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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:
MargosKaftan · 26/02/2022 08:21

OP - could it be you don't see them as alcoholics because they are functioning well with it? They don't need to get drunk during the day, they arent smashing up their house or having the police at the door. They arent facing poverty, have clean clothes and a fridge full of food, eating a balanced diet etc.

Many of the stories on here of people's lives falling apart due to alcohol won't ring true so its easy to think your parents "just" drink too much. They may never hit rock bottom, just balancing just above, keeping their shit together, not smoking or drink driving (apart from being a bit over the limit the next day).

They are still addicted to alcohol and can't be expected not to drink, so can't be trusted with your DD. Dont minimise this just because they are functioning.

Gizacluethen · 26/02/2022 08:39

Absolutely fucking not. And I'd tell them it's because they can't go without getting drunk every night.
Can you imagine, even if it wasn't through negligence or anything, your daughter getting ill or injured. Would they even be able to help for a start. But if they got her to hospital you'd have to explain that yes, you did know they'd be drunk when looking after your young child and you thought that ok

MinnieGirl · 26/02/2022 08:50

@user1481840227

"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!!

I really don’t get why so many people seem to think children should have sleepovers at other peoples houses…. Children should be at home with their parents.
merrymouse · 26/02/2022 08:59

I have a relative who has been a functioning alcoholic for a long time (although not really functioning now). It’s not just the being drunk, it’s the fact that when faced with a decision their addiction will always come first.

Sometimes this will manifest as being abusive and unreasonable when forced into doing something that threatens access to the alcohol, even if they are sober at the time, because everything revolves around the next drink.

OkThenJustChill · 26/02/2022 09:23

I understand OP. My mum is the same and doesn't seem to understand that she has a problem. There is absolutely no point in confronting the issue in my opinion as they will never admit their dependence on alcohol. I have a DS and my parents live too far away for me to return home on the same day. I have stayed over with DS but they only start drinking after he has gone to bed. It isn't sustainable though as he gets older. I'm just going to be evasive in order to maintain a relationship with my parents without conflict but on my own terms.

It depends how you want things to be in the future as to how you go forward. So, for me, I want to do days out with my DS and parents and therefore that is what I suggest whenever they ask about a visit. I also invite them to stay with us. I make sure that no alcohol is in the house. They bring a couple of bottles and I will ensure DH and I get a glass each to prevent them getting drunk. They don't much like visiting as a result, I can tell, but that is their problem. I think they know that bringing more than two bottles to my house would look bad!

I would just keep saying that you aren't available on any dates they put forward for sleepovers and suggest a day out with nephew. I'm sure he would look forward to that just as much. I do sympathise.

Treesuphooray · 26/02/2022 09:46

My mum was absolutely lovely (passed away a few years ago) but was an alcoholic and I would never have let her watch DD overnight. Nor did she have any of my sisters kids overnight. DP’s parents are also alcoholics and we don’t stay with them ever. We visit occasionally in the day but leave by 3pm as the drinking has started.

In my view it’s their loss.

They are all functioning, working people, clean homes etc… but drunk in the late afternoon and evening and therefore not fit for children to be around.

I find it sad, but it’s their choice. I’m not spending my energy talking to them about it.

merrymouse · 26/02/2022 09:54

All the little things can add up even if someone is functioning.

It’s the having a drink even if that will make driving unsafe, or the not driving somewhere because that will mean drinking isn’t possible. The choice to spend the day in a pub garden because some other more child focused activity is ‘boring’. Unwillingness to spend time with people who will make drinking difficult.

Addiction is an illness so in an ideal world there would be no place for judgement and blame, but it’s very tough to be close to the behaviour.

Chamomileteaplease · 26/02/2022 09:57

So much to say but the one thing I would like to add is to suggest that you talk to anyone who is part of this family is applying pressure via whatsapp.

Talk to all of these people individually and privately and tell them to stop applying this pressure. Actually to just never mention the idea of your daughter sleeping at her grandparents house. You have plenty of reasons why.

Then you can decide how to address the issue with your mother Sad. It is so hard but IMO it would be worth just ripping off the plaster in one go. Tell her once and for all.

IWentAwayIStayedAway · 26/02/2022 10:00

So sorry that you have alcoholic parents OP. been there, got the tee shirt. You're getting good advice here

whynotwhatknot · 26/02/2022 10:31

Sorry but you seem more worried about their reaction to saying no

you have to tell them and if it causes an argument so what-theyre in denial about their drinking but you dont jhave to have any paet of it

2Gen · 26/02/2022 13:27

YANBU because your parents represent a genuine danger to your DD. They have drink problems and I would say are alcoholics, especially your DM. You can't change your parents and I doubt you'd be able to reason with them, so in your shoes, I just would bother trying . I'd just say a flat, firm and absolute NO! I wouldn't even bother explaining why because they'd just deny it and twist it to be your problem. I think it's called DARVO- Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender. They'll twist it to be you're the baddie and they're the ones being victimised...by you!
They might well fall out with you over this but, as your duty is to protect your DD, this is a risk you have to take. All the best OP, be strong and I'm sorry you're in this awful position!

2Gen · 26/02/2022 13:28

Would NOT bother trying! I wish there was an "edit post" function!

SirVixofVixHall · 26/02/2022 13:31

I would simply say “my daughter isn’t safe with you as you are frequently drunk” . It is hardly unreasonable to not want a small child , or even a teenager, in the care of someone drunk. I would say it is a child protection issue, social services would be concerned surely, if you left a small child in the care of people too drunk to behave responsibly?

pradavilla · 26/02/2022 13:39

I read your opening sentence and thought well of course she should not stay over. They can't be trusted with a child if they are drinking, absolutely not on. I think u need to say this and keep repeating it. If she says she won't drink just tell her I don't believe it or make an excuse.

She cld only stay over if u stay too which is a bit pointless. She can play in the room though when she visits.

Roses1221 · 26/02/2022 13:40

YANBU. Your daughter is more important than their pride. If your daughter needed to get to hospital and they weren’t fit to drive… I have similar thoughts about my own DP but they manage to reign it in around the kids. You’re a fantastic mum for putting her first.

Abouttimemum · 26/02/2022 13:42

You’re correct OP.
I only drink socially and so does DH, but neither of us are drunk at the same time (we might have the odd glass of wine together of course) most of the time we’re both sober.
DS has had to be rushed to hospital a few times in the middle of the night and this is always on the back of our minds.
Also my DH parents were alcoholics and they almost burned the house down a few times when he was small and they’d fallen asleep with cigarette / chip pan / candle. He is NC with both now.

My parents like a drink (not to excess) but they don’t have anything when DS is staying at theirs.

I have friends who think we’re a bit anal (and one couple gets drunk in the house regularly with two small children there) but I just don’t understand it at all. It’s just bloody alcohol! These are your kids!

Did you say your brother stays over as well with DN? Or does DN stay on his own?
Defo stand your ground on this one.

charmingbat · 26/02/2022 15:28

Stand your ground. You are protecting your daughter. You’d never allow her to go sleep in a house where people were taking crack or heroin. This is no different in its destructive power. Well done

MrsKeats · 26/02/2022 16:00

You know you are doing the right thing op.
Keep standing your ground as people are saying.
Well done for being a top parent. Genuinely.

GrendelsGrandma · 26/02/2022 16:14

Your struggle is because everyone else in the family is pretending that level of alcohol intake is normal, it's not. You know it's not but it can be really hard to stand up and point out reality when everyone else is determined to deny it.

Not a chance in hell my kids would be staying somewhere like that. Even if they just had a bad dream and needed comfort, let alone an emergency like a fire or illness.

I agree that staying away from home is beneficial, but it has to be somewhere safe.

I'd tell them no and the reason why. I hope one day they get help.

RampantIvy · 26/02/2022 16:17

It's a no brainer. I wouldn't worry about offending them because your daughter's safety is more important than that.

I wouldn't say full blown alcoholics

I would, sorry.

Georgeskitchen · 26/02/2022 16:20

A big fat no from me. Its nothing to do with the rest of the family, their opinion is not needed. They are alcoholics and should never be alone with young children. Your child, your decision and its the correct one

merrymouse · 26/02/2022 16:42

I think it’s important to remember that the problem is not just the quantity of drink itself, (although that is a problem), but the fact that they can’t have a day off to prioritise looking after their grand daughter.

Alcoholics will try to normalise their drinking - ‘I never drink alone’, ‘do and so drinks more’, ‘I only drink in the evening’, but an alcoholic is somebody who can’t control their drinking.

Your DD doesn’t need nee paint in the walls, she needs the care of a responsible, capabke adult. Sadly because of addiction, your parents can’t provide that.

Chasingaftermidnight · 26/02/2022 17:15

My parents are alcoholics too. My father is a stereotypical alcoholic. My mother’s more of a functioning one, but still an alcoholic - she can’t not drink. And she enables my father like nothing you’ve ever seen.

We don’t use them for childcare at all, ever. When DS was a baby I left him with them for 45 minutes to go and get a haircut at 3pm in the afternoon. I came back, and they’d plonked him on his playmat in the corner of the room and cracked open some wine. They weren’t drunk (yet) - but they couldn’t even wait to start drinking till I got back from my hair appointment. So I realised I could never let DS be alone with them - I just can’t trust them to prioritise my child over alcohol, just like they couldn’t prioritise me over alcohol.

Like you, sometimes I feel sad that my children don’t have the beautiful relationship with their grandparents that other children have. We went to a farm park yesterday and there were so many kids there on a day out with their grandparents and I felt some twinges of sadness. But you can’t change people (and you especially can’t change alcoholics!)

And every family is different - loads of children never have grandparents or lose them early in life and it doesn’t cause them harm. It’s great to have loving, involved grandparents. But they aren’t a necessity for a child to have a happy life.

Anyway - YANBU at all. Ignore the enablers. Don’t be afraid of fireworks.

tanktopsruleok · 26/02/2022 18:25

@Allthegoodonesweretaken

But I know if I mention that DD will never stay there because they drink too much there will be fireworks.

Let there be fireworks. People don't become accountable until others stop indulging their behaviour.

They sound like absolute alcoholics to me and should be treated as such.

"My daughter won't be coming over until you have sought help for your addiction and are sober for a sustained period of time"

drspouse · 26/02/2022 21:01

I feel sad that my children don’t have the beautiful relationship with their grandparents that other children have
Mine aren't heavy drinkers but they won't have this for other reasons; they are both a lot older than when my DNs were born and DS has quite considerable SEN - and my DM favours DD obviously. Neither would babysit for more than a couple of hours and I see DGC going to stay with other GPs, they take them out places (my DM stopped doing that when we told her DD was too old for the buggy at 4).
It's hard I know.

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