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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU MIL?

74 replies

lostandlonely20 · 09/07/2021 13:13

I live abroad and am pregnant. Its been over a year since we saw our families and now there is the possibility that people can come and visit.

Last year after I had a stillbirth my parents came to visit but booked a hotel nearby and came to visit but gave me space when I needed it. My husband's parents came over later but wanted to stay in our apartment - we only have a 1 bed apartment and so they would've been sleeping in our living room. I said no, mainly because I was grieving and I'm quite private and wanted to have my own space to cry and not interact with anyone if needed. The flat is small and I didn't want to feel like I was hosting anyone because I just couldn't emotionally at that time and felt we'd be on top of each other.

My MIL kicked up a stink the whole trip, bringing up the fact that they had to pay to stay somewhere else, and why wouldn't we let them stay. They are not poor, have no mortgage but don't like spending money. I got so angry about it because I felt that she should've just respected my feelings during such a difficult time for me, but I'm not very confrontational and was also really struggling post stillbirth so was very passive aggressive about it and didn't say much. My husband struggles as my MIL can be very overbearing, I know he doesn't stand up to her just for an easy life most of the time plus he finds it hard to think of what to say on the spot. She also kept saying 'Oh but we've travelled all this way to see you' when sometimes I just needed to be alone (I mean it was literally a couple of weeks after giving birth and we hadn't buried the baby yet). I felt frustrated because it seemed to be all about her, when my husband and I had been through something so terrible.

Now they want to visit again and stay in our apartment - and I still don't want them to, this time because they will be flying in from the UK, where the covid numbers are going up and I'm not vaccinated at all (it's not recommended here for pregnant people yet) and I've read it spreads quickly indoors. Having lost the previous baby I am being super protective and cautious - we are only meeting a few friends about once a month but only outside and they get tests every time. No-one comes to our apartment apart from my midwife who wears a mask the whole time.

So I would like to ask if they can find somewhere else to stay and also to not see them for the first couple of days and for them to take pcr tests before we meet up. When I say to my husband that to me, this baby is the most important thing he obviously agrees but for some reason he can't just say this to his parents and just the thought of having the conversation with them feels like a huge effort because I'm expecting her to react the same way (I mean if she's happy to be like that just after I lost a baby, then I doubt she'll be more understanding now). I feel frustrated that my DH can't just talk to his parents about it, because we both know it will become and issue and he can't stand up to my MIL. AIBU?

OP posts:
Cocolapew · 09/07/2021 13:17

Don't ask, tell them, if she complains tell her to go fuck herself and tell your Dh to man up ffs.
So sorry for your lossFlowers

GreenPixieHat · 09/07/2021 13:18

Having people stay in the living room of a small flat in any circumstances is ridiculous.

Explain to your DH that it's just not practical and insist that he deals with it. Make it explicitly clear that they cannot stay.

YANBU

lovelybitofsquirrell · 09/07/2021 13:21

Firstly, so sorry for you loss.

Tell them No. they proved they are insensitive people.

You DH needs to stand up for you and him and tell them their expectations are unacceptable.

Wishing you the best.

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 09/07/2021 13:25

Covid is rife in the uk at the moment. You're not vaccinated and you're vulnerable, it would be complete madness to see them at all indoors within 5 days of them landing, without a pcr test. His parents are selfish for even considering it. And to be honest I'd be losing respect for my husband if he even thought about putting his parents unreasonably hurt feelings above the health of his vulnerable wife and unborn child

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 09/07/2021 13:25

Also are people even allowed in from the uk without isolating to where you live?

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 09/07/2021 13:27

Also irrespective of the covid risk, you owe them nothing after them exeocting to be hosted by someone who's child has just died. That's just completely heartless

Sceptre86 · 09/07/2021 13:28

If he hasn't got the balls to stand up to his mum then you will need to. Tell her don't ask her to stay anywhere else. You can explain if you like but if she knows that you haven't had the jab I don't know why she would consider putting you at risk, given all you have experienced.

Longterm though your partner really needs to find some inner strength and stand up to his mother and start enforcing some boundaries. At this rate this situation is going to crop up again and again. After his mother has been dealt with I really would speak to him about this because it isn't on.

DeepDown12 · 09/07/2021 13:29

Very sorry for your loss. I very much hope your pregnancy will be smooth and delivery and baby safe!

As for this issue - YANBU. At all.
Your comfort and keeping you and the baby safe needs to be your DHs first and only priority. If MIL can't understand - her problem. And if she decides to go full frontal, I'd respond in kind 'Are you saying you'd rather risk your unborn grandchild than pay for a room? Wow!'

Hathertonhariden · 09/07/2021 13:30

If your dh won't protect you is there anywhere else you could stay whilst they are over, so you have peace of mind?

DifferentHair · 09/07/2021 13:30

Oh my gosh, fuck them.

I'm so sorry OP. Not only for your loss but for the pressure you felt and the lack of support due to your selfish entitled in laws.

Absolutely, put yourself and your baby first. You can't trust them to be reasonable or respectful.

They've shown you who they are so believe them.

tiktok · 09/07/2021 13:31

Oh my goodness....your dh is being totally unreasonable and cruel. Your mil sounds awful and she’s prob had a lifetime of getting her own way (presumably your fil is just as hopeless as your dh).

Of course they have to stay in a hotel and of course they should get tested.

You ask why your dh cannot confront his parents. Well....he’s learnt not to, but time for him to grow up. For many people, this would be a deal breaker and sufficient to mean cessation of contact between you and the in laws.

Janaih · 09/07/2021 13:35

Agree tell them don't ask them. "It's not possible for you to stay here. I've got a list of possible hotels if you need help finding accommodation".
If you're husband is unwilling/unable to stand up to them, then it unfortunately falls to you.
I'm very sorry for your loss Flowers

BashfulClam · 09/07/2021 13:38

Tell them that you are considered vulnerable and you will not apologise for protecting your health and that of your unborn child.

PurpleMustang · 09/07/2021 13:44

So sorry for your loss. You and the baby need protecting for now. People mention of the FOG, fear, guilt and obligation with parents sounds like this is his problem. If these were strangers wanting to stay, he would protect you, so why not from their demands? The Toxic Parents book is meant to help. And there is a 'We Took You To Stately Homes' thread too. He needs to cut the apron strings

TheArtfulCodger · 09/07/2021 13:44

You have to be blunt with people who push boundaries like this. They have the hide of a rhinoceros so don't worry about hurting their feelings. Just tell them, or get your husband to tell them, obviously they can't stay with you and of course any get togethers will have to take place outdoors.

It's easy to be bullied by pushy people if you're a nice person, but when your and your unborn child's health is at stake then you have to find your inner "who the fuck are you to tell me what to do?" and draw that line in the sand.

I went through a battle of wills with my inlaws 34 years ago and it nearly ended our marriage, but we're still together. DH has always deferred to them and is scared of them - they like him but don't respect him, whereas they don't like me but they respect me because I don't stand for their bullying.

40notout40 · 09/07/2021 13:47

Gosh!
So sorry for your loss last year.
She sounds awful.
Tell them it's not possible to stay, end of. Say it's on medical grounds due to you being vulnerable. plus is it even allowed ?!
Even covid and bereavement history aside, why would they want to stay if you have no spare room? Wouldn't be comfortable for anyone!
I've been through late baby loss before and also very private so I completely get where you're coming from, you are not being unreasonable in any way at all

Notaroadrunner · 09/07/2021 13:49

You need to be bad cop while your Dh finds his fucking balls. Send a message to them saying

"As you know, our apartment is not suitable for having people to stay. There simply is no space so, while I appreciate you may not want to stay in a b&b/hotel, it really is the only option when coming to visit. I am shielding to keep myself and the baby safe. I am very concerned about the rising numbers in U.K. and therefore I'm not willing to put my health and our baby's health at risk by meeting up with you until you have had a negative pcr test after arrival".

And if she kicks off then do what another poster did recently and tell her to fuck off. That way you won't have the issue of them asking to stay again and your life will be a whole lot smoother without them.

Your Dh is a whole other problem. He needs to grow up and learn to stand up for himself, you and the baby.

lactofree · 09/07/2021 13:53

Tell them and particularly her NO

If she doesn't like it then suggest she doesn't come. Your husband sounds like a pushover, he really needs to grow a pair and stand up to his mother, for once

30degreesandmeltinghere · 09/07/2021 13:57

Tell dh you will be messaging them to stay elsewhere - off his phone...

StevenYerTeasReady · 09/07/2021 13:59

"I'm sorry you don't want to stay in a hotel. It would have been lovely to see you"

DocDog · 09/07/2021 14:06

Fuck that. There is no way I would cope with guests in a 1 bed flat, even without the still birth.

I'd stay firm on that. No way.

And if DH wimps out and allows them to id stay in an Airbnb for the duration of their visits.

We have a 2 bed house and I still hate overnight guests. The house is just too small.

Immunetypegoblin · 09/07/2021 14:18

I would be very clear that if they came to my flat, I would leave and not come back until a week after they left. Stay in a hotel yourself if you have to. If that doesn't make him realise how much this bothers you then nothing will.

LookItsMeAgain · 09/07/2021 14:18

Firstly - I'm so sorry for your loss.

I'd do a combination of what @Notaroadrunner has posted and if you get any flack, follow up with what @StevenYerTeasReady has posted.

Your DH has to start standing up to his parents because if he can't do it for something as simple and straightforward as not having a place for them to sleep (which isn't stopping them coming to visit, just not having space to sleep) when it comes to schools or other childcare issues or any issues come to mind, he will just have 'doormat' written all over him.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 09/07/2021 14:19

"I'm sorry you don't want to stay in a hotel. It would have been lovely to see you"

Perfect

You don't need to bargain on whether she stays or not; she's already wrecked that through her own choices, so put it straight back to her where it belongs

And if DH won't speak up for you over this, when you've already gone through so much, just when IS he planning on doing so?

Yummymummy2020 · 09/07/2021 14:22

Totally not unreasonable they are!!! Such awful people!!!