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UPDATE on MIL stops by unannounced

(161 Posts)
Naty Fri 17-Jan-20 02:54:31

I'm updating on my situation (at my peril, I know. Some posters seem to strongly dislike this story..). The unannounced visits have stopped since posting...except for today.

I wouldn't have found it strange, except that my FIL came round at noon to do some gardening (he has vines on our property that he doesn't want to get rid of even though they aren't producing anything) and I pretended not to notice he was there (it's a large property, so it's easy not to spot him from the lower level). He never came to the door. As soon as I spotted him, I stayed upstairs just to see if he'd come to the door so that I could safely ignore it, as we've asked them to just call us before coming.

When my husband came home, he pointedly (and aggressively) told his dad not to peer into the windows and to call if he was stopping by. Apparently, his dad acted like a bad dog who had been hit over the nose with a newspaper (his words, not mine). My husband comes in for lunch and doesn't mention anything to me. As far as he knows, I have no clue his dad was even around. I didn't mention anything to my husband either.

My husband leaves for work.

At 4pm, my FIL comes back, finishes up his gardening and comes up to the house, peering in all the windows. When he gets to the last set, we lock eyes and I was a bit startled. I let him in and we talked for a few minutes. He holds the squirmy baby, trying to wriggle out of his arms as she's shy and then leaves.

He says "oh you only want your mom! Well your mom is your best friend. Then it's your dad. Then it's your grandparents." I find this commentary strange, because this hierarchy is universal, and it's a given...but they always tell the baby some variation of this...

He asks me how baby is doing and tells the baby he hasn't seen her in four days. They also always count the days and comment to the baby about time passed). Mind you, I invited them over 2 days ago, but he didn't come with MIL and MIL has been sick, so she's staying away at my request until 100% better....she said she got really cold the other day and started vomiting at night (she says it was drafty). I told her she probably caught something from someone else and that it could be contagious, so please wait a few says, as baby has taken a week to get over a cold that she still has).

FIL left and I was okay with the unannounced visit, as he hasn't ever done that before unless his wife is around. But when I mentioned his dad coming around later, my husband was shocked that he hadn't called. I too, was then disturbed by the reiteration of a request, ignored by FIL. It's bizarre behaviour, as FIL at noon knew he hadn't finished and was going to come back. He ignored his son's pointed request and peered through the windows anyway. Is this normal?

DH wanted to go and tear a strip off his dad, but he's not great with words and his parents are obviously bad listeners. I'd rather wait it out, but I do think of leaving Italy every day and moving back to Canada and tell my husband this (so he'll follow me...). Writing this out, it all seems crazy and ridiculous. I must be hormonal. Please advise me on this situation and not speculation of my mental state smile.

I was upset about this unannounced visit because it seems like his parents just don't care about reasonable requests and I feel that when I have to go back to work, they won't respect our wishes (putting baby in a carseat/watching English DVDs we give them rather than Italian cartoons). I feel like leaving every day and tell my husband that we shouldn't live around the corner from the in-laws. He said we can pick up and move house to a place outside of walking distance, but I think that's OTT.

Am I being unreasonable?

Shelmiss Fri 17-Jan-20 21:00:27

Shelmiss if it were my own mom, I'd have yelled at her by now. With a mother, you can tell her to back off. A loving in-law? That's so much harder

No you can’t always tell your own mother to back off Naty. I was actually on your side and sticking up for you.

ExD1938 Fri 17-Jan-20 20:19:32

I'm with CrazyH - There are people who "pop" and obviously, people who don't. There are people who "peer" through windows looking to see if you're at home - and people ........ ok you get it.
I'm sure your inlaws understand by now that you don't like unannounced visits, and as long as they try to respect your requests - rest tranquil.

crazyH Fri 17-Jan-20 19:39:05

Hang on a minute Naty.....your F.i.l. comes over to help with garden work, and then 'peers' through the windows looking for his little grandson? Which grandfather wouldn't do that?
Just be grateful he's there to help you ...the least you can do is take the baby over into the garden to interact with his granddad, unless of course it's baby's nap time.
My daughter and daughter in law are only too glad when I pop round. I don't do any gardening but I play with the tots, while she gets on with chores.

GrannyLaine Fri 17-Jan-20 19:38:08

Naty no, I'm not saying that, merely expressing gratitude for my own family bonds. Please Google DWIL, I'm sure you will find it helpful.

ExD1938 Fri 17-Jan-20 19:26:55

Naty, I don't understand - you say "Hi BlueBelle. The unannounced visits did stop."
So what's the problem?

Please explain. You seem confused and depressed, you clearly don't like your in-laws, but if the visits have stopped you should be rejoicing.

Naty Fri 17-Jan-20 19:24:32

Eglantine21 yes, you are right, right. All of it.

Hithere Fri 17-Jan-20 19:22:41

Naty,

It is very simple.
They want what they want and nothing will stop them.
Pil do not respect you, you are not adults to them, just kids that they need guidance.
They don't care what you say, they will run you over.

They break a rule, you give them consequences, they will know you are serious.

You must get rid of your "nice girl" mentality.

This is your family, your child, your life. You are not taking anything away from pil if they choose to disregard your rules.

Your MIL is not sweet. She is a wolf disguised as a sheep. Your fil is not nice either.

Nice people do not treat others like this

Naty Fri 17-Jan-20 19:22:39

GagaJo Thank you for your vote of confidence.

Naty Fri 17-Jan-20 19:21:52

ExperiencedNotO thank you. I'm feeling better with every response.

Naty Fri 17-Jan-20 19:20:16

jura2 I know we are so fortunate. Can I not request privacy too, though? I am happy to help and be helped. I just ask for compromise.

jura2 Fri 17-Jan-20 19:18:50

He probably has been tending to those vines, and his father and grandfather before him, for centuries - and feels he knows best how to prune them, etc.

Naty Fri 17-Jan-20 19:18:39

GrannyLaine so you are saying I'm ungrateful? It's okay if that's your opinion.

What is the forum you're talking about?

Thanks for the reply.

jura2 Fri 17-Jan-20 19:17:39

Made me think - I've been that young mum in a land far away and with a different culture.

Nobody gave us a house with land.

and no MIL or FIL ever came un-announced- in fact nobody ever came at all and I/we got no support or help at all. Zilch- nothing. I yearned for help and support and we didn't have a pot to *iss in either. So there you go.

I am on a Forum for expats from all over the world - and there are very regularly posts from people complaining that there is no spontaneity here, that you have to call in advance and send invitations - and it is so unfriendly because nobody ever pops in for a cuppa or a chat.

Naty Fri 17-Jan-20 19:16:35

grannymy did things go well with them across the street? Was it okay for your partner?

Naty Fri 17-Jan-20 19:14:47

Hithere yes, I'm perplexed as to WHY he did it. It's such a weird instruction to ignore like that. Maybe he doesnt respect my husband as the head of his household.

Naty Fri 17-Jan-20 19:13:25

BlueBelle a lot of tuose replies were me responding to people.

Naty Fri 17-Jan-20 19:12:32

Hi Witzend yes, I feel guilty and mean all the time because I feel like I'm withholding their grandchild by putting a "call ahead" in place.

Hithere Fri 17-Jan-20 19:12:15

Naty,

The unannounced visits did NOT stop. Your MIL did,your fil did not. In fact, he defied and disregarded your husband's very clear instructions.

Naty Fri 17-Jan-20 19:10:12

Shelmiss if it were my own mom, I'd have yelled at her by now. With a mother, you can tell her to back off. A loving in-law? That's so much harder.

Naty Fri 17-Jan-20 19:08:41

Hi*BlueBelle*. The unannounced visits did stop. I just wanted an analysis of why ppl think FIL did this. I guess it was a power play? Not sure. Thanks for responding.

Hithere Fri 17-Jan-20 19:05:53

Naty,

Life taught me that people treat me as I allow them to.

I learnt the hard way.

GrannyLaine Fri 17-Jan-20 19:04:34

I fear this can never end well for you Naty. I tend to think previous posters that DWIL is perhaps a better forum for you. And I send an enormous prayer of thanks to my DDs and DDIL for the way they have embraced the love and support they have received with such grace when each of their children was born. And continue to show their appreciation on a regular basis.

Naty Fri 17-Jan-20 19:03:47

Wow, Hithere. You sound strict and strong. I can admire that.

Naty Fri 17-Jan-20 19:02:08

Baby is 5 months.

Naty Fri 17-Jan-20 19:01:34

I'm sorry,BlueBelle I'm coming here because I found the replies so useful and supportive. I'm sorry I'm bothering you.