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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Upset daughter

112 replies

DilemmaDelilah · 25/08/2021 10:30

Back story - my daughter is very sensitive but also it seems quite incapable of understanding that other people (me) are also sensitive and can get upset by her comments. She and her family came to lunch on Sunday and she made several comments that upset me but her reaction is to laugh at me for being offended. They weren't majorly upsetting, but they were unkind. I provide some childcare for my daughter at half terms and a little in the summer holidays. I work full time so this has to come out of my annual leave. I also try to have the children overnight at least once a month so they are used to being here and it gives their parents a break. The children frequently come to us without enough clothes having been packed, she believes that they should be responsible for their own packing so does not supervise. I don't disagree with that in principle, but in reality it doesn't work. So I have been picking up a few bits of spare clothing for them in the sales so that there is something here if they have an accident or just don't have enough. It's only supermarket clothing and I am very happy for it to sit in the drawer and not be worn. However the children have frequently gone home in clothes other than they arrived in, especially socks, and you would think she would have noticed that - plus on occasion I have actually told her why. So - yesterday they arrived here in t-shirts and shorts. No jumper, fleece or coat. We had a picnic in the woods planned and it was breezy and not that warm, although nice and sunny. When I realised that was all they had with them and I told the older child that I was fed up of having to buy extra clothes for them because they didn't bring enough with them. I was cross - but before you say it I know I was unreasonable. I had some light jumpers for them here so they wore those and they were glad of them, because it was actually quite chilly! This morning I had a phone call from my daughter - the older child had told her I was cross at them and she was telling me off. She said it was a hot day so they didn't need anything more than t-shirts, I told her about the picnic and that it was actually quite cold. She said if I had told her what I was planning she would have made sure they had enough clothes but it was a hot day anyway.... there was a bit of a 'discussion' and I did not apologise, resulting in her telling me she was very upset and putting the phone down on me. My OH was actually already on the way to pick up the children at the time and when he got there she didn't even come downstairs to talk to him. So - she is upset - I am also upset, but she still expects me to look after her children (although to be fair it would be difficult for her to find alternative childcare) and she wants me to apologise. I would like her to apologise for upsetting me, but I haven't asked her to do so. I would like her to apologise for not realising that the children come to us with unsuitable or insufficient clothing, which I then have to remedy. My difficulty is that we are going away in a couple of weeks and I have asked her to feed the cats every other day while we are away (they have an automatic cat feeder so don't need checking on every day). I am worried that she might say she won't do it - she would have to get 2 buses to do so. We feed her cat every day when she goes away but we do have a car. AIBU in not apologising for having upset her? I am still looking after the children.

OP posts:
Streamside · 25/08/2021 10:36

You've let this situation continue for too long.Presumably you provide free childcare and you need to be calling the shots, not tiptoeing around her. Have a frank discussion with her and move on.

SunShinesBrightly · 25/08/2021 10:44

‘I’m sorry you’re upset DD. Let’s not fall out. Just make sure the DC come with spare/ warm clothes in future so that they are comfortable when they’re with us.’

SunShinesBrightly · 25/08/2021 10:44

An apology that is not an apology.

Your DD sounds like a little madam.

Anordinarymum · 25/08/2021 10:46

OP You have to teach your daughter to behave or she won't. It's not a nice situation and I feel quite disgusted with your daughter for not valuing you but you have allowed it to get to this state by spoiling her and now you feel like you have to apologise in case she does not feed your cats OH dear..

You need to speak to her. Remind her that you help her out and tell her where she is falling down.
Tell her you do not appreciate catty remarks over the way you cook dinner or anything else she decides to take a side swipe at you over because she can and because you allow it.

Tell her it is not happening any more if she wants your help.

Find someone else to feed your cats. Someone who won't begrudge it and will actually care a little. And get your husband to tell her off as well.

girlmom21 · 25/08/2021 10:49

I think you should apologise for complaining out her to her children. That's unfair on them.
I don't think anything else requires an apology. You're both adults who are being overly sensitive.

Whoopsmahoot · 25/08/2021 10:50

As a daughter and a mum she is taking advantage- to work full time and expect you to take annual leave to look after her kids is unreasonable. She’s taking the piss.

Returnoftheowl · 25/08/2021 10:51

Find someone else to feed the cats (neighbours if you have a good relationship?). Pull back on bending over backwards to help her out. She's taking advantage.

Chamomileteaplease · 25/08/2021 10:52

I agree with a pp above - just ask her to ensure she provides enough clothes in future.

And ask someone else to feed your cats. No matter the current trouble, it is too much to ask someone to catch two buses to come and feed yours!

Anordinarymum · 25/08/2021 10:53

@Returnoftheowl

Find someone else to feed the cats (neighbours if you have a good relationship?). Pull back on bending over backwards to help her out. She's taking advantage.
Damn.. Looks at Returnoftheowl admiringly

You said what I said in two sentences

..must do better

ChickpeaCrunch · 25/08/2021 10:53

Stop looking after them if its going to cause this much hassle

ChickpeaCrunch · 25/08/2021 10:54

And put the cat in a cattery

iheartredsquirrels · 25/08/2021 10:55

She needs to learn some manners. I'd get someone else to feed the cats tbh.

DelphiniumBlue · 25/08/2021 10:56

I have 2 comments:
Firstly, she is being unreasonable, you don't need to apologise but there does need to be a conversation along the lines of she needs to send the children with a coat and wellies/jumper. That you are happy to continue helping her out so that she can work and have a break but you would like her to be polite to you. I'm wondering if she is not coping properly, is she very overworked? It seems really odd not to send your DC out with coats etc, whatever the plans might be. Sounds like she is on the edge and struggling.
Secondly, I think asking a working Mum to travel on 2 buses every other day to feed your cats is a very big ask. That's got to be a round trip of close on a couple of hours, presumably with kids in tow. Is there really no-one else you can ask?

implantsandaDyson · 25/08/2021 10:57

You shouldn't have taken your frustration out on your grandchild. I know you know that now but that's not going to change it. Your daughter is being a bit of a dick, but it depends on how long you want it to fester. I've seen rows like this turn into something much bigger. Everyone forgets how it started but no-one wants to end it.
Although I'm not sure why you didn't just keep the extra clothes you buy at your house instead of sending the kids home in them, that's what most people I know do. Send the kids home in what they arrive in.

vivainsomnia · 25/08/2021 10:57

I think you were both a bit in the wrong. Knowing that there is precedence there, and that you were indeed planning to go on the beach where it was breezy, it would have been reasonable to text her to say so and ask if they can bring an extra jacket. It's typical communication between parents and grandparents.

She should indeed be a bit more careful at what kids take when they come to you. Adding a jacket as standard, just in case is quite a reasonable thing to do.

You both need to communicate a bit better and be less critical of each other.

PlanetTeaTime · 25/08/2021 10:58

No you're not being unreasonable

Do you really think your daughter wouldn't feed your cats?

You obviously do a lot for her. I'm sure she would.

Me and my mum argue sometimes but I wouldn't let her down like that.

Tal45 · 25/08/2021 10:59

I think this may be a case of poor communication and resentment building up as a result? Have you told her that they are not packing properly and aren't bringing enough clothes? Or have you just bought extra clothes and hoped she'd notice and realise? I also find that kids often really don't feel the cold like adults do, there are kids at our local primary school in shorts year round.

If you have told her there are not enough clothes and she is still insistent that they pack themselves could you write a list with the kids of what they should bring when they are coming round that they can keep in their bag/case and follow themselves each time (if they're old enough to read/write).

I really think you need to just talk about this though, it would be a shame for it to get any further out of hand. Tell her you are sorry for being cross with the kids (because you are I think so that is something you can apologise for genuinely) and that you just feel like they never have the right clothes or enough clothes with them so you've been thinking about what could be done to resolve the situation......and then make some suggestions.

Sonofabiscuit · 25/08/2021 10:59

Op the cats care is simple ,ask a neighbour ,use a pet sitter or ask your vet practice, the nurses at ours will look after any pet for a small fee .

Hemingwaycat · 25/08/2021 11:00

Put the cat in a cattery or ask someone else to check on it.

I do think you should have told DD you were going to the woods and it might be chilly. It is August so I think she can be forgiven for sending them in T-shirts without a jacket (not like it’s the middle of January and snowing outside).

How old are they? My older three are 9, 10 and 11 and they definitely pack their own bags but I do double check with them to make sure they have everything. If they’re younger than 7 I’d expect her to still assist with the packing, anything older than that and they should be able to pack a bag especially given the fact they stay with you once a month so should be used to it.

bigbaggyeyes · 25/08/2021 11:03

She would be extremely foolish to refuse to feed your cat, she stands to lose far more than you if she starts down that road.

I also think your dd is bu. Whilst we all forgot to send our dc with certain things it's really really cheeky of her to expect you to provide clothing, or she simply doesn't 'think' I'd say to her that she needs to send her dc in clothing and spares if she would like you to continue to look after the children. As for being unavailable to speak to your dh when he collects her dc, sounds like she taking you for granted. I'd be slightly less available to babysit for a while, or until she appreciates what you do for her

Itonlymakesyoustronger · 25/08/2021 11:03

Okay OP you were unreasonable to be cross at the GC - Not really their fault. You should have gone to your DD and spoken to her. I think the way you approached and handled the situation was not correctly done, but I think your daughters demands are more concerning, its just a jumper for goodness sake, but asking your mum to apology if unreasonable! To be fair shes sounds far to bratty for my liking, making you take annual leave to look after the GC its a bit too much. I think you need to put your foot down!

If I was in your situation this is what I would have done. Gone to the picnic with the jumpers in a spare bag (left them in the car without anyone knowing). Obviously if the children felt cold they would have asked for something, that's when my DD would say I have got a jumper. I would say, its okay, I've brought spare ones because I noticed you have got any with you, can you please remember to bring spares next time. Hopefully both the parents and child would learn from my actions.

Itonlymakesyoustronger · 25/08/2021 11:04

** Typos

But asking your mum to apologises is

That's when my DD would say I haven't got

NickiC85 · 25/08/2021 11:06

Communicate with each other, not through the grandchildren or passive-aggressive acts of not looking after the grandchildren or her not looking after the cats. Acts of support and kindness shouldn't be used as a tally or "punishment" for wrongdoing.

If you know the kids need certain clothes, tell her beforehand.

Also, make it clear you need them to have a variety of clothes sent with them for all eventualities.

Candycotton · 25/08/2021 11:09

The reason your daughter is upset is because in her mind you essentially slagged her off to her child, who has of course gone back to their mum and said oh nan was saying this about you...just don't say anything to or infront of the kids next time and go directly to your daughter.

On the surface it's not a major deal. I am not sure what the problem is regarding the clothing, you have spares by the sounds of it and she said next time let her know your plans and she will send them with suitable clothing for said activity.

If you're feeling taken advantage of, then say something to her. You're not obliged to provide childcare and if you're feeling resentful of it than speak up. Or was you just saying that to back up your point about her feeding the cats when you're away?

I have to be honest OP it sounds like a lot of fuss over nothing.

EL8888 · 25/08/2021 11:11

That’s my experience of “sensitive” people. They are only sensitive to themselves, they are typically insensitive and rude to others