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To think I wasn't being a dick?

703 replies

GlummyMcGlummerson · 29/11/2020 15:02

I split up with exH 2 years ago, we have 2DC aged 4&8 and when they're at ex's they still see their cousins and aunty, my exSIL. ExSIL has only contacted me once since the split - to remind me to get her son (DN) a present (I refused said it was Ex's job now) - never checked to see I was ok after her brother had an affair. Anyway, her DS is 7 and over lockdown I allowed DD (8) to use my phone to face call him and play Minecraft with him at the same time on my iPad.

DN has his own iPad but he uses his parent's Facebook messenger accounts to face call DD.

Now we're back to normality, and school, I let DD have 3 hours in total on a weekend, split however she likes from Friday evening to Sunday. She used most of it on Friday after school, so that's her time used up. But DN has called (which came through to both my phone and iPad) 23 times. I didn't answer either as they've been in another room most of the day. I also had nuermous messenger messages like "DD call me now" and "Why aren't you calling you're upsetting me". I did reply sorry DD won't be having screen time today, but he still kept calling.

Anyway, I texted exSIL on the number I still have for her and said "Hi it's Glummy, can you stop DN from calling my messenger please, DD isn't allowed her iPad today and he's called 23 times today". She replied saying "OK but there's no need to be a dick about it he just misses DD that's all"Confused I don't think what I said was dickish at all. I'm tempted to reply and ask what she means. I haven't yet, but it's really bothered me. There's no backstory we got on fine when I was married to her brother but she firmly nailed her colours to the mast when we split (except when she wanted her son to get a birthday present, apparently that was still my job and if left to ex he wouldn't have got one Hmm)

OP posts:
NeonIcedcoffee · 29/11/2020 16:17

@flaviaritt

Is talking to family really considered ‘screen time’?
This was my thought too!
slipperywhensparticus · 29/11/2020 16:17

Personally if my child was calling 23 times even after being asked not to they would have their privileges revoked until they understand its not good behaviour

RandomMess · 29/11/2020 16:17

I think it's strange that DN is so reliant on your DD not only to game with but he's so bored in a Sunday he has called 23 times. Do his parents not interact with him??

GlummyMcGlummerson · 29/11/2020 16:18

[quote formerbabe]@aroseinharlem

It's the difference between saying

Move, please.

And

Excuse me, can I just get through, thanks

Same request, different way of saying it.

Surely that's not a difficult concept?[/quote]
I honestly wouldn't give a shot if someone said move please. As long as the please was in there! Getting yourself into knots about semantics really does smack of having nothing better to do

OP posts:
formerbabe · 29/11/2020 16:20

I honestly wouldn't give a shot if someone said move please. As long as the please was in there! Getting yourself into knots about semantics really does smack of having nothing better to do

Genuine question, do you fall out with a lot of people in real life op? Or get into a lot of arguments?

GlummyMcGlummerson · 29/11/2020 16:20

@RandomMess

I think it's strange that DN is so reliant on your DD not only to game with but he's so bored in a Sunday he has called 23 times. Do his parents not interact with him??
I think it's more that they're afraid to say no to him.
OP posts:
Nottherealslimshady · 29/11/2020 16:20

I don't think you were rude, you were factual and neutral.

I think his mum knew and was encouraging him to ring so much and she needs to teach him some manners. 23 missed calls should only be coming from someone close in an absolute emergency "your mum is in the hospital" type scenario.

And I think 3hrs gaming is sufficient for an 8yo, it should be one of many activities they do, not the only thing they do. It's good you value family time over gaming.

GlummyMcGlummerson · 29/11/2020 16:21

@formerbabe

I honestly wouldn't give a shot if someone said move please. As long as the please was in there! Getting yourself into knots about semantics really does smack of having nothing better to do

Genuine question, do you fall out with a lot of people in real life op? Or get into a lot of arguments?

Nope. I really don't. I find people prefer those who are straight to the point rather than simpering messes who skirt round simple issues.
OP posts:
IMNOTSHOUTING · 29/11/2020 16:22

@GlummyMcGlummerson

The thing is even if you wouldn't care if people were a bit blunt and rude towards you, you do need to accept that other people do care and it will get their back up. SiL was excessively rude in her reply to you so she definitely doesn't have the moral high ground but it's probably easier to phrase things in softer way in future to avoid arguments. To be honest it sounds like you don't like Sil (and I can definitely see why!) so I imagine if you're honest that probably came across slightly in your phrasing.

katy1213 · 29/11/2020 16:22

That child needs to learn some manners. He sounds as demanding as his mother.

justconcedealready · 29/11/2020 16:23

You weren't unreasonable or rude at all, OP.

And you're raising your DD with limits and helping her to stand up for herself. That's a good thing.

formerbabe · 29/11/2020 16:25

I'm guessing you don't work in sales then....there's loads of ways to phrase and request things to get what you want from someone without irritating them. It's not simpering...it's tailoring your message to the audience in order to achieve your goal.

You might not be unpleasant but that's how you are coming across

GlummyMcGlummerson · 29/11/2020 16:27

@IMNOTSHOUTING you're probably right, and no I don't like her anymore. But I didn't message her as a friend or to get her on side with something, I messaged her a simple request that, TBH, most people would be happy to oblige and a little embarrassed that they hadn't noticed their son making 23 calls to someone.

OP posts:
HeyChubbee · 29/11/2020 16:27

@GlummyMcGlummerson you do not sound unpleasant to me - there is no way my time with my child is taken up by his father’s family - I’m much more unpleasant 😂

5863921l · 29/11/2020 16:27

I think it would have been nice to have answered the phone and let him know what the score was. Surely this is normal behaviour? Not ignoring, watching him get steadily more upset and then complain to his mother? A bit of compassion, perhaps. How was he to know your son wasn't reading the messages and ignoring.

RandomMess · 29/11/2020 16:28

Could his entitlement be the reason why he doesn't have other friends to play on line with???

If my child did that I would be getting to the bottom of it as well as limiting their access to tech.

diddl · 29/11/2020 16:28

@RandomMess

I think it's strange that DN is so reliant on your DD not only to game with but he's so bored in a Sunday he has called 23 times. Do his parents not interact with him??
That's also what I was thinking!

She's not sitting around waiting to be his entertainment!

Rememeber the "old days" before everyone had a landline?

You might walk to your friend's house-&-they weren't even in!!!

This thinking that everyone is available at the of a screen on demand is so fucked up!

electronVolt · 29/11/2020 16:28

Gosh, it’s a good job she’s not my SIL

I had exactly this a few weeks ago. I messaged

‘Please Tell X to stop calling. It’s my phone and I’m at work.‘

X‘s mum managed not to fall out with me.

mbosnz · 29/11/2020 16:28

I don't think she's coming across as unpleasant. Assertive, yes.

I suspect you and ex sil have roughly the same amount of time for each other - which is to say, not much! And that you're possibly both more likely to take things in the worst possible way as a result.

In which case, personally, I'd not give her thinking I'd been a dick in being a trifle abrupt after fielding 23 calls from her kid too much headspace. I'm starting to realise I really don't have to care what people I don't care about think of me. . .

AuntyPasta · 29/11/2020 16:28

I don’t think it’s unpleasant it’s just asking her to parent her DS. 23 messages is OTT.

formerbabe · 29/11/2020 16:29

[quote HeyChubbee]@GlummyMcGlummerson you do not sound unpleasant to me - there is no way my time with my child is taken up by his father’s family - I’m much more unpleasant 😂[/quote]
Sorry to break it to you but their father's family is your dcs family

GlummyMcGlummerson · 29/11/2020 16:29

@formerbabe

I'm guessing you don't work in sales then....there's loads of ways to phrase and request things to get what you want from someone without irritating them. It's not simpering...it's tailoring your message to the audience in order to achieve your goal.

You might not be unpleasant but that's how you are coming across

Meh. I'll get over that. Not in sales, I'm teacher and trust me, being blunt and clear is far more effective than "Oh golly, PSHE huh, isn't it great, I'm really happy you're in my class but could you pleasy weasy do your homework on time thank you you're brilliant lol hun"
OP posts:
GlummyMcGlummerson · 29/11/2020 16:30

I really don't mind ex's family being in touch and I won't block a 7yo, but my time with her is important too and no I won't sacrifice even an hour.

OP posts:
HeyChubbee · 29/11/2020 16:30

@formerbabe I’m perfectly aware of that.

formerbabe · 29/11/2020 16:31

Not in sales, I'm teacher and trust me, being blunt and clear is far more effective than "Oh golly, PSHE huh, isn't it great, I'm really happy you're in my class but could you pleasy weasy do your homework on time thank you you're brilliant lol hun

Well yes, hence why I said you tailor the message to the audience Confused

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