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What to ask my mum to help with second time around? First time she was rubbish...

4 replies

Kerala2712 · 21/12/2016 22:21

When my Dd1 was born my mum i think had a lot on, suffers with anxiety and in my fathers words 'got her priorities wrong'. My Dd was prem, poorly and we lived a long way away, but despite saying she'd visit my mum didn't for three months, even when I was phoning her begging her in tears to come. My husband and I were and felt completely isolated and alone. Some months later we visited them and we had an almighty row where I basically told her I thought she was selfish and had been pretty shit. (To be honest I still do a bit). Over time she did apologise, and said she was struggling herself at the time, and is now( DD 2.5) absolutely brilliant. I am expecting DD2, and she said the other day 'well, just let me know what you want me to do, since you got so cross with me last time'. I suspect she is just feeling awkward and worried about it, but i can't help but feel she's missed the point- she still seems to think I didnt want her interfering and visiting (she came for one day as a surprise after I'd asked her specifically not to that day, but then didnt come at all after that). Last time I asked her to come and stay for as long as she could but left it up to her. She is retired, and although busy has said she'd be willing to come up. After all the stuff thats gone before I'm not sure what to ask- I'd really like her to come and stay and help especially with the older one, or maybe visit to meet the baby and come back after DH goes back to work? I guess im still hurt from last time, although i try and let it go, and i don't want to ask only for her to disappoint again. What do you other grans out there think?

OP posts:
Kerala2712 · 21/12/2016 22:22

Oh, we live a couple of hours away by car rather than 12 now.

OP posts:
llangennith · 21/12/2016 22:46

Ask her. Say what you've said here, that you need her help and would like her to help with DD1 while you look after the new baby. If it doesn't work out at least you've tried.
Many years ago my DD1 then 12 yo was knocked down outside her school by a car that jumped the lights. I was divorced and living 2 hours away from DP. After two weeks of visiting morning noon and night and leaving DS aged 6 with friends and dragging DD aged 5 with me I phoned DM and for the first time in my life I asked for her help. Her reply was swift. "I can't. My nerves are bad". And that was that. I never forgot it.
So if your mum is offering to help then ask her. I'd love to have had help from my mother and a good relationship with her.

Kerala2712 · 21/12/2016 23:15

Yes, she is offering, but she offered last time, then didn't deliver. I got a similar answer to you 'no I can't i'm so stressed at the moment ans I have a hair appointment next tuesday' (when I had a prem, tubefed, unwell baby at home in the middle of no where and she had said she would come and stay for a month) You are right, I guess I'll just have to ask and hope she can do it this time. I hadnt realised how cross/upset i still am about it)

OP posts:
Allthebestnamesareused · 13/01/2017 18:34

I would write a list of tasks

Washing babies clothes
Washing your/DH clothes
Cooking dinner
Making lunch
Making cups of tea whilst breastfeeding

My mum visited for 3 weeks after DS born and did all of the above

As a newborn DS woukd have a feed about 11 and then take about 2 hours awake/to settle. My mum would send me to bed to sleep before next feed abot 3 or 4 but then she woukd sleep in the next day. It was a godsend.

Maybe list all the things you ideally need doing and have a chat about which she is comfortable to take on

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