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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think this is unreasonable?! Or am I out of touch

310 replies

Greehsa · 10/01/2026 16:56

Mid thirties with one dc. I have a lot of flexibility with work so I am able to work remotely. My DD goes to nursery but one day a week my parents like me to take her over. It’s a bit of a drive but I work while I am there then finish off anything I’ve not managed to get done in the evening.

When I work on my laptop I need the room to be light otherwise I start to get a headache. My parents have gone mad recently when I’ve tried to put the light on, saying they don’t want the bulbs to go (they’re spotlights), it’s rude for me to turn the lights on etc. Being pretty nasty about it. For context they are not at all short of money (though they claim to be, they’re certainly not), their main issue seems to be that I’m ’telling them what to do in their home.’ I think this is insanely unreasonable?! I’ve explained calmly that when the weather is bad and it’s dull outside that the room isn’t light enough for me to work without getting a headache. I can’t imagine making this much of a fuss with my own DD if she needed to do some work! AIBU?

OP posts:
MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · 12/01/2026 14:20

Spirallingdownwards · 12/01/2026 14:11

But not as cunty as her parents are being though.

But no need for her to be childishly cunty in her response.

TheFireHorse · 12/01/2026 14:23

I think OP this is your first steps of coming out of the FOG.

FOG is an acronym that stands for "Fear, Obligation, and Guilt." These three emotions are often at the core of manipulation and are often how narcissists and other types emotional manipulators go about controlling their targets.

You say there are other examples and as you are now a parent yourself, you may realise that your childhood wasn't as it should have been.

And it may be a shock!

Maybe consider some counselling?

TheFireHorse · 12/01/2026 14:26

Also to add, if my daughter worked from home, I would definitely go to their house.

How long does it take you to pack your laptop, make sure you have all you need, get nappies and toys etc?

I'd go to my daughters, less stress for her. All her work stuff (extra screens etc) would be there and minimum fuss for granddaughter. No long travel.

No OP these don't seem good parents at all!!

HardyCrow · 12/01/2026 14:49

Lavender14 · 11/01/2026 21:21

Op I think there's a few things here that would make me really consider stepping back. The fact they are nasty about it when they speak to you about the lights, name calling and saying you are unreasonable and controlling when they don't get things their own way, the critiquing of your parenting choices and undermining you as a parent. It all sounds like projection and gaslighting- they are unreasonable and controlling but actually it serves them to make you believe you are so they can get their own way.

None of that is acceptable. I think you need to set different boundaries that serve you better - with work commitments it no longer suits for us to come to you on a Friday and dd will be in nursery. However you are still welcome to visit us here on Sunday afternoons each week (or whatever that looks like).

This

SBGM247 · 12/01/2026 15:42

@Greehsa these are simply amazing and light up my kids bedroom, highly recommend and will fix your prob https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C3BC4QG2

Spirallingdownwards · 12/01/2026 16:41

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · 12/01/2026 14:20

But no need for her to be childishly cunty in her response.

And no need for your comments on this thread either but there we go. You have made your choice to make the comments you have, she make her choice to respond how she wishes.

blackpooolrock · 12/01/2026 17:24

Is there no seats that you can use by a window so you get more natural light?

I think its bonkers they don't want you to have a light on in a room they aren't in or are using.

Can you not offer them something like £1 for the light being on if they think they are paying for it?

CathyFitzs · 12/01/2026 18:13

Greehsa · 10/01/2026 17:03

@SparklyGlitterballs I said that to them and they said I was controlling and unreasonable. They prefer DD at their house rather than coming here.

But isn’t that controlling and unreasonable of them?!!

Elsvieta · 13/01/2026 22:43

Greehsa · 10/01/2026 17:03

@SparklyGlitterballs I said that to them and they said I was controlling and unreasonable. They prefer DD at their house rather than coming here.

Ok - and what about you? What do you say?

They can say what they like - you don't have to believe it, agree with it or be bullied into submission by it. Don't even respond to it - just repeat that you can work in the light level that you need, or you can not bring your daughter over, and let them choose.

aloris · 14/01/2026 01:02

Greehsa · 10/01/2026 18:01

@Redrosesposies i think this is where I struggle, your post makes sense but I would feel eaten up by guilt if I was that blunt about it and actually followed it through. They would say I was affecting DD and it wasn’t fair on her and that I was being dramatic and controlling. I’d then spend hours worrying about it all

They are the ones who are being controlling. You feel the guilt because it's to their advantage for you to feel it, because it gets you to do what they want rather than what's right for you. They are the ones who installed that guilt button so they know how to press it.

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