Being on time can be difficult, especially when you are trying to get somewhere with children. Most people understand the unpredictable nature of kids which means that when the day of an event arrives, it's expected that any parents attending may run a little later as their children hold them up.
However, one fuming woman took to Mumsnet to explain that she was met with 'passive-aggressive comments' from her enraged parents when she showed up to a family lunch a little bit late, the Mirror reports. She said that when she and her kids arrived only 12 minutes past the agreed time, her mum was 'looking at her phone with a face like thunder' and her dad looked 'furious'.
The mother was baffled by their behaviour and said that she had wanted to leave the situation but couldn't as her kids were happy to see their grandparents. She added that the small restaurant they were in was not busy at all as she asked for advice from other users about who they thought was in the wrong.
She fumed: "My husband, my two children and I were due to meet my parents at a local restaurant today for lunch. It's a very relaxed, family-friendly restaurant. It was really quiet, with loads of available tables.
"Due to one thing and another we turned up 12 minutes late. I messaged my mum to say we were running late and would be there soon. We saw them sitting at the window as we arrived.
"My dad looked furious. My mum was looking at her phone with a face like thunder.
"My mum said: "Oh you're finally here! You're late!" I said "10 minutes late! We're here now." They both had a big go at us, with my mum saying "It's lucky we weren't late or we'd have lost our table!"
"The restaurant was quiet, with loads of available seating. They then grumbled and made more passive-aggressive comments. I was so angry I couldn't speak.
"The only reason I didn't leave was that the kids were excited to be there. I was looking forward to it after being ill and finally feeling a bit better but their attitude spoiled it for me.
"Am I being unreasonable to think turning up 12 minutes late isn't that bad?! Personally, I'd have just had a drink with my husband while I waited rather than angrily looking out the window/at my phone."
Social media users were left divided in the comments as some criticised the mum for being late while others agreed her parents were 'overreacting' and could have been a lot more understanding, especially while their grandkids were there.
One commented: "I think you were both rude tbh, your lateness but also them harping on. Can't stand either trait."
Another person disagreed: "Come on! Your parents are being ridiculous. I hate lateness, it is rude, but 12 minutes with a message to say you're running late is ABSOLUTELY FINE!"
Someone else agreed "10 minutes is nothing. And you text them to tell them. What an overreaction to nothing."
A Mumsnetter reassured the furious woman: "12 mins is nothing when you have kids". Another mother who related to the situation replied: "I'm usually late with kids because it normally takes them an hour to get them out the front door.
"Eldest doesn't want hair brushed, youngest needs a last-minute poo, my husband misplaced his car keys, I've lost my will to live. You know, all that stuff that comes with having a family that your mum and dad should also remember."
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