Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To want acknowledgement for doing my best

2 replies

Thecrossed · 26/01/2024 17:41

Once a week, my mum picks my little girl up from nursery at lunch time while I'm at work and has her for about 3 hours (half of which, she is asleep). I tell her frequently that I appreciate this and she tells me she loves having her. Like a lot of parents, I'm spinning a lot of plates. I'm working full time, I don't have a car and the walk to work is quite gruelling, I have to grab pockets of time to prepare and eat something nutritious, prep for the next day etc. Mum is in her 50s, healthy, and has never needed to work. She insists on telling me in great detail how difficult DD was - wetting herself, not drinking, not wanting to do to bed etc but when I leave, she says 'she is a pleasure to have'. Today I didn't react and just nodded when she was telling me all these 'bad' things my DD was doing. I do find DD quite challenging but having a 3 year old is challenging - it just feels so much harder and guilt inducing when someone else says it. She asked why I wasn't saying anything and I snapped. I said 'i don't have anything to say about it, I've had a hard week at work, I'm tired and I really do try my best.' She told me I was too sensitive and she wasn't criticising me. She says plenty of people are in my position and manage fine. Tempted to extend DD's care to a full day of nursery like all of the other days but don't want to rock the boat either. Anyone else deal with grandparents like this?

OP posts:
Bex5490 · 26/01/2024 17:59

Awwww - OP…working full time with a 3 year old is so hard so I imagine you’re completely exhausted and stressed.

It doesn’t sound like your mum’s ever had to do this and should try and be a little more understanding.

Just calmly tell her how you feel. And if she still makes you feel shit then go for the full day at nursery.

blackrabbitwhiterabbit · 26/01/2024 18:01

I feel for you! Must be v hard. I work 4 days with a 4 year old and it's a bloody struggle. I would use the nursery for that day if I were you!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread