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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:
jannier · 11/08/2024 10:49

hmhwd · 11/08/2024 10:34

@Ponoka7 i guess my mum volunteered when my DC was super young, when DC was a newborn my mum would come in saying "how're you both? I've brought a lasagne over!" and offer to help with washing whilst ILs would arrive asking for black tea with milk and some biscuits whilst holding the baby (often asking to hold baby before washing hands)... that set the precedent that she'd be more helpful, would come over more.
That, and the fact that I'm way more comfortable in her company when recovering post partum, meant she came over more often and it just carried on.

Don't you think that's about you knowing your mum and her being used to being your mum whilst they don't know you well and don't know what you would accept or if they think you will say they are overstepping ....if mil had come in and started helping you may have taken it as her being cheeky or saying you couldn't cope

Diarygirlqueen · 11/08/2024 10:52

I feel sorry for your husband and his family. You come across very spoiled and smug. I hope your attitude doesn't come back to bite you...

jannier · 11/08/2024 10:53

Twilightstarbright · 11/08/2024 09:50

I feel like my situation was similar to yours OP but my DC are a bit older now.

I put my foot down about staying as I get migraines from poor sleep and wouldn’t want to trigger a migraine if I can possibly help it. We would go round before 8am and leave at bedtime. No stockings in ILs house and presents aren’t opened until mid afternoon.

I did ask ILs to do childcare so I could go to the dentist/smear test/doctors appt. It was easier to ask my Mum but I made a conscious effort to ask ILs so they felt wanted/included.

Holidays- I’d look at one night away first and build up. Personally we don’t holiday with the ILs as we can’t agree on what we want from holidays. TBH I haven’t gone with my parents for a few years either as they don’t want to pay school holiday prices and I refuse to take DC out in term time.

God now you've given her another excuse I bet she will say she needs sleep or feels ill now.

jannier · 11/08/2024 10:54

hmhwd · 11/08/2024 09:26

@AquaFurball 50/50 custody seems unlikely when I'm a SAHM and he works full time, child doesn't go to nursery

It's still possible ..you know people do pay for childcare....and a job might do you good but I guess mummy will pay

AquaFurball · 11/08/2024 10:55

hmhwd · 11/08/2024 09:26

@AquaFurball 50/50 custody seems unlikely when I'm a SAHM and he works full time, child doesn't go to nursery

Keep up the snooty attitude of his parents and him wanting to have a say in his child's relationship with them and you might be a single SAHM.

You sound unbearable flaunting your "wealth".

Vivi0 · 11/08/2024 10:56

jannier · 10/08/2024 20:04

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.

Sleeping on a blow up bed in the living room of someone else’s home on Christmas Eve sounds like my idea of hell.

hmhwd · 11/08/2024 10:58

@jannier I do not want to put my child in childcare and wouldn't until they're school age.
Highly unlikely 50/50 custody as he's keen to advance in his career, not do 3pm school pickups or stay with a toddler all day.
And on the "mummy would pay" - don't worry about my mum, I pay for myself whenever and wherever I need, inheritance large enough.

OP posts:
sunsetsandboardwalks · 11/08/2024 10:58

I feel sorry for your husband here.

It very much sounds like you think your mum is superior because she has the money and time to dedicate to you whereas his parents aren't so fortunate.

hmhwd · 11/08/2024 11:00

@CatamaranViper If we don't ride a cat because that's uncomfortable for him, we don't make mum stay where it's uncomfortable for her (literally not enough sleeping spaces for no of people staying)

OP posts:
Reallybadidea · 11/08/2024 11:01

In general I have no issue with SAHMs (I was one for many years) but I feel sorry for your DH that you can afford to not work and go on multiple holidays without him while he's stuck at work. Does he get to benefit from your inheritance too in any way?

AquaFurball · 11/08/2024 11:04

hmhwd · 11/08/2024 10:58

@jannier I do not want to put my child in childcare and wouldn't until they're school age.
Highly unlikely 50/50 custody as he's keen to advance in his career, not do 3pm school pickups or stay with a toddler all day.
And on the "mummy would pay" - don't worry about my mum, I pay for myself whenever and wherever I need, inheritance large enough.

I'm sure his parents would be thrilled to help him with childcare.

hmhwd · 11/08/2024 11:05

@Reallybadidea firstly why SHOULD he benefit from my inheritance? He didn't ... inherit it?!
And in answer to your question, aside from living in quite a large flat in central London, going on free holidays multiple times a year and having a wife caring for his children rather than leaving them in childcare (whom he doesn't have to pay for from his salary, as most husbands of SAHMs do...) no he doesn't 😂. Ie he does as a byproduct of being with me and things I want for myself, but not directly without me in the sense of him being given nice watches or fancy cars for himself.

OP posts:
sunsetsandboardwalks · 11/08/2024 11:08

firstly why SHOULD he benefit from my inheritance? He didn't ... inherit it?!

Because you're married and generally married people love each other and want each other to have as nice a lifestyle as possible?!

It's hardly some majorly outlandish suggestion ffs.

hmhwd · 11/08/2024 11:08

@AquaFurball that's when right of first refusal comes in - ie not letting anyone else look after the child during the parent's time with child unless the other parent has said they can't. And before you mention my mum, she babysits solo maybe once a week, once every 2 weeks, he'd need childcare 5 days per week whilst we works.
So dw it's all good for me :)

OP posts:
Bluevelvetsofa · 11/08/2024 11:09

It’s pretty clear that you don’t like your in-laws and by extension, you resent that your husband doesn’t come from the same financial background as you.

If you equate success with the amount of money you have, then your mother is obviously more successful that his parents. Of course you’re going to be more comfortable in the company of your parent. Your husband is going to be more comfortable with his.

It sounds as though he’s making the effort with yours and you aren’t with his.

As a stay at home mum, you are in a position where you don’t need to worry about money. Thats quite unusual. You might end up on your own though, if you continue.

FetchAPail · 11/08/2024 11:13

Is it like my dh, he wants a good relationship between our kids and his parents but doesn't actually want to do any of the work to facilitate it?

He wants me to do it all.

AGodawfulsmallaffair · 11/08/2024 11:13

5128gap · 10/08/2024 20:27

I feel sorry for your in laws. They don't have the resources to provide you with holidays and high standards of comfort and convenience, so you are relegating them to second place. You married a man from a less wealthy background than your own. His parents small home is part of the package, and you have no right to block his attempts to take DC to stay with them on that basis, even if you don't go yourself.

Me too. Feel sorry for dh as well.

exprecis · 11/08/2024 11:15

Ah, are you also the one who pays for a nanny housekeeper to do "your" chores from your trust fund but expects your husband to tidy up after you when he gets home from work?

I remember a thread about that..

Notonthestairs · 11/08/2024 11:15

I've suggested twice now that your husband should visit his parents alone with your toddler. Make it a regular routine- trip to Granny's to feed the ducks etc.

But reading the updates I'm starting to wonder whether you'd actually be prepared for that.

AquaFurball · 11/08/2024 11:18

hmhwd · 11/08/2024 11:08

@AquaFurball that's when right of first refusal comes in - ie not letting anyone else look after the child during the parent's time with child unless the other parent has said they can't. And before you mention my mum, she babysits solo maybe once a week, once every 2 weeks, he'd need childcare 5 days per week whilst we works.
So dw it's all good for me :)

So you're going to get a court order to stop your husband's parents caring for their grandchild? You are a horribly entitled person. Hope he does divorce you and raises your child with a better attitude.

You are delusional. You can't stop him from having his parents care for his child without a court order, which you'd never get without a genuine concern of safety for the child.

ThinWomansBrain · 11/08/2024 11:23

you don't mention whether inlaws are retired or working - if they are still working, impacts their ability to provide childcare for occasional appointments.

YANBU for not squeezing into an overcrowded house when arriving on the day or staying in a nearby hotel is an option.

Ozanj · 11/08/2024 11:28

You’re a sahm. You shouldn’t need this much childcare.

bluewatermelon · 11/08/2024 11:30

So what if you have to take bottles, nappies, toys etc to go visit them.

This. Maybe buy a bag, Op?

jannier · 11/08/2024 11:32

Vivi0 · 11/08/2024 10:56

Sleeping on a blow up bed in the living room of someone else’s home on Christmas Eve sounds like my idea of hell.

You do it for the children because they are your priority

exprecis · 11/08/2024 11:38

Bluevelvetsofa · 11/08/2024 11:09

It’s pretty clear that you don’t like your in-laws and by extension, you resent that your husband doesn’t come from the same financial background as you.

If you equate success with the amount of money you have, then your mother is obviously more successful that his parents. Of course you’re going to be more comfortable in the company of your parent. Your husband is going to be more comfortable with his.

It sounds as though he’s making the effort with yours and you aren’t with his.

As a stay at home mum, you are in a position where you don’t need to worry about money. Thats quite unusual. You might end up on your own though, if you continue.

Yeah the dynamic that comes across quite strongly is that the OP feels her DH is lucky to be with her and is inferior because he didn't happen to have rich parents.

It's ultimately going to be poisonous to a marriage but the OP clearly doesn't really care because hey she has money.

And I say all this as someone who is in a similar position to the OP financially and brought in more £ to the relationship