Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not allow my little girl to stay with her grandparents?

126 replies

Allthegoodonesweretaken · 25/02/2022 21:23

Both of my parents are heavy drinkers. I wouldn't say full blown alcoholics but definitely alcohol dependant, especially my mother. She has approx 1-2 bottles of wine per evening (edging towards 2) plus gin. My father drinks a few lagers and one or two whiskeys. This is a typical weekday evening, more on weekends. They cannot go an day without alcohol. My father, if necessary, will only have the one and can mostly handle his drink. My mother, however, cannot. Despite drinking a large volume seems to have no tolerance for it. She has no off switch and drinks quickly, so is often drunk early in the evening.

Celebrations such as Christmas/birthdays calls for an all out slaughtering of alcohol. They both get roaring drunk. However, whereas my father drinks steadily and just get more relaxed, my mother becomes annoying, loud, antagonistic, verbally aggressive, and generally not someone pleasant to be around. She has caused endless issues in the family, fallen down and smashed her face up, tried hitting my dad (rarely but still), ends up in arguments with my dad and whatever else.

Long story short, I don't drink as a result. They've been this way for as long as I can remember. Luckily, my DH doesn't drink either. We have a fairly amicable relationship (she's fine during the day before the wine is opened) but I have nothing to do with her during the evenings after they start drinking. The thought of going an evening without wine is alien to her and she has called me boring and square because I don't ever drink.

I have a 3 year old daughter. She does see DD a few times a week and they have a close bond. She has looked after DD during the odd hour when I've been stuck for childcare but she is never with her grandparents in the evenings. I never want my daughter exposed to what I was with alcohol and the effects growing up

Yesterday, my mother announced she has redone the guest bedroom as a room for DD so she can stay over! I was a bit taken aback and basically said DD is starting nursery school so will be too exhausted. She will never sleep over unless it's an emergency.
My brother and sister in law sometimes stay with my nephew (4) so she can't see why I won't let my daughter. Nephew sometimes asks why Nanna is acting funny so even he is becoming aware. My brother drinks (though not to excess) mostly a few beers at the weekend so DN is around it a little already. That's fine, their choice. But family are already applying pressure of WhatsApp group about both the grandkids having a sleepover at Nannas together and my nephew already looking forward to it.

The idea of DD being around my parents with alcohol fills me with dread and it will simply Never happen. They stick their head in the sand about how much they consume. At the end of the day, it's their choice and will probably drink themselves into an early grave. If I've brought it up previously, it caused ructions so I leave them to it now. Not my problem. But I know if I mention that DD will never stay there because they drink too much there will be fireworks.

Friends sometimes think I exaggerate how much they drink, everyone drinks, blah blah blah so I'm doing a disservice to DD by not letting her stay. Also have had the odd comment in the past from relatives that DD needs to learn to stay in different houses, it'll be fun for her, she needs to get use to itz she's missing out, she'll be too attached.

Not sure how to handle this without causing problems tbh. DH backs me up 100% and says I should nip it in the bud now. I sometimes hate the fact that DD will never get to look forward to a sleepover there or we can't book a night away together but don't feel it's right to expose her to this.
AIBU to never allow my DD to sleepover?

OP posts:
Easterbunnyiswindowshopping · 25/02/2022 22:02

As a dc i slept at my dgm's Friday night until Sunday night and all school holidays.

The only time I saw her drink was a sherry on Christmas day!!
Similarly my under adult dc have never seen me drink!
Your personal boundaries with your dc being around alcohol (ics) is your business. No need to explain to anyone. Certainly not your db either..
Your own conscience is all you answer to.

MargosKaftan · 25/02/2022 22:03

To your brother - "you know mum and dad drink too much to be left in charge of dd overnight. Its different when you stay as you are looking after DN, not them."

GlitteryGreen · 25/02/2022 22:06

You are not being unreasonable and I'm surprised your brother is OK with his son staying there too?

merrymouse · 25/02/2022 22:08

They are alcoholics.

If drinking wasn’t a problem they would be able to prioritise their relationship with their grand daughter over drinking, but they can’t because that is what it means to have a problem with addiction.

Maybe some day they can change that, but that can only be their choice. In the meantime they cannot care for a 3 year old, because they cannot prioritise her needs.

furballfun · 25/02/2022 22:08

May I suggest you make other plans for emergencies too? My parents live 250 miles away, so, while capable, simply aren't available - and I have had to leave DC with friends to accompany DH to hospital. Would it be a good idea for you to consider your parents similarly 'unavailable'?

FruitToast · 25/02/2022 22:13

They are alcoholics. They might not be drinking cheap cider and starting street brawls but they are alcoholics. Just because they are more socially acceptable alcoholics doesn't change the fact that that is what they are.

I know the situation well. I'm also the 'boring, sensible' person in the family that doesn't drink and ruins everyones 'fun'. Under no circumstance give in and allow you DD to stay!

RampantIvy · 25/02/2022 22:14

@Totalwasteofpaper

I would never allow my child to spend time with them unsupervised

2 bottles of wine plus gin is a full on alcoholic.
They could very easily / realistically kill your child with their negligence.

“Can DD sleepover?”
“No because you are alcoholics”

Set proper boundaries and tell your brother to back. off.
Stop talking to your friends about it they clearly don’t understand.

This ^^
Porcupineintherough · 25/02/2022 22:16

Are you kidding? Of course you dont leave your dd with two alcoholics. Not over night and not whilst you pop to the shops.

EmbarrassedAllOver · 25/02/2022 22:16

Of course YANBU. To let your daughter stay there would be irresponsible.

Your parents are alcoholics.

Frannibananni · 25/02/2022 22:16

They are without a doubt alcoholics if they drink that much. Unfortunately telling them that DD won’t be staying with them because they drink will probably cause a huge long nasty fight. Nature of the beast unfortunately.

Frannibananni · 25/02/2022 22:17

But no way I would leave DD with them while they are drinking - ever.

SugarAndCoffee · 25/02/2022 22:19

Why does it matter if there are fireworks. Its not your fault. You're just staying your boundary

godmum56 · 25/02/2022 22:26

I wonder who are the 2% who think its reasonable to allow the sleepover? YANBU of course

Scout2016 · 25/02/2022 22:30

Letting her stay in the care of alcoholics would be negligent and irresponsible.
They might not hear her in the night, if they did they might be scarily not themselves for her because acting odd. They wouldn't be any good to her in an emergency and their judgement would be shot.
Being intoxicated while caring for a child is illegal, and with good reason. Even if your dad is sober -which you can't trust- your mum won't be.
I know of (through work) many children who have been removed by the police from parents who are too wasted to be responsible for them, even if only temporarily removed. So YANBU to not want to have alcoholics caring for your child, even if only for one night.

youvegottenminuteslynn · 25/02/2022 22:32

You would be unreasonable to let your DD stay the night.

DoctorManhattan · 25/02/2022 22:33

People can say what they want and think what they want. Fuck them. Your only responsibility is to your DD, and don’t apologise for it.

I grew up in a house where alcohol was abused and by the age of 10 I’d seen my share of incidents, rows, police at door, and been in a couple of drink related car crashes. It’s easy for those outside of the situation to give you totally wrong advice as they rarely see the bad side of alcohol, only the social side. Stick to your guns.

ChotaPeg · 25/02/2022 22:34

Firm no, and I'd be telling them why. The requests won't stop if they've gone as far as decorating a room. I grew up in a house made unpredictable by a family member's alcohol use. Absolutely no way I'd expose another child to it.

CristinaYangismySpiritAnimal · 25/02/2022 22:34

I don’t know how you can say they’re not full blown alcoholics.

CantGetDecentNickname · 25/02/2022 22:34

What Totalwasteofpaper said. If they are drinking every day, never having a day off and drinking the amount that you have said they are alcoholics, not simply heavy drinkers.
Simply say “no, you will not have unsupervised contact as you are alcoholics”. They’re probably in denial. It is your duty to protect your child and not let them experience what you had to. You could tell them that as well. You could also point out that they are the reason you don’t drink. Your DD can have sleepovers at friends and reciprocate. You could have DN fir a sleepover at yours. Your boundaries are good, please keep them.

OkayCoral · 25/02/2022 22:35

You’re absolutely right not to allow your dd to stay overnight there. I agree that they’re alcoholics. They know why you won’t leave your dc with them overnight. Don’t let them or your friends tell you that you’re wrong about this. Drink is clearly their priority in the evenings. If they wanted to have their grandchildren overnight, they’d have quit drinking; evidently, they can’t. They're alcohol-dependent. It just wouldn’t be safe to leave your dc in that situation.

Aquamarine1029 · 25/02/2022 22:37

Stop deluding yourself. Your parents are 100%, absolute, card carrying alcoholics. Stop denying it.

Of course your child can never be allowed to sleep over or be in their care. I'm surprised you even question this. Your parents are not capable of making good decisions, never mind caring for a young child.

MinnieGirl · 25/02/2022 22:38

I would never leave my child with these people, not for 5 minutes.
It is not a safe or appropriate environment for a child.

And your daughter doesn’t need to get used to any other house, that is rubbish.
I suspect your brother knows he shouldn’t leave his child with your parents and is feeling guilty…hence why he’s trying to get you to do the same.
I’m afraid I would be blunt.
DD will not be sleeping over as you are always too pissed to be able to take care of her.

LocalHobo · 25/02/2022 22:38

I am one of the 2% who believe you are unreasonable.I've probably misunderstood the AIBU but voted unreasonable for the following.
Firstly YABU not telling your (D)M clearly that your DD will not stay over unless she does not drink alcohol that night.
Secondly YABU saying we can't book a night away together, presumably if this was an issue, you could ask your brother or your DH's family to babysit if you don't want a non-related sitter. Just seemed an unnecessary comment for dramatic effect.

MinnieGirl · 25/02/2022 22:39

@MinnieGirl

I would never leave my child with these people, not for 5 minutes. It is not a safe or appropriate environment for a child.

And your daughter doesn’t need to get used to any other house, that is rubbish.
I suspect your brother knows he shouldn’t leave his child with your parents and is feeling guilty…hence why he’s trying to get you to do the same.
I’m afraid I would be blunt.
DD will not be sleeping over as you are always too pissed to be able to take care of her.

Also, you really need to think about emergencies, as I wouldn’t be happy leaving DD with your parents at all.
jytdtysrht · 25/02/2022 22:40

Any friends or family who comment can be told that dd will spend the night elsewhere when ready, but not with someone who chugs 2 bottles of wine topped off with spirits every evening.

Screw the fireworks. Tell her straight or she won’t stop manipulating relatives. Next time a relative speaks to you, say oh I’m so glad you’re interested in this situation because nana is an alcoholic and desperately needs your help.