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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:
chaosrabbitland · 25/02/2022 22:40

your mother in particular is an alcoholic , god knows how she functions of a day after drinking all that every night , i wouldnt be wanting to leave my kid in their care overnight either

TheBareTree · 25/02/2022 22:42

Who the fuck is voting YABU????

Okaaaay · 25/02/2022 22:47

You are absolutely not being unreasonable in the slightest. Some (many it seems on here) grandparents have this weird fascination with having their grandkids over to stay. It’s just not necessary. Especially when they’re really young. They like being with their parents at home. My daughter loves her grandparents and there are no major issues. But she would still rather be at home.
Be strong OP and clear - go through the pain of making that clear. You are your daughters only advocate in this situation. Be absolutely clear that she doesn’t do overnight. You don’t need to answer to why or to hysterics - your daughter stays with you at night, end of.

BoredZelda · 25/02/2022 22:49

When my dad was drinking, I had one rule. My daughter would never stay with them. He’s been sober now for nearly two years, she’s had a few visits and they love having her. They are under no illusions that the minute he falls off the wagon, she’s not coming back to stay.

My brother had a go at me, I told him when my daughter was his responsibility then he could have a say in what I chose to do.

EgonSpengler2020 · 25/02/2022 22:50

Your mother IS an alcoholic, and YANBU.

Gerwurtztraminer · 25/02/2022 22:54

You know you are not being unreasonable, what you are really asking of MN's is how to avoid the fireworks when you say no. And there is no way of avoiding that I'm afraid. "She's too tired" won't work for long as she gets older and eventually you will need to be clearer that you are saying no because she is not safe with them.

Your fear of 'fireworks' will be rooted in your childhood experiences. It's normal for children of alcoholics to develop a fear of other people's anger and a desire to keep the peace at all costs with parents. Now your need to protect your child is having to overcome all that and it will be stressful.

If they go ballistic simply cut them off and refuse to entertain the subject. With your DH's support you can do that. I agree talking to your brother is a good idea too as he's probably allowing the supervised contact to avoid the same fireworks you fear. He may not take your side in an huge parental argument but he might not take theirs either.

HoldenCaulfieldismyhomeboy · 25/02/2022 22:56

My children's father is an alcoholic. We have been separated for 5 years. He hasn't seen them at all for the past 2 years, because the 3 years before that I fought through court at trying to keep access happening, but also to keep my children safe. His family dislike/hate me. I couldn't give two hoots. My children are my priority and are safe. Stay strong OP. Be upfront and don't apologise for it.

rosesareredandpink · 25/02/2022 22:56

My parents are very similar and their alcohol abuse effects me negatively to this day and I’m almost 40. Don’t allow them to normalise this behaviour and stick to your boundaries. You’re protecting your daughter and keeping her safe.

Excited101 · 25/02/2022 23:00

Tell them no and tell them why! The fireworks are up to them, you can’t change how they choose to react.

EllaDuggee · 25/02/2022 23:05

YANBU . Your daughter shouldn't stay with them, it wouldn't be safe. I think you just have to tell them it won't ever be happening and be honest if they ask why, and deal with the fireworks. It will be hard but you need to stick to your guns.

CushionSpiral · 25/02/2022 23:07

Sorry they really are full blown alcoholics. Well done
on protecting your daughter, they should never be in sole charge of her care!

zeg3885 · 25/02/2022 23:14

Yaabsolutelynbu!!!! Simply NO. U could say “I would absolutely love to be able to send dc for a sleepover with u, but in order for me to even consider it u would have to first address the drinking, whilst you’ve dismissed my concerns before I hope you can consider them for your dgc” see how much she wants a sleepover I suppose

TommyShelby · 25/02/2022 23:20

My MIL is an alcoholic. She has been told in no uncertain terms that if she cannot put her family ahead of the drink then she will not see my child. Not over my dead body. I am not letting my daughter go through the trauma that my DP had to go through.

woody87 · 25/02/2022 23:20

100% YANBU

My paternal Grandmother was a raging alcoholic.

One of my earliest memories is DM taking me to her house on a Saturday evening as her and DF had a party, granny was absolutely steaming drunk and DM had meltdown, refused to leave me and there being some sort of argument and I ended up going to my aunties instead. After that we were never allowed to stay and 100% it was the right thing. Awful environment for children to be exposed to.

I like a few glasses of wine once my kids are in bed but there is no chance in hell I would entrust someone like that to look after my children.

newbiename · 25/02/2022 23:21

@A580Hojas

Yanbu. Sorry your parents are so shit!

When they ask why you won't let your dd go there for the night just say "because you're both always pissed". Blunt as that. Let them be angry with you, let them rant and rave. Now is the perfect time to draw a line under it.

Yep
drspouse · 25/02/2022 23:22

Does your brother intend to leave his DS alone with them too?

AnotherEmma · 25/02/2022 23:29

YABU to allow any unsupervised contact including during the day. Stop using them for childcare.

YA also BU to claim that your mother is not an alcoholic, she is.

Stand your ground, just state your position and don't try to justify, argue or defend yourself. Be a broken record and disengage if and when it gets unpleasant. End the conversation/call/visit.

Rainartist · 25/02/2022 23:29

They are full-blown alcoholics Sad

Yanbu to never let her stay over. My dc never had a sleepover at their GPs either (hoarding issues) it's sad when you realise they won't have the type of relationship you want them to have with grandparents but it's your parents fault not yours.

I understand about them not accepting the alcohol issue my dh said his parents were the same in the quantities they drank but never thought they had a problem - they did.... People have preconceived ideas that they aren't alcoholics as they aren't tramps drinking meths but needing alcohol every night to that extent is not normal drinking. Not sure how you raise it without risking fall out. Your dd is still young, you can put it off for now saying she isn't ready.

Andouillette · 25/02/2022 23:32

You must hold the line OP. Your parents are the very definition of alcoholics as they cannot not drink. Thank goodness your DH is supportive. As for those so called friends and family members who think you are being unfair? They can go swivel.
As an aside I recommend you get yourself to some al-anon meetings quick sharp.

Frazzled50yrold · 25/02/2022 23:35

Consuming this out of alcohol puts a person at risk of all sorts of health problems and your daughter should not be exposed to any of this. I was talking with a friend who's a child psychologist recently and she was telling about the significance of adverse childhood experiences. The life long implications are immense.

MojoJojo71 · 25/02/2022 23:38

You would be unreasonable to even consider it! There’s no way in hell I would allow that, they would be totally incapable of keeping her safe

CJsGoldfish · 25/02/2022 23:38

I understand not bringing up their issues to keep the peace day to day.
I would (and have done) absolutely tell her why your dd will never stay over. That is a mighty big consequence for their actions and I would want them to know it. In a matter of fact, it is what it is, way. I'd not be making vague excuses etc to spare her feelings on this.

Oh, and the alcoholic in my family was my FIL and his tolerance to alcohol became less and less as the years went by.

StopStartStop · 25/02/2022 23:39

No, she can't stay with people who are under the influence of alcohol.

Rainartist · 25/02/2022 23:43

I meant to add with my DPs I said that DC could only stay if they sorted the hoarding out. They didn't, therefore DC never stayed.

With DH he said his childhood and how his parents were affected him all the way through his life and he doesn't drink now.

His mum cut back in latter years so I never saw how she was when really bad, DH says. His stepdad smoked and drank to an early grave.

user1481840227 · 25/02/2022 23:47

"She won't be staying, I am not comfortable leaving her here because you both drink and I won't be changing my mind"

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.

Very odd that your friends won't accept what you tell them.

and your dd doesn't need to learn to stay in different homes, many kids don't. It's certainly not something that is necessary for healthy child development...but even if it was you don't have a safe place for her to have a sleepover so she wouldn't be able to go!!

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