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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:
backmadeofglass · 17/05/2020 22:53

Hope it works out - just be mindful of safety - if BF decides he wants to visit his DP then return to you, you may need to be firm .
I’ve looked after two poorly patients this week (Married couple) who have tested positive for CV without leaving the house since 5th April . On further questioning while admitting them and doing the paperwork they have a furloughed daughter who spends half the week at her BF’s house. Maybe it’s a coincidence, but I do wonder....

Vanhi · 17/05/2020 23:19

It seems that some couples are making hasty decisions to live together when they wouldn’t do so in ‘normal times’.

It hasn't been an easy decision for couples who live apart to make. Do you move in together or stay apart for several weeks? Initial lockdown was 3 weeks, back on 24 March. We're now on 17 May and I have been unable to spend time with my OH during that time. We're only just at the stage now where we can officially spend some time together.

Sure, it isn't the end of the world. But I really can understand why some couples decided to move in together rather than have weeks or months apart. It's bloody hard being on your own, knowing one of the people you love most in the world isn't that far away, but you cannot touch them.

Kate0902900908 · 18/05/2020 01:48

At 19 maybe I would text back and just ask what has dd been contributing ? Explain she was never messy at home and thanks for letting you know.
It could be that it’s boyfriend who is not pulling his weight so mum has had enough and is playing the blame game

MissyNomer · 18/05/2020 03:44

I wouldn't reply at all.

pictish · 18/05/2020 06:48

Look your dd will have her version of the story, the mum will have her own and somewhere in the middle, the truth.

LastTrainEast · 18/05/2020 07:36

Put it down to Covid this time and pretend it never happened.

People are losing their minds over being stuck indoors with other people. No matter how nice the other people are normally about day 21 they started looking like monsters whose every word and action grated like fingernails on a blackboard.

btw I agree with you taking them in. I'm against all those people ignoring the rules for trivial reasons, but what else could you do in this case?

LastTrainEast · 18/05/2020 07:40

JingsMahBucket "late comers"? is this a new thing?

QuestionMarkNow · 18/05/2020 08:00

It seems that some couples are making hasty decisions to live together when they wouldn’t do so in ‘normal times’.

People who are already living 4 days a week together and are planning to move in together anyway are not people who are making a decision to live together they wouldn’t normally make though.

Thisbastardcomputer · 18/05/2020 08:00

It sounds pretty much what I experienced from my son's girlfriend when they returned from travelling

Oddbins · 18/05/2020 08:10

Stressful times, it sounds like some time apart will help. Thanks for having her.

That's what I would send

SiliconHeaven · 18/05/2020 09:46

Surely you should point out the obvious in response ‘of course she gets up late, she works nights’

Localocal · 18/05/2020 10:44

As it sounds like this is a lasting relationship between your daughter and her boyfriend, and this woman may well be her MIL for a long time, I would try to pour some oil on the water for your daughter's sake, without throwing her under. Of course you aren't obliged to get involved in any way, but if you want to be helpful to your daughter you could say something like "I'm sorry to hear that having DD with you hasn't worked out for you. Happy to take my turn housing the kids - it's been kind of you to have them this long. Please let her know if she owes you money for food and bills."

flyingspaghettimonster · 18/05/2020 14:54

People can quickly change their habits based on the environment they find themselves in. We have had guests stay with my extended family who are usually very considerate in their own homes, but just take for granted that as guests they don't need to help. clear dishes or wash up, or do any general tidying. For a short visit of a day or two that would be fine, but when it is a long stay of a month or two it gets annoying very quickly. Perhaps the mother has always done those sorts of chores for her own kids so your daughter assumed it was the new normal and started slacking... or more likely the mother doesn't like someone trying to make breakfast while she is cooking lunch and finding favourite pans etc in use when she wants to start dinner... a night worker schedule is hard to live around. For the mum it probably felt like she had to tiptoe around her own home so as not to wake the kids, then get woken up at 3-4am when thry come home.

I would email back "sorry it didn't work out, I'm sure I'll hear all about it from them when they arrive."

Madamum18 · 22/05/2020 20:08

"I am sorry that you are feeling upset. I suggest that you discuss any issues with (DD)."

Best wishes

.....

Madamum18 · 22/05/2020 20:10

"sorry it didn't work out, I'm sure I'll hear all about it from them when they arrive."

That is actually a much better reply than the one I suggested flyingspaghetti :)

NigellaAwesome · 22/05/2020 20:36

OP, now that they have been staying with you for a few days, how is it working out?

richele4 · 25/05/2020 23:02

Quick update:

They've been staying at ours over a week, both coming and going as they please but never woken us up coming through the door or cooking at 4am which I'm grateful for!
Had a quick nosey into their room & aside from a few clothes on the floor it wasn't particularly messy.
They've both cleaned up after themselves in the kitchen and don't spend all their time at home in their room... So far we've had 2 movie nights and they cooked a meal for 6 for us on Saturday (their day off) which was nice.
They've also taken my two DS (5&8) out a couple of times for walks with the dog and bike rides, both DS are thrilled that they're here, DD's bf plays football with them in the garden and they all get on really well.
Not sure what's happening in my house that was different to when they were staying at DD's bf's house... And I probably never will know!
Will update again if things change!

OP posts:
Haggisfish · 25/05/2020 23:04

Have you not asked them?!

NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 26/05/2020 08:41

Maybe your DD's BF's mother is just your typical MIL in the making? It sounds as if they are pulling their weight at yours, so unlikely they would have been different at BF's parents' house?

TreeTopTim · 26/05/2020 08:58

It's been a week. I would like to see what it is like in 6 months.

Andi2020 · 26/05/2020 13:42

I wouldn't be looking in their room but apart from that glad it is going well
I don't go into my dd rooms 17 and 15 their space to keep tidy or messy.

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