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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to be annoyed with his family and not want them over again?

13 replies

mumandlovingit · 24/12/2009 14:37

hi

there have been issues with dps parents since ds1 was born 8 years ago.general pettiness and being nasty at times towards the kids in a way that the kids dont realise but we as parents do.they even expected us to use equipment that wasnt safe when ds was little, just because they'd bought it.loads of petty things they did.

everytime dp gets a new job or gains a qualification or does well in something there's no praise, just a sarcastic comment like "suppose you'll be on more money now then" it's like they want him to fail at everything and be miserable.

as far as they're concerned im a snob because i dont like their cats climbing all over their wiping up and then giving me food off the plates, i want to do well in my job, kids do well at school and generally live a normal life.nothing fancy, we live in a council house and wear asda clothes! hardly snobs.

all they do is bicker with each other everyday and moan about everything under the sun. we've fell out loads of times and they wouldn't ever apologise to us for nasty things said and done and everytime we've eventually backed down and sorted things out just to keep the peace.they even got in a strop because we found out a few years back that the children are allergic to cats and dogs and that's what sets ds's asthma off and makes him ill alot so we said they would have to visit us instead of us going over to theirs as they have 2 cats and a dog.their words were that we're just being awkward.they didnt come over for a few weeks.

im now pregnant again and it's obvious from when we told them that they didnt want us to have another child. since then there have been sly little comments here and there and lately its got worse.they dont like the name we've chosen for the baby so "best we change it" they've gone on and on about it even after dp has told them we will call it what we want to call it and that we like the name. they came over the other day and said that we'd better be having a girl as they feel sorry for it if its a boy with the name we've chosen and that they wont call it by its name when they come over, they will call it it and say "come here it" other nasty comments followed to the point of our 8 year old getting up and telling her we can call the baby what we like as its not her baby! she was upsetting him, me and making dp furious. i got up and left the room and took the kids to get ready for bed.

its a high risk pregnancy due to past problems and we will be lucky to have a healthy baby at the end of it and safe delivery let alone whether its a boy or girl and if they like the name or not. they never ask how i am or anything like that, i fell down the stairs and we told them and that week they didnt once ring to see how i am. they even told dp if its a high risk pregnancy then we shouldnt have got pregnant again.no support what so ever.

ds is upset that they said those things and was nasty and is worrying that they will keep being nasty when they come over. im fed up with the attitude and just want some thought and support from them and them to keep their opinions to themselves about names etc.if they havent got anything nice to say, keep their mouth shut basically.

dp told them that we are upset over what was said and the attitude towards me and the pregnancy and that when they come over we dont expect them upsetting us and being nasty, especially in front of the kids. if they are going to carry on being like that then they shouldnt come over. i dont need the stress and the kids dont need it either. it hurts dp that they're like this.it has gone on for years over different things behind the kids backs so its a shock to ds to see them like that as we've always sheltered them from it.they dont think they've done anything wrong apparently. we are in the wrong and being drama queens and out of order for saying she needs to change her attitude if she's going to continue coming over.she's away for xmas with relatives and has got them on side with her version of events and dp is getting it in the ear telling him im out of order and if she's not welcome none of them are as they all feel the same. if it was just the fact that they dont like the name there wouldnt be a problem, its the attituse, nasty comments and the way they've gone about it all that has upset us.

some of the things she said on the phone yesterday were really nasty and im even more determined now that i want nothing to do with her. im not interested in anything she's got to say as not one word of it will be an apology.she will never believe that they've done anything wrong. im just hoping dp sticks to his word that unless she changes, dps dad usually agrees with her, that she's not coming over.it's gone on for too long.we dont need it and we certainly dont need them upsetting the kids as well.

sorry its long, i needed to rant, AIBU? i just feel ive given in and given them so many chances and each time they throw it back in our faces.
thank you for any advice/thoughts

OP posts:
Mincepiedermama · 24/12/2009 14:43

YANBU. They sound really horrible. I wouldn't want them in my house with behaviour like that.

Difficult though because they are his parents. He really needs to deal with it.

Could you ban them from the house but get him to visit them with the kids now and again so that you get control of the situation. It sounds like you feel a loss of control with them in your house.

ChrisMissWooWoo · 24/12/2009 14:44

they sound very immature, poor you

Mincepiedermama · 24/12/2009 14:45

You shouldn't have to put up with this terrible stress at Christmas especially when you're pregnant.

singalongamumum · 24/12/2009 14:48

Hi lovingit, Well they sound like a right load of charmers! It really does read like they have massive issues and that is the last thing you need during any pregnancy, let alone a high risk one. I would say YANBU to feel the way you do, and some space is definitely order.

I would also say, though, be careful before you cut them off- if they are really not going to change, then there is no point waiting for them to IYSWIM. Are you SURE you want them out of your life forever? I had one set of very difficult grandparents growing up, and it was really hard for my parents to manage the (limited) contact with them, but I am glad they did because it's good to know your roots and it helps me understand my Dad a bit better.

Also, although your DS is upset it is more useful for him to see you model how to manage difficult people/ situations than it is to see you cutting people out of your life. that is not to say they don't deserve it and I am sure there will be lots of people coming along any minute to disagree with me. I just think that forever is a loooooooooooong time.

hohoholepew · 24/12/2009 14:49

Have nothing to do with them. I have problem ILs and I ignore them. They still see the DDs but they (DDs) are getting older and are starting to pick up on their (especially MIL's) erm, oddness. If it annoys or worries them we'll stop all contact. We've did it before and TBH she has acted better since being allowed to see them again.

Not seeing GPs is better than the childrn being upset or worried.

StayFrostyTheSnowMam · 24/12/2009 14:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

kinnies · 24/12/2009 14:49

Look I dont think you are going to get anywhere with Dps mum.

I know it winds you up but some people are just odd.

Your Dp sounds like he is on your side. So you have his support, you dont need them.
Its sad for Dp but youve tried talking to her... you cant make her be nice.
Sorry for your troubles.

DuelingFanjo · 24/12/2009 14:53

If you have your husband's support then I think you would be perfectly justified in not having them over again!

cornysxmasmuffmusic · 24/12/2009 14:56

agree with everyone else, they sound awful.

mumandlovingit · 24/12/2009 17:39

thank you for your responses. we've just been to the childrens nativity and had a bit of chill time.

im glad people dont think im being unreasonable.i didnt think i was but just needed outside views to confirm it.

we laid down rules last time there was a big argument and they stuck to them for a while but then gradually slipped again. even xmas has been a hassle. they wnt go buy the kids presents, we have to get them and wait for the money. they still havent paid us back and they only wanted to spend £25 on them each. they're not poor no matter what they think. they go out and get other peoples but wont for the kids even with a list of things they'd like. i just feel there's no effort.

she brought milkshake round a couple of weeks ago and asked ds if he wanted it then acted shocked when he said no he wasnt allowed it. he cant have dairy, he hasnt been able to since he was 2. how she can forget that ive no idea, its been 6 years!she just doesnt seem to take any intrest in anything.

see how it goes and if they bother to get in contact.im not having the kids upset and us upset over and over again.i just hope the rest of his family dont take sides, they're like that even when they dont know the full story.

dp has got me, the boys and a baby on the way. i hope he remembers that and doesnt given in to their crap.he deserves better and so do we.

happy xmas to you all, fingers crossed for a happy one xx

OP posts:
brandybutterfly · 24/12/2009 18:26

YANBU.

mumandlovingit · 26/12/2009 18:23

what a suprise, not even a phone call for the kids on xmas day from them. i think we ended up phoning just before the kids went to bed last year just so they'd spoken to them. dp moaned at them then about the fact that they hadn't bothered ringing.you would've thought with everything that's been said to them they would have thought to make the effort to ring the kids xmas day even if its just to break the ice a bit. luckily, the kids were so entertained by their new toys and my family who were round i dont think they noticed.

im still feeling hurt and annoyed about it all, even more so after dps conversation on the phone with them wednesday and the fact that they havent been in contact since or rung the kids to say happy xmas.

im just hoping its annoyed dp the same and he doesnt go running to them. i cant see their attitude will have changed so hopefully he will stick to his guns and stand up for us and tell them to p**s off. he's asked a couple of close friends who also know them about their opinion and they agree that its happened one time too many and that we should stick to our guns and tell them enough is enough. we dont need the crap that they give us or the constant bikering and moaning they do when we see them and neither do our kids.they dont think they will ever change either, not long term and its not fair on us or the kids.

fingers crossed for a non eventful new year and the rest of xmas. having a great time so far eating way too much chocolate an playing with too many toys! that's just me.

happy xmas to you all

OP posts:
Heated · 26/12/2009 18:32

have no expectations of them - that way they won't disappoint

limit contact, if you have any at all, to short visits or mutually agree with dp to leave with no fuss (don't give them the drama) at the first unpleasantness

focus on the friends and family you do enjoy spending time with to dilute the effect they have in your lives

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