Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Flip

Original poster

Where to put my MIL??

9 replies

mumclaire · 06/01/2008 21:53

I'm expecting no. 2 in 7 weeks. We have a 3 bedroom house so dd (who will be 2) will move into a new room to make room for baby. Even though new one will be in our room with us for the first few months we want to move dd before baby is born so she won't feel 'kicked' out of 'her' room. Problem is MIL wants to come and visit for two weeks when baby is born to 'help' (don't get me started on this!). Previously she has stayed in our spare room which will now be dds room and I want to minimise disruption for dd so sharing not ideal. Nursery is a small box room filled with cot so thats out as well and DH has said no to an airbed in the lounge (not fair for 2 weeks). She can't afford a B&B either. She lives 5 hours away so needs to stay overnight. So where do we put her?? What do you do? My pg brain is not up to this logistical thinking. Any suggestions??

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

ComeOVeneer · 06/01/2008 21:56

Can MIL stay in guest room and be part of the fun of redecorating said room for dd?

ComeOVeneer · 06/01/2008 21:57

We had a 3 bedroom house (2 big rooms and a box room) when ds (number 2) was born and did exactly the same to make dd comfortable before ds arrived even though he spent 5 months in our room. But MIl (unfortunately) was only 5 mins down the road so not an issue

PussinWellies · 06/01/2008 21:58

Could you delay the move for your older child till after granny has left? Then still move her well before you need to move your new baby into the box room, and make a big thing about her being a big girl, going into a special room that only granny was allowed to sleep in before, etc, etc?

Just a thought!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Families General parenting

ComeOVeneer · 06/01/2008 22:01

Also as a thought, we found that once ds arrived, dd was very keen to pass on things to her "baby brother" and loved the role of big sister so perhaps the feeling of being ousted won't an issue.

ChasingSquirrels · 06/01/2008 22:01

presumably you have got/are getting a bed for dd?
for the 2 weeks dd sleeps on the cot mattress on the floor in her new room and MIL sleeps on dd's bed in the new baby's room. Cot is dismantled and stored against the wall.
dd is told that when people come to stay (not when the baby is born) we have to make sure they are comfortable.

Jackstini · 06/01/2008 22:01

Cheap chair/sofa bed in the lounge?
Honestly though moc - do you really want her there in the first 2 weeks when this is going on too? Think I would have to put my foot down. Maybe tell her she can come a bit later for 1 week 'when you feel you will more need the help'
This is your baby - not hers
Especially if you feel she will fuss a lot over new baby and not dd? If however, she will fuss over dd a lot, then make it an adventure for her to have Gran staying as a 'guest' in her new room

BroccoliSpears · 06/01/2008 22:03

If I have understood correctly, I would put MIL in the spare room, leave dd where she is and then move dd into the spare room in a month or two - if MIL is only staying for a fortnight then you'll have plenty of time to move DD before you want to put the baby in the nursery.

She needn't feel kicked out of her room if you make it that she is moving into the BEST, BIGGER room so she has more space to play etc.

I understand you wanting to put her in the new room before LO arrives, but it doesn't seem possible.

Or, keep the baby in your room for much longer. DD was in with us for 9 months, and DC2 will be in with us untill we guage that DD is comfortable about moving into a big bed - in her own time, no pressure.

Original poster

mumclaire · 06/01/2008 22:32

Hmm - yes - I think we'll probably have to compromise on the timing of dd's move... Just worried about how dd is going to take the whole new baby thing - still gives me v. suspicious looks when I say I have a baby in my tummy despite reading countless books about it all.. Bubs is due end of feb and dds b'day is beginning of March - it all overlaps so its going to be mad around here for the first few weeks no matter what! Can't compromise on the visit though (more my issue than MIL - I like my space and always feel I have to play hostess although its not expected!) Shes full time carer for her MIL so has to arrange respite in advance and can't just pop up for weekends

OP posts:

miobombino · 07/01/2008 09:53

mil and dd in dd's new room together ? might be a good transition for dd to have granny with her, plus if it underlines that mil is there to help rather than coo over baby and invading your space - and she sounds basically a good un if ft carer for her mil - then all to the good ?

Flip