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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:
GoodGrief100 · 25/08/2021 11:12

This is quite exhausting to read let alone be in the argument. I don't think you spoke to her about providing more clothes or ensuring they have appropriate clothes when they come to you - that's surely the first thing you'd do if you're getting g irritated by it? If you don't like how she talks to you or treats you, don't do so much for her and don't rely on her to feed your cats when you go away. Make alternative arrangements and let that be that.

Candycotton · 25/08/2021 11:13

Oh you were cross with the children for not bringing a jacket...no offence but I can't imagine my grandparents being that uptight, especially if they had spares. Just seems a lot of nonsense over essentially nothing.

Megan2018 · 25/08/2021 11:16

You’ve raised an absolute bitch - cut her out for a bit. Her childcare is her problem, not yours. Stop doing it all for her. Let her fend for herself, she sounds vile.

JulesCobb · 25/08/2021 11:20

That’s my experience of “sensitive” people. They are only sensitive to themselves, they are typically insensitive and rude to others
Totally agree. She is rude. Stop taking annual leave for childcare.

Op, my cats are too old now to do well in a cattery so I did I bit if asking around and found a dog walker who also does cat sitting when you’re away. He cleans the litter trays, feeds the cats and makes a fuss of then twice a day. It was the same cost as the cattery.

Daisy4569 · 25/08/2021 11:20

Can’t you just have a conversation with her about what is needed at your house? My mum looks after my little one and I leave a few things (jumpers, jackets, wellies etc) there. Saves me running around remembering everything and if she can’t afford two lots could just pick the bag up at the end of the week for the weekend etc

Goneblank38 · 25/08/2021 11:21

I think you need to stop being passive aggressive and set some ground rules with your daughter. Tell her what you need and work on communicating your needs as they arise. I think you should also apologize for snapping at your grandchild. But your daughter sounds like she takes you and your support for granted. It'shugely unfair that you take annual leave to help out. Maybe you two need a reset. Be honest about what you're happy to offer, what you need to make it work.

ShingleBeach · 25/08/2021 11:22

Can a neighbour not feed the cats?

Better that your self absorbed Dd has no hold over you.

Plus whatever else is going on two buses is a lot, when she is working and has the kids.

I would say “Dd: I do childcare for you on a regular basis. They frequently arrive with inadequate clothing because you think they should take responsibility for their packing. I do agree it was wrung to express my frustration to Dgs, but if they can’t take responsibility you need to. Too much at stake to fall out over this, so let’s move on”.

You do a LOT for her given that you work f/t. You shouldn’t have to supervise a sensible level of packing.

Beautiful3 · 25/08/2021 11:24

Put the cats in a cattery so you know they're safe. Wait for her to phone you. She needs you as you provide her childcare. When she does call, forget about the apology you both want. Just say I'm happy to hear from you, and I love you. No need to sour things with demands of an apology.

Chloemol · 25/08/2021 11:33

I would be having a discussion telling her she has upset you, you are fed up of the kids arriving in inappropriate clothing you gave to subsidise, that you work full time and take annual leave to help her out, so actually you dont get a break yourself. Then set some clear boundaries

If she gets cross tell her you are no longer prepared to help her via annual leave, but will help at weekend if you can, put the cats 8n a chattery and enjoy your holiday

Viviennemary · 25/08/2021 11:34

I would take a step back from this cheek. I agree she is a brat. Let her make her own childcare arrangements and maybe she would appreciate you a bit more. No way would I stand for this apology nonsense when its you doing the favour.

Embracelife · 25/08/2021 11:37

Don't get cross with the kids
Throw blankets in car if going for picnic
Don't ask some one to take two buses to feed your cat
Don't take annual leave to do childcare if you resent it

Chill

Holding out for apologies? What about you to kids?
Forget it and move on

BraayTigger · 25/08/2021 11:42

This type of behaviour (your daughter's) really grates on me. She does not realise how lucky and blessed she is to have you and your husband close by and able to help with childcare and be involved in family life.
Surely she dresses the kids appropriately when they go to school or a friend's house? Same should apply when she is sending them to you for 'free' childcare.
Some 'adults' really seem to basically exploit their parents when it comes to childcare and seem to 'expect' their parents to drop everything (including their own jobs, to be on hand). I appreciate you probably want to look after your grandkids but you need to be firm with your daughter your own expectations.

I probably sound a bit bitter - but I work full time, have 2 young children (under 6), have a husband deployed away most of the time with the Navy and zero family nearby and those who live further away never offer to do any childcare.

Anyway best of luck, hope all is resolved - just needs open comms.

WeatherwaxLives · 25/08/2021 11:44

Speaking as someone whose DM looks after DC 2 days a week - you really are f not unreasonable. At all.

Firstly, she's massively unreasonable to expect you to use your annual leave to look after her kids.

Secondly, if she expects the kids to be in charge of packing their own bags, then it's completely logical for you to tell them they need to do better. If she's abdicating all responsibility for it (and if you have to have clothes on hand in case they have an accident then I'd say they're too young for that responsibility!) then she can't be surprised when she's bypassed when it's discussed!

fan90 · 25/08/2021 11:48

She wants you to bear the mental load. So YOU need to tell her if you're going out so that she can pack warm clothing etc without her engaging her brain and doing what any parent should be doing when sending children out to be cared for by others. She is BU and YANBU.

Apologise for complaining to the child but tell her she needs to send them prepared.

CharityDingle · 25/08/2021 11:48

It's extraordinary how some so-called sensitive people are only sensitive about their own feelings, and totally insensitive to others. I would make different arrangements for the cat(s), I would not apologise, and I would step back a bit from automatically providing child care, especially from using AL to do so.

HyacynthBucket · 25/08/2021 11:49

People described as "sensitive" especially if they describe themselves as such, can often be the complete opposite when it comes to other people and their feelings.

LittleMysSister · 25/08/2021 11:50

How old are your grandchildren? I think that's a factor in whether it was OK to moan at them for not bringing the right clothes, but either way I don't think what you said was that big a deal.

However, if you didn't tell your daughter your plans for the day and it was hot, I also think you're being unreasonable to complain she didn't pack a jumper.

Not knowing what else she has said to you, it's hard to comment on whether she's generally out of order, but I don't think she's really done much on this occasion, and neither have you. Sounds like you've both just taken it a bit to heart when there wasn't really a need.

In future, maybe just text her before the kids come to remind her that you need them to bring X, Y and Z.

It sounds like you are looking for a bit of gratitude, which I understand, you are using your annual leave to help her out with childcare, plus buying clothes because she doesn't prepare properly. But equally, it seems you're not going to get this so I guess you either need to stop doing all this for her or try and look at it as you getting time with your grandchildren rather than doing their mum a favour. Otherwise you will just keep getting upset by things like this.

Ps. I think asking her to get 2 buses to feed your cat is a bit much, is there no neighbour that could look in for you?

zoemum2006 · 25/08/2021 12:04

My mum doesn’t look after my children (I work from home) so perhaps a different dynamic but she’d happily buy them anything and be glad to do it.

These are your grandchildren yes?

I guess I’m so used to my parents doting on my kids it’s odd reading this situation but maybe when you take care of them your attitude is less like a grandparent and more like a parent?

I just can’t imagine my mum telling my DDs that she was cross with me and sick of buying them clothes. I’d be pretty furious at that.

Jumpingintosummer · 25/08/2021 12:07

@zoemum2006

My mum doesn’t look after my children (I work from home) so perhaps a different dynamic but she’d happily buy them anything and be glad to do it.

These are your grandchildren yes?

I guess I’m so used to my parents doting on my kids it’s odd reading this situation but maybe when you take care of them your attitude is less like a grandparent and more like a parent?

I just can’t imagine my mum telling my DDs that she was cross with me and sick of buying them clothes. I’d be pretty furious at that.

You would be pretty furious…

The daughter hasn’t sent appropriate clothing for some time. Assumes her DC are capable of packing when clearly not - yet it’s her mother’s fault?

Macncheeseballs · 25/08/2021 12:07

Perhaps the daughter should send her kids with adequate clothing then, the grandparent shouldn't be responsible for that

AnneLovesGilbert · 25/08/2021 12:11

She’s taking the piss. How old are the DC? She’s not entitled to childcare, either once a month or in the holidays. How much annual leave are you using to look after her kids? How much is she?

You say she’d struggle to find a free alternative, well all the more reason for her to be grateful, appreciative, thoughtful in what she sends with them and keen to reciprocate however she can eg the cats.

Knock this on the head now or the issue will keep cropping up. She’s forgotten you’re doing her a massive favour!

Don’t you dare apologise to anyone and try and use this to reset the balance. You’re her mum, not her free childminder. Remind her of that. Kindness and flexibility are a two way street. Even your title is telling, upset daughter. Where are you in this, what about your feelings?

Macncheeseballs · 25/08/2021 12:11

So many people take their regular child carers for granted, laying down rules and/or complaining about care given. Having brought up kids without this kind of help, I was always super grateful to anyone who looked after them and made sure the experience was as easy as possible, your daughter is a proper cheeky mare

DilemmaDelilah · 25/08/2021 12:16

Thanks for all your comments and suggestions.

  1. The children are 7 and 10.
  2. When the first went to school I offered to have them for 2 days every half term and that is a commitment I am happy to stick with. I did not offer to have them during the holidays - she asked.
  3. I love my grandchildren dearly and am very glad to see them, but I'm not at all fit and I find them exhausting.
  4. The cats are elderly and have never been in a cattery and I'm not starting now. She started feeding them for us when it was only 1 bus journey, she has since moved. It wouldn't be a 2 hour trip and she doesn't work full time, she finishes at 2.30.
  5. I absolutely should not have been cross at my grandchild and when the opportunity arises I will tell them so - I'm not going to make a big thing of it.
  6. They have been sent home in clothes from my house because their own have been set or otherwise unwearable. e.g. Socks with more hole than sock. I haven't always told her but I have done sometimes.
My husband thinks I should text her to apologise. I don't want to - I think I should apologise to my grandchild and I will do so. I do do a lot for her, most of which I am happy to do but not all. They don't have a car and we do quite a lot of ferrying around.... (By a lot I mean a couple of times a month, not a week).
OP posts:
zoemum2006 · 25/08/2021 12:17

I’d be furious my mother expressed anger around my children. If she had a problem she should talk to me. They shouldn’t have to deal with it.

SunShinesBrightly · 25/08/2021 12:20

@zoemum2006

I’d be furious my mother expressed anger around my children. If she had a problem she should talk to me. They shouldn’t have to deal with it.
If your mother is looking after your DC she is In loco parentis. Do you never express anger around your DC?
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