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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

Resent my parents

40 replies

LM101 · 02/12/2018 11:22

Not really sure what I’m after here but I am really starting to resent my parents since having kids.

They live just under an hour away and they only want to play the role of grandparent, they do love our children but don’t want to do babysitting or childcare. Which is fine apart from I can see myself getting jealous when I see other grandparents with their grandchildren. I feel like mine are missing out, not only would it be great for the kids but also help us out occasionally. All of my friends have been out for a meal since having kids and we haven’t, it would be nice to have even 30mins to ourselves. My parents have offered once but it’s on their terms I.e we had to visit them and stay over and it’s normally when brother and sisters have come to visit to see us so it all seems a bit rude to go off for dinner.
They are retired and don’t like to drive in the dark which seems like an excuse to me. They are still young and in their late 50s.
Having a second child I felt like we couldn’t rely on them so had to have friends on standby, which was lovely but none of my friend had to do that, they could all call their mums and dads when in labour.
My in laws want to be involved more than anything and would see the kids all the time if they weren’t still working and 3 hours away. I feel like moving closer to them.
I feel like I should just stop expecting and I then I won’t ever be disappointed? Any other tips on how I can get over myself?

OP posts:
Finfintytint · 02/12/2018 11:25

Find a regular babysitter if you want to go out.
Many people can't rely on grandparents for childcare for many reasons.

TidyDancer · 02/12/2018 11:27

I understand why this would be disappointing to you but they aren't obligated to do any childcare/babysitting and I would be unfair for you to outwardly resent them for it.

Can you use an agency babysitter perhaps if there isn't anyone else?

MMmomDD · 02/12/2018 11:28

OP - I am sorry, but in the way you say - ‘all of my friends .... while I ...’
You remind me of my kids when they complain they all their friends have this or that, while they don’t....

You are the adult now. You decided to have children. It’s on you to take care of them and - if you want a meal out - to organise babysitting....

Your parents don’t own you anything. They did their job by raising your and your siblings.
So - grow up.

And if they offer babysitting on their terms - be greatful. It’s NOT an entitlement.

MMmomDD · 02/12/2018 11:29

Parents down ‘owe’ you

DillyDilly · 02/12/2018 11:36

We’ve never had grandparents to help out. We paid babysitters anytime we went out or I needed to be child-free during the week.

HollowTalk · 02/12/2018 11:42

Oh come on, everyone! The OP's parents are young and say they love their GC. Why shouldn't they babysit the odd night or come and help once in a while?

I don't understand MN - it's as though once you're 18 you're flung out of the house and your parents don't have to have anything more to do with you.

When/If my children have children I will try to help where I can. Obviously if GPs are working full time it's different, but if the GP isn't working and is fit and able, then babysitting occasionally is hardly a sacrifice.

everydaymum · 02/12/2018 11:45

When you have kids you are responsible for them. Your parents don't owe you anything. They've raised their kids, now it's time for them to focus on themselves. Any help anyone gets from their parents is a bonus but should not be expected.

TatianaLarina · 02/12/2018 11:47

They live just under an hour away and they only want to play the role of grandparent, they do love our children but don’t want to do babysitting or childcare

I never really understand people who think their parents owe them childcare. They are there to be grandparent not babysitters. If they don’t want to do that, it’s fine.

tomhazard · 02/12/2018 11:48

Of course the ops parents don't owe her childcare. But in reality many many grandparents who live within quick reach of their grandchildren will do a little babysitting. I can see why the op feels a bit disappointed but the reality remains that no, they don't have to. If my mum didn't want to help and she lived close by I'd also be disappointed

juliej00ls · 02/12/2018 11:56

I’m sympathetic my retired mum has chosen another sibling to get the full benefit of GP perks. However with great perks come great expectations and interference 😉. MN is correct she doesn’t owe you but you don’t owe her and we can all be grown ups and sort ourselves out. I have a babysitter who I pay and in-laws who work about 3 hours away who would stay if we wanted a night away etc. On a serious note I’m not very petty and step up when help is needed..... but if I thought about it I could get cross as it is very one sided. Life’s too short

LM101 · 02/12/2018 12:11

It’s not about just having a bit of time to ourselves, it’s that I feel like my kids are missing out. They hardly see their grandparents and I want them to have a good relationship with them. I feel like there is so much they can gain from a good relationship with grandparents. My husband loves his grandma and is so close to her, I would love that for my kids.
Invited my parents for Christmas and they aren’t even coming sorry to everyone if that seems like I’m being a spoilt child who’s a disappointed her parents don’t want a bigger role in my children’s life’s.
Of course we can get a babysitter but it’s a bit akward at 2am in the morning when your in labour and cant even rely on your parents to help with the oldest child?

OP posts:
TatianaLarina · 02/12/2018 12:35

Some grandparents choose to be involved, some don’t. Just as some adults choose to be more or less involved with their own parents.

If it happens naturally that’s fine, but if it doesn’t it’s not the end of the world.

LM101 · 02/12/2018 12:36

Cheers for the tough love, I expect you are doing it all by yourself then with no help from family and friends? Already feeling pretty shit about myself and that my parent don’t really care about my child but thanks that made me feel great.
Really supportive help from this group

OP posts:
BigSandyBalls2015 · 02/12/2018 12:43

Well I find it odd when parents don't want to be more involved with their grown kids and grand kids.

My mum didn't even offer to change a nappy when I was run ragged with twin newborns, she would sit and watch and ask for a cup of tea Shock

My in laws were amazing. MIL would pop over and clean or cook. Now my kids are teens they have a much closer relationship with them than my mum.

I'm looking forward to retiring and having more time to travel etc but if I'm lucky enough to ever become a granny I would also like to spend time with them, and give my DDs a break from the relentlessness of little kids now and then.

MrsBobtonTrent · 02/12/2018 12:44

I sympathise OP. Had the same problem when I was pregnant with DC2. A hodgepodge of friends on standby for various shifts when labour started. In the end I went to hospital alone in an ambulance while DH tried to fob DC1 off on someone.

It does suck a bit when your own parents don’t want to lend a hand in need. Nothing you can do about it though. Just grumble, make good friends and/or pay for the support you need.

TheBigBangRocks · 02/12/2018 12:59

You resent your parents for not providing childcare, it's not job or responsibility. Book a sitter.

It's not about wanting them to have a closer relationship or you would be visiting more, including them in days out etc but all you mention is not getting what your friends get i.e. Babysitters on tap.

TatianaLarina · 02/12/2018 13:00

I’m not convinced this is tough love, it’s just that we’re not saying what you want to hear.

I didn’t really have help from family no, because I made it clear to my parents that they were not obliged to provide free childcare. Their later years are for them to enjoy rather than be tied down to ebullient children.

My parents live half the year abroad, DH’s father died some time ago and his mother lives abroad full time.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 02/12/2018 13:00

Forget the childcare/ babysitting issue( there will be lots of views on that and how you can’t expect. But when in labour not looking after your eldest, I think that’s pretty crap tbh and I would have gone off at them for that.

Prettyvase · 02/12/2018 13:02

My parents are exactly the same if not more extreme op!

They deliberately moved 300 miles away so as not to be available to babysit or do childcare, my dsis had dc before me and prewarned me not to expect any help from them whatsoever.

They prefer to go on cruise ships twice a year and have not been to a single sports' day, school event, have never taken them out for a single day trip and have never had them overnight.

I was in mourning for warm and loving gps for my dc so instead pretend I was "granny" and give them "granny days out'' myself when I would spoil them for the day!

My dps now are a bit upset that my dc don't have much to do with them now they are older, but they are happy to spend their considerable wealth on themselves and aren't planning on giving any of it away to us or their gcs (already made that clear).

Some people look at them and think how marvellous! Others think, wow they have missed out so much.

Neither opinion is wrong and they have their own reasons for being what others might consider selfish and self centred.

But my mother was a resentful 50s/60s housewife on valium who found she hated children once she had them as they had their own minds, wouldn't always listen, didn't care for her mental health struggles as a mother and a wife.

She absolutely loves the freedom from domestic drudgery now all her dc have left home.

Traditional and Asian families are more likely to live up to your dream extended family expectations op.

TatianaLarina · 02/12/2018 13:03

How likely do you think anyone is to help you out further if you ‘go off at them’?

This forum is full of women ‘going off on one’ and ‘losing their shit’ - it’s rarely productive.

blackcat86 · 02/12/2018 13:03

I understand OP and I think that you need to seriously consider moving closer to your in laws you feel that they will offer more support. It takes a village to raise a child. Before we had DD (15 weeks) We moved smack bang in the middle of both parents who are 45mins in each direction. We discussed our intention to try for a baby post wedding (as everyone was bloody asking anyway!) and MIL (retired and 70) immediately offered 2 days of child care a week for me to go back to work. This was voluntarily offered because she's always wanted to do it for DSS but never felt allowed. DD arrives and my DM falls in love, deciding to retire and offer childcare to. However this is on their terms (days, times, at their houses) and we've tried to make it at least cost free in that we've bought extra baby equipment for them, will do the transport etc. Ideally GPs are involved but it can't be forced so if your parents don't want to do this then that's their choice but they may need to accept you moving as a result.

TatianaLarina · 02/12/2018 13:03

That was response to OnlyFools

DerRosenkavelier · 02/12/2018 13:07

We have had very little babysitting or childcare from grandparents, but that is more to do with geography and poor health.

So we have just sucked it up and organised ourselves with Pre school and babysitters.

I remember thinking that I would love a lie in when visiting in laws. Just one morning when the GPS could keep an eye on the kids while we stayed in bed. It never happened. And it’s just one of those things

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 02/12/2018 17:11

TatianaLarina I didn’t say that was a productive response but how I would have felt and emotionally responded in the same scenario

HeebieJeebies456 · 02/12/2018 17:14

It takes a village to raise a child

Shame nobody gets permission from the village before popping out kids and then expecting the village to provide childcare Hmm