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Problem DiL

(58 Posts)
Madkaty Mon 15-May-23 05:31:18

I’m a widow (10yrs)with one son whose wife is non UK. I have a beautiful 11 yr old granddaughter.They live over 8000 miles away and I try and visit twice yearly (birthdays and Xmas). Last year I stayed longer than usual and had problems with my DiL who was drinking all the time. Long story short I criticised (I know!). Which resulted in the DiL making life difficult and keeping (yes, literally) grandchild away from me or altering our plans last minute. I have been advised that I am only welcome to stay for 2 weeks at a time and consider this too restrictive (I usually stay for three). I’ve just had a visit for three weeks because I was allowed to take her away for a weeks holiday but these things are really expensive and I simply can’t afford to keep doing it. Should I go for 2 was at Christmas knowing that it’s not really what I want?

icanhandthemback Tue 16-May-23 22:25:06

I am with you, Fleurpepper. It must be very worrying if you are watching somebody drinking gin all through the day, especially where there is a youngish child involved. The OP has said that her son is worried about his wife's drinking too. I think most of us might be tempted to say something in those circumstances.
Visiting somebody who lives so far away is very wearing so I understand fully while the OP may want to go longer but I also understand the stress it might be for the hosts. It seems that a fair compromise might be for the OP to rest somewhere for a few days first and then stay with the son for as long as her invite allows. Maybe days out with the grandaughter can give DIL time on her own away from her MIL which might relieve the strain too.

Hithere Tue 16-May-23 22:32:49

"Maybe days out with the grandaughter can give DIL time on her own away from her MIL which might relieve the strain too."

No, this wouldn't work if the parents do not need time away from their kids if it were different circumstances

If the parents need time away from the mil - mil can entertain herself

biglouis Tue 16-May-23 22:42:04

I can remember back in the 1960s when I went for month long holidays to stay with friends in Morocco. However they were out working during the day and I entertained myself. Also I would take off for another city for a week at a time using Casablanca as a base, so we were not in one another's pockets all the time. I have always been confident at finding my own way around in other countries. Im sure they would not have wanted me there for four weeks solid even though they did have one or two maids do do the housework.

A hotel or an air B&B would be a good idea for at least part of the time.

Hetty58 Tue 16-May-23 22:48:20

You're welcome for two weeks? That's amazing! I certainly wouldn't argue about it. Still, I do agree it's too long to stay with them, rather than nearby.

dlizi4 Tue 16-May-23 23:47:16

You sound very demanding
Is everything about you? Do you realise other people are involved and have actual feelings?

Grams2five Wed 17-May-23 00:50:47

Exactly! It’s not unkind it’s truth. No one wants a houseguest that king, especially one who by their own admission has made errors in behavior. Yet ops son and dil
Are still letting her come visit for two weeks, seems quite generous. They could easily have said stay as long as you wanted the nearest hotels are x y and z.

Mamasperspective Sat 01-Jul-23 06:05:22

You’re a guest in their home so if you are not welcome for more than 2 weeks then you can’t expect them to be available for you for more than 2 weeks. If you try to push their boundaries, it is likely they will tell you not to bother going at all. They are a nuclear family and their first priority will be each other.