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.

PIL and new baby visit

33 replies

Newmumin23 · 31/12/2022 15:00

Due first baby in a couple of months and starting to get massive anxiety about PIL and their visit.

They live abroad and have told us (didn’t ask) they are coming for a week, 2 weeks after the babies due date. I’m nervous if the baby is late they’ll be arriving within a few days of the birth. They’re also hinting that they are staying with us which I absolutely don’t want, DH agrees with me but finding it awkward to tell them.

They don’t seem to want to tell us if they’ve booked their flights or what dates they’re planning to be here, it’s shrouded in secrecy and I’ve asked a couple of times now which I’m just finding quite stressful.

There is a bit of a backstory in that I don’t really get on with them, they’re very self obsessed and albeit I tolerate them for DH’s sake and the limited amount of time we see them but that’s really as far as the relationship goes. I do completely understand they want to visit their grandchild but it’s not the same as them living up then road and popping in for an hour, spending days on end with them and our new baby just seems too much.

Also not that it really matters but she hasn’t once asked how the pregnancy is going or how I am, she’s become obsessed with how much weight I’m gaining (or not in my case) and I find it really uncomfortable, I haven’t put much weight on and this seems to really annoy her. She makes comments such as ‘ it will catch up with you’ and ‘just wait’ she asked me on Christmas Day on a video call with other family members and I was so embarrassed that she was talking about my body.

Basically how do I handle this? AIBU to feel like this? Do I suck it up and let them come, I’m worried about causing a family fall out if I make DH put his foot down. (In hindsight probably our fault as we usually go along with things for an easy life).

OP posts:
mnahmnah · 31/12/2022 15:03

I would get your DH to send them some links to air bnb near you, saying ‘these are available on x dates’, with dates a month after your due date, saying it would be nice to see you for a ‘couple of days’. It’s up to him to deal with this and soon.

BackBeatTheWord · 31/12/2022 15:06

I would definitely have DH insist on an airbnb/hotel. The longer he leaves it the harder it'll be. He can tell them he's really excited to see them/introduce the baby but lay out expectations early that you'll be new parents finding your feet and you in particular will be recovery from the birth and will want some privacy. You'll also presumably have other visitors wanting to meet baby so won't be able to focus solely on his parents.

Potato28 · 31/12/2022 15:09

What dates are you coming?
Just to let you k ow, with having a newborn, you wont be able to stay with us
But the local travel lodge is available at £50 a night

Simple!

ItWentDownMyHeartHole · 31/12/2022 15:09

He needs to deal with it now so you can stop worrying about it. Don’t let them stay with you. And no arriving first thing and leaving late at night. Be clear on visiting hours. Your dignity can take a hammering having a baby and for a few weeks after. You need some privacy. And there will be lovely bits that you should feel relaxed enough to enjoy.

Kitkatcatflap · 31/12/2022 15:10

Is there any other family on your DH's side that can host them - aunts/uncles, siblings etc. Perhaps he can have a chat with and suggest them hosting even for part of the time.

Have you thought of saying that your mother will be staying and that was arranged early on.

SisterCassandra · 31/12/2022 15:11

Don’t think you’re at all unreasonable to be anxious at the thought of PIL crowding into your house with a newborn in the mix. The only unreasonable bit is appearing to go along with their somewhat selfish plans. I’d give them a chance to make others by setting out my ground rules right now. They need to find somewhere to stay so point that out and they shouldn’t be left to imagine they will sit at yours every day expecting waiting on either. You and DH need to discuss what is acceptable re visiting times and communicate it asap.

Cats23 · 31/12/2022 15:14

Your Dh needs to get a back bone.
Telling them straight ' Cant wait to see you, here is links for some local Hotels ect as you wont be able to stay with us whilst we get used to having our baby.
If they insist on coming daily, Then you or Dh also need to let them know what days are good for you to visit- Not them.

Aquamarine1029 · 31/12/2022 15:17

You both need to act like grown-ups and address this immediately. You tell them that they will need to find a hotel, no beating around the bush. Honestly, you need to take control of this situation.

Howyiz · 31/12/2022 15:25

Be blunt what dates are your flights booked for. Have you sourced accommodation or do you want suggestions from us.
If they shy away from details tell them explicitly that you have enough going on at the moment without them making things more difficult. They will not be staying with you and you need to know what their plans are.

imalreadygone · 31/12/2022 15:27

DH needs to step up here. First test of fatherhood and all that.

Hopeyoursproutsarealreadyon · 31/12/2022 15:28

Get dh to send them links to local Airbnb places. . Tonight- along with a jolly Happy New Year message!
In the past my ils never had my mobile number.. Gave for a much less stressful life. Dh can update when the dc arrives. When they want pics /updates leave the lot to him. Honestly this is life changing.

iamthesparrow · 31/12/2022 15:32

Hopeyoursproutsarealreadyon · 31/12/2022 15:28

Get dh to send them links to local Airbnb places. . Tonight- along with a jolly Happy New Year message!
In the past my ils never had my mobile number.. Gave for a much less stressful life. Dh can update when the dc arrives. When they want pics /updates leave the lot to him. Honestly this is life changing.

This is exactly what I was going to say - don't even discuss staying with you as an option.

Tell DH to send them links to local airbnbs or premier inns.

TakeYourFinalPosition · 31/12/2022 15:32

Do not suck it up. I did, and massively regret it. Massively.

You & DH need to stand up for yourselves now.

Clarklette85 · 31/12/2022 15:36

There is no way this is reasonable behaviour at all. You will desperately want and need time by yourself to bond. Having this stress hanging over you while you’re heavily pregnant is totally unacceptable OH needs to send them links to airbnb or travelodge now and get it sorted.

DowntonCrabby · 31/12/2022 15:40

I agree today/tonight/tomorrow is the perfect time to address this. For your DH to address I mean.

”Happy NY Mum & Dad, we’re so looking forward to the excitement the next few months will bring us all.
Let me know your plans for coming over, I can recommend x,y,z hotels, x is within walking distance of us and y has a great restaurant and is beside the park which would be lovely for walks with the new addiction as long as all goes ok with the birth and newmum feels up to it. We’d hope to see you most days of your visit, again all going well with mum & baby, do you have other plans? X show is on at the theatre which you may enjoy. Anyway have a look at the hotels mentioned, here are the links…”

FictionalCharacter · 31/12/2022 15:46

Do not let them stay with you! You will be exhausted from childbirth and the last thing you need is in-laws in your space, taking the baby off you and expecting you to wait on them. Which they will.

Newmumin23 · 31/12/2022 15:51

Thanks everyone, I know we need to stop being pathetic and sort this out. We’ve always just put up with it because it’s easier to do so on the very limited occasions we have to spend with them. However it definitely feels different now with a baby involved and I don’t want it to continue like this if I’m honest.

DH is definitely not shying away from it, he is happy to send a message, he just hasn’t known how to approach it but some good advice on here. I’m going to suggest he does it tonight or tomorrow. I like the Airbnb idea/hotel and sending links to them. No family in the area to host them unfortunately.

@Hopeyoursproutsarealreadyon I have tried this, I’ve left the ‘family’ WhatsApp group multiple times and MIL adds me back in every time. It’s like it’s become some sort of game now.
@Aquamarine1029 thanks for your bluntness , I completely agree

OP posts:
NoelleSnowman · 31/12/2022 15:58

You’re having a baby. Now is not the time to keep quiet for an easy life because if you do they will run roughshod over all your boundaries for years to come.

Put your foot down now. Be clear and assertive with what you want. Tell them they cannot stay in the house and they cannot just pop round.

poefaced · 31/12/2022 16:14

She makes comments such as ‘ it will catch up with you’ and ‘just wait’ she asked me on Christmas Day on a video call with other family members and I was so embarrassed that she was talking about my body.

Trick with people like this is to show you’re upset. Start crying or ask her ‘Why would you say that’ in a tearful voice. You don’t need to be stoic.

whattodo1975 · 31/12/2022 16:18

Aquamarine1029 · 31/12/2022 15:17

You both need to act like grown-ups and address this immediately. You tell them that they will need to find a hotel, no beating around the bush. Honestly, you need to take control of this situation.

100% this. All the chat about it being awkward isn’t just avoiding it.

and don’t send them links to hotels, it’s 2022/3 they know how google works.

JFDIYOLO · 31/12/2022 16:24

So sorry - what gets into PILs ? They were parents. How do they forget this??

I'd suggest the message includes

It will be lovely to see you

We're looking forward to introducing you to the baby

We will be having quiet private time after the baby's born for NewMumIn23 to recover from the birth and for us to adjust to having a new baby
Of course we don't know how everything will go, so we won't be hosting any visitors until later on.
We'll let you know when we'll be ready for visitors
Please don't book tickets, as we don't know yet how things will go.
We will tell you when we are ready.
Meanwhile happy new year to you both and see you in 2023

and he sends it to his parents tonight.

And make sure it's 'WE'.

Not 'she says, she wants, she doesn't want ...'

We.

If / when there is pushback - time for some assertiveness techniques.

Three part sentence:

We understand that ...
However ...
Therefore ...

We understand

Broken record:

As we say, we won't be hosting any visitors until we are ready. (Repeat using the same words, controlled tone, neutral expression etc, especially if emotional manipulation and histrionics start.)

And if they do suddenly announce they're arriving tomorrow

'That won't work for us. As we said, we'll let you know when we are able to host family'.

All the best - it starts here, so best startas you mean to go on.

Hopeyoursproutsarealreadyon · 31/12/2022 16:26

Just block her. Seriously it is your mh you need to manage. She doesn't care about it!!

Beachsidesunset · 31/12/2022 16:31

My first baby was born at 40+14!

Nowthenhere · 31/12/2022 16:33

You will never get the time back that you have with your newborn. You will never get a do over with your baby.
You need to decide, do you want to start advocating for your family now or do you want to step aside so that you do not offend you PIL?
You will be in a lot of pain, your body will have changed, you will be bleeding and you are likely to be juggling baby nappies, postnatal underwear disposal, latching a baby on 40 minutes blocks of sleep every few hours and learning to bond with your perfect baby.
You will be arranging apt such as midwife and health visiting which will include discussions on your vaginal/c section wounds and healing. You will be talking about your emotional health and this could be as a home visit.
If you're happy for your PIL to know this information, do nothing but welcome them into your home at this time.
You could also be still pregnant and they could be the first people to arrive and even hold your baby, before you if you are having a c-section.
Sometimes you are cathetersed and have prolapse and incontinence issues postpartum.

If you would prefer to go through this with just DH and your support network, how's the time to ask them awkward questions and state your boundaries because they could quite easily assume you don't mind them turning up and being waited on.

123boom · 31/12/2022 16:42

I agree with pp. send a link to Airbnb. Definitely sort this now- this is a time you won’t get back