Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think they should have cancelled?

272 replies

Madwife123 · 24/12/2023 12:57

We invite DSIL and family for Christmas every year. They arrive Christmas Eve morning and stay until Boxing Day as they travel 3 hours to us.

We both have children, similar age and it works well for us as we have the bigger house to put them up and they enjoy not having the cooking etc.

Anyway, they arrived this morning as planned but nearly 2 hours late. Apologised for being late and explained they had to keep pulling over as nephew has a vomiting bug and was being sick.

Why on earth did they still come!!

I have expressed I’m not happy they still came and their response was, they have no Xmas food in as they had planned to come to us and they can’t just cancel Christmas.

I think it’s really selfish to come and infect all my household and am pretty pissed off. Partner thinks I’m overreacting and it will be fine.

OP posts:
Strictlymad · 25/12/2023 08:46

SpongeBob2022 · 25/12/2023 08:18

I think they are incredibly unreasonable and 100% on your side.

But I think just enjoy your Christmas now they've gone though. There's no point worrying. And there is always a lot of drama on these threads...in all my 40 odd years I've never been in a situation where my whole family has caught a sick bug at the same time. Not as a kid or an adult. I know it happens but it's not a guarantee.

I've also never seen anyone 'projectile vomit' in such a dramtic way as always described one here and neither have any of my friends or family!

I too thought projectile vomit was an exaggerated myth- until one week ago! I think it was this awful gastric covid going round, my 5 year old had a temp of 41, began to walk to the bathroom and it went - I kid you not- 6-8 feet down the landing carpet. In 10+ years of looking after kids I have never seen anything like it!

whynotwhatknot · 25/12/2023 16:04

so they wanted a free dinner then basically-charming

FlyingCherub · 25/12/2023 20:04

I hope they've not taken out on the poor lad.

But it was utter madness to have come in the first place.

Itsagreatdaytosavelives · 25/12/2023 20:08

i still dine out on my projectile vomiting story........ twas 30 years ago...... 🤣

Youcannotbeseriousreally · 25/12/2023 21:04

OP I’m so glad they went, I hope you guys had a good day and you all stay well x

NearlyMonday · 25/12/2023 21:10

Thanks heavens they have gone!

Jioyt · 25/12/2023 22:16

Was the vomiting due to car sickness or a bug?

AuntMarch · 26/12/2023 09:11

Hope you've all stayed well so far!

PriOn1 · 26/12/2023 09:15

I was also wondering how it all turned out. I’d have reacted exactly as OP did, but there was always the possibility that nobody else would come down with it and then SIL would feel justified in claiming OP was overreacting.

Hope you managed to have a nice day, OP. An update would be lovely, if you feel like it!

Hoglet70 · 26/12/2023 09:55

oakleaffy · 25/12/2023 08:19

An article that doesn't hold you to ransom with an email request: Possibly referring to the original article I read.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/jan/06/how-not-to-catch-the-norovirus

Thank you for this. As an Emetophobe the thread is scaring the shit out of me lol.

elfintinsel · 26/12/2023 12:52

SpongeBob2022 · 25/12/2023 08:18

I think they are incredibly unreasonable and 100% on your side.

But I think just enjoy your Christmas now they've gone though. There's no point worrying. And there is always a lot of drama on these threads...in all my 40 odd years I've never been in a situation where my whole family has caught a sick bug at the same time. Not as a kid or an adult. I know it happens but it's not a guarantee.

I've also never seen anyone 'projectile vomit' in such a dramtic way as always described one here and neither have any of my friends or family!

I didn't believe it either until it happened to us. I have never been so grateful for having 3 bathroooms. We call it the spewmaggedon!
8 years later, the thought of a repeat terrifies me!
It was awful.

Original poster
Madwife123 · 26/12/2023 13:06

Everyone fine so far thankfully.

We have heard that niece has come down with it so definitely a bug. Hoping that avoiding them has stopped it hitting us.

Have masking taped over the bathroom and bedroom door like it’s some kind of crime scene 🤣

Will deep clean it some point today.

OP posts:
Olika · 26/12/2023 14:00

Great you didn't get sick during the Xmas! Spray something from slightly opened door and leave it before someone goes in to clean.

Greenshake · 26/12/2023 16:53

I am so pleased you managed to salvage Christmas Day 🎄

maria2bela1 · 27/12/2023 08:35

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

NearlyMonday · 27/12/2023 08:37

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

This post has to be a wind-up, surely?

Musiclover234 · 27/12/2023 08:52

Glad none of you got sick. It was really rude to turn up with an actively sick child

I work on a medical paeds ward and we are seeing a lot of d&v bugs including confirmed Noroviruses as well as a ton of (confirmed via swab) flu over last two weeks. Little covid but tiny in relation to the flu cases.

Schools round here finished late so it’s really affected many family Christmas’ as they all spread through school last few days by the looks of it! It’s been a very busy Christmas on the ward.

Dontsayanything · 27/12/2023 09:19

The only person who is sensible here.Well done .I feel so bad for SIL.So much selfishness.I would never be able to do this in my home to anyone.

Nudgethatjudge · 27/12/2023 09:59

Dontsayanything · 27/12/2023 09:19

The only person who is sensible here.Well done .I feel so bad for SIL.So much selfishness.I would never be able to do this in my home to anyone.

So you would take a child who is sick with a potentially horrid contagious sick bug to other households ?

Crikes. That's selfish.

okayumm · 27/12/2023 11:47

@Madwife123 I kind of agree with you. Deep down I'd be seething, but I wouldn't be able to throw an unwell child out of my house out Christmas. I think you were a bit mean and over the top.

NearlyMonday · 27/12/2023 11:51

okayumm · 27/12/2023 11:47

@Madwife123 I kind of agree with you. Deep down I'd be seething, but I wouldn't be able to throw an unwell child out of my house out Christmas. I think you were a bit mean and over the top.

Don’t blame the OP, it’s the SIL who is at fault!

Santaisscouringindeedfornewjob · 27/12/2023 11:54

I am sure that poor dc just wanted his own bed.... Sil is bonkers...

Bestyearever2024 · 27/12/2023 12:11

How are you all, now, OP?

DeepEndCrispAndEven · 27/12/2023 12:39

It was selfish of them to show up with a bug but I couldn’t have turned them away. Fastidious cleaning/distance would probably have kept you all clear of it.

NearlyMonday · 27/12/2023 12:43

They wouldn’t have made it past my front door. Although DH would allow them in, even with bubonic plague, he’s terrified of upsetting his sister, god knows why …