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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is SIL being a CF?

88 replies

Totesfabulous · 29/08/2021 18:20

We live in a seaside area and every summer holiday, without fail, SIL comes up with some convoluted reason why her 3 DC (my nephews and niece) should come to stay with us for an extended period. They're aged between 10-13, so in a way it's nice for my DD to have some company her own age, but at the same time I do feel like she's being a bit of a CF here, as she expects me to feed them - and they all eat ENORMOUS meals and they do have a habit of going off and getting into scrapes so I'm forever worrying about them.

My eldest nephew is somewhat opinionated and does try and tell my DD - who is saying she wants to identify as a boy, but that's another thread - what to do, which inevitably leads to a row. Dniece is sweet , but does tend to cry and get upset easily. My husband is a scientist and works ridiculously long hours, so it's just me doing everything, and we also have a large dog who needs a lot of exercise.

AIBU to tell SIL that I can no longer have them all in the school holidays?

OP posts:
HollowTalk · 29/08/2021 18:21

YANBU, Enid.

StartingGrid · 29/08/2021 18:21

Absolutely not BU! What are her reasons?!

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 29/08/2021 18:22

On the plus side, they do have a habit of finding large amounts of gold ingots. Which is nice. And solves your home ed dilemma, as you can pack dd off to boarding school.

PotteringAlong · 29/08/2021 18:22

Just say no!

Sexnotgender · 29/08/2021 18:23

YANBU.

What reasons is she giving?

What happens if you say no?

Tilly18101 · 29/08/2021 18:23

Absolutely - just say no! She’s using you for free childcare - if you want to see them still, she comes as well and does the childcare whilst also allowing your DD to see her cousins.

CanofCant · 29/08/2021 18:23

@HollowTalk

YANBU, Enid.
Grin
HavelockVetinari · 29/08/2021 18:23

Ah you poor thing, Fanny! Grin

Mind you, Quentin needs to pull his finger out - if he's able to remember complex equations then surely he's able to prevent a few kids killing themselves/others whilst you have a well-deserved spa day!

CanofCant · 29/08/2021 18:24

They sound quite low maintenance to me, just pack them off for the day with lashings of ginger beer.

Thehogfatherstolemycurry · 29/08/2021 18:25

It's ok, the dog will often get them out of scrapes and I think they might be keen to make home made lemonade and befriend local travellers in need of assistance.

WutheredOut · 29/08/2021 18:25

Hope they get stuck down in a cave and get locked in by a lowlife smuggler - that should keep them busy for an afternoon or so
Then home for lashings of ginger beer

Eileen101 · 29/08/2021 18:26

Just send them off with Timmy for the day, don't forget the sandwiches and ginger beer.

BaringasMare · 29/08/2021 18:27

Don’t be so bloody ungrateful, what about all those ingots?

BaconAvocado · 29/08/2021 18:27

@Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies

On the plus side, they do have a habit of finding large amounts of gold ingots. Which is nice. And solves your home ed dilemma, as you can pack dd off to boarding school.
Eh?
Bobmonkfish · 29/08/2021 18:28

Just palm them off onto a neighbouring small aircraft owner for a few days OP.

Onlinedilema · 29/08/2021 18:28

No say no sounds like hell.

MrsRobbieHart · 29/08/2021 18:32

Sounds like it’s time your DD went for an extended stay with them instead.

CoffeeBeansGalore · 29/08/2021 18:33

Actually it was lashings of hard boiled eggs. Often misquoted as lashings of ginger beer 😁

MrsRobbieHart · 29/08/2021 18:34

Doh. I missed the joke Grin

Skiptheheartsandflowers · 29/08/2021 18:36

Send them to camp out on that nearby island your husband owns! They'll have a whale of a time.

MarieIVanArkleStinks · 29/08/2021 18:37

@CoffeeBeansGalore

Actually it was lashings of hard boiled eggs. Often misquoted as lashings of ginger beer 😁
And lashings of poisonous snakes. Somehow that doesn't sound nearly so appetising.

Solidarity to you, dear, long-suffering Aunt Fanjo. You have a DH problem. LTB!

Butternutsqoosh · 29/08/2021 18:38

GrinStar

GinIronic · 29/08/2021 18:40

Tins of peaches! Don’t forget them.

Therealjudgejudy · 29/08/2021 18:42

Just say no...Confused

AttaGirrrrl · 29/08/2021 18:42

Ach, just make sure you buy them lashings of ginger beer, say ‘yes’ to any requests that they go off in caravans / on bikes / to an island, and don’t worry too much.

If you could tell Anne to smash the patriarchy and Quentin to pull his finger out, that would help though.