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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To want to just be left the fuck alone??

83 replies

ButteredRadishes · 22/06/2025 12:11

I'm ill, hot, ratty, all touched and needed out!

I'm trying to lie down for a bit in the cool bedroom, with instructions to "LEAVE ME ALONE, Mum is ill"

It's been 20 minutes, the child had been in twice, DH has been in asking where some random items are. Then DD wants a cuddle. I suggest he takes her swimming and it's ..." oh aren't you coming?/mummy I want you to come".

Just all fuck offffffff.

I'm going to have to go out in my own in a bit, just to stop them harassing meeeeee.

OP posts:
Allseeingallknowing · 22/06/2025 13:38

My children are grown up, but I feel the same as OP!

MyCyanReader · 22/06/2025 13:42

M777 · 22/06/2025 13:35

This

not just the children
their teachers and reception staff too

many got the very curt response of ‘what?
I’m abroad, working.
Have you tried the parent in the UK, who in listed as first contact in all their documents?’

I had to bite my tongue not to add ‘I know he has a penis but…’

Mine are aged 9 to 14 but it's always Mummy mummy mummy...

I find myself using the line "You have TWO parents - go find the other one".

Lunch time - it's me they ask what's for lunch. Or why we don't have whatever cereal that I don't even eat so why would I know it ran out.

Or have I seen whatever it is they've lost.

The ONLY time I get peace is when I agree to them having tablet time, and then once we're over the trauma of uncharged tablets etc... do I finally get left alone.

I was trying to plan an A Level lesson the other day which had lots of complicated maths, and I counted 19 interrupting in 45 minutes. DH was on his phone hiding in his man cave.

Vaxtable · 22/06/2025 13:44

Speak to your DH. Tell him in no uncertain terms you are not well and want to be left alone to sleep so can he please take the child out for three or fours hours

then go back to your room and shut the door.

MargaretThursday · 22/06/2025 13:48

I genuinely don’t remember harassing my mum like this when I was a kid. But my kids do it to me all day long. It’s so horrible.

I don't remember dm being ill except when she had an operation and was in hospital.
But also when at home dm was normally busy with jobs most of the day, so if you did want to talk then you'd have been expected to help - which I quite often did so we could talk without my siblings interrupting.

iriswillow · 22/06/2025 13:51

DH and I each have a weekend lie in. Mine , is punctuated with screaming and crying and shouting. His is blissfully quiet. Sigh.

RectoryPeacock · 22/06/2025 13:52

Lock the door and put on noise-cancelling headphones.

pinkyredrose · 22/06/2025 13:53

iriswillow · 22/06/2025 13:51

DH and I each have a weekend lie in. Mine , is punctuated with screaming and crying and shouting. His is blissfully quiet. Sigh.

You need to read him the riot act or make shit loads of noise when he has his lie in.

AlertCat · 22/06/2025 13:53

Are the kids old enough to read? A big sign on the door saying
NO
ASK YOUR FATHER
IF YOU ARE THEIR FATHER, WORK IT OUT FOR YOURSELF

FullyLined · 22/06/2025 13:55

Mum flue - it’s like a normal flue, except nobody gives a fuck. 🌷

notanothersummercold · 22/06/2025 13:56

NamedChand · 22/06/2025 12:39

’im going for a nap, when I wake up we’ll clean the house’ you’ll be left alone forever

Brilliant!!

TheAutumnCrow · 22/06/2025 13:59

Goody2ShoesAndTheFilthyBeast · 22/06/2025 12:21

I developed a tactic for this. It was either that or throw shit at them. I can't hand on heart say I mean metaphorical shit tbh.

any time I was disturbed while ill, I gave the disturber a task to do. Preferably horrible. Always urgent.

You need to clean down the u-bend of the loo type for my husband, deep cleaning of bedroom for sons.

Came in again - did you do X? no? why? when will you? oh, you also need to do Y.

Pretty soon, whenever I said don't disturb me, I was left undisturbed!

It's chapter 2 of my FAFO book. Chapter 1 was You Interfere, You Volunteer.

Give them horrible or boring tasks and nag the fuck out of them every time they come back in. Or do the whole oh while you're in here, please do/check/pass me...

You'll be left alone for so long you'll start to worry the zombie apocalypse happened while you were napping.

Where is this book published please, @Goody2ShoesAndTheFilthyBeast? I am in dire need of Chap 1, with some immediacy.

Am prepared to travel to alternative FAFO-feminist bookshops incognito in a sedan chair.

pinkyredrose · 22/06/2025 14:03

Everyone being disturbed, get door wedges, cheaper and less faff than locks but no-one can get in. Available in Pound stores. I'm convinced they've saved many a marriage. Thank me later.

Fordian · 22/06/2025 14:04

I recall sitting on the loo with a 13 month old clinging limpet like onto me; a 3 year old leaning against my legs and the dog with his head on my knee, gently whimpering.

I felt that we did not necessarily need to occupy the same fecking 1 metre cubed in the entire house….

Wintersgirl · 22/06/2025 14:04

Totally get it, you get sick and tired of everyone leaning on you, it's exhausting...

CremeBruhlee · 22/06/2025 14:09

I would have a shower and get back into comfy clothes. Drive to nearest retail park - get a boots meal deal or McDonald’s and coffee/drink and sit in car read, sleep or chill. Take book/ipad whatever….. Tell them you are going to pharmacy and to pick up some tights/new bra whatever….. you will be gone 2 hours….bliss

TangerinePlate · 22/06/2025 14:13

This thread reminded me of OP on holidays trying to read a book and unable to do so because of constant interruptions,
Finally she snapped and chased them out to sea. When she lifted her head the whole family was “bobbing on the sea like shitty mermaids”looking at her with longing.

I remember first lockdown when I announced to DC and XH that I’m clocking out at 10pm and I don’t want to see any of them till the morning.

XH was not happy. It didn’t matter that he had several hours to himself while I had 0 being constantly in charge of kids/house.

TheGander · 22/06/2025 14:16

My kids are 18 and 22 now but I still remember with horror the 1st time I was unwell and had to look after a baby and a toddler. You have my sympathies.

user1471538283 · 22/06/2025 14:22

I've said before that I cannot remember a time when I had a wee in peace. My DS when he was small would interrupt or just walk in. Then it was the cats and him pushing in or banging loudly on the door about nothing (it's still one of the cats). I often shouted "I just want a wee on my own!". When my DS was older I could be found in the grocery store car park with a coffee or cheese.

I'd be furious and your DH should be able to parent his own DC so you can rest.

Jenimamumtoo · 22/06/2025 14:27

Sounds petulant and aren't u the grown-up? We all talk abt community but u can't be bothered with yr own family? The heat saps us all - splash yourself with cold water, don't wipe away, treat yrself to a magnum and buy everone else an ice pole! Then do what you signed up for: be a parent, a partner and leave the housework, go out for the day and you'll all sleep for England later!!!

Sadmummy3 · 22/06/2025 14:30

I remember my mum saying I'm going to my bedroom, don't disturb me. And we just didn't. My mum was lovely though (perhaps my kids don't think I am).
I have a lock on the bedroom door but I will still get pounced on by one of my kids or DH the second I leave the room, even if I've only been gone 20 minutes

LatteLady · 22/06/2025 14:33

The correct response is, "Ask your father, as I am busy throwing up... unless you want to clear up after me!" That should scare them off.

HiEarthlings · 22/06/2025 14:38

I'm totally amazed at some of the tactics people are suggesting. Whatever happened to good old straightforward COMMUNICATION? When my kids were young and I was ill I simply told my husband, in no uncertain terms, that I was ill, I was going to bed and I was NOT to be disturbed, under ANY circumstance, except for a life-threatening emergency and that of I were, it was HIS life that was going to be threatened. End of discussion. And I wasn't disturbed. Your husband is perfectly capable of understanding you AND actually listening to you, if you actually tell him in plain, no nonsense, not to be argued with, words. None of this, "I'd just like a little time alone", or, I need to rest, I'm not feeling well". It's "I am ill. I am feeling like death warmed up. I am going to go to bed now and I do not want to be disturbed under any circumstance, unless it's a life-threatening emergency. You are an adult you can adult unsupervised. You are a parent, you can parent unsupervised. I will see you both later when I'm feeling better. Do not disturb me!!!". If he then continues to disturbed you, you know exactly what he thinks of you, (which is nothing), and I'd have to wonder why you would want to be with someone who thinks so little of you....

Sunshineismyfavourite · 22/06/2025 14:39

I'd get in my car whack up the air con and bugger myself off to a quiet car park for a snooze. Take a few snacks and drinks (or perhaps get a drive through) Put your phone on silent. Perhaps read a book or just snooze.
I do this sometimes when I need to decompress or just get out the house away from everyone - it's great!

Crikeyisthatthetime · 22/06/2025 14:40

Jenimamumtoo · 22/06/2025 14:27

Sounds petulant and aren't u the grown-up? We all talk abt community but u can't be bothered with yr own family? The heat saps us all - splash yourself with cold water, don't wipe away, treat yrself to a magnum and buy everone else an ice pole! Then do what you signed up for: be a parent, a partner and leave the housework, go out for the day and you'll all sleep for England later!!!

First two words of the OP:
I'm ill.

Yeah petulant cow should just take everyone to the park 😏

Lilaclinacre · 22/06/2025 14:40

It's not being a bad mother to teach kids boundaries. I wouldn't put up with people even small ones, following me to the toilet and harassing me. They need to learn no.