Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To tell sister her parenting is alienating others

275 replies

OnionsAndLemons · 01/07/2023 06:54

I think my sisters parenting is so extra, that whilst I believe your children should be your top priority, I think her reactions to thinks are out of proportion.

Example: we both think our children should not have to kiss/hug anyone they don’t want to. So I said to her 2 year old after a family meal out, ‘cuddle goodbye?’ Her 2 year old just stood there so I said ‘no?, Ok’ and stood up. My sister pipes in, talking to her daughter ‘we can say no auntie Kate can’t we, tell auntie Kate we can say no’. I was so embarrassed as it was in front of everyone, I said I was not pressuring for a hug. She said oh I know we’re just teaching her she can say no. I agree with the concept but she’d have learnt from the interaction with me alone she can say no.

My mum was doing my sisters 2 year olds nappy. She initially wouldn’t lie down for it and when she did my mum said ‘oh well done, good girl’ or similar. My sister said mum was overdoing it with the praise and asked her to tone it down as girls are taught to be obedient and she doesn’t want that. (Note: my mum treats my son exactly the same, lots of praise when he does as asked). She does this sort of thing with my mum a lot and my mum is feeling constantly criticised and untrusted. My sister told my about the nappy thing, expecting me to agree but I told her you can’t micromanage every interaction.

I have an isofix car seat for my son in my car and bought a cheaper one (but new and from a reputable place) for my mums car for occasional use. My son is the same age as my niece so they both fit in it. However my sister has told my mum her daughter is not to use it as it’s cheap and doesn’t rear face. She doesn’t feel it’s safe. But hasn’t bought one herself. Didn’t share cost with me when I suggested we buy one together they can both use. Has never learnt to remove her own car seat to put in my mums car.

These are a few example but I could go on. Next time she says something similar to me or tell me about something to do with my mum I feel like it’s all going to spill out.

OP posts:
ZairWazAnOldLady · 01/07/2023 06:57

Sounds unremarkable. Just disagree and move on.

RattyHealy · 01/07/2023 06:57

I mean she sounds a bit extra as you say but I can't really see an issue with most of that.

RattyHealy · 01/07/2023 06:58

Of course, if she wants your mum to look after her child then she needs to provide the approved car seat.

LittleBlueBrioTrain · 01/07/2023 06:59

The micro managing sounds like a pain but she's probably right about the rear facing depending on the age of child and brand of seat. There are some shocking and totally inappropriate car seats available from reputable places

Chocolateship · 01/07/2023 07:01

She sounds annoying but I don't think anything too terrible. She should of course provide a car seat that she's happy with.

itsgettingweird · 01/07/2023 07:04

I think you have to apply the childcare rule here in reverse!

We always say if you don't like how someone cares for your child then don't ask them.

In this case your mum needs to stop doing stuff because it isn't working for her and how she's made to feel.

I'd also stop offering niece hugs etc. if you don't offer you aren't giving her the chance to decline and your sister the chance to repeat what you said .

We had a friend like this in our group and this worked for us. And one friend had me in hysterics one day when her dd tried to hug her goodbye. The adult said no. Her mum then was annoyed and asked why she declined when she lets the other kids. Friend responded (paraphrased) "you've learnt that people have a right to say and no and you have to respect that haven't you Freya? Maybe you need to remind mummy"

I'm absolutely in agreement that people have a right to say no - but I've usually seen it where those people can't accept no being said back.

And your mum cannot take her in the car without an agreed seat. Therefore she can decline to look after her because she has plans that involve the car that day.

The best way to manage those who want to micromanage your interactions with the world is to decline interactions from them!

AndAllOurYesterdays · 01/07/2023 07:09

I think your sister will figure this out on her own when people stop offering to change her kids' nappies and take them places for fear of criticism. Then she will realise how lucky she is

MissyB1 · 01/07/2023 07:10

She sounds like a right pita! I would have to advise her to tone the performance parenting down a bit!

AngryGreasedSantaCatcus · 01/07/2023 07:14

If you say anything she'll probably get defensive and accuse you of interfering with her parenting. So just dial down the interactions and opportunities to behave like that. Your mum needs to do the same.

"Oh can't have her that day because I need to go out and I don't have a suitable car seat for her." Stuff like that.

Gettingfleeced · 01/07/2023 07:18

Why not share the cost of a car seat since they're both the same size? Seems like an opportunity to prove her superior parenting "@OnionsAndLemons got a cheap car seat, but I care about my child".

Dreamer8 · 01/07/2023 07:18

The first example is perfectly fine, it wasn't embarrassing. The second example is ridiculous. The third example is her choice if she only wants to use a rear facing seat.

buckingmad · 01/07/2023 07:18

Annoying but I’d get over it personally. I’m with your sister on the rear facing though. I wouldn’t let my daughter in one that wasn’t (also 2). Her baby, her choice.

Lacucuracha · 01/07/2023 07:19

YANBU. I would not bother cuddling niece again is sis is going to embarrass you like that.

And mum should just say to sis if she doesn’t want her dd in the far seat then she can’t have her anymore.

Basically you all need to stop treating sis with kid gloves and that her unreasonable behaviour has consequences.

Lacucuracha · 01/07/2023 07:21

Dreamer8 · 01/07/2023 07:18

The first example is perfectly fine, it wasn't embarrassing. The second example is ridiculous. The third example is her choice if she only wants to use a rear facing seat.

How is it fine? OP had already accepted no cuddle from niece and stood up to move away, there was no need for sis to use it to performance parent in front of everyone.

Gettingfleeced · 01/07/2023 07:21

Sorry, misread, I thought she'd bought a different one for your mum's car. What does she want your mum to do then? Not go out? That's quite limiting with a small child.

Or is your mum taking the car seat in and out of her/your sister's car every time she watches your sister's child?

Lacucuracha · 01/07/2023 07:22

buckingmad · 01/07/2023 07:18

Annoying but I’d get over it personally. I’m with your sister on the rear facing though. I wouldn’t let my daughter in one that wasn’t (also 2). Her baby, her choice.

But then she needs to accept that her dd can’t go with her mum. Basically she wants her mum to fork out for a car seat. So it’s not her baby, her choice, she’s a CF.

FloofCloud · 01/07/2023 07:24

Car seat - she needs to provide an alternative

Cuddles - I agree it shouldn't be expected. My children are ND and sometimes they don't want to be touched ... that's fine.

Praise from your mum ... your mum just needs to hand the baby back and say ok then you do it if I'm not good enough - she'll soon give up the picky behaviour towards peoples good intentions

Dreamer8 · 01/07/2023 07:25

Lacucuracha · 01/07/2023 07:21

How is it fine? OP had already accepted no cuddle from niece and stood up to move away, there was no need for sis to use it to performance parent in front of everyone.

If you'd be embarrassed that's ok. I dont see anything embarrassing about it. I would see it as another situation where they are using the opportunity while it's right there to teach her that she can say no.

CoreyTaylorsSoggyTshirt · 01/07/2023 07:27

She just sounds like a first time mum trying to do her best but being a bit over enthusiastic about it. Mildly irritating at worst.

ChineseFakeaway · 01/07/2023 07:28

Dreamer8 · 01/07/2023 07:25

If you'd be embarrassed that's ok. I dont see anything embarrassing about it. I would see it as another situation where they are using the opportunity while it's right there to teach her that she can say no.

She clearly already knows that though because she declined to do so. And “auntie Kate” said ‘No? OK’. So it had all just been said.

AmeIia · 01/07/2023 07:31

Dreamer8 · 01/07/2023 07:18

The first example is perfectly fine, it wasn't embarrassing. The second example is ridiculous. The third example is her choice if she only wants to use a rear facing seat.

This.

Lacucuracha · 01/07/2023 07:34

Dreamer8 · 01/07/2023 07:25

If you'd be embarrassed that's ok. I dont see anything embarrassing about it. I would see it as another situation where they are using the opportunity while it's right there to teach her that she can say no.

I didn’t say I’d be embarrassed, but OP was. They were unreasonable to use OP like that, when she had already quickly accepted no hug from niece.

Sceptre86 · 01/07/2023 07:34

Your mum needs to not offload with you about your sister. That creates issues between the two of you when there doesn't need to be and vice versa. Your sister needs to stop doing it shut the conversation down, be polite but firm. My sil used to expect a lot of childcare from my pil but get totally annoyed when they did things on their own terms but like yourself I pointed out that if you want help from others you simply can't micromanage every interaction. You have to trust that they are capable otherwise take care of your own child!

As for the carseat she needs to provide them with one or they don't drive her child around, your mum needs to be firm about this.

mycoffeecup · 01/07/2023 07:36

2 year old kids shouldn't forward face. Yes, your sister should buy one if she wants her daughter driven in your mum's car, but just because you've prioritised cost over safety doesn't mean she has to.

saraclara · 01/07/2023 07:36

She does this sort of thing with my mum a lot and my mum is feeling constantly criticised and untrusted

If the constant criticism is at this entirely unnecessary level, then it would probably help if you pointed out that your mum is being hurt by this. Presumably you find your mum's level of care and interactions with your own child to be absolutely fine, so there are no valid causes the concern.

Next time I'd built on what you've already said. Your mum is a good grandma, your children are safe with her, and she needs to be allowed to interact with her GCs without being constantly hovered over and criticised, or its going to affect her relationship with your sisters child.

Alternatively your mum just loses it, passes the child back and says 'as I can't do right for doing wrong, it's best that you are the only one who cares for and interacts with your child'. But I'd try to save her from that understandable but nuclear reaction.

Swipe left for the next trending thread