Mother In Law

[bednobs]

my M-I-L is not the most reliable of people and sometimes i struggle with my relationship with her. when it was our son's funeral she turned up late, and then her phone went off (twice!!) during the service.
It's our daughter's christening on sunday and i want to find a polite way to ask her to turn up on time and turn her phone off. Any ideas? or have i just for to say that?

[murraymints]

Just say the time and add prompt...also mention everyone is being asked to turn off mobiles by priest

[2sp_]

Could you get Mr bednobs to talk to her?

Mr and I have a policy where I deal with issues with my family and he deals with his side. Makes life a bit easier all round.

Have a lovely christening!

[Psybbo]

Ask to borrow it then turn it off, I hope you have a lovely day

[Brinjal]

Ask the priest to make an announcement before the service mind if she is late she wont hearth.

[anneasquith]

why cant her son talk to her ?

[rowanwitch]

tell her its happening at a different church if she is that unreliable folk will think she just got muddled

[maggiebee]

Hope all goes well on Sunday for your daughter's christening. Thank you for your kind words earlier - like me you will always remember even though it seems others have forgotten. Big hugs x

[anneasquith]

bednobs, I don't remember your babies birthdays, but I do remember heather and William, and how heart broken you were .

[DJHawkes]

why don;t you invite her to stay with you from the night before because you need her help. then tell her everyone is leaving their phones at home and make a fuss of lining them up on the mantel piece

[gness]

Bednobs...after all you have been through this is a day you need to enjoy and remember with joy.....you deserve it.
Now..you or MrB has to explain that to her...however nice she is....and make sure she understands. That's an order from me!
I had a friend like that...for my daughter's christening we told her it was half an hour earlier than it was. Will that work?
And at the beginning of the service MrB can politely ask if her phone is off. Make light of it and if the phone goes off....stamp on it.

Have a lovely day....x

[bednobs]

i sorted it - spoke to the vicar who is going to ask people to turn their phones off at the beginning. Of course, that wont help if she's late :)

[vodkancoke]

Tell her the time of the Christening is half an hour earlier than the actual time. :)

[boxtops]

good idea, voddy :-)

[nungate]

Tell her to be there half an hour before it actually starts. This worked with a friend of mine who was always late until we told her things would be kicking off half an hour before they were really due to start.
Good luck with the Christening I hope all goes well

[welshlibranr]

I would tell it like it is!.........be there on time, if not earlier, turn your phone off before entering the church, Thank you!....sorted!.....

[vodkancoke]

Lol we have to do that with an aunt. She is always late so if we are having everyone over at 2, we tell her everyone is coming at 1.30 and she is usually at ours for 2 along with everyone else! Lol

[pixie373]

...or tell her to be there half an hour AFTER it starts, and have a peaceful day :-)

[nungate]

I had a similar sort or problem with my dear father in law. He used to ferry me about to Queenie's hospital appointments when she was very young but because he never liked to be rushed, he always arrived an hour too early to take us anywhere, leaving me to be rushed and frazzled, until I tried the
"Louise principle" if I needed to be there at 3.00 I'd ask him to come at 4.00
sorted! He was a lovely man, he is sorely missed in our family (not just for the lifts hither and thither)

[EcclesCake]

I have lost touch with a friend due to me having a total melt down when she turned up for a dinner date late.

I have never known her be on time and on this occasion I chose not to hide my irritation.

Bad time keeping is obnoxious and disrespectful. I hope you have a lovely day and all guests are respectful and you all have a good time.

[joko]

tell her the time is 15-20 minutes before it actually is.
or offer to pick her up?

regarding the phone, pull your own phone out and say 'oops nearly forgot best put this on silent, have you done yours?'

or ask someone else to do it when you arrive.