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Rude or not!

(7 Posts)
Narnia Sun 02-Aug-26 20:44:52

We have my 86 yr old mum for the next few Sunday afternoons, usually she goes to my Brother's house but he is away.
We all have days that we go to see her.
She likes to eat at 4/4.30 which is way too early for DH and myself.
Today we invited the children and grandchildren so they all ate at the same time, we didn't eat.
From 3 ISH she was constantly looking at her watch till she got her food at 4.45
Then at 6 she was obviously desperate to go home (my brother says she's always the same)
Would it be rude to bring her here and give her a meal without us eating?
Im frequently at her house whilst she eats.
She likes to eat on her lap watching tv.
Would it be easier to take her out to a cafe etc and we have coffee and cake whilst she eats?
We have never been 5pm meal people.

winterwhite Sun 02-Aug-26 20:52:46

No, I don’t think it would be rude at all. If she has a plate on her lap you could do the same and have a biscuit. Easier than going out. You give the impression that she doesn’t converse much, but see no reason why you wouldn’t tell her that you usually eat later.

fancythat Sun 02-Aug-26 20:57:09

If she is like the people I know like this in real life, she wont mind at all if she eats at your house, at her time of eating, without you eating.

Newatthis Sun 02-Aug-26 21:02:13

Yes, I understand this. My MiL use to puff and sigh and look at her watch also. We eat normally around 6 - 6.30pm but on the days she came we just adjusted as it was only for a couple of times - later brunch? earlier dinner ?and as she goes home at 6.30 then a nice supper just the two of you.

NotSpaghetti Sun 02-Aug-26 21:33:36

On the days she's with you I'd have brunch and then eat at "tea time" (4 or 4.30) with her as she prefers.

Your brother usually does it so obviously it's possible - and it only needs to be done for another couple of weeks after all.

This is what I'd do

Then I'd run her home at six (grin) and maybe have a simple supper later with my lovely husband - or perhaps just cheese and biscuits.

Don't forget how nice it is to eat in company. She may be "used to" eating in front of the telly and not be very chatty - but presumably she gets quite a lot out of it being at the heart of things.

JenniRen Sun 02-Aug-26 21:48:25

When my mother lived with us she was used to having her main meal at lunch-time rather than the evening when we normally ate.
It's probably better to eat earlier, although we still don't.

The main thing is to feed her when she needs to eat, no matter if you want to eat later.

My mother-in-law was a very slow eater when she got older and was used to eat in front of the TV but when she stayed she ate with us. Many's the time the children would excuse themselves but she was still eating so I felt obliged to sit with her.

Narnia Sun 02-Aug-26 21:48:28

She is very deaf so conversation isn't easy. I think she likes the change of scenery (briefly) but is only happy in her own home