Mil standing at window

[Spied]

Just received a text from mil telling me herself and fil would be visiting in the morning to stand at the window and watch the dc open their presents (of which none are from them as they don't do gifts. They put money in an envelope).
Would it be unreasonable to keep the blinds shut and ignore any door knocking?

Kindly offer to video?

It's not creepy for grandparents to want to see their grandchildren.

They ask if they can visit, they don’t tell you that they will be visiting.

Do we get the drip feed back story of why you dislike them so much?

This is what zoom was built for, no?

The good thing about this is that it will be easier to control the situation as they're outside!

GPs: "tell the kids to open their presents so we can watch!"

You: "No, but I'll film it for you. How are you both?"

Why do you have to be so petty OP?

If they are otherwise nice people, why don't you let them watch?

Its a rubbish year OP, small joys are all we have.

Do they know that their tickets will be expensive given that they’ll be in the front row?

Let’s all be kind to each other. This has been an awful time for everybody don’t make it worse

I feel kind of sad that you hadn't already offered to FaceTime or zoom so they could see the grandchildren opening their presents. All sounds very frosty.

Unless you have a difficult relationship with them then I can't see a problem?

It is strange and maybe will be a bit uncomfortable, but if they are having a tough time and missing you all then I really can't see the issue?

It might be the highlight of their Christmas.

Hey, does anyone saying "let them come and be part of it all" have no idea how utterly strange this is? The in-laws should be inside in the warm enjoying their grandkids, not freezing their bits off in the early morning frost! The children should not be stared at like an animal in the zoo, if the windows open it will be freezing for them, if it's closed it will be even odder for everyone ! Zoom or a video that you send to them.

I would suggest to do a face time call.

Maybe some grandparents don't do the internet. My DM doesn't.

In any other year this would be really weird, but this year is weird.

If anything, invite them to come to the door for a quick hello and the children can open their cash envelopes and say thank you.

Apart from the timing issue re. opening the presents - I think that talking/meeting via the window has been quite normal. There is a repeated clip of Kay Burley talk to her mother through a window on SKY.

P.S. the window in the Kay Burley clip is also closed (as she talks to mother).

As this is PIL, first question has to be what does DH/DP think about it?

What's the context of your (and the DCs) relationship with them? I don't think I'd like to be in a goldfish bowl on Christmas morning, and maybe you'd feel like the DCs had to rush opening their presents to reduce the time GPs are standing out in the cold. Are they normally pat of present opening?

Poor Kay Burleys mother.....Kay is prepared to break the rules to see her mates but not her own mother!

I’d definitely offer to do some sort of live FaceTime but if they can’t cope with that then let them come.

I see no problem at all. At least they are respecting safety measures and not insisting to come inside. Everything about this year is extraordinary. Grannys standing outside watching DGCs opening the presents is kind od sweet, imo.

Jesus, in-laws get such a bashing on here. WTF is wrong with you? Let the poor things watch FFS. We've all had such a dreadful year, if it gives them a bit of pleasure, what on earth is the problem?

My parents have asked to do the same. I think it’s lovely they want to see it, but they are too scared to come in as we are all in high risk jobs. Mine also give money but not in an envelope; they transfer it! Would rather than then plastic shit

I don't know if you've heard but there is this virus going round, lots of people have been doing window visits this year, it is how I visit an elderly relative in her care home. It isn't how we normally do it but this year is different. Merry Christmas and good will to all.

Poor Kay Burleys mother.....Kay is prepared to break the rules to see her mates but not her own mother! Or from another perspective Kay Burley doesn't mind putting friends at risk but wants to protect her mother.

That is bloody rare. I'd go along suggested lines of saying you start opening presents at 4am or something ridiculous . Or, alternatively, reply and explain how odd it is and you won't be doing that.