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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Angry message from DD's boyfriends mum

346 replies

richele4 · 16/05/2020 02:17

Background: DD is 19, boyfriend is 20, been together for almost 3 years. When lockdown was announced DD moved out of uni accommodation and in with her boyfriend and his family (mum, dad, brother).

Tonight DD rings me upset and says that she had an argument with boyfriends mum and was told she wasn't welcome to stay there anymore. She asked if could come and stay with us instead (boyfriend included). Don't bash me for this, I know the rules say you can't switch between households but it's my daughter, of course I said yes. Asked what the argument was about and she said that boyfriends mum shouted at her for not doing enough housework and not contributing enough towards shopping. I've never asked how much DD was contributing towards food or bills because she's an adult with a job and can sort that herself. I know that she was paying weekly towards shopping (and getting them discount because she works at Tesco) and also giving some money for rent and bills, I just don't know how much.

DD and boyfriend due to come to ours from tomorrow which is totally fine.

Anyway, I received a message from boyfriends mum saying how disgusted she was with DD's behaviour while she's been living there. Saying that she was messy, waking up in the afternoon, only cooking and cleaning for herself, eating more food than she was paying for... Essentially, "treating the place like a hotel."

Firstly, DD works evenings into the night, often not arriving home until 3 or 4 in the morning, so if she wakes up in the afternoon then it's because she was up half the night? Secondly, DD has always been the cleanest person I know. Her room or bathroom was never untidy when she lived at home and she hated when dishes weren't cleaned immediately after use. As for only cooking and cleaning for herself, if she's working then her mealtimes fit around her hours, it's always been that way.

I find it hard to believe that DD has changed her personality and all her mannerisms in the 8 months it's been since she lived at home. Obviously I will talk to her about it tomorrow because I would hate for my daughter to have been rude and taken someone else's hospitality for granted.

I just want to know if IABU to ignore the message and not get involved? I don't want to cause conflict. I don't feel like I should have received a message from her in the first place, she argued with DD who is an adult, surely it's not my business to get involved in my grown up daughters affairs? I don't believe a lot of what she said in her message either but I suppose I will find out how much of it is true in the weeks to come when they're living with us.

I just don't feel like it's my business to get involved. They're adults and it's between my DD and her boyfriends mum. I've only spoken to her a couple of times over the years. AIBU to ignore it or send something like "I'm sorry, I am not getting involved". Or do you think it's my responsibility as a parent to make sure things get resolved?

OP posts:
TriciaH87 · 16/05/2020 23:48

Sounds to me she's pissed because your dd wasn't cooking and cleaning up after everyone else. Good for her why should she be. She's paying her way and that 10%discount she's letting them use is technically her paying extra board as their not entitled to that discount only the card holder and one other named person is. The mum sounds like she's lazy and expects to be waited on and sees your dd as a pay day.

Samtsirch · 17/05/2020 00:11

@Kezmum14
Wow, what a lovely mum
😊

Dislocatedeyeballs · 17/05/2020 00:57

I think I would say why are you telling me? She’s an adult not 5 years old stop being such a bloody control freak You absolute nutcase but maybe it’s best to ignore people are going a bit mental and she prob wants to justify why she is chucking them out (by embellishing it) to make her seem more reasonable to you

NigellaAwesome · 17/05/2020 10:21

That was a good response Op.

I hope all works out.

billy1966 · 17/05/2020 10:26

@Kezmum14
Exactly the right thing to do.

My sons have had summer jobs and I have taken token amounts from them and just put it into their accounts.

The principle of paying your way is real life and you are never too young to learn it.

I'm taking money that will ultimately be spend on leisure activities and junk food.

Stinkycatbreath · 17/05/2020 10:27

Id send one back saying that shes is adult and can have this conversation with her directly and not to involve you?

Gilld69 · 17/05/2020 17:27

i would thank her for letting you know and set some ground rules with dd and bf before they get too comfy at yours

EmpressoftheMundane · 17/05/2020 17:29

By all means ignore it.

Taliya · 17/05/2020 17:44

I would just leave it and not reply. I'm sure more will come to light about the situation after your daughter and her boyfriend come and live with you. Everyone is very stressed at the moment so maybe that's why this lady lost her cool and had an argument with your daughter. Maybe when she has had a week or two to calm down about the situation she will message you to apologise?

Raynasmum2015 · 17/05/2020 17:51

How did she get your number in the first place? She shouldn't be trying to drag you into it.

N0tJustY0ga · 17/05/2020 17:52

@richele4

Sounds like the mum is jealous of your daughter. Typical mother in law situation. Why is it that women find it hard to support women!?

Don’t say anything. Just look after your daughter & her son. Do what the other mum couldn’t. Just be happy within your space.

People hate it when you’re truly happy.

Jeeperscreepers69 · 17/05/2020 17:52

Wow. Clearly this woman still thinks they are children. Regardless of what they have or havnt done its none of your buisness and my message back to her would be.. Ok so its non of my buisness they are adults. I dont want to get involved.

QuestionMarkNow · 17/05/2020 18:02

I wouldn't get involved. Your dd is an adult. If the bf mum has an issue, she needs to talk to your dd.

Contacting you about it (I assume so you can tell her off?) doesnt show the mum in a good light imo. That's wo the fact she clearly isnt thnking straight re the hours your dd is working and not getting up until late etc...

I would also NOT have a chat with your dd about it. Maybe let her know that mum has contacted you in a 'Ill warn you about it' but I wouldnt check that she has been tidy etc.. either. She is an adult. You dont have to be involved at all (and could get ugly for you if you end up being caught in bewteen them!)

QuestionMarkNow · 17/05/2020 18:04

@richele4, enjoy having them around!!

DreamTheMoors · 17/05/2020 18:10

Screw her and the broom she rode in on. Your daughter probably talked back or finally stood up to this horrible woman.

WHY would she involve you in the first place unless she’s a shit disturber?

cherish123 · 17/05/2020 18:11

She should not have sent it. She sounds pathetic and slightly childish. However, she could be suffering as a result of being locked in. I would speak to DD then reply in a non-committal way.

catwhite1 · 17/05/2020 18:13

Why has she messaged you? Can’t your daughter or her boyfriend talk to her and sort it out between them. Failing that as you’re going to have your daughters back I’d have it out with said parent and ask her what she feels the solution is bearing in mind your daughter works late. There may be more going on than you know or some other reason for the vitriol from the other mother. Always two sides to every story and maybe she’s got some other problems going on

Rachel1874 · 17/05/2020 18:14

Don't get involved, they are both adults. And you can switch homes. I think it's meant to be in more life threatening need to get away from someone but you can switch house. And step children can come and go as normal.

robin4 · 17/05/2020 18:16

Think the parents were pretty cool allowing both to stay for so long.

Buffs · 17/05/2020 18:18

Boyfriend’s mum sounds truly awful. I think you are totally right not to get involved. If you want to be especially gracious you could say ‘thanks for letting me know’ and leave it at that.

cherish123 · 17/05/2020 18:19

@Kezmum14 -what a good idea.

Andi2020 · 17/05/2020 18:22

Hope it all works out at your house.
If you can afford to feed them that's great.
Hope they start saving for their own place.

MacBlank · 17/05/2020 18:25

@richele4

Now I get to use DD's discount

Bonus!

As someone who ran a youth group for may years, I know "kids" and in-laws don't always mix.

I see the accusation was against your DD, not the mil son. As a fostered child,no was often the one to blame, even if I wasn't there that weekend.

I remember one event that sticks in my memory.... I was riding a bike that belonged to the son of the family, along a quietish cou try lane, and got ran off the road by a car, and obvs got mildly hurt along with very minor damage to the bike.

As I hobbled back to the house, and explained the situation I got slapped for damaging the sons bike! Yep, my fault I got hit by a car... Silly me!

Anyways, it's always the non family member that gets the blame, and said persons own family defends. I see you said it was a mixed replies, I take from bf n DD, so there could be been some truth. However, I think you were right in bring both to yours and not charging rent etc. Ideally I think we'd all like to be in a situation where that was the case. So those that do charge, don't feel guilty. Adults/kids of that age can eat you out of home.

Least the bonus is, that you now get the % off your every shop. Nice if you can get it!

Anyways, hope all works out.

keffie12 · 17/05/2020 18:25

Ignore it-you don't need to attend every drama, you are dragged along too. Not your party. Sounds like his mom wants to cause chaos

By the sounds of it, the other mom wasn't expecting her son to go with her. It's their business to sort.

Violet35 · 17/05/2020 18:28

Good reply

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