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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be worried this will change our relationship

492 replies

topandtailem · 26/08/2020 08:45

Good relationship with parents in law. See them regularly, they dote on our 3YO and help with childcare (at their request, we’ve always been clear we’re happy to put her in nursery more often). I’ve always been aware that MIL doesn’t necessarily agree with everything we do or parenting choices we make but that’s up to her and we’ve always rubbed along okay.

They recently promised us money to help with buying a bigger house in a better area. Now, after we’ve sold our house, had an offer accepted, paid for a survey and paid for mortgage arrangement fee, they’ve withdrawn the offer.

That’s fine, they’re within their rights and although I’m gutted, this is one of the reasons you have to be careful accepting money from others. I get it. I can move on.

But the reasons they’ve given basically boil down to them thinking that it isn’t the right house for our daughter and she won’t be happy there and they can’t condone our decision.

This is what I keep dwelling on. We have chosen that house purely based on it being the perfect house for our family. Great area, great schools, lovely garden. Do my parents in law think I’m a bad parent? That they need to intervene to stop us from making a selfish decision that will hurt our child?

So putting the house and the money aside, how do I get past this? I want a good relationship with them but when we spoke on the phone last night she just refused to be moved and said she wasn’t making the decision lightly and she hadn’t slept in days. She just wants what is best for her grand daughter. Which to me is reiterating that point that we can’t be trusted to make that choice ourselves. I’m not sure I can easily forgive her for this.

If it matters, we’re early thirties, gainfully employed, daughter is thriving.

OP posts:
OngoingOmnishambles · 28/08/2020 15:15

Just out of interest how old is your DH?

OP, a long time ago I learnt from Mumsnet to, when dealing with people like this, always present them with a fair accompli.
*
Fait* accompli, a French phrase commonly used to describe an action which is completed before those affected by it are in a position to query or reverse it.

Don't run decisions by them. It's non of their business. You need to stand on your own two feet.

You tell them what you are doing (if you need to):

After you've bought your house and signed the papers
After you've bought your new car
Where you are going on holiday just a few weeks before take off
A few days before your outing, when there are no tickets left

I learnt to head my MIL off at the pass and to be 2 steps ahead of her. She has ruined no end of special times and occasions and now I book things in so we are not available and I never take anything off her so I don't owe her anything. I even take a water bottle so I don't have to accept tea or coffee off her cos she'll spit in it when she's in the kitchen

Backtoschoolnotsoonenough · 29/08/2020 22:10

Imo if the house is such a bad idea they won't be visiting then will they? A bloody win to me...

topandtailem · 18/02/2021 20:22

I don’t know if anyone remembers my thread or cares about the outcome 😂 but I thought I’d pop back and update that we’re due to complete on this house tomorrow, without help from the in laws.

As I worried, our relationship is unfortunately very different now. We keep them at arms length and I know MIL in particular feels very anxious about the house and isn’t sleeping. I feel bad about that but ultimately I feel that whatever house we chose would have had a similar result, unless she had chosen it herself.

Putting that aside though, we’re so excited about the better house for DD and feel glad that we stood up for ourselves and drew a line in the sand.

Over the last few months I’ve revisited this thread on and off and the advice was just so wise and helpful. Thank you so much to those who took the time to respond and understood where I was coming from.

OP posts:
Peridot1 · 18/02/2021 22:09

I remember your thread. Happy new home! It will be interesting to see what if any comments your mil makes.

Dogscanteatonions · 18/02/2021 22:12

I remember your thread too, congrats on your new home

GabriellaMontez · 18/02/2021 22:13

Thanks for the update. So glad you got your new place! I think you've saved yourself a lot of grief.

Apparentlystillchilled · 18/02/2021 22:33

Good luck with the move and we'll done on setting boundaries!

PicsInRed · 18/02/2021 22:39

She'll be back - watch out for quiet calls to your husband to manipulate trouble in the background.

Congratulations on the house and all the best for completion day tomorrow! All the better not to be financially beholden to them! 🎉

Motnight · 18/02/2021 22:40

This will just be the beginning of their attempts to control your lives. My guess is that every decision you make around your dd will be criticised and torn apart

Crazycrazylady · 18/02/2021 22:40

Congrats Op. how exciting and what a wonderful thing to be able to do it without them.. lit will absolutely be different between ye but that's all on them. You've been dignified throughout all of this which must be truly satisfying for you.

Lochmorlich · 18/02/2021 22:41

Good luck in your new home.

thepeopleversuswork · 18/02/2021 22:49

Nice one. Congrats OP. Dare I say it revenge is sweet.

Mulhollandmagoo · 18/02/2021 22:51

Good luck in your new home Flowers did your MIL say what about the house has made her so anxious she isn't sleeping?

MonochromeMinnie · 18/02/2021 23:04

Congratulations. I'm sure you'll be really happy in your new home, but MIL will be looking for something negative at every opportunity (because she didn't choose your house), so be prepared.

PADH · 18/02/2021 23:29

[quote topandtailem]@Polnm even if we can’t, I won’t be accepting their money now as it’s clear the offer isn’t unconditional as it first was. What I’m struggling with is how to move forward now that I’ve seen my parents in law in this different light of wanting to control us and not thinking we can make our own decisions.[/quote]
This.

Lalliella · 18/02/2021 23:34

I remember your thread! Congrats on your new home. Very odd that MIL is having such a strong reaction, hope she comes round.

Winningmoves · 18/02/2021 23:44

Great news OP, much happiness in your new home!

I’m new to the thread but there’s something else at work with your MIL. I don’t doubt you’ll be supportive when needed but well done on creating your own boundary.

FortunesFave · 19/02/2021 00:08

@topandtailem

I don’t know if anyone remembers my thread or cares about the outcome 😂 but I thought I’d pop back and update that we’re due to complete on this house tomorrow, without help from the in laws.

As I worried, our relationship is unfortunately very different now. We keep them at arms length and I know MIL in particular feels very anxious about the house and isn’t sleeping. I feel bad about that but ultimately I feel that whatever house we chose would have had a similar result, unless she had chosen it herself.

Putting that aside though, we’re so excited about the better house for DD and feel glad that we stood up for ourselves and drew a line in the sand.

Over the last few months I’ve revisited this thread on and off and the advice was just so wise and helpful. Thank you so much to those who took the time to respond and understood where I was coming from.

So glad! MIL sounds a nightmare...why would she be 'very anxious" about YOUR house?!
AbbieLexie · 19/02/2021 00:13

Flowers Wine

notangelinajolie · 19/02/2021 00:17

I do remember you OP. Delighted that you have done this for yourselves and that it worked out. We have also just moved, different circumstances but I share your joy at a new start and new beginnings.

Sushirolls · 19/02/2021 00:18

Congratulations and good luck in your new home Flowers

CraftyYankee · 19/02/2021 00:26

Congrats on the house. What have you done regarding the IL's relationship with your DD? Do they still provide childcare?

BettyBoomerang · 19/02/2021 00:30

Congratulations on your lovely new home!

I had a very, very similar situation. Going ahead without them was the best thing we ever did. I'm so grateful they showed their colours when they did and that we were able to cut them out of any financial entanglement. They are still wonderful, loving grandparents to our DC and I'd never do anything to harm that. We spend time together (pre-Covid and share our lives). But... I now know that they judge and find me lacking, and I've never totally got over it. We get on well but there is a wall up with me that I can never take down again. I think we all feel it.

Lockdownbear · 19/02/2021 00:33

Congratulations on your new house, English house sales take so so long.

I've read your posts, follow big brothers example keep MIL at arms length, he has clearly seen more of the controlling side of Mil than you have.

ZeldaPrincessOfHyrule · 19/02/2021 00:33

Fantastic news OP! Congratulations on your new home. MIL is only losing sleep because she didn't choose the house and knows there's sod all she can do about it now. Enjoy your new home and as PP say, watch out for little negative manipulations from her in the background.

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