We have tantruming twins so my mother-in-law gifted us a timer and set of rules to ‘help’ – people say it’s rude
A WOMAN was left surprised after receiving a gift from her mother-in-law to “help” with her tantruming three-year-old twins.
The mum shared a photo of the Christmas present and queried what her intention behind it was – and people haven’t held back in the comments.
She showed on Reddit how her mum-in-law had given her a wind-up timer to help the household run smoothly.
She wrote: “For Christmas this year my mother-in-law gifted us this kitchen timer with a set of rules to live by.
“My husband and I both work long hours, he travels for work often, and we have 3 year old twins.
“Our 3 year olds are typical toddlers. Tantrums galore.
“And the state of our house is definitely cluttered and messy.
“I guess this is my mother-in-law’s cute and funny way of ‘helping’ us.”
The mum-in-law had written the “rules” on the back of the timer and they included a suggested timetable to follow from the morning to bedtime.
The woman wrote that she should set the timer for her kids to get dressed, eat and leave the house.
Then, she should put a timer on after dinner, and wrote: “10 min clean up. That means everyone.”
Another timer should be set for bedtime and doing teeth.
The mum-in-law also suggested she do a countdown for the laundry being done and the next load going in.
Finally, she wrote: “Set timer for tablet or phone play – limit this act.”
Many people were shocked at the timer gift, with one writing: “Set it for 5 minutes and tell her that’s how long she’s got to get her crap together and get out of your house.”
Another added: “That’s incredibly rude of her. How much is she helping you guys out if it’s bothering her so much?
“I’d be tempted to get her a clock with instructions about how it’s time to mind her own business.”
A third commented: “Nothing cute about this! I agree with one of the previous comments. This is so passive aggressive. Even if she is helping in some capacity, your home, your rules.”
However, one reasoned: “I actually know a couple who has used timers as part of a bedtime routine with their little ones with great success.”