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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be irritated by my parents always expecting dinner?

403 replies

Chanelsunnies · 07/05/2023 10:20

Quite often, especially of a weekend, my parents will come over about 3/4pm (at their suggestion and we are often out before that with the kids anyway and don’t often get in til about 4 on a weekend) It gets to 5/6pm and I start dinner, I obviously always feel like I have to feed them and if I have enough then I don’t mind and do so.

They came over at 5pm yesterday as there was evening entertainment that started at 7 in our village for the coronation that they said they’d like to join us at, fine.

Yesterday, though we were having leftovers (lasagne) from Friday night and I didn’t have enough to feed them. It got to 6pm and I said ‘I assume you guys have eaten already? Otherwise, I think there’s going to be food available at this event’ they replied with ‘ohhh yes we had something before we came out’ whilst I’m reheating the leftovers my mum then comes over and is all ‘ohhh, what is that, smells lovely, I’m starving’ I was like, I thought you’d eaten?!’ And she said ‘oh yes we had an avacado with prawns’ wtf?! I said, well that’s hardly a dinner is it? I had a quiche in the fridge so I said ‘well, there’s a quiche in the fridge that I can bung in the oven for you?’ She instantly jumped on it ‘ohhh yes that’d be great.’

AIBU to be getting a bit fucked off with what seems like constantly having to feed them? (this happens pretty much every week) They always suggest coming over so late, knowing it runs into dinner time and just always seem to expect that I’ll feed them. I’ve got a busy job and two children, they don’t do anything to help in terms of food when they’re here, just sit and wait for it.

If I was going over to someone’s house late afternoon, unless it was specifically stated that they would be feeding me, I would say, don’t worry about dinner for us, we’ll eat before we come/ when we get home etc.

It’s the bloody hinting all the time after first insisting that they’ve already eaten. Does my head in. Don’t say you’ve eaten if you haven’t to try and ‘be polite‘ but then actually be rude by constantly asking what you’re having for dinner because they’re ‘starving’ it’s happening more and more.

It’s my mum more than my dad. It was my birthday a few weeks ago and DH had bought me some of my favourite chocolates. They came over, I made them tea and laid out some biscuits (their favourite biscuits!) I had a few chocolates left so I went and grabbed one and ate it with my tea. My mum instantly clocked it and siad ‘whats that?’ I said oh DH bought me my fave chocolates the other week, I’m on my last few’ ‘oh, I’ll have one of those rather than a biscuit please, they look much nicer.’ I was like wtf?! Yes I was a bit rude to not offer them one but I only had 3 left and I’d already offered them an assortment of bloody biscuits for gods sake. You just don’t say that sort of thing? She has zero manners and it’s actually starting to grate on me.

AIBU?

OP posts:
Crikeyalmighty · 07/05/2023 19:49

I get the feeling OP this isn't just about the feeding of them but the fact they are always around. Now I know some families are like this and some people like it that way- but if you find it a bit much then I for one would totally understand. If this is the case I think you may have to think of a way of saying nicely that it's easier to make plans if you pop them in the diary so you have enough food in-they might get the hint that way-although they do sound a bit thick skinned!! And yes it is the case that in some families you just can't say - ' it's blowing the budget' or as you say- your business then gets gossiped about with other relatives- that's just how some people are. Not all siblings are peace, love and joy etc

Lennybenny · 07/05/2023 19:53

@Chanelsunnies You need to start planning when you're going to have dinner differently.

Seriously, you know you can't afford to do it now. The last post about them expecting dinner after the bbq and then waiting till you fed them should happen more often.

Can you feed the children earlier or give them something else that you know parents won't eat and then you and dh have something after you've kicked them out?

You can't be expected to feed them all the time. Ignore posts telling you you owe them...you don't.

WorldOutThere · 07/05/2023 19:54

GnomeDePlume · 07/05/2023 19:23

I got what you meant. In fact when I read the first 'I wish my parents were.......' I said 'BINGO'

Phew!

DorisParchment · 07/05/2023 19:55

Your mother sounds a lot like mine. When I visited her I was always expected to cook or take her out for dinner or buy a takeaway. I genuinely believed she didn’t have much money, and would pay for a food delivery for her, buy her clothes from M & S, or fill her freezer with home cooked food. She died suddenly and left me over £1 million. I still don’t understand where this money came from and why she didn’t spend it on herself. She was notoriously tight with gifts and would give the DC a £5 Smiths voucher, DH got socks from Primark and I got a tee shirt. I really don’t understand the way her mind worked.

Until just before she died she really wasn’t very nice to me or her DGC. She was very selfish and self absorbed. My Dad did everything for her and when he died she expected me to fill the space.

You enjoy your chocolates, OP!

WorldOutThere · 07/05/2023 19:57

GoldenFarfalle · 07/05/2023 18:35

oh my good, they are your parents. They fed you every single day. How can you be so cheap?

Who knew people tally up the meals they feed their kids, expecting them to be paid back one day?

Damn, I didn’t keep a score. Hmm, the number is quite high but they did have playdates elsewhere so it wasn’t every day of their 18 years. Must go back and check.

Cherrysoup · 07/05/2023 20:47

No way would I split my portion. Just don't offer. She can sit and watch you eat, she told you she already ate 🤷 As it's your mum, can you not just tell her you can't afford to feed her multiple times a week?

Re the chocolates, no way would she get any if they were a present from my DH!

HerMammy · 07/05/2023 20:49

@DorisParchment
Enjoy your well deserved inheritance!

Crikeyalmighty · 07/05/2023 20:50

@DorisParchment - I've heard this before- it beggars belief doesn't it that she let you do these things- but hey, im pleased for you- you were clearly a nice person and deserve it- maybe it was some bizzare test!!

MrsPetty · 08/05/2023 18:12

I didn’t live in the same country as my parents as they got older. After my DD passed away I was living with my DM for a while. One day we were food shopping and she pointed out a ready cooked roast dinner and said she used to buy those for her and my DD. It made me so sad. It had become apparent very soon after he passed away that she had the beginnings of dementia and obviously couldn’t cope with cooking meals. Is your DM definitely capable OP?

Holliegee · 08/05/2023 18:16

I don’t actually have any parents and haven’t since I was 11, but who begrudges feeding their parents? They fed and looked after you - if you know they are likely to be coming - cater for more or have back up reserves.

Mummywarrior · 08/05/2023 18:18

My mum and do this at least once a week but at lunch time which is easier to entertain. I do sometimes think it’s a little bit cheeky but they are my parents, they love spending time at my house with us and they won’t be around forever. Try to look past the cheekiness and be grateful you have parents who really cherish spending time with you.

CompletelyConfusedMummy · 08/05/2023 18:21

YABU…especially about the chocolates. Selfish to eat it in front of someone if you’re not willing to share.

cakewench · 08/05/2023 18:23

The more you facilitate them staying over for dinner, the more they will do it because they're under the belief that it isn't massively putting you out.

You need to be direct. You can either be nice or be abrupt, whichever you think is going to work best. If you do want them over for dinner once a week, say "we do enjoy having you over but we need to plan in advance, how about Mondays (or whatever)? I need to be able to meal plan though and two extra adults for random drop in dinners isn't working for us."

The opposite is, avoid talking to them but then the next time they say they are coming over at 4pm you need to say "Ok but we'll be sending you home by 6, we've got a lot on (or whatever)" and actually stick to that. Every time.

Also literally never eat a nice thing in front of other people that you don't intend to share. That's basic manners, sorry. Yes she should have taken the hint but you set yourself up for that.

cakewench · 08/05/2023 18:27

The thing is, it's easy for people to say to just be nice, they're your parents, THEY'LL BE DEAD SOON (always a favourite MN observation!!), but surely the fact that they are grown adults means they should remember how hard it is to have small children and a job that keeps you out of the house most of the day (which is what OP sounds like is the case). Time for meal prep is minimal, evenings are hectic if there is any kind of club as well. OP does sound as if she sees her parents quite regularly, which is lovely, so I'm not sure it's fair to guilt her into feeding them 3-4 times a week as well.

My own mother would feed us until we were all fat as ticks if we lived anywhere near her! ❤

Redridinghood945 · 08/05/2023 18:28

They fed and clothed you for 18 years and you cant include them in your dinner plans?! Jeez, entitled and selfish is an understatement

Sallyblackcat · 08/05/2023 18:31

I would give your mum a ring next week and say that you've got a lot on at the weekend and ask her to prepare a tea she can bring to your house to share if she's coming. If she's after free food prepared for her, I think you'll find she won't come or will come later on. You could also plan to eat earlier than they usually come and then the subject won't come up.

EstherGreenwood19 · 08/05/2023 18:36

You sound kind of furious and say they make you feel guilty. I understand that but you’re allowing it by not having a conversation with them. You do need to speak up. And one day they won’t be there and you will long for their irritations and bad behaviour as I do my (dead) parents.

Kaiserchief · 08/05/2023 18:47

My main thought is why are you seeing your parents so much 😂

I’d stop having them round at mealtimes if you don’t want to feed them. Or get extra in and arrange beforehand if you don’t mind.

S72 · 08/05/2023 18:58

Just communicate beforehand. It shouldn't be that hard.

"I'd like to come over at 5pm so we can go to the village event together".

"No problem. Would you like to join us for dinner or are you eating at the event"

or

"5pm doesn't work for us. How about 6.30pm as I need a bit of time to clear away the dinner bits and get the family ready".

Missingpop · 08/05/2023 19:00

What would she have done if you behaved like this as a kid?
Most likely tell you off?
tell you it was bad manners?
Do you think her mental health is declining?
Is she struggling to cope with meal prep & so sees coming to you as a answer?
If none of these you’ve got to tell her your pissed off with it!

readyornot22 · 08/05/2023 19:00

I think a bit of straight talking is needed!! I have the opposite - when my parents visit for the day they bring a packed lunch with them! They sit there eating ham sandwiches out of foil on the sofa while I make food for myself and the children. I’ve told them it’s offending me but they still do it!

Janus · 08/05/2023 19:01

Imagine the many thousands of meals she must of cooked for you over the years! I would like some notice but if you had food anyway I wouldn’t have minded.

Ilovetravelling · 08/05/2023 19:14

I had this type of thing many years ago with my inlaws. They would come over at tea time and he would blatantly ask 'what's for tea'? Even if i had just washed up I would start cooking for them. This really annoyed me as we had been out at work all day & they were both retired. I am determined not to be like that when I'm older as I think it's a very selfish attitude when they turn up and expect food unannounced,& uninvited. You need to have words with them ,& tell them you will invited them for tea when you are ready. Good luck.

Fruitygal · 08/05/2023 19:24

Easy solution - Order a takeaway within ten mins after 30mins of them getting there. Opt for pay on delivery from a local one - be busy with the kids when the doorbell rings - they get to pay and you get a night off?! I think if you do that twice in fortnight they will change the time they come.

Whatafliberty · 08/05/2023 19:30

I guess they made enough meals for you in their time.

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