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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Husband trying to compete which grandparents see DC more

294 replies

hmhwd · 10/08/2024 14:54

More like, is he being unreasonable or is this a normal reaction from him?

DC Is 2.5. My family is quite wealthy, his is pretty average. In laws live closer so we see them for day trips once a month, my mum lives further so I will visit her overnight for a couple of nights but also about once per month.
Sadly my DF died when I was a teen but he was highly successful, left a large inheritance to my mum and I. My mum, having raised me, now mainly travels the world, enjoys life and helps me out with raising DC when I need it. On a few holidays (3-4 per year) she will invite me and DC along, DH is invited too but can't join for all of them because of limited annual leave, he does join for probably half (sometimes joins part way through a holiday, sometimes doesn't join at all and sometimes joins for the full length). These holidays are fully paid for by my mum. When not on holiday, I'll sometimes go to stay with my mum for a night or two if DH knows he will work late - her house is large enough for DC to have their own room, all the "child" equipment that I need can be and is stored at hers. On other days, my mum will just pop over to ours to help out, play with DC etc - this doesn't affect DH because he is out at work and it'll be in the daytime.

My ILs see DC far less. They can't afford to take us on holiday and my DH wouldn't pay for them to go with us. They visit maybe once a month. Staying at theirs is more difficult because a) it would need to be over a weekend when DH can come and b) the house is a squeeze, we don’t have anything there that we need (baby chair, cot, all the nappies / bottles / aprons / toys) so have to bring everything. I guess I also don't ask for help from my ILs the way I do from my own mum (for example if I need someone to watch DC whilst I have a doctors appointment - I will ask my mum or move it, never ask my ILs), largely because I just don't have that kind of relationship with them. We are civil and no arguments but we don't "get on like a house on fire" in that we have very different views, not many common interests. I find their visits tedious and exhausting for many (very subtle but many) reasons - none because they're terrible people, just that I find them difficult to be around, we run out of conversation fast and we have to fake agreeing on topics.

I've noticed recently my husband really tries to compete and compensate. He's trying to squeeze us into their house at Xmas (as opposed to hotel like we've done previous years) even though that meant 6 adults and 1 child in a 2/3 bedroom house (3rd bedroom is a study that will have a blow up bed in the middle, the bedroom we stay in will mean either someone sleeps on a floor mattress so we physically can’t open the door or walk around until mattress lifted, or all 3 of us sleep in a small double bed). Or he is irritable when he sees that DC will run towards my mum shouting GAM-GAAAAAAM ("grandma") or when the two have little inside jokes or games. If I ask about it he claims he's absolutely fine and just wants DC to give "gam-gam" a rest (my mum is thrilled with it, doesn’t want a rest). I can just feel resentment towards my mum for being able to spend more time with DC?

OP posts:
OrdinaryMatilda · 10/08/2024 15:29

Your husband wants his children to spend time with, and have as good a relationship, with his parents, as they do with your mother. There's nothing wrong, or competitive about that.

So what if you have to take bottles, nappies, toys etc to go visit them. Would that stop you visiting your own mother if you had to do the same? A couple of nights on a blow up bed, or all squished into a bed won't kill you either.

Bushmillsbabe · 10/08/2024 15:30

Why do your in-laws need to pay for you to go on holiday? Surely you can pay for yourselves and they pay for themselves?

My parents are pretty well off through hard work (came from poverty). MIL lives off basic state pension but are very helpful with childcare, so we pay for her to come as we know she couldn't afford holidays otherwise.

Ultimately you need to evaluate if roles were reversed and in laws were well off, would anything be different. If yes, then you need to look at this a bit more

10mins · 10/08/2024 15:32

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TomatoSandwiches · 10/08/2024 15:35

All sounds quite reasonable to me, can't your DH take your child to visit his parents on some weekends?

MapleTreeValley · 10/08/2024 15:38

I think it's nice that your DH is trying to encourage a good relationship between his child and his parents, and I'm surprised that you're viewing it in such a negative light.

hmhwd · 10/08/2024 15:43

Not so much the fact he's trying to encourage them - that's fine.

It's the putting us in an uncomfortable place for the sake of them feeling like we're staying over and the sighs when he sees how well DC gets on with my mama

OP posts:
Kitkat1523 · 10/08/2024 15:49

Your DP sounds lovely
you sound less lovely

Loopytiles · 10/08/2024 15:54

YANBU to see lots of your mum and not to meet up with or host your in laws when DH is at work.

YABU to always ask your Mum for practical help and never your in laws, who live closer. If you don’t have a relationship with them where you’d ask directly DH could do so.

YABU about staying at the in laws’ home from time to time. You don’t ‘need’ shedloads of toddler stuff.

jannier · 10/08/2024 15:54

hmhwd · 10/08/2024 15:43

Not so much the fact he's trying to encourage them - that's fine.

It's the putting us in an uncomfortable place for the sake of them feeling like we're staying over and the sighs when he sees how well DC gets on with my mama

But you don't encourage the relationship it's all your mum can't you be inclusive ask DH to see if his more local parents will help with appointments meet for park play etc. presumably your not working and he is so for a relationship your the one that will need to do more.
Being together at a Festive time is more important than how many bedrooms.....if it was your mum with the normal 3 bed I bet things would be different.

skibiditoilet · 10/08/2024 15:58

He needs to step up and facilitate the relationship with his parents instead of making you and your mum feel that this is both your faults. I think he is just clumsy with regards to how he is going about it.

10mins · 10/08/2024 16:01

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Notonthestairs · 10/08/2024 16:04

He's followed your example and taken responsibility for involving his parents in your child's life. It's good that he wants to arrange time together and he's not leaving it to you to organise.

DisforDarkChocolate · 10/08/2024 16:05

I'm with you and I'd be insisting on a hotel at Christmas.

I would ask my MIL to watch the baby at my house so I could see a dentist etc though.

HavfrueDenizKisi · 10/08/2024 16:22

You sound like you pretty much do not like your PIL. That's a shame. They brought up your husband to be the man he is today so they obviously have done something right as you love him?

I get that it's easier with your own mum but I think it's fair for him to want to make an effort with his parents and the Christmas plans don't sound that bad. I presume it's for one or two nights not months so I'm sure you can cope with a small double and an air mattress for your DC. The joy his parents would get from waking up with their grandchild in Xmas morning is worth it in his mind.

You come across as quite unpleasant with regard to his parents, unfortunately. I think you need to have a hard think and reset your opinions.

thecatsthecats · 10/08/2024 16:24

DisforDarkChocolate · 10/08/2024 16:05

I'm with you and I'd be insisting on a hotel at Christmas.

I would ask my MIL to watch the baby at my house so I could see a dentist etc though.

Agreed. My in laws DO have all the gear, but they only live 40m away and MIL tries to feed him stuff he's allergic to so we haven't stayed over. My parents live 150 miles away so we can't visit without staying, but their house is a lot easier to manage a baby in anyway. Comfort and practicality can be a big deal with a baby - my parents never tried to hide me away when breastfeeding either.

But yeah, it wouldn't hurt to ask them to cover the odd appointment.

TomatoSandwiches · 10/08/2024 16:25

Is your house bigger op?
Could they visit and stay with you instead? You wouldn't have to trek all the stuff children need if that was the case.

AssassinsEyebrow · 10/08/2024 16:37

I think the two of you could make more of a effort to see his parents a bit (short visits) or have then babysit occasionally without it being any skin off your nose or your mum losing out.

He can make the arrangements if needed.

But I agree about squeezing into one small house etc

2sisters · 10/08/2024 16:48

Your DH just wants your DC to have a nice relationship with his parents and make memories. Id agree to stay at hotel near his parent's when he's able go and do day trips with them. I don't see why you need to be uncomfortable. I'd also consider doing a little cheap term time trip with them, if you can afford it, maybe a caravan or Butlins. Just something so your DC builds a better relationship with them.

KarmenPQZ · 10/08/2024 16:49

Whilst you’re not working and he is, I think it kinda is your responsibility to facilitate a good relationship between the kids and all their grandparents. Once you’re working that then becomes more of a joint divide and conquer type situation I reckon.

if you don’t get on with them so well then all the more reason to get booking appointments and using them for babysitting. You sound like you’re in a very privileged position!

KarmenPQZ · 10/08/2024 16:54

Oh I think I conflated and doesn’t sound like you’re on mat leave. Also at 2.5 surely your child doesn’t need much special equipment especially for one night you can just make do in 1 bed.

JudyP · 10/08/2024 16:54

skibiditoilet · 10/08/2024 15:58

He needs to step up and facilitate the relationship with his parents instead of making you and your mum feel that this is both your faults. I think he is just clumsy with regards to how he is going about it.

100% this - I saw a lot more of my mum when my kids were small because of me wanting to see my mum - the grandkids were a bonus in this situation- if he wants the kids to have a great relationship with his parents then he has to do the running

FarmGirl78 · 10/08/2024 16:55

You seen to forgetting the person this is most important too..... Your child. They'll love waking up at Christmas with people they love all together in the same house. So what if it's a bit squashed for you? They're half your size and won't care. This is about encouraging a relationship between your child and their immediate and extended family. Think of it from their point of view..... Having everyone together at Christmas will make for the best memories by far!

jannier · 10/08/2024 20:01

skibiditoilet · 10/08/2024 15:58

He needs to step up and facilitate the relationship with his parents instead of making you and your mum feel that this is both your faults. I think he is just clumsy with regards to how he is going about it.

But when he did op is objecting

jannier · 10/08/2024 20:04

FarmGirl78 · 10/08/2024 16:55

You seen to forgetting the person this is most important too..... Your child. They'll love waking up at Christmas with people they love all together in the same house. So what if it's a bit squashed for you? They're half your size and won't care. This is about encouraging a relationship between your child and their immediate and extended family. Think of it from their point of view..... Having everyone together at Christmas will make for the best memories by far!

Totally, I have wonderful memories of Christmas morning all the kids....4 of us waking up in one room , mum and dad sleeping on a blow up in the lounge, grandparents in their room and uncle in his. Everyone opening stockings together I couldn't tell you what the gifts were.

Crazycatlady79 · 10/08/2024 20:16

God forbid you might have to 'slum it' and be in your ILs less capacious home for Christmas.

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