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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Mil treating baby like a doll

318 replies

tiaandduck · 07/02/2023 20:56

I know I'm probably bu. Mil has been annoying me recently and I don't know if I'm just feeling over protective or possessive of dd or what the problem actually is but she's grating on me.

She has this obsession about taking my baby out in the pram alone. She is always asking to come round to push the pram. She doesn't want me there.
Dd is sometimes a bit fussy in the pram and prefers the carrier and it's always been raining when she comes round, so I put her off as dd doesn't like the rain cover either. She's a bit fussy just now in general.
Sure enough though, mil has been asking to make plans so she can come and take dd out in the pram so I can have a break. Even though I've never asked for or needed a break.
The second thing is she keeps buying her these impractical dresses that are a bit full on party style...we don't go to parties and she grows out of them too quick to wear them. Her wardrobe is bursting at the seams with dresses she has never worn...as well as a furry white coat.
She keeps saying she's buying her designer stuff, has bought her converse which she just kicks off her feet. She keeps buying designer things in her taste and I prefer rompers, baby grows or a little top and leggings set.
She keeps saying she wants some gran time alone with the baby, but I just don't like being away from her just now. Maybe that's my issue. She is a fussy baby which is maybe why I don't want people to have her, incase they mess up my routine with her.
She has a boyfriend she's been seeing a few months now and he also keeps buying dd outfits.
I dunno if im just being overly sensitive or if she's been overbearing.

OP posts:
Blossomtoes · 08/02/2023 14:12

Johnnysgirl · 08/02/2023 11:04

but I just don't need childcare at the moment so I can count on my hands the times I've left him with anyone but myself (bar my husband), just for things like appointments etc
Just about sums it up, really. Back in your box till I need childcare, you old bat.
But when I do, you'll be expected to jump when I click my fingers.

You read my mind.

Cuppasoupmonster · 08/02/2023 14:15

Oh and I forgot one incident when she was 1 when MIL shut the door on DD’s hand. I’ve given her multiple chances because I wanted them to have the relationship talked about here but enough is enough.

Johnnysgirl · 08/02/2023 14:15

Cuppasoupmonster · 08/02/2023 14:01

So they can do it in years to come 🤷🏼‍♀️ not with a 2 year old who will injure themselves unsupervised, stay up to 10pm because MIL ‘thought they looked tired so let them nap off in front of the TV’ and gives them a huge slice of cake half an hour before a home cooked meal that she knows I am making. It’s all a pain in the arse.

You are wildly projecting that your clearly very weird family are representative of everybody else's experience.
Most people (never mind grandparents) don't behave in the ways you've described, so as a valid argument it's somewhat flawed.

Cuppasoupmonster · 08/02/2023 14:16

Johnnysgirl · 08/02/2023 14:15

You are wildly projecting that your clearly very weird family are representative of everybody else's experience.
Most people (never mind grandparents) don't behave in the ways you've described, so as a valid argument it's somewhat flawed.

Weird MIL you mean…

Johnnysgirl · 08/02/2023 14:16

Cuppasoupmonster · 08/02/2023 14:16

Weird MIL you mean…

Whatever. It's not remotely normal.

Cuppasoupmonster · 08/02/2023 14:18

Johnnysgirl · 08/02/2023 14:16

Whatever. It's not remotely normal.

She isn’t, that’s why I won’t leave DD solely in here care.

Blossomtoes · 08/02/2023 14:19

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Cuppasoupmonster · 08/02/2023 14:20

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😂 well, I think everything you say is made up then!

Calphurnia88 · 08/02/2023 14:20

buttercupboots · 08/02/2023 14:03

How is the baby going to get used to the pram if it's rarely ever used? But even if that's the case, I included a carrier too. Presumably the parent has a way of moving with their child, is that option not available to anyone else?

My baby is fussy in the pram, so it's used on a 'need to' basis. I don't avoid it altogether but equally I'm not going to unecessarily subject him to something I know he's not going to enjoy for someone else's pleasure, so why should OP have to?

OP said MIL is obsessed with taking the baby out in the pram, she hasn't said whether she's suggested using the carrier instead. This could be an option, but IME people rarely offer to use the carrier as its much more laborious (whereas they're happy to push the pram).

buttercupboots · 08/02/2023 14:20

@Cuppasoupmonster if I believed there was a genuine safeguarding concern when leaving the child in the exclusive care of the MIL then I wouldn't have them care for the child, but bumps and scrapes are to be expected surely? Although I'm not sure how they are sustaining all of these injuries if they are just being put in front of a TV. It's a wonder your husband survived to adulthood!

Johnnysgirl · 08/02/2023 14:20

Cuppasoupmonster · 08/02/2023 14:18

She isn’t, that’s why I won’t leave DD solely in here care.

So why use her as an example?

Johnnysgirl · 08/02/2023 14:21

So many babies with a deep dislike of prams... Who knew!

TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 08/02/2023 14:24

The whole “MIL did something bad a few times therefore she’s practically cast out forever” is quite unfair. How often have we made mistakes with our own children, and accepted it’s a mistake. ILs are not perfect humans, they’re looking after small people, accidents will happen. A colleague of mine had his my look after their child when he was about 18mo. This was maybe 13 years ago. The baby accidentally drank a bit of bleach that wasn’t secured and was in intensive care. He’s fine now and him and his grandma have a really close relationship and I know they’ve never held it against her, for the better. They’re just relieved he was ok and she acted quickly once she realised.

2bazookas · 08/02/2023 14:25

Buy a pram rain shield and let MIL push that pram as much as she wants. Your baby will benefit from the fresh air and social interaction with the wider world. You will benefit from the break ( and a baby who sleeps well at night). MIL will be as happy as a very happy granny.

The daft outfits are a non-issue for you ; as you say DC never wears them and will fast outgrow them. Let MIL waste her money/ enjoy being a granny. Its completely harmless.

Ultimately DC having a strong relationship with Granny is a lifetime benefit to all of you. Enjoy and encourage.

DesertRose64 · 08/02/2023 14:27

I’m a granny to 8 and I think the best way to describe my role as a granny is to say I’m an extension of my grandchildren’s parents and an extra pair of hands for my children.

I love being a granny.

Calphurnia88 · 08/02/2023 14:29

Buy a pram rain shield and let MIL push that pram as much as she wants. Your baby will benefit from the fresh air and social interaction with the wider world. You will benefit from the break ( and a baby who sleeps well at night). MIL will be as happy as a very happy granny.

What utter bollocks. Social interaction from being pushed around in a pram, which OP has said the baby doesn't even enjoy?

Calphurnia88 · 08/02/2023 14:30

(and a baby who sleeps well at night)

Even bigger bollocks.

Cuppasoupmonster · 08/02/2023 14:31

Johnnysgirl · 08/02/2023 14:20

So why use her as an example?

Of what? I’m just sharing my story.

DesertRose64 · 08/02/2023 14:31

And I’m thinking back to 40 odd years ago when I had my first child and how proud my mum was to put him in the prom and take him for a walk where we lived. People came out to have a look at him and congratulated my mum then they’d put a silver coin in the bottom of the Pram. Those were the days of proper proms and hand knitted outfits and bedding and it was just so blooming nice.

And I have to say I loved taking my grandchildren out in the pram/buggy and when we go somewhere my children will always ask - mana, do you want to hang on to the buggy going round 😊

Blossomtoes · 08/02/2023 14:31

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Cuppasoupmonster · 08/02/2023 14:33

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You can’t say something isn’t true just because you don’t like it, Blossom.

TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 08/02/2023 14:35

I do wonder when DILs cry out “MIL thinks babies shouldn’t sleep on their back she’s old and backwards and not safe!!!!” The MIL has simple said “Ooh in my day we were told to let them sleep on their side” or “Ah I see, we were told to wean at 4 months when mine were little” 🤣

TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 08/02/2023 14:36

Johnnysgirl · 08/02/2023 14:21

So many babies with a deep dislike of prams... Who knew!

Haha.

Mine fucking hated the sling and used to kick me in the kidneys to let me know their feelings 😂😂

Blossomtoes · 08/02/2023 14:36

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tortiecat · 08/02/2023 14:38

This might be coming from a good place; it might not. To a certain extent it doesn't matter - this grandma is overstepping boundaries and making OP uncomfortable. Offers of help and some little gifts are lovely, constant badgering to have alone time / mountains of unwanted things are not. Be strong OP - think about what you are prepared to tolerate and get your other half on side. Don't be afraid to speak up for yourself.