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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

Cutting contact inc dangerous dog

15 replies

Thedreammuststayalive · 06/03/2023 05:30

Hi I’m looking for advice , I’m sorry it’s a long one.

Basically I have reduced contact with my parents for around 6 months now I think I want to cut it completely but how. ( I am not living local to them but they have a holiday home where I live so are in the area from end March- Oct on and off.
The major issue is they got a dog ( chihuahua) who is now 3 , in the first year of the dog he showed nastiness but they didn’t acknowledge they used lockdown as excuse not to get training etc , then over the last two years the dog is worse he goes for strangers and my daughter has walked past (when they used to visit dog on mums lap) so my daughter would get off the sofa for example to walk past and the dog would growl show teeth even try to snap , nothing was done. The dog then bit a stranger on the leg who walked past my mum in a shop they didn’t call police unfortunately and just ended up banning the dog from that shop.
So last year myself and my partner told my parents they no longer can visit with the dog , we offered alternative arrangement the dog can go in the garden or even crate in the kitchen. My mum went really funny saying no way etc she treats dog like a baby saying it’s stressed etc anyway one day they turned up unannounced expecting to come in I was firm saying no dog can go in garden she said forget it then and walked off( this was oct ) since then little contact however what annoys me is on Xmas or birthday she would ring up and pretend nothing has happened , at Xmas I spoke on phone but recently ignored her bday calls because I feel it’s out of order she’s pretending things are normal . They refuse to get training for the dog.
There’s other back story too which has led to me realising my parents are actually toxic , when my daughter was 2 she was bit on the cheek by there old dog ( we moved out not long after ) again my mum refused to get rid of the dog blaming old age saying he gone senial, when the dog died a couple of years later I was happy didn’t feel anything and they couldn’t understand how I could be so cold. There’s also other issues like not so great childhood & I’ve spoke on the phone she says things like if a kid mis behaves should give a whack , many things we disagree on , she also used to call me regularly to moan about how my sister in law is bringing up my nieces and nephews ( absolutely fine btw but if she’s visited and there not wearing clothes just nappy etc she moans at me about it) one day I told her if she has a problem to tell them not me because I’ve had enough , From then ( the dog bit my dd ) the relationship hasn’t been great but kept it going as I have children, but now I think we all be better if we didn’t have a relationship at all, one child is too young to understand but my daughter is old enough teen ) to understand there putting the dog above us all etc , and she’s not too fussed about cutting contact , any advice appreciated.

OP posts:
Beeeeeeeee · 06/03/2023 05:48

If the relationship was otherwise good, I’d just stick to Skype or phone calls and not see them in person if the dog is present

If the relationship is quite poor, speak less on the phone and don’t see them in person. Weigh up if you feel better when not speaking or speaking. Be led by this.

Vegrocks · 06/03/2023 05:49

How do you cut contact?

you think about what is best for your child

and essentially that means your child has nothing more to do with these people or that dog ever again

I have never met your parents but I wouldn’t want MY children within a 5 mile radius of them

Redebs · 06/03/2023 06:03

Sounds like she is getting a hint of perverse enjoyment from having dogs that bite and intimidate children.
Pretty twisted to insist on having dogs that bite children and getting nasty when you won't give them the opportunity to do it again. And wanting you to hit your child is just odd. Sounds like a streak of barely suppressed sadism.
I can't imagine your childhood was as loving and supportive as it could have been, either?
You don't need to see her. Let her have her unpleasant pet for company and you enjoy peace of mind with your lovely family.

carriedout · 06/03/2023 06:16

You are right to want to protect your DD from this. You're also right to want to protect yourself from it.

Seaoftroubles · 06/03/2023 08:52

I think keep things very low contact, with just the occasional text and call. If she complains just calmly repeat the reason why. You have tried to accomodate her but she wont compromise. She obviously prioritises her snappy little dog over your child's safety and you are right to protect your child.

Thedreammuststayalive · 06/03/2023 16:49

Yes I’m on minimal contact but what’s really annoying and strange is how she tries to ring on bdays etc like nothing has happened

OP posts:
Vegrocks · 06/03/2023 17:03

Thedreammuststayalive · 06/03/2023 16:49

Yes I’m on minimal contact but what’s really annoying and strange is how she tries to ring on bdays etc like nothing has happened

Because no one has presumably ever told her explicitly not to. Or ended the call by saying thanks and I’ll pass on. The end

ferneytorro · 06/03/2023 17:24

Nowhere near as serious but when I suggested it was annoying going to my mums and the dog constantly jumping up at me and that it drew blood, ripped my tights I was told it was only me it jumped up at and when I protested was told not to come round. That was October last year and I've kept to that suggestion........

Justmeandthedog1 · 06/03/2023 17:38

she treats dog like a baby

Well it’s not and if she treated it like a dog it’d be a lot happier.
But that’s not your problem ( just makes me angry people get dogs when they’ve not a clue about them)
Do not risk your child being bitten, cut contact if you think it’s necessary.

DismantledKing · 06/03/2023 17:41

Thedreammuststayalive · 06/03/2023 16:49

Yes I’m on minimal contact but what’s really annoying and strange is how she tries to ring on bdays etc like nothing has happened

That’s because she’s nuts.

Thedreammuststayalive · 07/03/2023 06:18

Thanks all, I’m going to stick to my guns I’ll know they’ll turn up later this month or April I won’t be lettting them in the dog will be with them as they come on holiday in the area , it is a shame that some put dogs above there own grandchildren , It is awful people decide not to get training for a dog who clearly needs it and my worry is next time it may bite a child ( the person in the shop was a adult It’s a shame she only reported to manager and not police) people laugh when I say the chihuahua is a dangerous dog but I’ll be keeping my children safe and away from it many thanks for your advice.

OP posts:
crew2022 · 07/03/2023 06:21

The dog can't bite on the phone. I'm not being flippant but can you not just accept the calls but say no face to face visits with the dog?

Ooompaloopa · 07/03/2023 06:40

She sounds awful and you are right to put in a boundary - dog not coming in your home.

However it appears that she has respected that boundary.

If you have another expectation - that she apologises or discusses the issue then you need to be overt about it. She’s not a mind reader. She did what you asked.

I am not criticising you for your feelings but think it’s important that you consider your own needs, wants and intentions and then decide how to meet them with your DM or if this is even possible for her going on her personality.

Wanting someone to be better than they are is OK - you can communicate that to them calmly and consistently - if they don’t change then you need to consider what level of interaction you then give them.

Don’t go NC to punish them hoping for big apology and transformation into Mum of the year - do it (but would say LC is better) in your own head (no need to announce) - emotionally disengage take a few steps back but to protect yourself so you are living a more calm and peaceful life.

It seems the dog issue is the tip of the iceberg and represents relationship communication issues that go back a lifetime.

Decide you are managing the relationship - keep her at arms length - try to keep the emotion out of your interactions.

Vegrocks · 07/03/2023 10:32

So you’re going to stand firm on the dog

but still have your parents in yours and your children lives?

I think I’d take the dog over your parents on what you say on here

Thedreammuststayalive · 07/03/2023 16:22

Vegrocks · 07/03/2023 10:32

So you’re going to stand firm on the dog

but still have your parents in yours and your children lives?

I think I’d take the dog over your parents on what you say on here

I’m not sure tbh, the dog definitely isn’t coming in so I guess they won’t either because they won’t compromise etc.

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