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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to be slightly annoyed/upset with step-nan?

10 replies

DetectivePotato · 05/07/2010 19:29

I never knew my nan (on my mothers side) she died before I was born. I didn't meet my grandad until I was about 10 as my mother left me when I was 4 and he wasn't sure if he was welcome in the family. I am the only DGC on that side of the family, only great niece, and niece. Not many of that family had children and I wasn't exactly planned.

Anyway, he was with his partner pretty much all the time I knew him. When he died 3 years ago, I was very upset about the fact that I wasn't told until 4 days after it happened. They lived abroad so its not like I could be there quickly. The funeral was arranged for 2 days after I was told and I couldn't be there in time. I was very sad and disappointed that I wasn't told and didn't get to say goodbye to him. His partner then told me that had got married the previous year with a "I thought you knew" comment. I had no idea. I would have at least sent a card or again, would love to have been there. My grandad was ill and I wasn't told the extent of his illness. I was planning to go over and see him again in the summer the year he died as I knew he had been a bit unwell but it wasn't made clear that it was serious. I still don't really know what happened. Anyway my step nan said she was going to come over and scatter his ashes and I said I wanted to be there. It never happened and she said she still has them at home. Fair enough. I also said I would like to have something of his to keep, nothing for value but a keepsake of some sort. She said she had sorted out a couple of things for me but I've never heard anything more.

Last year she was making arrangements to come over but they had to keep changing as she wasn't very well. However I got an e mail a few months ago to say that she was over for a month but she was only in my city for that weekend and could we meet up the next day. As it happened it really wasn't convenient and I couldn't make it with that short notice (she would have known when she was coming as she had to book her ticket). Then she said maybe I could go and see her at her daughters which was a short drive away. I agree and said that would be great, I didn't mind driving. She said she would be in touch then never did.

Now I have heard nothing for months. Obviously she went home and never bothered to get in touch about me going to see her. I am slightly miffed and upset that I haven't been told things and been let down quite a bit. We were also making arrangements to meet with my aunt who I haven't seen in years as she wasn't sure if I wanted to see her (she is my 'mothers' sister) and my great aunt who I don't see very much. Again, step nan was arranging all this but it has all come to nothing.

I'm getting a bit fed up of it really. AIBU?

OP posts:
nagoo · 05/07/2010 19:36

It's obviously more important to you to get a relationship than it is to her. Did you see a lot of her and your Grandad after you did make contact?

maybe YABbitU?

How old is this woman?

Could you contact the other family members by yourself?

DetectivePotato · 06/07/2010 09:15

I saw as much of them as I could, seeing as they lived abroad. When they lived here I used to go and see them now and again, they didn't live in the same city as me. They used to come and see me on Christmas Eve as they would be going to midnight mass where I lived. I know my grandad was keen on contact.

She is in her 60's. I have my great aunts phone number and address so I do contact her. I feel awkward contacting my aunt as I haven't seen her for so long and I would prefer someone else there too.

Any particular reason why IABU?

OP posts:
HecateQueenOfWitches · 06/07/2010 10:04

It doesn't sound like she's that bothered about you or that you matter to her.

Sorry. It's really unfortunate, especially because you want a relationship with her. But nothing that you have typed indicates that she cares for you in any way.

Some people hate the fact that the person they are in a relationship with had a life before them, iyswim. Maybe she's like that?

Ask her if she wants contact? Be straight with her about your feelings? As least then you'll know.

DetectivePotato · 06/07/2010 16:01

Thanks for your reply. It does seem to me that she isn't that bothered but then she gave me £50 when DS was born to get something and when I said she was basically his great nan, she said she was really touched that I thought of her like that. It doesn't make sense to me really.

OP posts:
Squitten · 06/07/2010 16:35

Perhaps from her point of view, you were "Grandad's family" rather than hers and so now that he is gone, she doesn't want to continue the relationship.

It's a sad situation but there's not a lot you can do. I would step back and let her get in touch with you if she wants to.

DetectivePotato · 06/07/2010 16:41

Thanks. I was wondering whether I should e mail her. Thats how we keep in touch, but since the visit that never happened I'm not sure.

OP posts:
DetectivePotato · 07/07/2010 09:25

Does anyone else have an opinion?

OP posts:
DetectivePotato · 08/07/2010 19:44

No one? On AIBU.

OP posts:
scurryfunge · 08/07/2010 19:54

I think you should still keep in contact and the rest is really up to her. If you are keen to meet up with the rest of the family then that is something you could organise yourself.

My mother kept me away from grandparents in their old age...I wasn't told of illnesses until they had died and was told not to go to my nan's funeral. Although they were distant I still phoned and wrote letters so was very upset by this. I just didn't get the deliberate distancing by the rest of the family.

DetectivePotato · 09/07/2010 09:29

Thats really sad.

I would want to know when they are ill so I could spend as much time as possible with them.

OP posts:
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