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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:
bluewatermelon · 11/08/2024 11:38

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

You can have all the money in the world, but you sound nasty. You really do.

Uncool · 11/08/2024 11:39

It’s normal to pack stuff to visit family. It’s really not an unusual setup. You just get on with it.

I think you are subtly making your mum a more important part of your son’s life. Whilst claiming it’s about practicalities and comfort. I don’t think you are an innocent in this as you are making out.

bluewatermelon · 11/08/2024 11:42

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.

I somehow doubt love has anything to do with anything in that family, I remember Op’s other post and it’s all about money and the opposite of how people who love each other treat each other.

jannier · 11/08/2024 11:48

Op You've posted before about how unreasonable you OH is that you holiday so much with mummy etc haven't you?
Why are you in this relationship? Do you love him or is it all about you and mummy and you needed an oh to get children? As an only child is it to keep mummy sweet for her money?
When you go to in-laws and stay at a hotel who's money are you spending.

CatamaranViper · 11/08/2024 11:51

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)

You do understand that you having a less than ideal nights sleep is not the same as a child purposely hurting an animal? You could very easily kill a cat by letting a child ride it.

Reallybadidea · 11/08/2024 11:52

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.

I think relationships where the partners are unequal in some way (whether that is money, health, free time etc etc) are very difficult to maintain. Especially where one partner sees themself as more entitled to their beneficial position.

CatamaranViper · 11/08/2024 11:57

OP can you please tell us what you want from this thread?
You don't seem to want to hear what people are saying.

Did you just want to start an argument online? Were you hoping people would agree?

You don't seem very open to discussing the situation, which I just don't understand. Why start the thread?

newbeggins · 11/08/2024 12:00

OP I think you're getting a tough time on here. I don't think I'd go anything differently than you. I would want you to spend as much time with my mum and child (here or abroad) whilst she is still alive - especially since she's your only parent alive. DH absolutely can work whilst you go away with her, why would he want to holiday with your mum?!

You are allowed to find IL visits tedious and not enjoyable especially if you are relocating there for Xmas. Beware if you don't go, then you'll need to think about inviting them to stay with you.

If you want to have the other GPs in your LO life more then weekend visits etc for 2-3hrs then you come away. That's what Sunday afternoons were made for. Fo your activities on Saturday, get your lie in on Sunday and then visit the relatives.

Vivi0 · 11/08/2024 12:03

jannier · 11/08/2024 11:32

You do it for the children because they are your priority

I’m clearly not understanding this.

Christmas is already the best day of the year for my children, and we spend it at home.

Why would I sleep on a blow up mattress in someone else’s overcrowded home on Christmas Eve? My children are my priority - that is why we spend Christmas at home and everyone comes to us. My kids like being at home.

It’s nice that that is a nice memory for you. But that’s all it is.

bluewatermelon · 11/08/2024 12:03

CatamaranViper · 11/08/2024 11:57

OP can you please tell us what you want from this thread?
You don't seem to want to hear what people are saying.

Did you just want to start an argument online? Were you hoping people would agree?

You don't seem very open to discussing the situation, which I just don't understand. Why start the thread?

I think OP has genuine problems in her relationship and wants advice or talk to friends. But she is so used to being entitled, and so her only good card when people question her actions is to constantly remind people of how much money she and mummy has and therefor are very very happy. She doesn’t seem to have much else to show for herself apart from her and her mummy’s lifestyle.

Coconutter24 · 11/08/2024 12:06

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 he is trying to facilitate a relationship from the sounds of it

HP07 · 11/08/2024 12:07

Sounds totally reasonable to me that he wants his child to have a relationship with his parents.
sometimes you have to make some sacrifices so that it works, share family festivities and pack a bag of stuff when you visit like most people do. Not everything can be stored at the grandparents home. Your child is also now 2.5 and can make do with a lot of stuff, doesn’t need a proper cot, can probably sit at a normal chair for a couple of days etc.
You don’t mention the sex of your DC in your OP but if your child is male one day he may grow up and have children of his own and you may be the pushed out IL so please consider that.
We have always made an effort to include our in laws in our children’s lives. We have a boy and a girl and I want them to both see that all of their grandparents play an important role.

Wonderwall23 · 11/08/2024 12:09

I think people are being a bit harsh. In these circumstances I don't know why you wouldn't go away regularly with your Mum. And I wouldn't be thrilled about staying at in laws in these circumstances either, although I'm not sure all the equipment is truly needed.

I would definitely be making the effort with my in laws more than this though. Probably visiting roughly once a week during the week. Or at the very least have DH take your DC more at weekends.

OP I would be very wary of assuming that because your DH has nice things in life due to the fact he's married to you, he should be grateful for this at the expense of everything else that he values or might want from life. I honestly don't mean this unkindly but this is how it's coming across from you.

bluewatermelon · 11/08/2024 12:09

If your child is 2,5 maybe it’s time to potty train so at least no need for nappies op.

Teenyweenytinytrees · 11/08/2024 12:11

My child is 2.5. He needs a pull up and a place to sleep. What other special equipment does your child need?

Conniebygaslight · 11/08/2024 12:13

why don’t you host Christmas for everyone?
Great memories for your DC. I couldn’t imagine Christmas in a hotel being much fun for a child tbh

bluewatermelon · 11/08/2024 12:16

What normal 2,5 year old needs a cot, a high chair or a lot of toys to go and visit someone? He is 2,5 not a baby. Weird.

Tigertigertigertiger · 11/08/2024 12:18

So what if it's a squeeze to stay with your in laws ? Go and stay , get to know them better , make memories and have fun .

Life's not all about fancy holidays and big houses.
Take your own nappies Wink

LuckySantangelo35 · 11/08/2024 12:20

We all have to rough it sometimes Op @hmhwd
🤷‍♀️

Cornflakes44 · 11/08/2024 12:20

Kitkat1523 · 10/08/2024 15:49

Your DP sounds lovely
you sound less lovely

Why? Nothing OP has said is horrible. It's not that she doesn't put any effort in with her his family but she naturally wants to spend more time with her mother.

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 11/08/2024 12:33

' we don’t have anything there that we need (baby chair, cot, all the nappies / bottles / aprons / toys) so have to bring everything.'

is your child 2.5 months old or 2.5 years old ?

if as I think the age is 2.5 years old then you won't need any of that stuff at Christmas - and the child will be nearly 3 so could be out of day time nappies by then.

I think your real problem is that you feel / believe / know you have married out of the financial class you were brought up in...

WHY won't Dh pay for them to come on a suitable holiday ?
is he mean / can't afford it / or doesn't actually want to holiday with his parents ?

Cherrysoup · 11/08/2024 12:34

Stick to your guns at Christmas, I’m visiting family tomorrow, definitely staying in a hotel, there just isn’t the room at families’ houses.

sweeneytoddsrazor · 11/08/2024 12:36

Of course its natural to want to spend more time with her mother, that doesn't mean she shouldn't make more effort with her in-laws. It wouldn't be unreasonable to visit for a day once a fortnight or invite them round occasionally. And why not ask them to look after the child whilst she has a Dr appointment or even let them have the child for a day whilst her and mummy go out to a spa or something

MitskiMoo · 11/08/2024 12:38

My DIL's family are far wealthier than us. I hope she doesn't think the same way.

LittleLittleRex · 11/08/2024 12:47

I actually don't agree with most on this thread - you PIL have a fairly normal relationship with their DGC, you go once a month to see them and don't put obstacles to their coming to see you, you just don't go above and beyond to see them.

Your mum has a much closer relationship with DGC than normal, she isn't taking anything away from PIL. It's a combination of her being on her own, having a flat nearby and making a lot of effort to organise holidays etc.

Imagine saying to your widowed mum that you can't go on holiday with her because PIL might be jealous - it's ridiculous.

The only bit YABU about is criticising their house for being small, you should reflect on that as it isn't under their control and want to have you stay.

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