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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

My husband wants to start sending our 15 year old son, to stay with his mum on a Friday night.

136 replies

Anonymous170822 · 17/08/2022 23:15

Hello all, I need a sounding board and that, would normally be my husband, however, this involves him and his mum.

My husband and I, have been married for 19 years and we share 3 children together they are 18,15 and almost 3 years old.

My husband, wants us to send our middle child, over to his mother's house, on Friday evening like we used to do. Before our 18 year old moved out of our family home, (in October 2019).

Our 18 year old, has totally rebelled, and my husband's mum, took our son's side, things got really ugly so much so, that my mother in law, said to my husband, to treat her, as if she was dead, (that was in February this year), by the way my husband is my mother in law's, only child.

The thing is, there has been more downs, than ups, when it comes to my mother in law. She doesn't realise boundaries and thinks it's fine to be interfering in my marriage to her son.

It all started 18 years ago, when I was pregnant with my first child, I walked into, my mother in law's house, she and my husband were having a conversation regarding what religion our child, was going to be baptized and she said, that, if our child was going to be baptized a different religion than to what, my husband's family was, then my mother in law, wanted nothing to do with our child. She was, going to be God mother however, after that conversation, I said no.

The truth is my mother in law, lives on her own and is always emotionally guilt tripping my husband, regarding her loneliness and that nobody cares about her, but that is not true. Over the years, I've worked very hard to forgive and forget and to reach out and include her in our family and inviting her to our, family events such as birthdays, Christmases, Easters, school plays, family days, out her answer would always be sure you wouldn't want me there. We also invited and made her part of our last two children baptisms, were she was asked by my husband and I to be God mother to our last two children. I've put my feelings to one side, and to bite my tongue, on more than one occasion, for my husband's sake. But his mum still insists that she doesn't feel welcome in our home and she doesn't participate or involve herself as grandmother role with our 3rd child.

Things over the years were amicable, to begin with, for example she gave us furniture and kitchen appliances, for our first home and for our third home, she gave us some money to which I acknowledge and very appreciated of, but wouldn't any parent do the same, to help their child and their child's family if they could. But because of this, my husband, thinks that we should forget, all about the water that have gone, under the bridge.

You see, it's not as simple, as that, it has came out, in the wash, that over the years, my mother in law has been speaking badly about my husband and I, this happened before our eldest child moved out of home, (both children were going over to their Nanny's home on a regular basis, on a Friday evening).

Our middle child informed my husband and I, that his mother had been casting up old arguments and making belittling comments, about us, each time that the children went over. I mentioned this to my husband and he said, sure that's mum she's always been like that. I said, to him that your mum, isn't taken any responsibility, for contributing to the downfall, of our family unit, I said, she thinks that she hasn't done anything wrong. And my husband agreed. And said, she doesn't take responsibility for anything, that she's done wrong because in her eyes she hasn't.

However, last night my husband, took his mother, to see a consultant privately, regarding her health and because of what the consultant said, they are making out, as if she's on deaths door, even though no tests were done.

My mother in law, can be nice but when she's bad, she's one of the worst, and my husband would also have taken my mother in law's side, until lately, when he saw, what way his mother was yet again, interfering with us and our eldest child, (who she thinks is the golden child), rather than taken her own son's side.

And now because of this latest news, about her health and the fact that our eldest child, moved out of her home in March of this year, who has very little to do, with her now. My husband wants to ease his conscience, by sending our middle child over, even though she refused to go to our child's 15th birthday in late July to which she was invited to.

So, am I being unreasonable here, by preventing our child from going over?

OP posts:
lastminutedotcom22 · 18/08/2022 09:44

Brigante9 · 17/08/2022 23:40

WTAF?

Exactly

Who asked grandparents to be godparents that's bloody crazy

TheLadyofShalott1 · 18/08/2022 09:54

Anonymous170822 · 18/08/2022 09:19

TheLadyofShalott1
Thank you. You get it. I appreciate it.

@Anonymous170822 I think you thanked the wrong person!

@CatsandFish I read the OP's first post several times, and her subsequent ones.
I don't think you read my post with a clear mind, I think you decided I was on such and such a course, and read my post in a way that affirms your own belief.

The very fact that the OP tells us what big (OTT) efforts she has made to try and include her MiL over the years, proves to me the point that she - the OP - doesn't think of her MiL as family at all. The OP has treated her differently, and I expect her MiL has noticed this, and realises that she is not really wanted at these family events.

But apparently many people on Mumsnet believe (especially if it is about MiLs), that everything an OP thinks about someone, and the way she interprets the behaviour of that other person, must be the correct one, and cannot be biased or misjudged in any way.

I stand by what I said before. I honestly think a NT 15 year old, can go safely to his DGM's home, without coming to any harm, but maybe actually learning some useful life lessons.
He is 15, he wants to go.

I think that if his DGM says to him that she would have loved to see more of him over the years, but that unfortunately she hasn't felt welcome at his home, then he is old enough to question her about this, he is old enough to tell his parents what DGM said, he is old enough to listen to his mother's reply. He might even be old enough to suggest a family meeting, or at least a meeting of the adult's - but with someone at least sympathetic to the GM there - and to start making his own mind up about whether either of them is right, they are both right, or that maybe the truth is lurking somewhere in the murky middle of all that.

Heronwatcher · 18/08/2022 09:59

If the 15 yr old wants to go then yes YABU. Have a chat with him beforehand about how nanny has some different ideas to you and also that if he’s worried or concerned about anything he can chat to you, but don’t stop him going. That would be playing into her hands. Chances are he’ll go a few times and then get bored anyway.

Blowthemandown · 18/08/2022 10:03

@Anonymous170822 I’d encourage son to go, but have a conversation along the lines of ‘if she starts badmouthing anyone I would suggest that you say something like “it wouldn’t be fair to discuss this kind of thing without everyone present and I’ve come to see you” ‘ - you know, shut down that kind of talk. If she is genuinely wanting contact she won’t care but if she’s stirring then she will soon get bored if she has no outlet. Or your son will make his mind up not to go. That way you’re not the baddy here. I think at 15 he can decide really. And as others have said, maybe he can go over with his Dad.

RethinkingLife · 18/08/2022 10:07

for example she gave us furniture and kitchen appliances, for our first home and for our third home, she gave us some money to which I acknowledge and very appreciated of, but wouldn't any parent do the same, to help their child and their child's family if they could

Speaking from experience, no. That would be in the context of the same people showering the golden child with money and assistance.

Saucery · 18/08/2022 10:13

YANBU . Why do your dc have to provide some sort of support role for their grandmother?
Let him go when and if he wants.

Also, your OP is fine, ignore all the faux baffled comments.

CatsandFish · 18/08/2022 10:13

TheLadyofShalott1 · 18/08/2022 09:54

@Anonymous170822 I think you thanked the wrong person!

@CatsandFish I read the OP's first post several times, and her subsequent ones.
I don't think you read my post with a clear mind, I think you decided I was on such and such a course, and read my post in a way that affirms your own belief.

The very fact that the OP tells us what big (OTT) efforts she has made to try and include her MiL over the years, proves to me the point that she - the OP - doesn't think of her MiL as family at all. The OP has treated her differently, and I expect her MiL has noticed this, and realises that she is not really wanted at these family events.

But apparently many people on Mumsnet believe (especially if it is about MiLs), that everything an OP thinks about someone, and the way she interprets the behaviour of that other person, must be the correct one, and cannot be biased or misjudged in any way.

I stand by what I said before. I honestly think a NT 15 year old, can go safely to his DGM's home, without coming to any harm, but maybe actually learning some useful life lessons.
He is 15, he wants to go.

I think that if his DGM says to him that she would have loved to see more of him over the years, but that unfortunately she hasn't felt welcome at his home, then he is old enough to question her about this, he is old enough to tell his parents what DGM said, he is old enough to listen to his mother's reply. He might even be old enough to suggest a family meeting, or at least a meeting of the adult's - but with someone at least sympathetic to the GM there - and to start making his own mind up about whether either of them is right, they are both right, or that maybe the truth is lurking somewhere in the murky middle of all that.

I think you read her post with a pre-conceived bias. You think that just because she has mentioned, for the purpose of her OP, that she has welcomed MIL to her house many times that it means MIL 'doesn't feel welcome'? How on earth can one possibly come at that idea, unless it's the narrative you want to believe? It's more than clear the OP has tried to make MIL feel welcome, and MIL hasn't made the OP feel welcome and has repeatedly rejected her.

The boy may 'want' to go, but children want things all the time that is not good for them. It's our job as parents to prevent them from coming to harm. The grandma is clearly not a safe place and she presents a serious emotional and psychological danger to this child - AND, to the youngest. A responsible parent protects their child, not put them in danger just because a child 'wants' something.

Blossomtoes · 18/08/2022 10:23

Up to the 15 year old, they’re old enough to make up their own mind.

RedHelenB · 18/08/2022 10:26

At 15 years old it's your sons decision surely? One thing I do know is that my kids wouldn't let anyone bad mouthing me colour their view of ne. So I voted yabu.

oakleaffy · 18/08/2022 10:40

bluesky45 · 17/08/2022 23:46

Why are there so many commas in weird places? I'm not usually the grammar police but all the extra commas made it really hard to read!
I would suggest; ask the 15 year old if he wants to go to his Nan's house or not. He's old enough to make that decision.

It was difficult to read with the stuttering commas interrupting everything.

I’d not be sending a teenager off to a grumpy granny, unless the 15 yr old actually wanted to go.

I’d also not take expensive gifts or money from her, if you aren’t going to visit .

Granny sounds lonely and difficult.

Anonymous170822 · 18/08/2022 10:41

Saucery · 18/08/2022 10:13

YANBU . Why do your dc have to provide some sort of support role for their grandmother?
Let him go when and if he wants.

Also, your OP is fine, ignore all the faux baffled comments.

Awh thank you

OP posts:
Twillow · 18/08/2022 10:47

@cexuwaleozbu
I'm afraid that this doesn't make much sense. Is perhaps English not your first language?
Did you mean to sound so rude? It's perfect;ly clear to me and written in better English than many posts on here...

Moving on. Sorry about your eldest, that sounds very hard. How does your 15-year-old feel about visiting, if you've discussed it with him? It does sound like he has some awareness of her nature.
She'll always be your husband's mother regardless of how toxic she is, so the feelings are complex. He's probably feeling guilty about her loneliness but absolutely sounds like she's made a rod for her own back in all of this and has no insight into healthy family dynamics. Why should your son be sacrificed on the bonfire of her histrionics - even if she was at death's door? Personally, I think your husband should be the one to go and visit every Friday night....

Anonymous170822 · 18/08/2022 10:48

CatsandFish · 18/08/2022 10:13

I think you read her post with a pre-conceived bias. You think that just because she has mentioned, for the purpose of her OP, that she has welcomed MIL to her house many times that it means MIL 'doesn't feel welcome'? How on earth can one possibly come at that idea, unless it's the narrative you want to believe? It's more than clear the OP has tried to make MIL feel welcome, and MIL hasn't made the OP feel welcome and has repeatedly rejected her.

The boy may 'want' to go, but children want things all the time that is not good for them. It's our job as parents to prevent them from coming to harm. The grandma is clearly not a safe place and she presents a serious emotional and psychological danger to this child - AND, to the youngest. A responsible parent protects their child, not put them in danger just because a child 'wants' something.

Catsandfish I did thank the wrong person

thank you, you get it.

But you get it because of my mother's religion my MIL has been hell bent in trying to cause absolute trouble for my husband and I.

I spoke with my 15 year old this at length and asked him what he wants to do and the truth is he doesn't want to go or to be used especially if the 18 year old comes back on the scene as our 15 year old knows he will be dumped again by mil

OP posts:
Anonymous170822 · 18/08/2022 10:55

Twillow · 18/08/2022 10:47

@cexuwaleozbu
I'm afraid that this doesn't make much sense. Is perhaps English not your first language?
Did you mean to sound so rude? It's perfect;ly clear to me and written in better English than many posts on here...

Moving on. Sorry about your eldest, that sounds very hard. How does your 15-year-old feel about visiting, if you've discussed it with him? It does sound like he has some awareness of her nature.
She'll always be your husband's mother regardless of how toxic she is, so the feelings are complex. He's probably feeling guilty about her loneliness but absolutely sounds like she's made a rod for her own back in all of this and has no insight into healthy family dynamics. Why should your son be sacrificed on the bonfire of her histrionics - even if she was at death's door? Personally, I think your husband should be the one to go and visit every Friday night....

I must apologise for my poor grammar but this was actually my very first post ever. And I have dyslexia so I am not very good with grammar or technology.

My husband has a heart of gold bit has judgement is clouded at the moment and is most times when it comes to his mum. I love him and I can say that I do love my MIL as at times she was more like a mum to than my own mother was however, she just uses people especially her only child which is my husband, and because that's the way that they are she thinks that she can do the same with my children, it's not happening.

I spoke with my DS this morning and he doesn't want to be going over.

Thank you for your reply

OP posts:
Jamaisy82 · 18/08/2022 10:58

If your 15 year old wants to go then let them, if they don't then they don't go.

ladydoris · 18/08/2022 10:59

She want new supply. And the danger is twofold, the child might get hurt the minute he does not comply to any of her whim, he is learning a distinctive kind of toxic relationship. I would never let my child go alone. If the Dad cannot face it, why can his son? They do not get better as they age, they never are harmless. from what I read she was never a MIL, she's a narcissist.

Anonymous170822 · 18/08/2022 10:59

Blowthemandown · 18/08/2022 10:03

@Anonymous170822 I’d encourage son to go, but have a conversation along the lines of ‘if she starts badmouthing anyone I would suggest that you say something like “it wouldn’t be fair to discuss this kind of thing without everyone present and I’ve come to see you” ‘ - you know, shut down that kind of talk. If she is genuinely wanting contact she won’t care but if she’s stirring then she will soon get bored if she has no outlet. Or your son will make his mind up not to go. That way you’re not the baddy here. I think at 15 he can decide really. And as others have said, maybe he can go over with his Dad.

Thank you, I spoke with DS this morning and doesn't want to go.

OP posts:
noirchatsdeux · 18/08/2022 11:01

When I was 14 (40 years ago!) my older brother was 15, my younger brother 11, we were living in the same city as my maternal grandmother, who lived in her house with 3 of my uncles.

My mother was one of 9 children, and at that time, probably due to boredom, my grandmother used to do a lot of shit stirring and cause problems and disagreements between whichever of her children were in/out of her favour. Even though my mother was an adult woman in her early 40s, she still fell for it every single time.

However my grandmother was a very wealthy woman, who had financially helped my parents out many times, especially when they had first moved back to that city when my mother was pregnant with me. So to keep that gravy train on the tracks my mother often used to make myself and my brothers visit our grandmother after school - she lived on the same street. I used to hate going down as we'd all get cross examined to within a inch of our lives about what we were up to as a family, what my parents were spending their money on, what they were planning for the future, etc. Myself and my younger brother quickly learnt how to deflect or ignore most of the questioning, but my 15 year old brother was a blabbermouth...he'd tell them whatever they wanted to know. Of course my parents always ended up finding out and then he'd be in trouble with them! It was really unfair on the 3 of us - we'd have our uncles/grandmother badmouthing our parents to us, and then we'd have to listen to our parents badmouthing our uncles/grandmother!

Ultimately our parents fed us false information - told us we were moving abroad to one country to live...we only found out the truth, that we were actually only transiting through that country and were going onwards to the UK when we went through immigration. It was a horrible way to find out that our parents had lied so massively to us about something so important, and their reasoning why, which was basically that we couldn't be 'trusted' with the truth.

My mother was then totally no contact with her family for 7 years, until my younger brother got drunk on his 18th birthday and called my grandmother and told her where we were.

So long story short, I wouldn't be letting your son go anywhere where he will hear his parents be badmouthed. I'd also tell your husband to stop taking any money etc from his mother.

ladydoris · 18/08/2022 11:15

OP are you being truthful, is this the real picture or are you making it nasty to the umpteenth level because you would not like your son to be exposed to something you do not adhere to ? I do not know of any adult having a narcissistic parent who would send they progeny alone there. It's just mind blowing.

LunaAndHerMoonDragons · 18/08/2022 11:16

Anonymous170822 · 18/08/2022 09:15

The truth of the matter is this I have highlighted a few keys moments in two decades of what actually has went on in my family's life.
My MIL has made a difference in our children before I found out what, was said regards to husband and I behind our backs.
She ranks the eldest child as golden child and she's said so herself that our middle child doesn't have to come over to her house and as far as the youngest child goes she doesn't bother with him at all. I not worried about my feelings I'm a big girl and I can handle what so throws at me. But I'm concerned at what type of message I am sending to my child, oh dear son you can go and stay with your nanny never mind how she belittles your father and I at every hands turn, however don't be shocked if your older brother comes back onto the picture and you are dumped again. Because that's what she has done previously.

@Anonymous170822 you might want to join the the stately homes thread, it's a support thread for people dealing with the sort of dynamic you've experienced here. No way would my DC be staying over or having a close relationship with anyone who obviously played favourites, if my DC grandparents weren't interested in a relationship

LoisLane66 · 18/08/2022 11:22

@Anonymous170822
Please limit your use of commas.

LunaAndHerMoonDragons · 18/08/2022 11:22

With all of them they'd be given short shift from me.

Anonymous170822 · 18/08/2022 11:27

noirchatsdeux · 18/08/2022 11:01

When I was 14 (40 years ago!) my older brother was 15, my younger brother 11, we were living in the same city as my maternal grandmother, who lived in her house with 3 of my uncles.

My mother was one of 9 children, and at that time, probably due to boredom, my grandmother used to do a lot of shit stirring and cause problems and disagreements between whichever of her children were in/out of her favour. Even though my mother was an adult woman in her early 40s, she still fell for it every single time.

However my grandmother was a very wealthy woman, who had financially helped my parents out many times, especially when they had first moved back to that city when my mother was pregnant with me. So to keep that gravy train on the tracks my mother often used to make myself and my brothers visit our grandmother after school - she lived on the same street. I used to hate going down as we'd all get cross examined to within a inch of our lives about what we were up to as a family, what my parents were spending their money on, what they were planning for the future, etc. Myself and my younger brother quickly learnt how to deflect or ignore most of the questioning, but my 15 year old brother was a blabbermouth...he'd tell them whatever they wanted to know. Of course my parents always ended up finding out and then he'd be in trouble with them! It was really unfair on the 3 of us - we'd have our uncles/grandmother badmouthing our parents to us, and then we'd have to listen to our parents badmouthing our uncles/grandmother!

Ultimately our parents fed us false information - told us we were moving abroad to one country to live...we only found out the truth, that we were actually only transiting through that country and were going onwards to the UK when we went through immigration. It was a horrible way to find out that our parents had lied so massively to us about something so important, and their reasoning why, which was basically that we couldn't be 'trusted' with the truth.

My mother was then totally no contact with her family for 7 years, until my younger brother got drunk on his 18th birthday and called my grandmother and told her where we were.

So long story short, I wouldn't be letting your son go anywhere where he will hear his parents be badmouthed. I'd also tell your husband to stop taking any money etc from his mother.

Wow! I am so sorry that you had to go through all of that. How is your relationship with your parents now? I spoke to my son this morning and he said to me that he didn't want to go.

My husband comes from a broken home and it's always been home and his mum until I met him 22 years ago. Sometimes things are good but it's short lived. Thank you for sharing.

OP posts:
Anonymous170822 · 18/08/2022 11:28

LunaAndHerMoonDragons · 18/08/2022 11:16

@Anonymous170822 you might want to join the the stately homes thread, it's a support thread for people dealing with the sort of dynamic you've experienced here. No way would my DC be staying over or having a close relationship with anyone who obviously played favourites, if my DC grandparents weren't interested in a relationship

Thank you

OP posts:
MarieIVanArkleStinks · 18/08/2022 11:49

Your MiL sounds insufferable, your husband sounds neck-deep in the FOG, and it's somewhat convenient timing that as soon as the FOG starts to clear, she develops apparently serious health issues. Scapegoat vs. golden child is a destructive environment, and parental alienation is a concern. Notwithstanding, but I'd be inclined to let this one work through on its own (albeit I wouldn't be thanking my husband in your shoes for having made the suggestion in the first place).

A 15-year old is of an age to assert their own preferences. The moment you forbid them to do something, the first thing they'll do is rebel, and if you keep them away, they might be even more inclined to visit in a couple of years or so when you can't stop them. Let it work itself through now. A weekly commitment - on a Friday night, no less - will likely get old fast, especially if 15-YO starts wanting to spend time with their own friends. It will get old even faster if they have constant negativity dinged in their ears when they're trying to play on their screens/Nintendos, or whatever. Given Granny's delightful personality, if you allow the kid enough rope now and the novelty is likely to wear off quickly, especially if she's flakey, doesn't trouble to show up to invited events, and is given to self pity ie 'you won't want me!' It may well become a self-fulfilling prophecy, and they won't.

A PP posted this:

Tell your husband that the children you have together are not consolation prizes he can give to his mother just because she is missing her own only child. It doesn't matter that she might have health problems. Children are not toys that can be wrapped up and given to others to keep their mind off things.

I think in relation to the 3-YO, this is fair enough. I would not be encouraging the development of this relationship at all. A 15-YO needs handling differently.

As for the comma police, if you're this desperate to correct others' punctuation I understand Edexcel are short of examiners at the moment. In the context of an online forum, it's beyond tedious.