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Unappreciated. Gone to bed in tears.

169 replies

namechange85479865 · 26/12/2021 01:11

Bought everyone in my family thoughtful gifts, things they actually needed. Spent all year trying to help various family members out of their ruts. Do so much for certain people emotionally, financially and practically. I'm a lone parent (by lone I mean dad not on scene at all). I work full time. I never get a break. I'm exhausted. Christmas Day got not so much as a card. Son was up late and family members (in my home) trying to watch a serious film. Son not allowed to play with his toys because too disruptive to the film. Told over 10 times he's not allowed to play with his new toys because they're noisy. So upset. Adults can watch films whenever they like. Films are not important. Son only gets one Christmas as a 3 year old. I just feel so emotional and under appreciated and like I don't know why I bother. Can't stop crying. Ended up sitting in my room playing with my son on my own so I didn't feel I uncomfortable about ruining the film. I don't think anyone really ever even thinks about me. Or cares.

OP posts:
HappyMeal564 · 26/12/2021 01:13

Get them out of your house and play with your 3 year old. Sounds like it would be better without them there

namechange85479865 · 26/12/2021 01:13

@HappyMeal564

Get them out of your house and play with your 3 year old. Sounds like it would be better without them there
I just feel like shit.
OP posts:
DdraigGoch · 26/12/2021 01:14

So don't help/invite them again.

namechange85479865 · 26/12/2021 01:14

@DdraigGoch

So don't help/invite them again.
Trust me I won't
OP posts:
FiveShelties · 26/12/2021 01:14

Why are you letting them do this in your home?

KittytheHare · 26/12/2021 01:15

Sounds like a tough day Op. Why are the family members in your house late in the evening? Over tired three year olds aren't anyone's favourite thing, but surely in your own house you could over rule these family members?

namechange85479865 · 26/12/2021 01:16

@FiveShelties

Why are you letting them do this in your home?
It's not just my home. I rent a room off another family member (who was no bother). Feel like even though it's my home because I live here, I'm invisible.
OP posts:
namechange85479865 · 26/12/2021 01:16

@KittytheHare

Sounds like a tough day Op. Why are the family members in your house late in the evening? Over tired three year olds aren't anyone's favourite thing, but surely in your own house you could over rule these family members?
3 year old was fine. Bit grumpy but just wanted to play.
OP posts:
ImmutableSexQueen · 26/12/2021 01:18

All this energy you expend on other people - for the coming year, devote it to yourself and your ds. I think it will change your life. In the meantime, get whatever rest you can and hug your baby. Send everybody else home.

gsaoej · 26/12/2021 01:18

Get all your son’s toys out tomorrow and tell him it’s still Christmas. He’s 3, he won’t know the difference. Have a nice day with him. And spend Christmas just the two of you next year. It’s absolutely liberating not to see people at Christmas when they’ve ruined it previously.

gsaoej · 26/12/2021 01:19

Oh yes and don’t answer the phone to these adult babies. If they need help, tell them you aren’t able to.

FiveShelties · 26/12/2021 01:19

The people watching the film, do they live there as well?

namechange85479865 · 26/12/2021 01:19

@FiveShelties

The people watching the film, do they live there as well?
No
OP posts:
BunnyBerries · 26/12/2021 01:20

Don't let others define your worth. People are busy and Christmas is just a day that means different things to different people. You have one life. Some don't care about the consumerism of it or spend much time coming up with thoughtful gifts. You have a 3 year old so it's natural your priority is for them to have a lovely day. I'm sure you make sure they have a lovely day every day of the year and that is much more important so don't be worry.

Also.. tea fixes everything Brew

namechange85479865 · 26/12/2021 01:22

Fucking hate Christmas

OP posts:
TopCatsTopHat · 26/12/2021 01:25

That sounds ghastly. Sorry to hear about this. Your family sounds particularly thoughtless and undeserving of all the support and care you are dishing out.
As crap as you feel maybe this will be a catalyst for positive change. It sounds as though you give to your own detriment and that's not a good balance. Time and energy should be treated like money, don't spend what you can't comfortable afford.
It's lovely you care for people and offer support when you see they are struggling and need help. They're are people who would give their right arm for someone like you in their life. But these people take it for granted and are not reciprocating on a basic level like being kind to your son.
So, big hugs with your son. Know you are a gem and promise to give your kindness only when it's appreciated from this day on. Flowers

GinAndTopic · 26/12/2021 01:26

So sorry its gone badly this year but your son won't realise, and christmas is just one day that actually means nothing to him at his age. You've got a whole year to plan to make it better next year xx

Inthewainscoting · 26/12/2021 01:27

It's common for people to struggle with the transition to adulthood.
When we're kids our parents are supposed to look out for us, and tbh, if they don't, there's not much we can do about it except rely on other people's goodwill.

Then we're adults and it takes time for some of us to realize that WE are responsible for our own well being, and that of our kids. WE are now the grownups. The rules have changed, and are now #1 look after ourselves (put on your own oxygen mask first) #2 look after the kids.
And we can say NO in our own house.

Did you never see your parents sticking up for you or for themselves?

Role models are so important, if we don't get to see people doing various bits of adulting it takes a lot longer to work it all out.

I'm kind of saying, from this point on, your priority is to sort your own needs and wants and those of DS, and only once all that is ticked off do other people get a claim on you and your resources. You get to weigh whether doing x or y is in your interests, and you get to decide not to do it if you like.

In short - drop most of the stuff where people don't reciprocate and firmly turf them out if they're being pains in your house. But if you never saw that being modelled I get why you don't do it automatically now. You can though! It can be scary at first but is absolutely doable. Pretend you are confident even if you don't feel it inside. Don't give up If there are hiccups. Once you've stood up for yourself successfully things feel so much better and you feel in control of your life, so it is so worth keeping at it!

namechange85479865 · 26/12/2021 01:29

I went upstairs clearly upset and didn't say goodnight. Guaranteed it'll be all my fault and I'll be the one in the wrong tomorrow

OP posts:
BungleandGeorge · 26/12/2021 01:34

Were they invited by the home owner? Or did you invite them and cook the Christmas lunch etc? Presuming this was in the evening after 7pm or so I don’t think it’s that bad that the adults wanted to watch a film in peace. Complaining during the day would be unreasonable but wanting a couple of hours in the evening without annoying electronic toys and grumpy tired toddlers is understandable. As is your wish to spend time with your child but in a shared house situation I think the compromise is that you take him to play in your room

TopCatsTopHat · 26/12/2021 01:35

Well your last sentence says it all. Your family dynamic is that you are the gift that keeps on giving but you must stay in your place. Time to step back and dial this whole thing down. Your ds won't remember this in any detail, but he will if it doesn't change and he doesn't need to see his mum treated like a doormat, he loves you and will want to see you stand tall and not accept being taken for granted and unappreciated.

namechange85479865 · 26/12/2021 01:38

@BungleandGeorge

Were they invited by the home owner? Or did you invite them and cook the Christmas lunch etc? Presuming this was in the evening after 7pm or so I don’t think it’s that bad that the adults wanted to watch a film in peace. Complaining during the day would be unreasonable but wanting a couple of hours in the evening without annoying electronic toys and grumpy tired toddlers is understandable. As is your wish to spend time with your child but in a shared house situation I think the compromise is that you take him to play in your room
The people moaning don't even live here. My son doesn't have siblings. What's he meant to do sit there in silence? That's pretty much what was expected.
OP posts:
GinAndTopic · 26/12/2021 01:38

Don't worry about them. You're exhausted, have a lovely sleep. A new day and new plans tomorrow

oakleaffy · 26/12/2021 01:41

@namechange85479865

I went upstairs clearly upset and didn't say goodnight. Guaranteed it'll be all my fault and I'll be the one in the wrong tomorrow
You won't be the only one having had a rather flat Christmas... One can realise how selfish some people can be.

It is not easy.

Christmas and New Year can be wretched times for many, many people.

beenthereboughtthetshirt · 26/12/2021 02:28

@namechange85479865

Bought everyone in my family thoughtful gifts, things they actually needed. Spent all year trying to help various family members out of their ruts. Do so much for certain people emotionally, financially and practically. I'm a lone parent (by lone I mean dad not on scene at all). I work full time. I never get a break. I'm exhausted. Christmas Day got not so much as a card. Son was up late and family members (in my home) trying to watch a serious film. Son not allowed to play with his toys because too disruptive to the film. Told over 10 times he's not allowed to play with his new toys because they're noisy. So upset. Adults can watch films whenever they like. Films are not important. Son only gets one Christmas as a 3 year old. I just feel so emotional and under appreciated and like I don't know why I bother. Can't stop crying. Ended up sitting in my room playing with my son on my own so I didn't feel I uncomfortable about ruining the film. I don't think anyone really ever even thinks about me. Or cares.
First off these are for you Flowers Wine Star

Bought everyone in my family thoughtful gifts, things they actually needed. Spent all year trying to help various family members out of their ruts. Do so much for certain people emotionally, financially and practically. you are a lovely person and they are very lucky to have you but you need to withdraw and let them appreciate you I'm a lone parent (by lone I mean dad not on scene at all). I work full time. I never get a break. I'm exhausted. Christmas Day got not so much as a card. stop buying gifts for them and set aside the cash in a pot for you and your son to enjoy next year (including Christmas 2022!!) treats and time together - without the rest of them Son was up late and family members (in my home) trying to watch a serious film how bloody rude and entitled. Son not allowed to play with his toys because too disruptive to the film. he is allowed because it is his home not theirs they need to be reminded of this Told over 10 times he's not allowed to play with his new toys because they're noisy. So upset. Adults can watch films whenever they like. Films are not important. Son only gets one Christmas as a 3 year old precisely.
I just feel so emotional and under appreciated and like I don't know why I bother. you are doing far to much for others and they are walking over you Can't stop crying. Ended up sitting in my room playing with my son on my own so I didn't feel I uncomfortable about ruining the film. I don't think anyone really ever even thinks about me. Or cares. New Year, New Start. You start without them (they need you more than the other way around) and focus on you. Tell them that they are not invited to Christmas 2022 because you are setting traditions of your own and ou and your son take priority because all adults have had their childhood Christmas and it's your son's turn now.