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Grandparents will not have grandchild - AIBU

162 replies

Autumnisbeautiful1 · 16/02/2023 19:40

Hi there, we are moving from UK to Australia in a few weeks, myself, husband and 2 Yr old son. I have a job with international travel meaning I am due in X European city in August (5 months after we depart). I suggested to my parents I come back with my son and we stay with them the week before I'm due in Europe, they have him for the 5 days I'll be working in Europe and then I come back for another week or whatever best suits their schedule. They are completely up a height at me asking and in fact really angry and say I'm being unreasonable asking them to have my son for the 5 days I'm away. I totally get it would be hardwork for them but considering they see us every week atm and won't see us for at least 8 months if I don't bring him back with me in August I thought this was a great opportunity to see each other and especially him spending time with grandparents. They have never had him overnight, we see them every week a few times for an hour or two each time. My mum is always stressed and must have undiagnosed anxiety despite having everything she could want for years. I feel like my dad would do it without hesitation if my mum said yes but agrees whatever she says, which I guess is good for their relationship. I completely understand I can't rely on my parents for childcare and never have but just thought this was too good an opportunity to turn down I.e. my flights are pretty much paid for etc.
Thanks for your thoughts.

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Jewelanemone · 16/02/2023 19:42

Good luck with this one 😆

Namethattune56 · 16/02/2023 19:43

Do they realise that if they don’t, it will be you coming alone and they won’t see their GC? If so and they still won’t have him then don’t bring him - it’s their choice. Very sad though that they would cut their nose off just to not look after him for the 5 days.

PinkDaffodil2 · 16/02/2023 19:44

They’ve never had him overnight, your Mum is always stressed / anxious, so you thought 5 nights on their own with him (when they’ve not seen him for 5 months?) was a reasonable suggestion?

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Namethattune56 · 16/02/2023 19:44

In a few years when they’ve barely had anything but zoom calls they’ll probably regret it

Namethattune56 · 16/02/2023 19:46

Although that said, 2 is a difficult age

Namethattune56 · 16/02/2023 19:47

out of interest have you ever done that flight to Australia with the 2 year old? I’ve done it on my own and it’s not fun

hiredandsqueak · 16/02/2023 19:47

Your son will have forgotten your parents and their home come August so you are considering dropping him off alone with people he won't remember. No wonder your dm is saying no to having a toddler that will likely be incredibly upset.

LizzieSiddal · 16/02/2023 19:48

I’m a grandmother with a 2 yo grand daughter. My answer would be a big fat no to your suggestion.

Clymene · 16/02/2023 19:49

You want to drag a 2 year old from Australia to the U.K. for childcare for 5 days? Seems a tad extreme

RiktheButler · 16/02/2023 19:49

They've never had him overnight.....and you expect them to take him for 5 days...

Pinkflipflop85 · 16/02/2023 19:49

Yabvu.

You're also being a twat about your mum's anxiety. It doesn't matter what you have in life - mental illness isn't selective.

Autumnisbeautiful1 · 16/02/2023 19:50

Absolutely open to me not being reasonable with the suggestion, hence my question to you all so thanks for your honesty. It was a suggestion to them not a request or pushed but my mums gone off it. I really believe my dad would love to do so I always ask them when things like this come up just to give them the opportunity before I ask someone else or do not go ahead with the plans.

If they agreed I'd stay over a few times before we go and we would be there a week to get everyone used to a routine before I go off for my work. I'm very much a can do person, much like my dad, and feel with a plan it could be a lovely week for them all but maybe I am wrong.

OP posts:
Autumnisbeautiful1 · 16/02/2023 19:50

We would be over for 3 weeks or so, I'd be working for 5 day out of these 3 weeks.

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Pssspsss · 16/02/2023 19:51

Aww I get why you asked and I think it’s a lovely gesture of you to offer to bring your young child on such a journey so that they get to spend time with him. It’s a shame it’s not landed well due to your mums personal circumstances. Is there any one else he could stay with? An Aunty or another set of grandparents so your parents could see him still ? And then you all spend second week with your parents as planned?

Failing that is the European destination an option for them? For you all to go (maybe work could get an apartment rather than hotel) and for them To help out with daytime childcare whilst abroad? I am projecting a lot their because I’m not sure exactly how much you’ll be working (8am-8pm for example with back to back meetings wouldn’t work at all but if the schedule was lighter?) and then back to the uk for a week?

EmmaGrundyForPM · 16/02/2023 19:51

My MIL has never had my dc for 5 minutes, let alone 5 days. Some people are like that.

bunnypenny · 16/02/2023 19:52

How old are your parents?

LaurieFairyCake · 16/02/2023 19:52

Is your partner not coming with you to help out? Or not seeing his son for 3 weeks?

BevMarsh · 16/02/2023 19:52

Your comment about your mother having undiagnosed anxiety despite having everything she could want is very naive.

That's not how it works

gemloving · 16/02/2023 19:53

I'd only be worried about the fact that the time zones change is mad and he could be up all night and sleep all day.

Zippidydoda · 16/02/2023 19:53

I totally get why you’re annoyed because ideally we’d all like parent who offer, and are able to manage, providing childcare for us.

HOWEVER- Having your DS for 5 nights, when they’ve never had him sleep over even once, is a bit of a big jump. Would your son be happy staying with them for that long if he hasn’t before.

Clymene · 16/02/2023 19:53

What's wrong with your husband?

Autumnisbeautiful1 · 16/02/2023 19:53

Gosh guess I'm wrong, thanks everyone I will call them and apologise.

He is exceptionally close with them so I really don't think he will have forgotten them, I hope that is not the case would be really sad to think. Lots of emotions all round with the move, 100%.

OP posts:
Autumnisbeautiful1 · 16/02/2023 19:54

He will stay with my husband I will come over on my own. I'll fly over after work to see my parents for a few days in this case.

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RaininSummer · 16/02/2023 19:56

A 2 year old for 5 days in a home which probably isn't very childproof and away from his parents and familiar toys etc sound like a total nightmare. I wouldn't want to do it.

Clymene · 16/02/2023 19:59

I do find it astounding that you'd want to take a 2 year old on 40 hours of flights to spend time with your parents for 5 days. It's just a bizarre idea. It sounds horrible for him.