Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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:
JaneyGotAGun · 16/05/2020 08:47

Definitely dont reply until you've spoken to your DD

Healthyandhappy · 16/05/2020 08:52

Tbh it's the start of a breakdown in their relationship (boyfriend) ignore it

dontdisturbmenow · 16/05/2020 09:00

I'd love to hear OP after she's had her DD and boyfriend for a few weeks and it's her turn to see her place treated like a hotel!

I bet the mum is over the moon to see them gone. Good luck OP!

WatcherintheRye · 16/05/2020 09:03

Incorporating some ideas from pp -

"Hi X. Thanks for your text. Oh dear, sounds stressful, but I don't think it's appropriate for me to get involved. Thanks for having dd. Best wishes..."

Al1Langdownthecleghole · 16/05/2020 09:03

Tbh it's the start of a breakdown in their relationship (boyfriend) ignore it

I’m afraid I think similarly. Support your DD OP and encourage her to keep in touch with her female friends. The relationship will probably fizzle out.

diddl · 16/05/2020 09:06

I'd agree with speaking to your daughter first.

If that is how the mum feels though, then that is how she feels & I don't see why she should just be dismissed, although that said bad mouthing someone's daughter to them is never a good move!

Why did they move in with his family & not yours?

As others have said, why did they move in together if they didn't have a place of their own?

monkeymonkey2010 · 16/05/2020 09:06

She's a nasty bitch ringing you complaining - she's basically calling you out on your parenting!
I'd tell her "Thanks for letting me know - i'll make sure to hold your son to the same standards and sending him back when he falls short".

I don't think she wanted your DD moving into her house anyway OP.
I hope you're not going to allow the bf to sit back whilst your DD pulls his weight for him?

Sumsuch · 16/05/2020 09:06

OP
I could have written the boyfriend's mums text...

I didn't, but I'm in the same situation- my son moved back for the pandemic, and asked if his gf ( who I didn't know very well) could stay.
First thing I did was lay ground rules.
Which didn't work!
I forgot how messy my own child was (he was at uni), and she is quite messy as well.

It has been really frustrating at times ( small house).
But..
Frustration aside, I'm biting my tongue because I've grown to really care for her. And if I got angry, THAT would be what they all take away from this when it's all over.

I wonder if the mum is overly anxious, and , apart from the regular stress of it all, is extra anxious because your DD is working, ( in contact with people?) and coming back into their home.

As for how you handle it, as pp have said, they may be your in laws some day. Apart from that though, they DID house your daughter.
Just thank them for having her, and wish them all well.

diddl · 16/05/2020 09:08

Also, I'm not sure that the boyfriend moving with her means much tbh. His mum would probably have him back if things don't work at yours, so I don't think it's any great declaration or choosing Op's daughter over his mum.

wehaveafloater · 16/05/2020 09:12

I'd call her and ask her outright if she meant to be so rude about your child ?

imsooverthisdrama · 16/05/2020 09:15

I wouldn't reply , your right she shouldn't have got you involved, what does she want you to do ?.
I've got a adult dd in uni and she is seriously annoying me at times during this lockdown but I know it's possibly me sometimes being home all the time.
She was angry and pissed off, unreasonable possibly.
Don't reply ask your dd and it's up to her to sort it out with her at a later date .

Ragwort · 16/05/2020 09:22

I’d also love to see your comments after having the BF living with you for a couple of weeks .... is he out at work? What will he be doing whilst your DD is working nights and sleeping during the day?

If I was you I would have my DD home but suggest they live in their own family homes separately for a while ... were they living together before the current situation?

crusheddaffodils · 16/05/2020 09:23

I would be saying something lighthearted like "Oh dear, that doesn't sound like DD at all - I suppose I am about to find out! Thanks for having her. Stay safe."

If I were your daughter, I would be upset if you didn't at least hint at a defence of her. That message tells her that you don't accept that's what your DD is generally like but you're open to the possibility of you being wrong, without rising to the rude tone of her message.

crusheddaffodils · 16/05/2020 09:25

To add, I don't doubt that having them there has been stressful for the mother, but I do suspect she has overstated what your DD has done 'wrong' to make her seem/feel like she has better reasons other than simply it's difficult when two extra adults with different lives join your household!

ChaiLatteWithStevia · 16/05/2020 09:27

I'd go for a short reply, ''ok, sorry it didn't work out, they're coming here now''.

I bet that the BF's mother expected more from your daughter because she's a woman. I don't doubt that two teens made a lot of extra work but I would put money on her expecting your dd to clear up after two of them. But your DD would have been taking her cue from her BF!

supadupapupascupa · 16/05/2020 09:28

Sorry it didn't work out, thank you for keeping her, they're coming here for a bit.
There's a chance they could become your daughters in-laws I would keep things civil. Acknowledge that they have put up with her in their house, acknowledge her feelings, inform her they are safe. That's it. Don't agree with her but it's polite and kind to acknowledge

WashYourFins · 16/05/2020 09:30

...or go with "New phone. Who dis?"

diddl · 16/05/2020 09:30

"I'd call her and ask her outright if she meant to be so rude about your child ?"

Surely "did you mean to be so rude?" is only ever trotted out on here?

If it was said irl, wouldn't the answer more than likely be "yes"?

foodandwine89 · 16/05/2020 09:33

*I reckon she's decided your dd is responsible for her son's mess/cooking/cleaning.

I bet she picked up after him and now she expects your dd to do it.*

This 100%

okaycokay · 16/05/2020 09:35

I'd go for a short reply as well.

Something tells me very soon, you will see the situation clearer from the eyes of the boyfriends mum.

FourDecades · 16/05/2020 09:36

Surely "did you mean to be so rude?" is only ever trotted out on here?

I have used it once in RL in response to a meal l had cooked

TomNook · 16/05/2020 09:36

Do not do “
I'd call her and ask her outright if she meant to be so rude about your child”

It’s a wanky phrase

ChaiLatteWithStevia · 16/05/2020 09:38

I think the OP has long gone but yes, saying ''did you mean to be so rude'' when the woman could probably spend two or three hours detailing the grievances she still feels extremely indignant about! that would be a very bad idea.

Chickoletta · 16/05/2020 09:38

Don’t thank her for telling you this - will only encourage her to send more.

ChaiLatteWithStevia · 16/05/2020 09:39

I think ''did you mean to be so rude?'' works in situations like where you decide to go blonde and then your sister says, it makes your cheeks look way more flushed so don't worry about the roots, you're half way back to your old colour''.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.