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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask DP to have a word with MIL

9 replies

Kneadtoknow · 07/05/2020 21:13

My DS was born a few months ago and prior to this I’ve had no issues with my MIL. Since we told her me and DP were expecting she became a bit overbearing (constantly referring to DS as “her” baby, talking about how she was going to have him visit her without us for weeks at a time and how she was going to stay with us as soon as he was born etc) my DP has been very good at letting her know when she was being too much and did so without me asking him too as he felt the same way as me.

Generally I have put this down to her being very excited for her first grandchild and that all the comment are very harmless however there is one thing she keeps saying that is making me quite upset. PIL live several hours away from us and so obviously see DS less than my father and step mother due to not being as close. My MIL keeps saying “it’s so hard for me to not see him all the time and he won’t know I’m his grandmother as I won’t get to spend any time with him or see him grow up.” I’m finding this very hard as my Mum passed away very suddenly and unexpectedly when I was pregnant and so obviously never got to meet DS. I had a strained relationship with her due to some issues she had but obviously she was my mum and i would’ve loved for her to see DS grow up.

Logically I know that MIL just isn’t thinking when she says these comments and she’s just sad we live so far away and the first couple of times I brushed them off as me being overly sensitive but she keeps saying them and every time she does it just makes me think that my mum will never see DS and it’s making me upset and honestly a little bit angry.

My DP has never actually heard her say this and I’ve never told him thinking it was just me being sensitive. My question is would I be unreasonable to ask him to have a quiet word with her and gently tell her to stop saying that to me? I don’t really want to ask her myself because I don’t want to jeopardise a pretty good relationship by upsetting her

OP posts:
nervousnelly8 · 07/05/2020 21:17

I definitely don't think it would be unreasonable for him to gently mention that those comments are insensitive in the circumstances. I'm sure she's just not thinking and that she would feel awful if she realised (assuming there's no massive dripfeed and she's a generally nice person!). And please don't think that you're being over sensitive - it seems perfectly normal that this type of comment would be hurtful when you've recently lost a parent. Sorry for your loss.

Soontobe60 · 07/05/2020 21:17

No, don't ask your dp, speak to her yourself.
'MIL, I know you miss our DS because you live so far away, but my dm didn't get to see him at all. Every time you say that, it makes me sad because he won't ever get to meet his other Granny '

BruceAndNosh · 07/05/2020 21:18

I think it would sound much better coming from your DP. That way he can acknowledge his mum not seeing DS as much as she would like and at the same time remind her that your mum never met DS

Incrediblytired · 07/05/2020 21:20

Oh, I’m so sad that you lost your mum. How awful. You aren’t being over sensitive, maybe just say what the previous poster suggested

ECBC · 07/05/2020 21:24

Oh goodness! Definitely get DP to sort it. It’s very insensitive of her to keep saying that.

fuckinghellthisshit · 07/05/2020 21:52

I'm sorry you've been thru so much, it must be a very difficult time for you. I would wait and if she says something again, tell her what you have told us, that you know she does mean it but it is hurtful as your DM will never meet her DGS. Be open and honest and see what she says, if she is insensitive ask DP to say something.

GiantKitten · 07/05/2020 21:58

My DP has never actually heard her say this

How come? Is she only saying it when he's not there? I find that a bit suspicious. Please tell him she has been saying this repeatedly & see how he reacts. It's insensitive of her at best.

Flowers for you, OP

Huncamuncaa · 07/05/2020 22:31

He needs to tell her.

I have a very insensitive mil. Who got worse when she first became a grandmother and is still going strong...

GrumpyHoonMain · 07/05/2020 23:05

I think if she’s a nice woman, and she seems it from your post, then definitely just tell her gently how you feel.

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