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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Not to support DD TTC?

999 replies

checkyourpops · 09/06/2021 21:23

She's 19. Too young, if we are all completely honest.

Last year, she was pregnant with her own DD who died sadly due to a miscarriage at 20 weeks. The pregnancy wasn't planned, although that wasn't making it any easier obviously. I am/was of course devastated for her so I know she's had a hard time. But she needs to be realistic in her choices, as hard as that may be for now.

Her boyfriend is nice enough but I'm not entirely sure he's right for her, for a number of reasons.

Thing is, even if she did let herself down and her prospects down by moving out and finding somewhere to live, that would at least be something.

But she wants to continue living in her large bedroom, with her en-suite. The house is quite big so we have space but her entitlement is so off.

The reason I know she's TTC is because I found a receipt from Boots on the side next to some Vitamins and my prescription I asked her to pick up. On it said Folic Acid. I take a further look and I find it in the cupboard. Upon confronting DD, she says she's very sorry but they feel TTC is the only thing that's easing their pain.

I said fine, (I was quite angry), but move out first at least. She says she wants to stay here. I said she really can't, with a baby. When asked if she also expected her boyfriend to move in too, she said she didn't expect that? To make matters worse yet, H has spoken to her over dinner apparently?! And he says he supports her decision... when speaking to him in private, I said this is absolutely NOT on, she isn't even willing to move out. He says we've got space Hmm and the room. I say no. He's very calm about this whole thing. It's actually infuriating. I said well I bet she still expected to come on holiday with us if she has a baby. He says why not?!

Truth is that H doesn't want to downsize and I do. We currently live in a 5 bed house. It's too big for us all. We also have a DS who's 11.

What on earth would you do? H is not supporting me in encouraging DD to find a space of her own. That's before we get into the fact that two 19 year olds are trying for a baby.

She has no proper job, despite very good A Level results. She chose to go to work in some admin role for the NHS and works only 4 days a week 'because it suits her well'. Her boyfriend works in property of some sort in an advanced apprenticeship, think he did a few before that. A

I'm so upset for her. I can't believe she's doing this to herself and usSad

OP posts:
Penistoe · 12/06/2021 20:46

At 20 weeks she had got her head around being a mother, probably felt like a mother. That doesn’t just go away.
It doesn’t matter that she is only 19.

SadieCow · 12/06/2021 20:48

@Penistoe agreed, so feeling like a mother, what do you think she'd decided about how she was going to provide a roof over the head of her DC?

Notonthestairs · 12/06/2021 20:49

I don't think she should move out before she's reached 20 week scan. If she's moves out before then and it's under stress and anything terrible happens I suspect their relationship will be irretrievably damaged. I know that sounds dark but things are very early days and I have experienced multiple losses.

So the conversations now needs to be entirely about how practically it will need to work. No emotion just focus on getting things ready and let her catch up with you.

I do see the Ops point of view - in fact I live in fear of this happening (VERY different reasons and circumstances). But I get it.

checkyourpops · 12/06/2021 20:58

@Coldwine75

So what if she doesnt have ambitions now to go further or work ft? Least she is working and id be very proud of her if that was my dd. Its not like she is lying about doing nothing all day. So she hasnt reached your very high expectations of a career? She is young, she may move on and up later in life? If she is pg Id let her stay during the pregnancy and the early months and support her, but make her aware she does need to get her own place before the baby is 1??

No bloody way. I will not, under any circumstances, have a newborn in this house. It's her issue to sort, sadly. I will be the nice nan that visits and hands straight back, and babysits on the odd occasion. Nothing else

OP posts:
checkyourpops · 12/06/2021 21:08

@Penistoe

At 20 weeks she had got her head around being a mother, probably felt like a mother. That doesn’t just go away. It doesn’t matter that she is only 19.

I know. And I was so incredibly sad for her losing her own DD. It really was horrendous and I'm so sorry for her. We have given her buckets of support and she's expressed how glad she's been for our support. But another baby being conceived whilst living and planning to remain living with us isn't really acceptable

OP posts:
VodselForDinner · 12/06/2021 21:10

Nope. Same rights

So you don’t believe the OP has the right to determine how many people live under her roof?

VodselForDinner · 12/06/2021 21:11

How are things today @checkyourpops? Has she told the boyfriend?

Blossomtoes · 12/06/2021 21:11

I will be the nice nan that visits and hands straight back, and babysits on the odd occasion

Perhaps. She might decide she’s better off without you entirely.

checkyourpops · 12/06/2021 21:13

@Blossomtoes That's her shout entirely. I can't bend to suit her every want just because I live in fear that she will cut me off

We are offering her a pretty good deal by helping with a flat

OP posts:
SadieCow · 12/06/2021 21:13

@Blossomtoes perhaps OP might withdraw her support... and decide it's too difficult?

What's with the DM has to be forever bending over backwards to maintain the relationship with the DD? Surely it's a two way street?

pictureframenotperfect · 12/06/2021 21:14

[quote checkyourpops]@Blossomtoes That's her shout entirely. I can't bend to suit her every want just because I live in fear that she will cut me off

We are offering her a pretty good deal by helping with a flat [/quote]
You are vile... honestly some people don't deserve to be parents. Do people think parenting is for the first 16 years then you are done?

Your poor daughter.

SadieCow · 12/06/2021 21:15

@Blossomtoes you seem to be saying unless OP totally agrees with all the DDs bad choices, wrong doings etc etc that she will be cut off?

Well maybe she will, but it doesn't mean it's right!

checkyourpops · 12/06/2021 21:16

@pictureframenotperfect I am parenting her. I'm helping her. We are supporting her. But we aren't indulging. That's the difference

It's very hard but must be done

OP posts:
SadieCow · 12/06/2021 21:16

@pictureframenotperfect you are vile! Parenting is about bringing up children to be adults and able to look after themselves!

Totally smothering them is awful parenting!

MrsMiddleMother · 12/06/2021 21:20

It's your daughters baby and she and babys dad should be providing everything for it, from the roof over it's head to the nappy on it's bottom because we all know that If you let daughter stay once she has baby that you'll be helping raise the child not just be a grandparent. Well done for sticking to your guns

pictureframenotperfect · 12/06/2021 21:24

[quote checkyourpops]@pictureframenotperfect I am parenting her. I'm helping her. We are supporting her. But we aren't indulging. That's the difference

It's very hard but must be done [/quote]
You commented below you will be providing bare minimum, no luxuries and a second hand pram.

Why wouldn't you want to help your child all you could?

Can't understand this mindset at all...

Feel really sorry for your daughter.

I'd always want to do all that I could to try and help my kids in every way...

Blossomtoes · 12/06/2021 21:26

[quote SadieCow]@Blossomtoes you seem to be saying unless OP totally agrees with all the DDs bad choices, wrong doings etc etc that she will be cut off?

Well maybe she will, but it doesn't mean it's right! [/quote]
I’m not saying that at all. I’ll put my cards on the table. I think OP’s perfectly entitled not to want a baby in her house. I don’t agree but I do understand and helping her find a flat is absolutely the right thing to do.

However, I think her attitude generally stinks. She’s critical of her daughter not doing exactly what she thinks she should. She’s criticised her decision - backed up by valid and sensible reasons - not to go to university, she’s dissed her job, called her lazy when it transpires she actually helps out a lot, will buy her baby things - but not new ones.

It’s not something I understand at all. It’s not how I parent.

MrsMiddleMother · 12/06/2021 21:27

Why should OP supply luxuries and more than the minimum? It's her daughters baby, therefore she should be supplying everything from pushchair to nappies herself and should have thought about doing so before purposely getting pregnant. It's not OPs baby

JeanClaudeVanDammit · 12/06/2021 21:28

You can support her completely by supporting her to move out. It’s testament to her immaturity that she assumed (despite being told otherwise) that she could stay in your home and play at having a baby, like it’s a doll or something. You were right to have concerns, to me she really doesn’t sound mature enough to be a parent. Since she’s now pregnant the focus must shift to supporting her to move out and live independently. If she can’t manage to do that she’s going to have a hell of a shock coming in 9 months time. It’s not cruel or heartless or anything approaching that to want to get her living independently before this baby arrives. It’s best for all of them.

SadieCow · 12/06/2021 21:29

@pictureframenotperfect surely not a second hand pram......imagine the long tern damage that would cause!

What about the parents of the child actually giving the child what it will need? You want the DGM to supply everything to her daughter, because it's her daughter? But don't expect the actual parents to provide for their own child?

So DGM, must supply for both DD and DGC and the actual parents don't?

How odd !

pictureframenotperfect · 12/06/2021 21:30

@MrsMiddleMother

Why should OP supply luxuries and more than the minimum? It's her daughters baby, therefore she should be supplying everything from pushchair to nappies herself and should have thought about doing so before purposely getting pregnant. It's not OPs baby
No it's her daughters and why wouldn't you want to help your daughter if you could?

This isn't a stranger on the streets baby, it's your own daughters first baby?

Why wouldn't you want to help and support them in every way possible. Make things easier for them if you could?

If I had a pound spare and my daughter needed it at any point in life she's genuinely welcome to it...

Parents on here are bizarre.

Blossomtoes · 12/06/2021 21:31

Well it is a bit odd on MN where house deposits, university fees and entire new nurseries seem to be the norm!

SadieCow · 12/06/2021 21:31

@Blossomtoes how are new baby things an asset to any child?

If the DD wants new things, she deeds to work full time in a better paid job.

Not rely on her hardworking mother to supply them!

Getyourarseofffthequattro · 12/06/2021 21:32

[quote SadieCow]@Blossomtoes how are new baby things an asset to any child?

If the DD wants new things, she deeds to work full time in a better paid job.

Not rely on her hardworking mother to supply them!

[/quote]
Part timers aren't hard working? Wow.

Ginger1982 · 12/06/2021 21:32

"I will be the nice nan that visits and hands straight back, and babysits on the odd occasion. Nothing else."

Are you taking this view solely on the basis that she's 19 and in this situation or would you be the same if she was 30, married and with a professional career?

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