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MIL calls at stroke of midnight on new years eve every year

139 replies

ventia · 12/12/2018 14:06

yes thats right! If we are at home the phone goes. No idea if she calls the years we are out.

so last year I unplugged phone and will replug 10 mins after midnight.
(she does not call mobiles for some reason)

DH seems oblivious and picks up phone to her.

I have not mentioned it to him, I am sure he would tell her to phone later, if I say something, he seems not to mind, but I do. I would rather unplug her, as it seems so bizarre that she expects to pick up just as most people are raising their glasses. I think she has always done it. She has other kids, but she calls DH at midnight, no idea if or when she calls the others. she is not controlling in other ways

last year when plugged back in, the call came through 10 mins after and she seemed very flustered that she did not come through. BTW she is with her own husband and sometimes other people/neighbours when she does the call, so she is disrupting x2 stroke of midnight glass clinks - bizarre

OP posts:
ventia · 12/12/2018 14:29

no, I wont do go-betweener, not over this
agree, DH is a bit passive, think she always did it from when he left home, so maybe he does not think it is strange

OP posts:
thepotato · 12/12/2018 14:31

'maybe he does not think it is strange'

That will be because it isn't.

starfishmummy · 12/12/2018 14:32

Never had anyone do this thank goodness. I'm usually asleep in bed as staying up to hear a clock chime is just daft imo. I can say happy New year the first time I see people on or after Jan 1

pfwow · 12/12/2018 14:32

I cannot believe that everybody doesn't get this. The MIL is in her house, with her husband, with other people and she is being odd and calling somebody else at midnight rather than wishing those in the room, who she is with, a happy new year? That's mad. It'd be totally different if she were on her own. Meanwhile, she's imposing odd calling times on everybody in the OP's house. You're right, unplug the phone.

AlexanderHamilton · 12/12/2018 14:32

I rarely make it to midnight these days and I certainly wouldn't want a landline going at that time becasue of the kids in bed.

ventia · 12/12/2018 14:32

no not fireworks on the telly. the people who are most important to me are in the room. the stroke of midnight is a one-off. just my point of view for my new years eve, Its not that important, just thought it was odd.

OP posts:
pfwow · 12/12/2018 14:33

It's hardly as if she is calling around midnight, she's waiting for the bongs? How does anybody think this is normal? It's so rude not to be with the people that you are with!!

doodleygirl · 12/12/2018 14:33

I would say you are the controlling one, unplugging the phone. If your DH doesnt have an issue with his mum phoning at midnight why one earth do you?

What exactly is the problem with this, you must have serious insecurity issues if this is something to give head space to.

Drink some more champagne and chill.

Notso · 12/12/2018 14:34

I don't see the problem with ringing at midnight you don't have to answer but then I don't see the big fuss about NYE either.

BertrandRussell · 12/12/2018 14:34

" the people who are most important to me are in the room."

Maybe your dp is one of the people most important to his mother? Just a thought......

pfwow · 12/12/2018 14:35

I think some people are being deliberately obtuse on this thread.

pfwow · 12/12/2018 14:36

If it were so important to her DH, then he would have noticed last year.

delboysskinandblister · 12/12/2018 14:36

phone off hook! Or stick on speaker and leave her to chat with the rest of the party Xmas Grin

Cherries101 · 12/12/2018 14:37

Your mil is family and yet she isn’t one of the people you care about ‘most in the room’? That poor woman never gets invited to your new years party, really?

I think you are a massive dick personally.

BertrandRussell · 12/12/2018 14:38

To be fair, my mil is not one of the most important people in my life either. But she is in DP's-and he is in hers.

Trinity66 · 12/12/2018 14:39

I don't see the problem

doodleygirl · 12/12/2018 14:39

pfwow why obtuse? Because, some of us dont agree that the OP makes the decision her MIL isnt allowed to speak to her DS at midnight on NYE. This isnt a decision made by the DH. If my DH did that without my knowledge I would be so angry.

As I said earlier, very controlling behaviour.

tabulahrasa · 12/12/2018 14:39

My mum does that too... it’s so you get to say happy new year at midnight.

I don’t think it’s odd...

MrsTerryPratcett · 12/12/2018 14:40

Have the phone in your hand, put her on speaker, enjoy the chimes together.

I think it could be lovely, or annoying, depending.

ventia · 12/12/2018 14:40

haha, yes I will chill.
DH doesnt mind, that I know of anyway.
I mind during chimes, maybe controlling, but I do what suits me.
same as when everyone sings happy birthday and candles blown out, its quick and its a one-off thing.

OP posts:
doodleygirl · 12/12/2018 14:41

Yep, and other controlling spouses do what suits them. If the cap fits ...

tattyheadsmum · 12/12/2018 14:42

Christ, as a mother of one boy (and it only ever will be one) MIL threads like this make me so depressed for the future.

I guess I'll just have to pray that my son doesn't marry an utterly self-absorbed "my little family" @rsehole.

I love my MIL, she's wonderful. If she wants to call my DH at midnight on NY, she'd be more than welcome (but she'd probably be invited to our party because she's ace).

Sarahjconnor · 12/12/2018 14:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Fairenuff · 12/12/2018 14:43

Just leave him to answer the phone and carry on with whatever it is that don't want to miss out on.

CaptainsYuleLog · 12/12/2018 14:43

I mind during chimes, maybe controlling, but I do what suits me.

But she doesn't phone to speak to you. She phones to speak to her son. and he's happy with that.

You sound deeply unpleasant. Poor bloke.