Mumsnet Talk

I'd unleash hell on either of my brothers if they did this but your family dynamic sounds very different to mine.
But there is nothing to stop you fighting your parents corner here so I think you should talk to him about this.

Sorry to be morbid but at some point in the future you may need his help with your parents and he needs to take some responsibility now or he never will.

He / they sound very selfish. I think they owe your parents a big apology, and I am shocked that you have to suggest it to them.

Why is everyone in your family pandering to this grown up brat?

Don't text. Call. And say 'You are a selfish git. If you don't send mom and dad flowers by the end of today and call and apologize you will be hearing from me again and it won't be nearly so pleasant.'

Seriously. He acts like this because he has no reason not to. Give him a reason not to.

If one of my brothers or sisters did this, they would hear from me loud and long.

Kalisi it would appear mom and dad don't pick up the phone to chat and/or confirm with this grown up brat. Who knows why? And 'I forgot' is not an acceptable excuse in this, or really any, case. Buy a freakin' calendar and use it. Or, most likely, just look at your smart phone!

I wouldn't reply to SIL - I'd phone DB and give him a rollocking once I had read the pathetic reasons SIL had given for their no show.

It's a lack of respect and if I thought my brother was being disrespectful to our parents I'd tell him, (not his wife they aren't her parents) and I'd be telling him loud and with rude words. Just as he would me if the situation were reversed.

I may have missed something here and probably have seeing as I'm the only one who seems to think yabu
There is surely a very real and genuine possibility that he forgot? The whole confusion could have easily been avoided if your Mother had just reminded him on the phone that they were expecting them. Very strange that she didn't even think to say "Oh are you not coming up this weekend then?" when he mentioned his other plans.
Although once you did remind him he should have been straight on the phone to apologise.

I would tell your SIL 'Did you realise that Mum took a day off work? And that they bought a joint and cooked? I don't know if they are upset, but it sounds worth an apology to me, and tell DB to get a diary'.

Why has it not occurred to your DB and SIL that they should be phoning to apologise?

My brother would be getting short shrift here, especially if he had form for this kind of thing

If it was my DB I wouldn't be light hearted!

I only found out about them not showing today. They were only due for the day Sunday - they are routinely rubbish at showing for a particular time, so DP's have given up asking what time they might be arriving. I think they felt by the time they realised DB wasn't coming it was too late so would make him feel bad? Don't think it can have been a misunderstanding - DB rang and said they would be coming up this particular weekend.

Anyway, his wife has messaged to say they must have forgotten, they hope they haven't upset DP's, they have just had a lot on. So what now? Shall I suggest they call, tell them they missed a nice dinner (kind of light-hearted but letting them know, IYSWIM)

I wouldn't have waited until now, tbh. I think these situations only happen because of a severe lack of communication.
Son your mother last spoke to him 2 weeks ago and assumed it was still on? What time was he supposed to be arriving? Why didn't she call about half an hour after that time?

If that had been my family, there would have been several text messages in during the 2 week period: 'I'm cancelling work for that weekend, will you be here both days?' 'Going to butchers later, what would you both prefer to eat?' 'Will have the roast ready for 2ish, let me know what time you're setting off' 'Text me when you're ten mins away, will put kettle on' ...that kind of thing. Not just silence for 2 weeks and then sitting around in your Sunday best. It seems somewhat passive aggressive, almost willing them to let you down.

Vix

He could have genuinely forgot. Although I've a BIL who is very insensitive like this, always saying he is coming up and never does.

But...but...why don't your parents say anything? Why didn't they call and say 'where are you?'.

I thought 'Whoa, they had a huge joint and he didn't show?' for a moment, I'd be over there like a tramp on chips, but yes, glad you messaged him

I assumed at first it was a relaxed family do....

Snorts at Vix286.

I would be asking my bro what had happened before laying into him. It seems unbelievably thoughtless and rude that he would do that, makes me wonder if your parents and he may have been at crossed purposes?

I was at "brought a huge joint" until another poster said about it being in the fridge....

YANBU to message him OP

Right, have messaged. Just said that the folks were expecting them and had they got the right date. Will have to see what occurs.

Absolutely message him.

You should. I would but hate rocking the boat. Havent seen my db since last April. Apparently he appeared this September and had a huff because we werent in for his unannounced visit. We were on our Honeymoon

Yes I would.

of course I would...why are you even hesitating ?

I would. But that's cos mine would expect me to say "Oi, where the hell were you?"
Guess it depends if you have a sulky DB who will go into a huge huff and ruin Christmas over it or one who says " oh shit, sorry." and then make amends.

I would tell him just how disappointed your parents were. You are in a unique position so to speak, as his sibling, to "say what no one else will" iyswim.
Your poor parents must have been so disappointed Hopefully your brother is just thoughtless rather than selfish, and a message will wake him up to himself.

YABU to text and tell him he is a thoughtless twat.

YANBU to text and say 'Do you realise DM and DF were expecting you this weekend? Did you forget or what? Are you OK? Can you call them? Big joint going to waste in the fridge...'