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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not want my mother to stay in my house when I’m on holiday

85 replies

LovelyBranches · 21/08/2021 14:20

This summer we took on a kitten from a friends unexpected litter. Before we had the kitten we knew we had a UK holiday booked and so I asked my mother if she would look after the kitten at my mother’s house to allow us to go away. This was about 7 weeks ago and before we said yes to having the kitten. It was all agreed and we had our kitten three weeks ago.

We now leave on Friday and my mother is demanding that she lives in our house for the week and because I’ve said no, my mother is being so nasty with me. For background, my mother is a difficult character, she’s moody, angry and very possessive of me and my children. She lives 20 minutes away and is in my house all the time and she get’s annoyed if I don’t see her a couple of times a week. I have tried to put in boundaries many times and they are often walked all over. On the flip side, my mother can also be very lonely because she’s a widow, and she can be lovely with my children. She get’s really annoyed if we visit my parents in law or if they look after my children and she often thinks of herself as the second parent-over my husband.

My mother has already decided that she’s going to sleep in my 4 year olds bed and that she will live in my house and clean it for me whilst I’m away. My house is already clean, even though she often makes me feel like it’s the equivalent of a crack den (I had a cleaner once and my mother followed her around telling her all the spots she missed and hiding my Hoover on a weekly basis so that she wouldn’t use mine, eventually and understandably she quit).

I don’t want my mother staying, I feel uncomfortable with it but it’s making her really angry that I don’t want her to live in my house and it’s causing so many arguments.

I have said that I would ask a friend to look after the kitten for us but she’s decided that was an absolutely stupid idea. In reality, I know that if I were to ask a friend then she would hit the roof.

AIBU to not want my mother to stay at my house?

OP posts:
DroopyClematis · 21/08/2021 19:25

You really need to assert yourself with your mum.
You've admitted that your husband is fed up with her coming in and being disruptive while he's working from home.
You are upstairs so you're a bit protected.

What are you going to say when he finally snaps and says 'enough!'
He'd be within his rights to say 'it's her or me' or he might want to just leave you and your mum together, quietly.
How would you feel?

WhenISnappedAndFarted · 21/08/2021 19:31

@Willowkins You can't send it back to it's Mum and then take it away again, that's cruel

Brollypackedforscottishholiday · 21/08/2021 19:41

The dkitten won't have a dm /dd bond!! The dm will have been glad they went!!
It will just be another dcat! Send it back op. Or pointless going on holiday if you have to worry about what's going on in your home!!

HeyDugeesCakeBadge · 21/08/2021 19:42

OP the kitten really won't be okay with being uprooted, as pp's and i have said it's either better to suck it up and have her stay this time or get a cat sitter. In regards to you mother, she sounds like a nightmare and I would take her key when you get back and put in place form boundaries.

Cuddlemuffin · 21/08/2021 19:57

Having read your last post, I would say the best thing now is to let your mum look after the cat at your house. Then go and get some professional help or counseling as your relationship with her is beyond unhealthy. It is never okay for someone to bite you. What would your mother need to do to you for you to stop going back for more OP? Honestly you need to wake up to this before it really impacts your children. You say she's good with your kids but is she good to you infront of your kids? What kind of message are you sending to then about how you and they deserve to be treated by others? Get some help x

LadyFannyButton · 21/08/2021 20:01

@Nocutenamesleft

It wouldn’t be fair to move the kitten. It’s used to the smells etc. I think it would be so stressful for the kitten. I wouldn’t think it would be fair at all

So for that reason YABU.

This^ very unfair on the kitten to say your mum has to look after it at her house.

Next time don’t ask her but also don’t get a pet right before going on holiday!

Bluntness100 · 21/08/2021 20:06

What I find interesting is that I’d expect you to know cats and put them first, but that’s not the case is it, it’s all about you and your argument with your parent. The cats welfare s really not relevant is it?

Daphnise · 21/08/2021 20:07

Cat kennel.

Aprilx · 21/08/2021 20:13

I have even considered taking the kitten away with us but the journey would be too long for her

Have you actually read any of the responses about cats? You cannot do this with a cat, they are not portable, you don’t take cats on holiday with you as you might with a dog. You should not take the cat with you, no matter how long the journey is, the journey and also the destination, would be very distressing for a cat. You really need to read up on domestic cats!

Katyy · 21/08/2021 20:17

Let your mum stay this time and look after your kitten. my mum is very much like this, except she is the loveliest person, but oh so nosey ! I wouldn’t want her in my house for a week either.
You need to start and change things when you get back, it’s not fair on your husband or you, you must both feel suffocated. She’ll get used to it eventually mine has, i visit twice a week now and phone every day. Good luck and have a good holiday.

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