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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

Getting really irritated with my partners parents comments towards me.

127 replies

Differentneeds · 22/04/2023 17:20

We are at their house now and I’ve removed myself from the room as the baby is sleeping. To be honest they piss me off with their constant comments towards me.

The one they keep repeating is that I trapped their boy and got pregnant. They laugh after but I just don’t find this funny. Yes I’m 7 years older but he’s 33 for gods sake and not a baby. He knows just as much about the birds and the bees as I do.

I don’t think that they are saying this as a joke even through they laugh after it. I just have heard it 20 times this year so far. He chooses to be with me and I don’t think they approve and it’s getting on my nerves.

OP posts:
Differentneeds · 22/04/2023 20:24

I think I’m going to stop going and making the effort. It gets to me. My self esteem is not exactly strong as I’m still recovering really. I didn’t trap him, in fact when I met him a few years back my self esteem was so awful I told him numerous times to leave me. I explained that Im recovering from abuse and that I’ve a different relationship with my daughters dad. He didn’t want to leave me so I’ve parked that now. I may not be what they were hoping for. I’m older and with a shitty past but those things don’t define me. If they really got to know me they’d see what I’ve overcome but they just judge me I think. I was upset initially but now Im just getting pissed off with the comments.

They also make comments about changing baby being a pink job and not a blue job. It’s irritating. I’m an equal in the relationship I’m no longer submissive like I was before.

OP posts:
VivX · 22/04/2023 20:30

You In-laws sound like they're stuck in a particularly nasty version of the 1950s... who refers to "pink jobs" these days.

Stop making the effort and also tell your DP he needs to call them out on their comments, too.

tribpot · 22/04/2023 20:34

I think I’m going to stop going and making the effort
Yep, I would. And tell your DP under no circumstances is he to delegate baby changing to his mum on the basis of it being a 'pink job'. He needs to grow a pair and have a proper word with them, but that's his problem to sort out.

justanotherdrama · 22/04/2023 20:35

You say "partner"

Do not marry this man

And while your up there pack yours and baby's stuff and then get in the car and go home and say you've had
Enough

AprilSmiles · 22/04/2023 20:36

"Sorry, I don't understand the joke." (head tilt) "Could you explain to me why it's funny? Thanks ever so!"

Differentneeds · 22/04/2023 20:37

They are quite young, mid 50’s and appear quite modern but they come out with some really ridiculous stuff. They definitely see relationships as unequal whereas I don’t. I’ve been through too much to sit and worship a man again. They refer to the baby making as me seducing their boy. Utter bollocks I’ve never seduced anyone. He had as much power to use protection as I did but we decided not to and if something happened it would. We have a lovely bundle of joy now. I think they think I should have made sure I was on the pill. I was for a while but I couldn’t tolerate it and I told him I wasn’t and that was that. No deceit at all.

OP posts:
icerosenovember · 22/04/2023 20:38

Just tell them that he could have always put something on the end of it but he chose not to ☺️

Differentneeds · 22/04/2023 20:43

I know that is what they really think wrapped up in a joke to get away with it. I’m not stupid. I miscarried a few months before the baby and the mum said it was for the best. It was a really shit thing to say to me, completely heartless. I’d never say that to anyone. I feel such a fraud when I go over and try and do small talk when I know they don’t like me. Im letting myself down.

OP posts:
Namechange224422 · 22/04/2023 20:43

you could try in response to the next trapped comment “it’s really interesting how different family dynamics are. My parents don’t talk about me and dp having sex at all but you do it all the time” with a slightly puzzled thinking face on

That would be the last time they did it I reckon!

icerosenovember · 22/04/2023 20:48

Differentneeds · 22/04/2023 20:43

I know that is what they really think wrapped up in a joke to get away with it. I’m not stupid. I miscarried a few months before the baby and the mum said it was for the best. It was a really shit thing to say to me, completely heartless. I’d never say that to anyone. I feel such a fraud when I go over and try and do small talk when I know they don’t like me. Im letting myself down.

I wouldn't bother going over there at all. Give them a wide birth.

tribpot · 22/04/2023 20:49

the mum said it was for the best
And of course your DP challenged her extremely strongly on this? Or did he try to brush it under the carpet as well?

I'm very sorry that you had to hear that from anyone.

Differentneeds · 22/04/2023 20:57

It was via text and I left it at the time because I wasn’t able to process it.

OP posts:
TheSnowyOwl · 22/04/2023 20:59

Tell them you are concerned about their health as they keep repeating things that are offensive in a way reminiscent of some people with dementia.

PinkPanther50 · 22/04/2023 21:07

Next time they say it turn to your partner and say hey your mum thinks I trapped you - do you think that? Put him on the spot to shut this crap down. Then don’t visit them again 😊

Lwrenagain · 22/04/2023 21:17

Sending solidarity. Passive aggressive jokes make me murderous.

"We actively tried to grow our family as 2 adults, did you not want your son to have a family or become a father?" I'd just ask them because be arsed with joking back or taking it on the chin.
I'll probably be in the minority but those jokes would do my head in.

Winter2019 · 22/04/2023 21:20

SmirnoffIceIsNice · 22/04/2023 18:15

Turn it around on them. Respond with "You constantly trot out this old 'joke' - that's not funny by the way - but by 33 years old your son should have been clued up enough about how babies are made to be able to prevent one. Did you not teach him about the birds and the bees?"

I love this!!!

Atethehalloweenchocs · 22/04/2023 21:24

There is no way this is a joke, or meant to be one. There are two choices - the first is to comment on the content of what they are saying - have I trapped you honey? or yep, got him trapped alright, only take the chains off to let him come here. The second is to comment on the fact they are saying it to be nasty and repeating it - so something like, what a nasty thing to say, or that seems to be designed to have a dig, did you really mean it that way. Either way I would be giving an ultimatum to DP that he needs to sort it or he will have to visit by himself.

MenoRageisReal · 22/04/2023 21:30

Lovingitallnow · 22/04/2023 18:55

"if I was going down that route I'd have probably aimed for someone with family money 😂😂😂"

Haha this is a good one!

Goodread1 · 22/04/2023 21:34

Your Partner sounds like anything for a quiet life passive type of person ect..

He needs to step up several notches and stand up for this relationship and for himself A.s.a.p

They sound self centred Absorbed Nasty people unfortunately,

He needs to have your back, not just go with flow all the time

This type of thing would start to royally piss me off...

Eggseggseverywhere · 22/04/2023 21:37

Just stop visiting op.
And maybe reconsider your relationship if he hasn't got your back. My mil made 2 comments when we announced I was pregnant.. Both when dh wasn't around. One being 'accidents happen' . I made dh ring her and tell her ds was planned. The other thing was she hissed in my face his ex had wanted his dc.. Told her shame he hadn't loved her...
She dumped us all and wow was I pleased....

Mari9999 · 22/04/2023 21:40

OP, given their disappointment and your feelings about them, why do you keep going back? They can see the son ad grandchild without you. Why put yourself through the unpleasant situation?

Have you made a point of sharing info about your xxx past with them? How and why do they know so much about your past? Prior to your getting involved with their son, were you friends with them ? It sounds as though the is a lot of unnecessary information sharing.

It is regrettable that they think of a 33 year old man as a boy. His attitude about having a child seemed pretty Kim nonchalant- " we won't use contraceptives and if pregnancy happens it happens. " TBH , that does not sound much like mature thinking and planning on the part of either a 33 year old or a 40 year old. So it is not unreasonable that his parents might have some doubts and concerns about the decision making taking place in this relationship.

You claim to be an adult woman who no longer has to tolerate demeaning behavior, but you continue to visit his parents. Why are you doing this? You must know that he and the child can visit them without you.

If you are not trying to rub their faces in the fact that you are in a relationship with "their boy, " what other outcomes are you expecting.

The do not have to like you , and it does not sound as though they are inviting you. If your partner is insisting that you should go, is it possible that he is trying to rub it into their faces that he is with you?

Whatever the motivations, it is apparent that nothing familial or bonding related is happening during these encounters. It is all just a forced interaction between people who have no liking or respect for each other.

Why bother to complain about these visits when the truth is that you can put an end to all of this by simply not going? They can be perfectly acceptable grandparents to your son without ever interacting with you, and you can be a perfectly acceptable partner and mother without ever visiting his parents.

It seems that these visits only serve to make you miserable and them regretful of the choices that their son appears to have made in his personal life . All of you are inflicting unnecessary wounds on each other. You all need to find a different sport.
They are never going to have a family type relationship with you and are always likely going to view you as the cougar who trapped their son.

You left one unhappy relationship, why in heaven's name are you wasting your time expecting these people to respect you? Chances are when they see a happy and healthy grandchild thriving and doing well , they may offer some grudging respect.

tailinthejam · 22/04/2023 21:44

Pink jobs and blue jobs? Ye Gods.

EmmaEmerald · 22/04/2023 21:50

Differentneeds · 22/04/2023 19:54

I have a child from a previous relationship and that relationship was abusive. They probably don’t think much of me but it’s not their choice who he dates. I’m actually a pretty decent person who’s picked themselves off the floor. I really dislike going over to see them but make an effort.

Have you considered not going? I know someone who did that. Finally, her ILs don't drive her mad.

EmmaEmerald · 22/04/2023 21:52

OMD I somehow didn't see the text re your miscarriage
I'd never speak to them again after that.

Katrinawaves · 22/04/2023 21:54

“I haven’t trapped anyone. If it’s what you want DH I can walk out the door this minute with DC and neither you nor your parents need see them again. Is that what you want?” ….

assuming the answer is no, “in which case I never want to hear this shit again”