Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

What am I doing wrong?

(19 Posts)
Stressedok Mon 20-Mar-23 21:41:57

My Dh and two grandkids are living with us at present. My Dh is lovely but every now and again. She gets so moody and snappy and refuses to speak to me. Telling me to "leave it". Im left feeling hurt and upset and feeling like I've wronged her. But I have no idea what I have done wrong. She makes me feel so low and down when she acts like this. I do have MH issues and honestly not knowing what's I've done wrong pulls me into the abyss. I would never hurt.my grandchildren. In fact they love me very much and I love playing with them. I just don't know how to handle it when it appears I've upset dh but no idea what I've done

Germanshepherdsmum Mon 20-Mar-23 21:48:23

Dh - she? I don’t understand. Dh = husband.

M0nica Mon 20-Mar-23 22:28:32

I have the same problem with Dh, but never mind, let me address the problem.

Some people tend to get snappy for no good reason because they are stressed out for some reason, whether worried by health, money or relationships.

The simplest solution is just not to take these moods etc personally. In fact taking them personally probably makes the situation worse.

When your DH gets moody and sanappy, just leave them to themselves until they get over it. Do not push them or question them. Just quietly go and play with your grandchildren or sit down for a while, or perhaaps make both of you a cup of tea, but go somewhere else to drink yours.

Least said soonest mended.

Hithere Mon 20-Mar-23 22:37:59

Who is she?

What actions occur before "leave it" comment are said?

Farmor15 Mon 20-Mar-23 22:57:41

I think Stressedok meant her daughter, not husband, when she wrote Dh. The abbreviations can confuse people!

If daughter and children have moved in it's bound to cause some stress in the household. Not sure if there are any easy answers.

FarTooYoungForThis Mon 20-Mar-23 22:58:03

Must be like walking on egg shells and that's really not good for you. You say DH is lovely so whatever the reason for her moods don't assume you are the cause. Think you really need to sit down and have a good chat when she is feeling ok. See if she will open up about what is upsetting her.

Ro60 Mon 20-Mar-23 23:26:41

DH - Dear Heart?
She's upset about something but as others have said, please don't blame yourself.
Sit her down with a nice cup of tea & I hope you can get to the bottom of it.
Menopause, dementia, money, job worries, health? ....

welbeck Mon 20-Mar-23 23:47:28

blame is not a useful concept here.
she feels stressed sometimes.
and doesn't want to be interrogated as to why, nor fussed over.
she just wants to be left alone, quietly to her own devices, whether introspective or electronic.
so give her space, as much as poss in same house.

i may be wrong of course, but this how it strikes me.
when feeling stressed, i know i want to be left alone
and having to relate to other people at such times can add to the stress, however well meaning they are.

Carenza123 Wed 22-Mar-23 08:47:16

Please don’t take it personally. DD is going through a tough time but cannot/does not want to burden with her problems. You are really helping her and grandchildren by welcoming them into your home to live with you. As with all mothers we try to fix things but just respect her space as best you can. Enjoy interacting with your grandchildren.

Poppyred Wed 22-Mar-23 08:54:14

It’s probably PMT. Just ignore if you can, it’s her problem and nothing personal.

biglouis Wed 22-Mar-23 08:54:21

You can try too hard to "fix" things and it can be smothering. Its like picking at a scab. As other posters have advised back off and give space. Do your own thing until she comes around.

Oreo Wed 22-Mar-23 08:58:48

I agree with other people on this.I have one DD who can be much the same, snappy at times.I guess she feels stressed or unhappy about something, it isn’t me so I don’t blame myself.
Just leave her to it.

Smileless2012 Wed 22-Mar-23 08:59:45

There must be a degree of stress for you Stressedok having your D and GC living with you. When she wont speak to you, leave her to it and resist the temptation to ask her why.

If she snaps, could you simply say 'please don't snap at me' and leave it at that? She may not realise that she's doing it so gently pointing it out may help.

Yammy Wed 22-Mar-23 10:08:43

Oreo

I agree with other people on this.I have one DD who can be much the same, snappy at times.I guess she feels stressed or unhappy about something, it isn’t me so I don’t blame myself.
Just leave her to it.

I agree with Oreo,
Your DD has had to move into your house for some reason maybe she feels guilty that she is bringing her problems to your house.
I have one who can be like that if I message or phone I never know what the response will be , yet she will message and say Chat this afternoon. and gladly talk for two hours +.
Just walk away and ignore her attitude. You probably will never find out unless she opens up. I practise my mothers saying "Let her stew in it".Don't probe and don't placate just ignore. They eventually realise what they have done.
Don't think it is always you who has done something wrong.

Hetty58 Wed 22-Mar-23 10:21:08

'What am I doing wrong?', you ask - probably nothing much. Why not ask her (when she's in a good mood) why she snaps at you. Personally, I'd take little notice, I'd give her space and get on with my own stuff. It's hard to share a territory when you've been used to your own place.

pascal30 Wed 22-Mar-23 10:25:12

It sounds like you have been very kind having them live in your home. Now just let them live there in their own way.. your DD must be able to sort out whatever is difficult for her in privacy without any interference. Just step back , be loving to your GC's and try not to take it personally if your DD is irritable...It very probably has nothing to do with you, it is her stuff she is trying to deal with and you must respect that.. then life can become more harmonious

Shelflife Wed 22-Mar-23 10:42:31

Yes step back and leave her to it. We don't know the background to this story. However Stressdok this is not your fault and dare I say no matter what your DD is having to cope with you deserve some respect.

Shel69 Thu 23-Mar-23 14:12:34

Daughter? She probably just wants a roof over her head while she works things out herself, leave her too it, when she wants guidance she will ask

Smileless2012 Thu 23-Mar-23 17:36:54

dare I say no matter what your DD is having to cope with you deserve some respect yes Shelflife I agree.