Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

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:
Fundays12 · 25/02/2022 23:48

Absolutely no way would I let my kids stay over at anyone's who has such a serious alcohol problem. Neither adult is capable to be in charge of a child in the evening as it's not safe for the child. My dad set our utility room on fire when he was drunk. He was an alcoholic but my mum didn't drink at all thankfully. Nobody can be that drunk and able to care for a young child

kateandme · 25/02/2022 23:51

Please don't back down for no arguments or easier life.please.this is literally your child's life.
She can have play dates in her future,many kids don't have grandparents through natural occurances.they don't suffer.you can take her away to stay in diff environments.you can invite your nephew to yours.
Do not leave them alone with your child.sheonly has you to do the job she cannot of protecting her.
I'm sorry you had to deal with this.
By doing what you are you can STOP her ever feeling like you do,how amazing is that

toastfiend · 26/02/2022 00:07

YANBU. At all. Lots of my friends' parents got roaring drunk every night. I hated sleepovers with them as a child, I found it frightening and it's horrible knowing there's no adult in control at all if anything bad were to happen. That was aged 7 years +, too, so a little more able to take responsibility for myself. My DS is 3 and there's no way in hell I'd let him stay with 2 heavy drinkers. What if something happened? At 3 it's unlikely they'd even be able to call to tell you. DH and I don't drink at the same time when DS is with us (so almost all the time unless we have a rare child-free night). I feel really strongly that one of us should always be sober and able to drive or deal with an issue should one arise.

I completely agree with @user1481840227's post above. Say that to them and be very clear that you won't be changing your mind even if they promise to stay sober.

Tilltheend99 · 26/02/2022 00:20

I say this as someone with a near alcoholic parent, your mum sounds like a full blown alcoholic. (Sorry op Flowers)

Don’t let DD sleep over and talk to your brother about what you want and why but do it in person not on WhatsApp. UANBU

Never had friends over for sleepovers and I didn’t drink till I left home and still barely drink compared to the drinking culture in U.K.

FinnulaFloss · 26/02/2022 00:27

Over my dead body.

What if your child wakes in the night and granny decides to carry her back up? What if there's a fire and they're passed out drunk?

There are 100 different ways you'd be risking your child ending up dead by leaving her in their care.

It's not something you should worry about refusing. Tell them no now and tell them why. If there are fireworks, let there be fireworks.

Chloesss · 26/02/2022 00:31

I wouldn’t let her stay, although it might upset your mother at the end of the day your child comes first and it would be wrong to put her in such a situation. It’s not your fault they drink, it’s unfortunate but it’s not your fault

bultaoreune · 26/02/2022 00:43

I absolutely agree with you. And I also don't agree that kids are missing out by not hving sleepovers. There is no such thing as too attached to parents and you don't need them to sleepover at someone else's house for them to having a good relationship with the other family members. I had sleepovers as child and I hated those families afterwards. One of the reasons I don't allow sleepovers for my child. So unless you have really really good relationship with the other relatives or they are super super nice, never let you daughter stay at their house on her own. Sometimes it's the distance that makes us like them and keep up the relationship going with other people.

bultaoreune · 26/02/2022 00:46

and yes, let them know why you are not comfortable with your child staying with them overnight If they really want to spend time with her then they will change their own habits. My dad gave up smoking so that he could hold his grandkids. I am grateful to my SIL for this.

MintJulia · 26/02/2022 01:02

Absolutely not. Jus think, one dropped cigarette or candle left lit........

BigupPemberleyMassive · 26/02/2022 01:04

They are alcoholics.

Whiskersonkittens21 · 26/02/2022 01:41

I grew up with an alcoholic grandparent and had to stay there often, please don't do it to your kid. I wish someone had said no for me.

rocksonrocks · 26/02/2022 02:07

YADNBU. Have the exact situation with my in laws and my kids will NEVER stay overnight at their grandparents. Over my dead body.

Simply not worth the risk of any accidents but it’s also a disgusting environment for a child to be around. My husband is still healing from his childhood.

And FWIW it absolutely sounds like they’re alcoholics!

Neenawneenaw76 · 26/02/2022 02:31

I'd just be honest with your mum and let the fireworks commence but you can't let DD go so you're just going to have to tell them how it's going to be. I wouldn't let my kids stay either.

Foxglovesandlilacs86 · 26/02/2022 02:34

@Scout2016

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.
Being intoxicated while looking after children is illegal? Can you show some proof of that please because I’m pretty sure half the country has more than their recommended units after a hard week with the kids Grin
Foxglovesandlilacs86 · 26/02/2022 02:44

I just had a google. It’s illegal to be drunk while in sole charge of a child in a public place.

electrocautery · 26/02/2022 03:09

* "I wouldn't say full blown alcoholics*"

I would absolutely say they were. Don't leave your children with them

Migrainesbythedozen · 26/02/2022 03:28

YANBU. You are being very reasonable and a responsible, caring and loving mother. Your stupid enabling friends sound as dumb as dog turds.

ChimbarasiKotapaxi · 26/02/2022 03:47

Of course you are right

Blossom64265 · 26/02/2022 03:57

I never let my parents babysit and only my father has an alcohol problem. I just know from experience that my mother can’t do enough to shield a child from him completely.

You know how much damage this can do to a child. You are not wrong to protect your child. I know it’s hard because despite their flaws, you still love your parents. Just remember that your priority is always your child.

1forAll74 · 26/02/2022 04:05

They are not ever going to change their drinking habits if its a long time problem of theirs. so I would never let a small child sleep over at their home. Their minds and bodies will get wrecked with booze before they know it..

UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 26/02/2022 07:47

Have you told your mother that her drinking is problematic? Has your father? Alcoholics thrive on avoidance, which enables them.

You might benefit from speaking to Al-Anon.

Also, YANBU!

JawboxGinger · 26/02/2022 07:50

Your post really resonates with me, OP.

In my case it's just the one parent. She's a functioning alcoholic. She recently claims to have switched from one type of alcoholic beverage to another, lower % type like this is some sort of progress. I don't actually believe she has quit the first one.

I only visit during 'safe' times for example when I know she's due home from work. Any evening or weekends I dread.

I know she will want to look after DS who is still a baby and I have no idea how to say no as she can be extremely defensive. If I say 'no, I don't trust you not to drink around him' it will end in a vicious argument.

It's a horrible way to live.

LefttoherownDevizes · 26/02/2022 07:59

We had this with DMIL, discovered she was drinking in the day too when we sniffed the myths her and DFIL were drinking from. It was still as she was terminally ill and there was lots of pressure for sleepovers whilst she could still hack it.

We made excuses then she became too ill, for us it just wasnt with the fall out as it was obvious neither was going to change.

I really would prepare that she may start pressuring DD directly, that happened a lot. So we had already started carefully explaining to the DCs why they couldn't stay without being explicit so they didn't get their hopes raised

Changeee15467 · 26/02/2022 08:00

OP I could have written a lot of what you have said. I also do not drink in part due to alcoholic parents. I’ve learnt what a poisonous addictive drug it is and how it can and will affect everyone, even those in “control”.

My kids love their grandparents but I will never be letting them stay over, ever. If there was a house fire they wouldn’t be safe and I am not willing to let them be around that drunk toxic behaviour.

Drinking is still seen as something everyone does and that only alcoholics have a problem with and that’s probably why you are getting pressure. Annie Grace writes about the effect on kids in her work.

Stick to your guns, you’re protecting your children and I really sympathise with what you’ve been through with parents. Flowers

JamSandwich89 · 26/02/2022 08:16

YANBU at all

When I was little my Grandma was a "high functioning" alcoholic and had been for decades. I was the first GD, so after years of not caring about looking after my brother and cousins (all boys) she was suddenly beside herself to look after me. She came over to meet me and was obviously not sober. My Mum didn't even let her in. She just said 'If you want the relationship you say you want with your GD, stop drinking'. Low and behold, she did. She was sober for the next 30 years until she died. It's still a talking point in our family that that was what motivated her to get help. Maybe this could be that thing for your parents.

Swipe left for the next trending thread