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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to be gutted about this (sorry it's long, but just need to get it out and get some advice)...

30 replies

MumofBaby · 27/12/2008 12:17

I'm sorry this is long but I really need to put it all down so you can see what's going on and seriously advise on the situation.

DS is 7 months old and in all fairness to him, he's angelic. I've been one of these jammy mums who's never had to put up with crying and such likes. He laughs a lot and anyone who minds him says they can't believe how good he is, they wish their babies had been so easy to look after!

I realise many people will be hating me at this point. I'm not boasting. I'm just saying I can be fairly lazy as he doesn't want much, and I just get to play with him and things without the bad bits.

Anyway, DP's family never come and see DS even though they go on and on about him. We take him over to their houses when we can but we DP works full time and I work a lot. We have one day together a week which we tend to spend playing with the baby. DP's family said they'd have him when I was at work but one week they will, then the next they won't as they're busy and it's gets to be hard work, so now my mum minds him. Which is best as then he's settled and not shifted about.

DP's nana has been slagging us off saying we never take him over etc. But she walks past our house to go to the cemetary every day and never stops in on him.

DP's auntie invites us round for tea or just over hers in general and she pops over ours to see the baby. My family all do this, too. DP's mum doesn't really, but she wants to be centre of DS's world so think basically he should just live with her.

She always makes time to go to the pub of an afternoon after work but claims she can't come and see DS and she's working every day (only mornings!) and is tired after work. She whinges she doesn't see him enough.

So on xmas day (and what a perfect one it was), we called into DP's nana's house, and all of DP's family were there (a big bunch). Everyone has had a drink but they're not drunk as such. DP's mum starts going on about how she wants to mind DS over night and it's disgraceful we don't let her blah blah. We explained that night time is the one time we are strict with his routine as since he's gone into his own room, he wakes up frightened in the night and we settle him, put him down, and go straight out of the room so that he will eventually sleep through. DP's mum minds her other GS overnight, and lets him sleep in the bed with her, and gets him up all night to play. That's not really acceptable to us. Also, DP's mum smokes like a chimney and her house REAKS of it. Even SIL who doesn't smoke, stinks of smoke as she lives there. DP explained that DS can't stay there as she smokes.

She really kicked off at this point. She said she doesn't smoke around him. But the house still STINKS whether she smokes around him or not, and she still kisses him straight after a fag etc. So him sleeping in bed with a smoker is not ideal. She even smokes in his room (0bviously she wouldn't if he's there, but there's generally a smokey atmosphere).

Anyway. She got really mad and started shouting at DP and telling everyone we're awful for not trusting her to have him etc.

DS was screaming the place down as he doesn't know these people as they never bother to see him, and they were passing him from one to another, and he has a cold. So he was generally very upset.

DPs nana starts shouting that he's spoilt. I said 'he is not spoilt. We have never spoilt him' and she said 'he is. He's spoilt rotten.' This has REALLY upset me, as he's not spoilt and he's a great kid. Plus, to her, spoilt means us failing as parents IYSWIM.

DP said that the baby doesn't really know them and so she starts shouting that that's because we're selfish for working with a baby (we need the money and want to give him a good future!) and that we're horrible for never taking him to see her, and she doesn't see why she should have to go and see him.

So overall, it was very uncomfortable and I was very upset. DP is also very upset and angry with them.

DP's mum has said that his nana was out of order.

So what do you think?

OP posts:
MumofBaby · 27/12/2008 12:20

When I said xmas was perfect, I wasn't being saracastic, it was a great day apart from this bit.

And when I said I can be lazy, I mean he generally sleeps through at night (apart from waking scared sometimes), and he's not very demanding.

OP posts:
cornsilk · 27/12/2008 12:20

They sound horrible. Poor you and dp. Stay away from them.

MumofBaby · 27/12/2008 12:21

I meant she smokes in 'her' room

OP posts:
MumofBaby · 27/12/2008 12:24

Do you think we should stay away or do you think that's mean of us?I don't know what to do at the moment.

OP posts:
stuffmyturkey · 27/12/2008 12:25

I think you sound like a lovely Mum and they were unreasonable to put it mildly. But I think too there is something underlying going on.. some envy perhaps? some annoyance at you and dp being different -- and possibly some perception on their part that you have rejected and are rejecting their way of doing things?

But I wouldn't waste your energy on being upset if you can avoid it. If you want to find a way through it, you could phone and see if they want to talk about it. That would show that you are being mature about things and that you want the relationship to continue. Maybe they will give you a chance to explain your side and they can talk about how they feel.

Sounds a bit optimistic but at least you woudl ahve done the right thing.

And yanbu.

slavetomykids · 27/12/2008 12:28

I think nyou are right, the only thing I would do differently to you is take your ds to visit his GreatNanna. The way I (have always seen it with my kids) see it, is the Great Grandparents are old, and they will not be here for ever, so even if you don't like them (and I didn't like dh's Nanna too much myself) I wanted to be able to look my kids in the eye when they were older and say I took you to visit ALL your Great Grandparents that were alive, every week with out fail for half an hour ('cause I couldn't stand her for any longer) a time. Then you become the better person If she and any other Great Grandparents live near bye, then thats what I would do.
As for your in laws, screw 'em, he is your baby, and you have to do what you think is right. And If they can walk to yours then thats what they should do, visit him.

slavetomykids · 27/12/2008 12:29

Gosh, my spelling is awful this morning.

Ashantai · 27/12/2008 12:31

What an awful Christmas for you!! How dare that awful woman give out to you because you work! Its none of her business how you provide for your son.

The smoking thing will always annoy me because like you say, it doesnt matter if she doesnt smoke round him, the house will always stink. My daughter stays over at her friends house and i know that her friends mum smokes in the garden when she is round my house, but i cant expect her to do the same at her own gaff. She doesnt smoke round them but when my daughter comes home, she always reeks of fags.

You are also getting him into a good sleep routine which is invaluable at this young age. I was also lucky that my kids werent very demanding when they were babies, but i think its cos we got them into a good routine from day 1.

Your son sounds like a real sweetie ,dont let the opinions of these people make you feel bad. You're doing a great job

Rindercella · 27/12/2008 12:33

They sound ghastly. Your DS is 7 months old. How on earth can a 7 month old baby be spoilt ffs?! You are definitely nbu. I would recommend that until your DP's family learn that your DS is YOUR child and therefore things are done yYOUR way, then you have as little to do with them as possible. I also understand exactly where you are coming from wrt smoking. My mother unfortunately still smokes & DD stinks of it when we get home. I hate it.

PavlovtheRedNosedReindeer · 27/12/2008 12:33

at baby being spoilt! How can you spoil a 7month old?!!

Poor you, I am sorry you have to get hassle from family members at christmas, or indeed at any time.

And do not feel bad about working to provide for your family.

MumofBaby · 27/12/2008 12:36

I'm so glad people on here understand where I'm coming from!

OP posts:
slavetomykids · 27/12/2008 12:41

But please Mumofbaby, be the bigger person and go visit the Great Nanna, your baby is lucky to have one, help give him memories and take him to see her.
But, I still wouldn't bother with your dp's mam.

Ronaldinhio · 27/12/2008 12:45

sorry to hear about your Christmas

This sounds very like another thread where someone had a problem with her smoking in-laws....she was fairly flamed (ha) on here. Was it you?

MumofBaby · 27/12/2008 13:04

No, not me . I do remember seeing that though, I think.

OP posts:
slavetomykids · 27/12/2008 13:13

MOB - will you be capitulating and taking ds to his Great Nanna's. I know that my dd thinks I am wonderful for having done it. [halo emoticon]

Ronaldinhio · 27/12/2008 13:19

this thread sounded v familiar

BouncingTinsel · 27/12/2008 13:21

Mumtobaby YA definintely NBU! Your dp's mum and nana were seriously out of order and spiteful

I think you should take ds to see his nana, at least if you go to her and she starts making nasty comments about you working you can make excuses and leave!

Saturn74 · 27/12/2008 13:30

Yes, this thread reminded me of that one too, Ronaldinhio.

MumofBaby, whatever you decide to do, leave it to your DP to discuss with his family, otherwise they will just blame you for it all.

He needs to show his mother that you and your child come first, and that she will need to be reasonable and fair in order for everyone to be happy with the arrangements for her to see her grandchild more often.

Ronaldinhio · 27/12/2008 13:35

this too bizarrely

AbricotsSecs · 27/12/2008 13:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

LucyEllensmummy · 27/12/2008 14:29

if i were you, i would make a big point of saying that you WERE considering letting him go for a sleepover. BUT after the performance on Xmas day you have realised it is not an environment you would be happy to leave your son in, let her chew on that!!

You are totally not being unreasonable about not leaving him, why the hell should you? My mum wouldnt be able to cope Overnnight, although she does see DD daily, but she would not even try. She baby sits once in a while. DD is 3. My Inlaws are lovely people but i wouldn't leave my DD overnight, because DD hardly sees them. They understand this.

Your little boy sounds delightful by the way.

WorzselMincepieYummage · 27/12/2008 15:03

Oh tell them all to bog off !

your doing a brilliant job as a monther and your the boss

You cannot spoil a 7 month old..

WorzselMincepieYummage · 27/12/2008 15:03

Oh tell them all to bog off !

your doing a brilliant job as a monther and your the boss

You cannot spoil a 7 month old..

bozza · 27/12/2008 15:20

I think slavetomykids makes a good point. I think elderly relations should be visited. although maybe your DP could do this sometimes when you are working, so as not to cut into your family time. But with the MIL I would go occasionally but also expect reciprocal visits. But no way would I be leaving a 7mo overnight with her.

Zebraa · 27/12/2008 15:50

He's your child and they're your rules. This family sound BONKERS!!

If I were you I'd ask DP to explain that as of now, under NO circumstances will your DS be visting - let alone staying over - their house and if they feel they are missing out, they know where you live.

NEVER doubt your parenting skills. There is only you and your DP/DH who truly knows what is best for your child so ignore her nonsense!!