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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

who Is the selfish one here.. me or my mum

105 replies

PinkTeletubby101 · 27/12/2017 19:02

So me and my mum have fallen out and aren’t speaking because she always moans about watching my sons when I ask her too for a few hours so me and DH Can have some quality time together - you know go out for a meal, go to the pub without having the kids interrupt. My DC’s are aged 5 & 3. My mum is aged 53 and yes she works full time. She works 9-5 Monday - Friday (like me and everyone else on this planet) and has weekends off. Every time I ask if she will watch the kids for a few hours while me and DH do something together she moans - “well how long will you be”, “I don’t want to watch them for too long” , “I’ve already got plans”, “I already did my bit when you and your sister were young this is what happens when you have kids”, “I’ve been at work all week”, “why does everyone want my time”. We have an argument every time she comes out with this shit because she should want to see her grandchildren right ? I used to make the effort to go and see her until I realized if I never seen her she would never make the effort to see us. She has a partner (it you could call him that) who she has been with for 13 years. For some reason my 5 year old son will not be in the same room as him, my son will scream, cry or won’t even look at him if we see him. If my mums DP goes to my mums house and my son is there, my son will cry and scream, until her DP just goes “I don’t want To listen to this” and he goes home. May I add her DP doesn’t have any kids and has never lived with my mum, hE has his own place. Before anyone asks - have I asked my son why he doesn’t like my moms partner - he says “I don’t like his face” and has been like this since 2 years old. Now my anger stems from I feel like my mum will not help out with the kids because she is more bothered about trying to see him (even though he isn’t bothered about her really).

Example of her selfishness - this Christmas: me and my two sons arranged to go have dinner with my mum, my sister, my sisters partner and my Nan (my mums mum.). I felt I should have dinner with my Nan as this is was her first Christmas without my grandad (he died a few months ago), and my mum is an only child. So I thought having my sons there would cheer everyone up. My Nan has also broken her hip so is not mobile at all and her bed is downstairs. Anyway I got there at 1pm for lunch, we had all finished lunch by 1.30, my mum then goes “well now I’ve finished I’m going to meet XXX (her partner) at the pub”. I was just sitting there like oh okay you’ve not stopped long then. And she was like no because I’m going to the pub with XXX for the last hour as they close at 3. I just said ok. So she left to walk her dogs, then called me half hour later saying “how long are you staying at your nans for because I’m thinking of coming back over now if you’re stopping there long”, I replied “why, I thought you were going pub?” And she goes “Oh, XXX wanted to go for more than 1 hour so he said there was no point in going”. So basically because he blew her out as such she wanted to come back to her own mum and daughters As she had nothing better to do (the way I see it). Her DP probably sat at his home on his own as he doesn’t celebrate Christmas.

Am I being childish? Just feel like she has no time for me and I’m done with her. I’m 25 and my sister is 22. She got my sister a few presents and asked me a week before Christmas if we could leave presents this year as she hasn’t been in the mood/time with her mums broken hip. At this point I had already got her presents. Then my sister told me my mum had to quickly run out to get me something for Xmas.

Sorry for the rant I’m just fed up of her. Her and my dad have been split 13 years as he is an acloholic. It was what needed to be done at the time but Even when it was just her looking after me and my sister on her own she just used to go out Friday/Saturday nights to go get drunk and leave me and my sister at home on our own (I was 14, my sister was 11). She used to tell me I couldn’t stay out past 8-9 o’clock - probably because she wanted me back home to sit with my sister. I have questioned her about this before now I have kids of my own - I used to ask her about this when I was 13! Her reply was / is “what did you want me to do, sit in on my own while you and your sister sit on your laptops”.

Maybe I’m the selfish one? Oppinions ?

OP posts:
TrojansAreSmegheads · 27/12/2017 19:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MoseShrute · 27/12/2017 19:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PinkTeletubby101 · 27/12/2017 19:12

Just to clarify , her DP does not live with her and if she is looking after my sons her DP does not want to come over because he simply doesn’t like children. I am a bit selfish because I do expect her to help (just like both my grandparents did when I was younger, my dads mum and dad are taking my eldest son to a pantomime in Jan and they are in their 70’s and love to see both the boys), I just get annoyed she can’t make time for either of us. And I admit I am selfish for wanting a break with my DH for a few hours in the evening - it gets so hard some times would just like some time for ourselves

OP posts:
junebirthdaygirl · 27/12/2017 19:13

I am a gm and while l dearly love my gd l am too tired after work to mind her on any regular basis. Luckily her dps don't ask me and l would feel under pressure if they did. On top of that your dm has a mother to take care of. That is a hell of a lot. Guess what as we get older we run out of steam a bit . I get tired easier and l am just a bit older than your dm.
I was caring for my dm with my dsis and my head was wrecked. No way could l do babysitting as well. And she just lost her dad.
Also she is entitled to meet her dp . Maybe she was trying to escape looking
after your nan for a while. Have a life of her own.
As you can see not much sympathy here except for your childhood. ..sorry!!

nocutsnobuttsnococonuts · 27/12/2017 19:14

Tbh i wouldnt want to leave my children with someone who clearly had no interest in them or desire to spend time with them.

Maybe look for a babysitter and budget for it when going out. Or see if friends with children fancied a babysitting swap so you both get evening out and children are in good hands.

GertrudeBelle · 27/12/2017 19:15

You need to make alternative childcare arrangements. Pay a babysitter.

You are taking your mother for granted and then complaining about her. Nice.

Mumof56 · 27/12/2017 19:17

she always moans about watching my sons when I ask her too for a few hours so me and DH Can have some quality time together - you know go out for a meal, go to the pub

Unless you are going to the pub or out for dinner in the middle of the day, they would be in bed. So not exactly spending time with the children

We have an argument every time she comes out with this shit because she should want to see her grandchildren right?

Seeing the grandchildren should not equal minding them.

You mother is under no obligation to mind your children and should be able to do her own things without an argument.

You sound very put out that she has a partner

Merryoldgoat · 27/12/2017 19:18

You have no right to your mother's time. I agree it's nice if she wants to help but she clearly doesn't and that's entirely her prerogative.

I actually wouldn't want someone looking after my child if they weren't keen and if there was a person they clearly didn't like around frequency then I'd not be leaving them.

Children. Are hard work. That's just a fact. You need to find a way to enjoy time with your DP even if your children are home.

Greenshoots1 · 27/12/2017 19:19

you just want to leave your kids with her so you can go to the pub with your partner.

Why is this less selfish than any of the things you accuse her of?

It is unreasonable of you to expect her to babysit, and unfair on your children.

Gizlotsmum · 27/12/2017 19:20

How often are you asking her to have your children? It’s probably a bit of both. You are asking too much for childcare and she isn’t as involved as you want her to be.

debbs77 · 27/12/2017 19:20

Bloody hell, she is only 53!!!! She works 9 to 5 every day, and deserves some time to herself!

She is entitled to a life. She was only popping to the pub for a short while, and actually decided to come back after, regardless of her partner.

What is she meant to do? Be at your beck and call? Be a permanent babysitter? She has every right to a life of her own!

TrojansAreSmegheads · 27/12/2017 19:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheNaze73 · 27/12/2017 19:21

This has to be a joke post?

PinkTeletubby101 · 27/12/2017 19:23

I probably ask her once a month. Haven’t had an evening to myself for 2 months. I am selfish but I just wanted to see it from others point of view.

OP posts:
PaintingByNumbers · 27/12/2017 19:23

She was a crap mum. Now shes a crap nan. And not a great daughter either, it seems.
Is she alcoholic as well?

Just accept it, you will be happier. And find a babysitter.

fantasmasgoria1 · 27/12/2017 19:23

Just because she is their grandmother doesn’t mean she should automatically want to look after your children. She is only 53 and works so needs time for herself! Sounds horrible I know but if it were me I would feel in a similar way!

debbs77 · 27/12/2017 19:25

You chose to have children though OP. That doesn't automatically mean your mum becomes a babysitter.

I can't see how she is being a crap anything to be honest.

Try being a single parent with no childcare. I haven't had a night out in 6 years!

Cricrichan · 27/12/2017 19:27

So basically you're put out because you want a free babysitter. She works full time and wants to spend time with her boyfriend and not looking after two young kids. You and your sister are still young so not long since she's had to do parenting herself.

It does sound like she does babysit but because she can't babysit and spend time with her boyfriend (who doesn't sound too bothered about her either) then the times she can do it are limited.

I suggest you pay for a babysitter or arrange for date nights in with a takeaway or have a few friends round (like I and most people whose parents don't live near them do,) and then pop in to see your mum sometimes with the kids. With you there, it's not so hard having to look after kids.

becotide · 27/12/2017 19:28

She d0sn't want to look after them. It's tough shit.

And a 5 year old screaming at someone's face ain't normal love.

Wisterical · 27/12/2017 19:29

She's a grandmother not a childminder.

PinkTeletubby101 · 27/12/2017 19:29

No she isn’t an alcoholic. Just doesn’t seem that bothered about me, my sister or anyone tbh

OP posts:
Blackteadrinker77 · 27/12/2017 19:30

This has to be fake?

I can't believe anyone could be so selfish and I don't mean your Mum.

PinkTeletubby101 · 27/12/2017 19:32

I guess I’m just taking it out on her that I don’t get a break. Me and DH both work full time to pay mortgage bills childcare etc so I just get frustrated.

OP posts:
Situp · 27/12/2017 19:32

Seeing grandchildren does not equate to providing childcare. My DM adores her grandchildren but if I need a babysitter i get a babysitter. If i want kids to spend time with DM DH or i stay with them.

Young kids are exhausting and they are our responsibility, not a group project which our extended family has no choice but to participate in.

PinkTeletubby101 · 27/12/2017 19:33

Maybe I’m just the vile sibling 😂🙈

OP posts: