Parents & in-laws so different. Not a rant but comments welcome!

[justkitty]

Me and DH have been brought up very differently. His parents were very much that children should be seen and not heard and they only had a few non noisy toys. My parents love the sound of children laughing and having fun.

My parents already have a grand-daughter from my sister but this is my inlaws first time. My parents are ridiculously excited. They want to buy the cotbed and mum wants to buy me anything. My parents don't have much ££ so I try not to expect much and nothing mega expensive.

The other day I was chatting with dh and wondered if we should get a car seat for his parents car (though I can't imagine letting them look after our baby for a very long time... Must be an inlaw thing!). Dh said his parents should buy things not us. I don't really know if I agree - if they offer yes but no expectation. Anyway we saw a travel cot for £15 in Asda and dh said he'd suggest it to his parents. His mum is interested in the baby and his dad is a grumpy old man. When it came to it, dh wouldn't mention it to his parents. I think he was talking to his dad at the time. The problem is that his dad is mr negative. Honestly I've never met anyone so negative. So dh is worried he won't respond as happily or excited as my parents do.

I don't want dh upset by his dad. It's not really a rant. Its just so different to what we'd hoped.

 

[Housewife83]

Maybe they will be different when the baby is born?

 

[cinnamum]

AAAWWWW hun, our parents always react differently from how we hoped don't they???

my mum used to come round everyday when we had our DD but, since DS was born she rarely comes over unless she wants something or she is taking me to the doctors surgery.
she comes over once every 3 weeks if that!
it doesnt bug me as much as it used to, i am quite pleased as it means i don't get to see my step dad very often as they're attatched at the hip. lol.
my step dad is younger than my husband and this makes life a bit awkward (my mums NO cougar by any means, more like mutton dressed as lamb) plus my step dad is 4 years older than me and my DH is 7 years older than me!
so grandad is younger than daddy!?!? iykwim

christmas is terrible, they have to buy the most expensive present because they have to outdo everyone (you have all this to come hun) and its so obvious its discusting.
they say... ''ah no, open ours last, save the best till last''.

they don't know it yet but i am putting my foot down and were not going there for christmas dinner, i would rather struggle with a bump aged 8 months gone slaving over a hot stove! SERIOUSLY!
we wont all fit in her car anyway so it gives us a great excuse!

MIL on the other hand we only see 3 times a year, but this will soon change to 4 times once baby #3 is here as she only comes over for special occassions and parties.
she sits outside and smokes the whole time (a 40-a-day habit) and complains about how old and crippled she is.

SIL only comes over for seeing new babies and picking up presents for her kids, so we don't have to worry too much about her really. though she is SUPERMUM don't you know!!?!?


hahahhaaa, no family is perfect but we all have to make do with the family we have! xxxxx
you'll ajust your lives to suit the way they do stuff, it'll all fall into place once baby is here hun xxxxx

 

[weffi82]

The first thing my father in law said to us when we told him about our 1st pregnancy was 'oh so ur gonna file for bancruptcy then' (spelling?)! After our daughter was born he decorated the spare bedroom all in pink an bought a cot! The change was so dramatic as he is normally such a grumpy grouch but when our daughter is there he is a totally different person.

 

[CKJ]

Hey! My parents r Mega excited whereas Dh's r completely non-plussed, if we ring them they might ask how I'm doing etc n talk about Bubs but that's it! My parents have always been Mega involved with me n yet my in laws seem to forget about DH unless he's in front of them or they need something!!! X

 

[justkitty]

Ha the inlaws won't spend any money. Everything will be second hand that they buy I'm guessing. That's not meant as an insult as we've already got a few second hand things like Moses basket etc. My mums the more competitive. I think it's more they wont make the effort to go and choose something themselves - they will probably give money. I don't mind £££ but there is something nice about the idea of the inlaws making an effort to go and hand select something.

To be honest I'm not hugely bothered except it upsets dh that they don't get very excited. Especially his dad. When we told my parents they danced round the living room. His dad just sat and closed his eyes and pursed his lips. We still don't know if that was a sign of shock or what!

 

[Lilmiss1]

My parents are very ott, they phone every day, (well they did that even before I was pg) and I'm 31! Lol! They are constantly asking if they should bring dinner over, how we are etc. My in laws are the opposite, they Rarely ring, but do ask how I am. My oh's extended family is also the same. None of them phoned to say congratulations when mil told them we were expecting. When my mum told my extended family, my phone was ringing non-stop! My husband was a bit upset by this, but it shows how different families are, maybe it's how they are brought up.
I think it will be different when lo is here, especially as my mil did cry when we told her we were expecting. And if they are not, it's their loss!