Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think my my MIL get a taxi to her hospital appointments this week?

272 replies

Dinnerisburnt · 05/01/2021 18:59

So, my MIL is 92 and has a hospital appointment on Friday about her eye sight. She doesn’t drive any longer and is reliant on myself and my husband for lifts. She also has a COVID vaccine booked for Saturday. My husband broke his arm just after Xmas so I am doing all the driving for the next 5/6 weeks. Yesterday my MIL got a taxi to a chiropodist appointment as she didn’t want to ask me for a lift. I don’t want to take her to the hospital now as she got in a taxi yesterday and am also reluctant to taker her for her COVID jab. Am I being really unreasonable? I haven’t seen my family since July or had my haircut since then, all I do is walk the dog and look after the kids and drop off MIL’s shopping as she won’t go to the supermarket. It just doesn’t seem fair that I am now expected to drive her to her appointments later this week when she was able to get a taxi yesterday.

OP posts:
Wigglegiggle0520 · 05/01/2021 20:17

I’ve found your post really upsetting OP.
Your poor MIL must be terrified and feel terrible that she is so reliant on you, particularly now her son can’t drive her himself.
And you’re annoyed with her and considering removing her only support because she took one taxi ride to lessen the burden on you probably knowing full well it would put her more at risk sitting in the back of a taxi used by numerous other people.
What is wrong with you? I’m so sad for your poor MIL.

Firkinhavinalaugh · 05/01/2021 20:17

This is going well op.

If your dc need supervision, surely as dh can’t drive he can do that? So one less job for you! I’d take any excuse to be out of the house and sitting in my car on the internet. Nice to have a break.

Thisisworsethananticpated · 05/01/2021 20:18

This is so mean
She is 92
Anyway

DianaT1969 · 05/01/2021 20:18

Wow! There ought to be a special term for this Covid insanity. Your children mix with 30 other households and bring that risk home to you everyday, but the idea that you mix with a taxi driver is too much for you? What about the chiropodist? She spent more time close up with him/her.
Of course you drive her to her appointments!!

Rhubarbcrumblerules · 05/01/2021 20:18

I am a taxi driver and have taken many elderly to their hospital appointments because their children can not (not will not), we where masks, sanitise hands and sanitise car between passengers. All passengers are asked to wear a mask and sit back passenger seat with open window. There is less risk than going to the supermarket. YABU not to take her of you are able. Poor woman, at her age this is all very difficult

Fieldofyellowflowers · 05/01/2021 20:19

She is going for a potentially life saving vaccine and essential hospital visits, it is not like she is asking you to take her to a rule breaking bingo meeting.

PoppiesinOctober · 05/01/2021 20:19

Maybe she just felt bad about having to keep asking you for a lift so just got a taxi instead? Seems very mean to begrudge a 92 year old lady a lift to get her vaccine

Fairyliz · 05/01/2021 20:20

Come back op and give us a bit more information as to why you don’t like her op.
Where do you live? I can drive and have a car I will take her.

Worst · 05/01/2021 20:22

I am fascinated to hear from one of the 12% of people who voted YANBU. What is the counter argument in this case?

Thesmellofolfbooks · 05/01/2021 20:23

you could pick up the virus going round supermarkets for her shopping OP so why does it matter that she got in a taxi?

You are being ridiculous she's 92, give the woman a lift to her medical appointments.

Kazzyhoward · 05/01/2021 20:23

@WhereDoMyBluebirdsFly

YABU, she's 92 years old and has a hospital appointment for Christ's sake.

If you're concerned she might have contracted covid in the taxi yesterday then ask her to sit in the back and wear a mask.

Sitting in the back and wearing a mask isn't going to keep you safe. There's still a risk that she'll pass covid to you if she's got it. No guarantee that mask would stop the spread, especially in close proximity for any length of time beyond a few minutes. Unless the car is huge, you'd be within a metre of eachother.

I'm with the OP really, regardless of age. She's broken your "support bubble" so has put herself at risk which puts the OP at risk. She needs to get a taxi for the next appointment too unfortunately.

PilatesPeach · 05/01/2021 20:24

I'll take her.

Kazzyhoward · 05/01/2021 20:24

@Fieldofyellowflowers

She is going for a potentially life saving vaccine and essential hospital visits, it is not like she is asking you to take her to a rule breaking bingo meeting.
All the more reason why she was unwise to take a taxi so close to getting the vaccine which would protect her. Why couldn't she have delayed her non essential appointment for another few weeks??
Original poster
Dinnerisburnt · 05/01/2021 20:25

Wow, you lot are nice! Just spoke to my DH about it. He told her yesterday morning to reschedule the chiropodist appointment until next week and not to take a taxi. He is more annoyed with her than I am and actually agrees with me. Yes I will take her to her appointments on Friday and Saturday as I am not that heartless or an ‘ice queen’. She can sit in the back with a mask on, a blanket over her so she doesn’t freeze, I may even turn the heating up for her. 😂

OP posts:
Rhiannon13 · 05/01/2021 20:25

How depressing.

Thisisworsethananticpated · 05/01/2021 20:26

Op could pick up more germs in supermarket than via one taxi drive
Covid bullshit

Oreservoir · 05/01/2021 20:27

Do you have health anxiety op?

Rachie1973 · 05/01/2021 20:27

Jeez. I’m so glad my family don’t treat people like this.

You’re vile

saraclara · 05/01/2021 20:27

@Kazzyhoward the journey was two miles. It would have taken five minutes. You are being ridiculous.

ShalomToYouJackie · 05/01/2021 20:28

I don't get why you would've happily given her a lift but now she's been in a taxi you don't want to.

Is it because you think there's a risk she caught Covid in the taxi? She would probably be just as likely to have got it in her chiropractor appointment than she would in a taxi.

Or is it because she is able to get a taxi and therefore you don't think you should have to drive her?

Oreservoir · 05/01/2021 20:29

If I told my 90 year old df to reschedule an appointment it would certainly worry him and he’d probably forget. I’d have to do it for him.
God, you and your dh sound freaking intolerant.
She’s 92!

withmycoffee · 05/01/2021 20:30

I struggle to understand the problem. Are you offended that she didn't ask you to take her to the chiropodist or angry that she exposed herself to a taxi driver (not literally exposed...). What actually is the issue here?

Crazybirdlady · 05/01/2021 20:30

@Rhiannon13

How depressing.
My thoughts exactly.
rhowton · 05/01/2021 20:30

Omg she's 92! Drive the poor woman to her hospital appointments and hope you don't have a daughter in law as unkind as you.

Soontobe60 · 05/01/2021 20:31

I bet she loves you!!

Swipe left for the next trending thread