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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to be a bit annoyed with grandparents?

68 replies

Teeterhop · 10/09/2020 10:08

My DH thinks I'm being a bit unreasonable so I can't really complain at him anymore. So I'll complain at you lot instead, and even if you all think I'm unreasonable as well, at least I'll have got it off my chest.

It's all fairly minor stuff but I'm just a little bit annoyed and can't tell if it's justified!

Before lockdown my toddler was in nursery for a couple of days a week and looked after by my parents for 1 day a week while I was working. However since lockdown we were working from home and she was home with us. My DH has gone back to work most days so most of the last 6 months has been me and my DD at home which has been lovely, like getting another maternity leave.

But now that things are slowly getting back to normal, I have been asked to do the odd day in the office and yesterday was my first day back. My DH happened to be working from home anyway so was fine to have DD, but my parents offered to pick her up and take her out for the day just to make it easier for him to get some work done.

Now, this is where I think I might be being a bit precious (I'll admit there is a touch of PFB with me and my DD!). Her normal routine is to have lunch fairly early (before 12pm) before going straight for a nap where she'll have about 2 hours sleep. My parents took her out to the park near where they live, and this kid will happily stay on the swing until the cows come home, she literally needs dragging away. But obviously grandparents don't like saying no to her, so when they're still sending me pictures of her in the playground at 1:30pm I start gently suggesting she needs feeding (she'd had breakfast at 7:30am). So they finally took her to have lunch about 2pm, meaning she didn't get to nap until very late and therefore only got about half an hour to sleep before needing to be woken up to come home (it's a decent drive between our houses).

So, all of that has me a bit annoyed just because I don't want my PFB to be hungry and tired, but at the same time I realise grandparents are more likely to prioritise having fun over sticking to routine.

But what I'm mostly upset about is that when I got handed her back after work she had quite clearly not had her nappy changed at all for the whole day. She was completely sodden and absolutely stank. Also, she has a pretty nasty bruise. Now I'm not daft - I'm well aware that toddlers are walking disaster zones and they're going to get hurt no matter what. But this definitely didn't happen without some tears or drama or knowing what happened, but there was no mention of any of that (like I am confident had she been at nursery for the day they'd have had a chat with me about what happened). To clarify before anyone asks - I am in no way insinuating she was hurt deliberately and that's definitely not what would have happened.

So DH thinks IABU because basically, DD had a great day (which is true - despite looking like a puffy eyed zombie reeking of wee, she was in a lovely mood when I picked her up). She adores my parents and they adore her. They didn't deliberately do anything wrong, they just wanted to spend all their time having fun.

My opinion is that while obviously I want them to have fun when they're out together, I think if they're looking after her for the day they need to prioritise things she NEEDS (food, sleep and nappy changes) over things she wants (staying on the swings until she passes out).

Basically I want to have a chat with them about those things before they take her for the day again. DH thinks I should just leave it, because they all had fun and at the moment they aren't looking after her that often. But then, if the world goes back to normal fully, they probably would be helping regularly again.

Who is right? I admit some of my annoyance might be stemming from the fact that it was my first day leaving her in 6 months; obviously I missed her a lot! And I didn't like worrying that she was hungry or tired or unchanged while I couldn't help. I suspect the answer is somewhere in the middle (i.e. can't expect grandparents to stick to a nap routine but they should definitely be changing nappies).

Tell me if I'm being too precious, I can handle it (I think)!

Sorry it was long, apparently I am not concise.

OP posts:
LouiseTrees · 10/09/2020 10:12

I think you talk to them about the food and nappy changes but not the sleep. You tackle the sleep part when they will have her more often. Nappy changes - zero all day - pretty disgusting needs to be the main point, as they did feed her just a bit later than they should. If you can only pick one thing to speak about at a time it’s the nappy changes.

ftm202020 · 10/09/2020 10:14

The only bit that would annoy me is the nappy tbh. Even the bruise I wouldn't think anything of. My 15 month old if forever hurting herself and getting upset for a small period of time. So normal I wouldn't even give it a second thought.

User7312019 · 10/09/2020 10:15

Don’t mention the sleep/lunch timings part it was a one off fun day. Definitely mention the nappy changing and ask about the bruise that’s not acceptable at all.

Notglam · 10/09/2020 10:15

I don’t think you’re being unreasonable at all. I agree with @LouiseTrees

AryaStarkWolf · 10/09/2020 10:17

Yeah agree with PPs, the nappy not being changed would bother me but nothing else really

ivfbeenbusy · 10/09/2020 10:18

The nappy situation is obviously not on.
Everything else is PFB over reactions

VinylDetective · 10/09/2020 10:18

That sounds right to me too. Food and nappy changes are pretty basic. At least she came home happy and that over rides everything.

Robs20 · 10/09/2020 10:18

Hmm I actually think you can gently but firmly speak about sleep too. I’ve spoken to DM quite a bit recently about respecting the way we want to parent (including planning going out around nap times) and as long as you have the conversation in the right way I think it’s fine. Meal times and changing nappies should also be in line with your routine.

Merryhobnobs · 10/09/2020 10:20

I agree with the others. Nappy change is vital. Next time I would pack her a sack bag/light lunch and ask them to make sure she has had something to eat around noonish.

Rainallnight · 10/09/2020 10:21

I struggle to take the ‘my parents haven’t done everything perfectly’ posts seriously. Both my parents have died within the past two years. My two year old will have no recollection of them and my four year old is gutted and we are having way more conversations than we should about dead people. You kid had a lovely day with her grandparents. Maybe mention the nappy thing.

catnoir1 · 10/09/2020 10:24

My parents don't watch dd because the few times they did, they only changed her nappy when she had pood. Her nappy was so heavy it was leaking and only then did they change it.

I spoke to them about nappy changes because she gets bad nappy rash and they said that they raised 2 children and know what to do and said they would never watch her again.

Disfordarkchocolate · 10/09/2020 10:25

No changing a nappy all day is not having a fun day with the grandparents, it's gross.

They need a firm reminder about the nappy and a gentle reminder about the rest. If this was happening a few days in a row my words would be even firmer but as its the occasional day I'd be more lenient.

Oysterbabe · 10/09/2020 10:25

I think the only unreasonable bit was not changing the nappy.

Don't your employers mind that you are doing childcare while working? Most would not find that acceptable now nurseries are open.

OverTheRainbow88 · 10/09/2020 10:26

What’s PFB?

I would pick my battles, and in this instance it would be the nappy. Maybe give them some
Snacks to take out with them next time.

I would say having a great time with grandparents in the sunshine outside trumps routine nap and lunch.

steppemum · 10/09/2020 10:27

so, she had a great day.
came back less together than she would be if you had had her.

I think you are being pfb.
yes, she should have had her nappy changed, on the next day out I would say - don't forget to change her nappy, there are clean ones in the bag etc.
Food and sleep? well, not ideal, but she was having a ball, and your parents were obviously delighted to have her.

HorsePellets · 10/09/2020 10:30

I agree with you. Basic care first, fun around that.

ShellsandSand · 10/09/2020 10:33

Everything @steppemum said!

Teeterhop · 10/09/2020 10:34

Thank you all for your very reasonable observations! You've given me a decent reality check.

I did have a strong suspicion I was being PFB (Precious First Born for whoever asked) about the majority of it but that meant I wasn't sure if I was being silly for being annoyed about the nappy, so I'm glad you all mostly agree that was a bit out of line.

The bruise thing I probably shouldn't even have included in the post - I'm not remotely worried about it really (she hurts herself plenty on my watch too!) I was more just surprised they hadn't been aware because she loves the toddler drama when she gets hurt.

She did have a lovely day and there is absolutely no harm done. Next time they take her I will gently remind them to change her nappy regularly, but otherwise you're all right - she's lucky to have a lovely relationship with them!

OP posts:
yellowgusset · 10/09/2020 10:34

I'd mention the nappy yes, but not the rest.

raspberryk · 10/09/2020 10:35

How old is she?
That's actually a very long time for a child to go without food, was there a snack or milk involved in between?
The nappy thing is awful, I would be pretty angry at that.
Sleep ... Not ideal but I'd let that slide.
Bruise ... normal toddler stuff and unless is was a serious bang on the head it's not really an issue.

NearlyGranny · 10/09/2020 10:36

Did your DP draw the bruise to your attention on pickup and volunteer how it happened, or did they not mention it and leave you to notice it yourself?

AryaStarkWolf · 10/09/2020 10:36

@OverTheRainbow88

What’s PFB?

I would pick my battles, and in this instance it would be the nappy. Maybe give them some
Snacks to take out with them next time.

I would say having a great time with grandparents in the sunshine outside trumps routine nap and lunch.

Precious First Born
AriettyHomily · 10/09/2020 10:38

The sleep thing, well that's what happens imo.

The nappy, that's not on. Mine would have been exceptionally cranky without food for hat long so I would hazard a strong guess cake / ice cream / sweets were involved at some point.

Spied · 10/09/2020 10:39

Next time I spoke to them I'd probably say something along the lines of "DD had terrible nappy rash on (day after their day out). Did you notice anything when you changed her nappy the day you took her out? " See what the reply is. They will probably just say they didn't but then at least they'll know to change her next time.
If it becomes regular I'd be more upfront.

OutComeTheWolves · 10/09/2020 10:39

None of that would bother me except the nappy tbh. The goof thing, I'd just assume she'd have let them know if she was hungry.

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