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Grandparenting

Daughter in Law and false accusations

(9 Posts)
Silverma Sun 06-Sept-26 21:03:18

DIL is making false accusations against my husband in order to stop him from seeing our grandchildren. This comes after almost 5 years of us looking after him one day every week. We have a close relationship with him and he loves coming to our house.
DIL uses the grandchildren as leverage in order to control my son. If he doesn't appease her she threatens to call childrens services with false accusations about him. The situation currently is that she wont allow my husband to be near grandson but she said I can go to their house to look after grandson alone.
This has created a great deal of upset and I am not sure how to deal with this.
Has anyone been through something similar?

lovethepuppies Sun 06-Sept-26 22:42:22

What kind of accusations? I have to admit, no matter who they are, if someone was making false allegations against me, or threatening to, I'd keep my distance to protect myself and my family.

M0nica Sun 06-Sept-26 22:46:28

Do not do any childcare while your DiL will not allow your DH to be present. Tell her that if she has any accusations to make against him she should report them to the po;ice so that they can be properly investigated and that until she either does that and he is given clearance, or treats you both of you as a pair, you will do no more childcare.

With people like thisthebest thing you can do is call their bluff.

Parky Sun 06-Sept-26 22:56:40

Great advice from MOnica. I agree do not do any childcare outside your own home

CocoPops Sun 06-Sept-26 23:10:09

Sounds like your son and DIL need marriage counselling . Distance yourselves. Don't be bullied or manipulated. Perhaps your son would be willing to deliver and collect your grandson from your house?

CocoPops Sun 06-Sept-26 23:26:35

I agree with Monica. Best to offer child care strictly on your terms. Your house, take it or leave it. I would also record and date any more accusations DIL makes.

madeleine45 Sun 06-Sept-26 23:28:30

Whilst I do not usually believe in slightly sneaky things, I would keep you phone on record when you are there so that exactly what she says is on record, and it can be seen for manipulating intention. Just reading something written cannot give the attitude or tone. I think you and your husband need to talk about what you want to do about this. There are a range of possibilities, from standing back from her and not being involved in any child care, to possibility of speaking to a solicitor who is a specialist in family situations and looking at your choices. So you might end up sending her a solicitors letter , or a recorded delivery one, saying that her defamation of character is something you wont put up with or condone, so that you are calling her bluff and she will see that she cannot use this attitude as and when it suits her. If you let her get away with this she will use it whenever it suits her. and the longer you allow her to blackmail you like this she will then imply that you let her do this as she is telling the truth.

I think that in any case you will be concentrating on keeping a contact with the children, and let them know you are there for them. When the children are older they can come to you without her permission. Good Luck and definitely talk things through with your husband so that you are both on the same page and have a plan.

crazyH Sun 06-Sept-26 23:28:52

Keep well away from her. Ask your son to drop the little one off to your house.
They need you more than you need them, apart from your GS.

Elrel Sun 06-Sept-26 23:37:20

What does your son say about this?