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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I feel really awkward and uncomfortable.

299 replies

MissingTheMountain · 31/08/2021 12:27

DH's parents have decided in the last few months that if they disagree with something, they'll do it anyway and then say they didn't have a choice as we might have said no.

So far, the most annoying one has been turning up while we're working and sitting a foot away from us looking fed up. They aren't the type to entertain themselves. I have no idea why they're doing it unless it's to prove a point that they won't listen to us.

MIL is desperate to have a sort of baby shower for her friends. I'm not invited and don't mind her having one... but she wants to post about it on Facebook. We haven't announced on Facebook, for a multitude of reasons that she knows about. Family & friends know, but Facebook doesn't. They call weekly to complain about it. This morning they've called to say we are ruining their fun, and they'll announce it on Facebook for us if we haven't done it by Wednesday.

My big worry right now is that they disagree with everything we want to do. They don't want me to breastfeed, us to use slings, us to go to parenting groups. They did all of those things, but they feel that "with reflection" it would stop them from being able to have a good relationship with the baby. They keep talking about visiting daily and taking the baby out to lunch.

Usually, DH gets annoyed eventually, spells it out to them, they back off and it heals. But they're ignoring him this time, and just making veiled comments about how they don't know if he's going to be "mean" so they just don't ask him.

FIL also said on the phone this morning that he's got high blood pressure again, and it's worried DH that they are getting old, and he doesn't want to upset them. He's also concerned that his Dad has two other children that he cut off for some reason decades ago, and has never met their children. He talks often about how they shouldn't be told when he dies, and they're not in his will, etc.

I don't want to put DH in the middle, but the more they push, the less I feel comfortable around them. They did the same batshit stuff around our wedding. In the end, FIL told us not to tell them any details until a few days before to stop MIL from getting so upset and phoning up to change things...

I don't have family, I've very pleased our baby will have, and we used to get along really well. I feel like I go out of my way to make them feel involved, update them after every appointment, usually two phone calls and at least one meeting a week. I see them more than I see my friends. I've tried really hard to include them... But honestly, I feel like an incubator right now, I've started to dread the baby coming and them going mad. I quite like the idea of not telling them right now, but that'd be a horrendous position for DH to be in...

He says we're a team and he'll talk to them, but they seem to "forget" the next day now, and I'm worried about my mental health and my marriage if they keep this up.

OP posts:
Brogues · 31/08/2021 12:29

OMG. Don’t leave it to DH. Have a massive hormonal strop and tell them to fuck off.

Anotherdayanotherdollar · 31/08/2021 12:30

I think you'd be doing well to read over your post and include a bit more context...

HollowTalk · 31/08/2021 12:31

Your MIL wants a baby shower but doesn't want you to be there? I've never heard of anything as crazy as that.

Where is it you're working, that they're turning up and just sitting there?

ChaToilLeam · 31/08/2021 12:31

They are clearly nuts! Time to make it crystal clear what the consequences will be if they keep being this pushy. DH should be handling this, they’re his parents.

Eviebeans · 31/08/2021 12:31

I completely agree with Brogues. Play up and act out big style.

OfNick · 31/08/2021 12:31

Huh? MIL wants a baby shower for YOUR baby and you're not invited? 🤔

Motnight · 31/08/2021 12:32

Your mother in law is arranging a baby shower and you, the pregnant woman, hasn't been invited?? This is batshit crazy in itself.

Tell your dh to deal with his parents. They have no idea of boundaries or appropriate behaviours and are getting away with completly outrageous stuff. It really does need to be sorted before your baby is born.

Good luck. Instinct and previous posts on MN suggest that your PILs will not react well or reasonably but this cannot carry on.

PepsiHoover · 31/08/2021 12:34

Pack up, move house and don't tell them. Because they would have only said no.

loafcake · 31/08/2021 12:36

They both sound batshit to be honest, not to mention controlling! Don't let them get away with anything, you guys make decisions for yourselves and that's that.

Moltenpink · 31/08/2021 12:36

Wow, so your mil has invented some kind of grandmother shower? That’s a whole new level!

ChillyB · 31/08/2021 12:36

They aren’t worried about upsetting you so don’t be worried about upsetting them!

TheChiefJo · 31/08/2021 12:37

These things should all be the choices made by you and DH, OP. These people do not respect you. You and DH need a long chat about this and to come up with a united approach.

Maybe don't tell PILs anything anymore. When they complain, tell them 'we have no choice because we never know what you'll do next'.

MissingTheMountain · 31/08/2021 12:38

@Anotherdayanotherdollar I was trying not to make it an essay, which I may have failed at anyway Blush What do you feel is missing?

@HollowTalk The first two times were at home... after that, I started going back to a co-working space locally, and the last few times they've come there. You can have meetings there, so Reception bring them up... I have no idea how they found I was there.

DH is usually great, but I wanted to check I wasn't being unreasonable to expect him to say to something. He can seemingly block it out and ignore it much easier than I can... But I've been very tempted to just tell them how suffocating this all is the last few times, and have left the room instead. Maybe I shouldn't!

OP posts:
Bobmonkfish · 31/08/2021 12:40

Blimey OP. I read a lot of these posts and don't feel I have anything helpful to add as I am a bit shit at saying No to parents myself.

But honestly, you really need to put a stop to this ridiculous takeover of your own pregnancy and marriage (by stropping).

I will also just point out that you not breastfeeding, babywearing or going to parenting groups (and making friends to hang around with and complain about your in-laws to) fits in perfectly with their desire to take the baby out for lunch every day (i.e. take over) and isn't in your interests in the slightest.

ToddlerLockdown · 31/08/2021 12:40

This is shocking.

It is not normal to tell new parents to not breastfeed or use slings. Please parent how you wish to and step away from this relationship. It is not healthy. No relationship is better than a harmful one.

EvilPea · 31/08/2021 12:41

Stop including them.
I know you want your baby to have a family but this one is so toxic it would be damaging

ToddlerLockdown · 31/08/2021 12:42

Just to add they can have a great relationship even if you breastfeed.

I’ve breastfeed by toddler exclusively. Would not take bottles. She has a lovely relationship with all grandparents.

MerryHellbreakingloose · 31/08/2021 12:42

I have so many questions and so much of your post. I don't even know where to start.

MouseInCatsClaws · 31/08/2021 12:43

You poor woman! This behaviour is intolerable, plain and simple. You need to sit down with your husband and decide together what boundaries you are going to put in place, then spell out for his parents what those boundaries are.
I would have moved, long ago, with or without my husband. I just wouldn't be able to cope with that level of intrusion.

frogswimming · 31/08/2021 12:44

Tell your co working space reception that you're not expecting any visitors and to say you're not available.

Tataru · 31/08/2021 12:45

Okay you need to establish boundaries now. Anyone telling me they didn't think I should breastfeed my DC would be told in no uncertain terms where to go. It's bonkers! Totally bonkers! And your husband needs to grow a pair and tell them to give it a rest and tell them properly.

HollowTalk · 31/08/2021 12:45

@frogswimming

Tell your co working space reception that you're not expecting any visitors and to say you're not available.
I'd do more than that - I'd say I had a couple of stalkers and on no account were they to be let into the building.

Is it possible for you and your husband to move away, OP?

MintLeaves12 · 31/08/2021 12:45

OMG!
This is almost unbelievable.

Stand your ground and tell them to F off! I would have long ago.
Crazy controlling almost stalkers Shock

Eilatan2018 · 31/08/2021 12:45

[quote MissingTheMountain]@Anotherdayanotherdollar I was trying not to make it an essay, which I may have failed at anyway Blush What do you feel is missing?

@HollowTalk The first two times were at home... after that, I started going back to a co-working space locally, and the last few times they've come there. You can have meetings there, so Reception bring them up... I have no idea how they found I was there.

DH is usually great, but I wanted to check I wasn't being unreasonable to expect him to say to something. He can seemingly block it out and ignore it much easier than I can... But I've been very tempted to just tell them how suffocating this all is the last few times, and have left the room instead. Maybe I shouldn't![/quote]
They turn up to your place of work and just sit there? Wtf this is very weird behaviour and you need to put a stop to it immediately. They have no right to have any say over how you bring your child up. Just start putting your foot down otherwise it will only get worse.

Plus a baby shower without you?! Jesus Christ!!

Tataru · 31/08/2021 12:46

Okay I just read the co-working thing. They are totally nuts. They are going to be even more nuts when the baby arrives. Do something now.