be much happier.

Jokie · 03/08/2020 06:25

I'd love to know what your DH said to his mum when she tried to justify your SILs behaviour. It's absolutely barking.

I think you need to stop giving them chances and put the whole "cousins playing together" out of their minds as it's never going to happen.

I'm really sorry that they're behaving in this way @jollybobs89. At least you don't have to be under false illusions for their attitude and opinion

jollybobs89 · 03/08/2020 07:38

@Pheasantplucker2 thanks for your reply!

I do agree with you in the fact that if it was the car seat incident that it would have been something as as they clearly have issues with me so I just feel like they are using that as an excuse.

Yeah it did hurt at lot that she was meant to be a friend but I guess I've had my eyes opened. I like you have done a lot for them and for me to be this treated like this I'm just in shock, but hey you can't be liked by everyone can you!

Yeah he has an older sister with 3 siblings who I get along with just fine, and I make sure that the kids etc see them and her kids often. She is always having run ins with her sister but now obviously this is also my fault (another thing that was said to me on the phone) however his older sister knows it's utter rubbish and tbh doesn't have great feelings towards her younger sister which I guess says it all!

I have said that after his mum now trying to justify SIL behaviour I feel like I'm done with his parents now!

His parents like everyone to go round to their house and visit they like having all the family together etc but obviously now I feel like they want DP to go round without me present and take the kids I feel like that is where they are going with it, when they can quite easily visit us as we are only 10 mins away in a car.

OP posts:
jollybobs89 · 03/08/2020 07:43

@Jokie he basically said she couldn't lie and be fake so instead be horrible and nasty! He just basically said that's her opinion of someone and she should keep her opinions to herself and then basically said he didn't want anything to do with her anymore.

I feel like the are all bullies ! It's their way or the highway and I feel like they have all just ganged up on me!

OP posts:
BoyTree · 03/08/2020 11:04

Presumably they are the ones who told your SIL that you had fallen out in the first place? Perhaps they should have thought about how 'sad' they would be before they stirred the pot and encouraged her to have a go rather than somehow making it everyone else's fault.

Honestly, I can see that you are trying to find a reason or an explanation for their batshit behaviour, but some people just operate on such a different level that it will drive you mad trying to understand them.

All you can do is respond to their behaviour - no unsupervised access because they have demonstrated that they don't take safety seriously; no time with SIL because she has demonstrated that she cannot be civil to or about you; no discussion about either of the above because it's a waste of time and energy.

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