March 28, 2024, 01:36:55 PM

News:

"Welcome to WiseWomenUnite.com -- When adult children marry and leave home, life can sometimes get more complex instead of simpler.  Being a mother-in-law or daughter-in-law can be tough.  How do we extend love and support to our mothers-in-law, adult children, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, and grandchildren without interfering?  What do we do when there are communication problems?  How can we ask for help when we need it without being a burden?  And how do our family members feel about these issues?  We invite you to join our free forum, read some posts... and when you're ready...share your challenges and wisdom."


DIL wants me to watch grandson...

Started by bettylou, April 21, 2010, 10:18:54 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.

bettylou

So my son called me tonight and asked me if I could  watch grandson overnight, this would be very soon.  I was so shocked, they have never ever asked me to do this before.  I did not respond right away I told him I will let him know if I have any other commitments for that night.  I am so nervous over this.  I love my grandson and I would love to babysit him but I am afraid that DIL will find something wrong with my watching him and tell me that I can not ever watch him again.  If I say no they may never ask me again.  It is very tough!  I did ask him why they were asking me and not DIL's mom and he told me that she will be on overnight trip with them and therefor they need someone else to watch him.  He did tell me that DIL's sister in law that she is crazy about, has done something to upset DIL and she told her sis in law she did not want to leave grandson with her after all.  I am thinking I should do it?  Should I send my daughter to a friend's house so that it does not cause any conflict?  I have not seen grandson in over five months now, I am nervous about not getting another chance.  What do you all think?

luise.volta

I think I would go with the flow...keep daughter at home and just let it unfold. I'd try not to future-trip. It sounds like you are their last choice...I have to tell you that I would hate that. If you can set that aside...enjoy...and let the chips fall where they may. (They will anyhow.)
Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. Dalai Lama

Marilyn

Hi Bettylou,I agree with Luise,just go with the flow.It might just work out to where they will ask you again.Enjoy it,and try not to worry that your DIL will find fault.

I'm very happy for you :)

bettylou

I will call son today and let him know I will be glad to do it thanks for asking me.  I know I am the last choice and that hurts a bit but I will just go with the flow for a bit and see what happens.  I am going to go out and get some new things for us to do with him while he is here, and cook foods I think he will like.  But I will not get too excited there is always the chance they will change their mind especially if they work it out with her sister in law and decided to leave him there, or if her mother stays home with him after all.  I am not going to mention it to daughter that way if it does not work out, oh well, no one will have hurt feelings over it.  We will have the doggy too ofcourse but I think it will work out well because grandson is so little and has not seen us in a long time that may make him feel safer having his buddy with him.  Looking forward to it with caution!

cremebrulee

Quote from: luise.volta on April 22, 2010, 03:20:05 AM
I think I would go with the flow...keep daughter at home and just let it unfold. I'd try not to future-trip. It sounds like you are their last choice...I have to tell you that I would hate that. If you can set that aside...enjoy...and let the chips fall where they may. (They will anyhow.)

I agree with Luise...
it's really really tacky of your son to consider treatment of you like this....
and you, fear loosing what you have....they seem to have you right where they want you...?  I'm so sorry they are both treating you with such little respect...I wish there were a way to let them know in no uncertain terms...that this is really in very bad taste....maybe some day, you will get tired of it and stand up to them regardless, and I'm not saying that is the thing to do....I'm just thinking to myself how unjust this is....

but yes, I would go with the flow...try hard to take it easy and not worry and just enjoy your GC.


Pen

Betty, be cool :)  I hope all goes well. Try to relax and enjoy your time with your GS. It's quite possible you'll hear a complaint when they return, but you can deal with it - after all, she complained about the dog needing a bath one time, and she still leaves him with you, right? Perhaps this is the start of a new era! Best wishes.
Respect ... is appreciation of the separateness of the other person, of the ways in which he or she is unique.
-- Annie Gottlieb

Sassy

I think it will go better than you think.  Your expectations are probably not unreasonable; yes, DIL will probably find fault in something. 
Because she is the glass half empty type of girl, not because you'll do anything that's actually "wrong".

Do this only so you have time with that little boy. That's the only "plus", but it's a pretty big plus! 
Decide now, that whatever snarky comments DIL makes when she picks him up about him needing a bath or "poor baby" are all about her and not about you.  Don't expect praise or gratitude from the stingy and ungrateful, and you won't be disappointed.  Don't be deeply offended or take DIL's lack of manners as being a reflection on you.  Picture us all here with you, knowing "Yes, that's just like something DIL would say."

As for your worst case scenario fear of never being able to have him for a sleepover again. The way I see it, if you haven't had him for a sleepover yet, and you haven't seen him in 5 months, then you're not taking that big a risk anyway. 

I know you don't want to anticipate what may be cancelled at the last minute, but still wanted to let you know if it happens, I think it will be wonderful.


luise.volta

Calculated risk is a part of life. If we try to circumvent it...we filter out opportunity. (Old saying I just made up.)
Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. Dalai Lama

keeponsmilin

BettyLou-

I am wishing you lots of luck.  Here is a suggestion-

Ask son and DIL to write down "instructions" for you.  If you have in writing what foods baby can have, bedtime procedures, any unusual requirements for diaper changing, etc. then DIL can't come back later and accuse you of anything.  It is the PARENT's responsibility to let caregivers know of their wishes.  the first time my MIL kept my littlest one over night, she asked me about 20 questions about the care of the baby.  I know she is competent, but she wanted to make sure things went smoothly.  She loves that baby more than anything, and my very smart MIL wanted to make sure she did everything in her power to have that baby at her house again.  I was a little annoyed with all of the questions she asked, but that first stay was great.  When we picked up baby, MIL had completed a chart just like a day care would.  She had made a copy of the blank "how was my day" sheet from daycare, and filled it in.  I knew when baby slept, pooped, ate, played, etc.  She even wrote a little note at the bottom about how much she enjoyed her visit, and how we must be great parents to have such a "perfect" little one.  That note is in the baby book!  She now has the little one for an overnight visit at least once every other month, and a couple of times a year when we go on vacation. 

With that said, I know I am a reasonable person and your DIL is NOT.  I can see someone like her blowing you off as you ask important questions.  Enlist your son to help.  He is the father and should know the answers to those questions.  Then, if you still do something "wrong" it would be because her dear hubby messed up, not you! 

Please let us know how the visit goes :)

alohomora

I think if your DIL sees that you are calm about all of this (not overtly OMG THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!) and happy and willing to follow any of her instructions, this could be a really good thing.

As a sidenote - I would keep the visit lowkey. Don't plan anything out of the ordinary like taking the baby anywhere (as we've seen from other MIL's on the board here where that can lead!) or leaving him alone with your daughter to baby-sit. I know this is annoying but it will be worth it if this is the beginning of a closer relationship.

Enjoy :)

cremebrulee

someone here bought up something that another DIL told me a long time ago, and I believe it....my DIL would have never allowed me to watch her child, unless she trusted me...and I had my GD every single weekend, both Sat. & Son when they were living home...

so, Bettylou, you've got a lot of good advice here that will help you along....and yes, I would definately ask DIL to make of list of things she wants you to accomplish, both do's and don'ts  while you have your GC...it might make her feel so relieved that your interested in pleasing her...

Just go for it....and let the past be over, and try and go forward and enjoy your GC...that would be so productive...if DIL sees a change in you, eventually she may drop her resistence?  I surely hope so....


bettylou

I will not be leaving him with my husband or daughter I figured if the parents wanted them to watch him they would have asked for them.  And I won't be doing anything big with him.  I think we will play in the yard with him, he is almost two years old, cook him his favorite foods and play with some toys.  I will not do anything extreme or deliberately upsetting to my daughter in law.  However if there is a complaint from son on the behalf of daughter in law I am going to ask her to call me and if she will not talk to me about it I am not going to worry about it. 

cremebrulee

Bettylou, GOOD FOR YOU,  ;D
whooo hoooo,  ;D
and I hope you have the best time ever!!!!   ;D

luise.volta

I'm with Creme - Very solid, strong and clear.  ;D
Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. Dalai Lama

alohomora

I'd reconsider the not worrying about a concern if she doesn't call you specifically - the rule in my house is that when my parents/family do something that offends/bothers my DH, I deal with them. When his family does something, he deals with it. Your son and DIL may have the same rule in their house and just haven't verbalized it to you as its their private business. So I'd listen to anything your son says and know that its coming from both of them. Don't play the 'she didn't say it to me so it doesn't mean anything' game.

I think you're going to have a good time though and this won't be a concern. She must trust you to be leaving her child with you and that's fantastic -  I have friends who's IL's are not allowed to leave the room with their kids, let alone baby-sit them. Ok - back to work for me, lunch break is over. :D