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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I really don't like them and I don't know what to do about it

205 replies

Cupofdreams · 28/07/2025 21:57

My son is engaged to a lovely girl and we get on really well but I cannot gel with her parents and I don't know what to do about it.

Usually it wouldn't be a major issue as most families do not really spend much time with both sets of parents outside of formal events but future DIL is obsessed with us all spending time together and being one big family. The problem is her family is a lot for me.

I have horrendous social anxiety and am a massive introvert and they are the complete opposite. They also drink a LOT and the Dad gets very forceful and rather aggressive when drunk to the point he has often been asked to go home from the pub as he has caused trouble with other people there. The last time I spent the day with them was awful and one of the parents spent much of the time trying to force me to have alcohol (couldn't due to medication) and getting angry when I didn't.

Talk is already happening about the festive period and it is stressing me out. DS still lives at home with me still and I would be happy to have future DIL over for Christmas day or I am just as happy to spend part of the day with them and then them move off to her parents or me spend a different day with DS and him just go there but she wants us all together and the thought of having to spend every Christmas day with them in future fills me with dread to be honest but DS has already made it clear that this is how it is going to be.

Aibu to ask for advice how to navigate this going forward so that I do not lose any relationship with my son.

OP posts:
DoneitagainhaventI · 28/07/2025 22:07

Your son must be very aware of your social.anxiety and the fact you are an introvert.
Your son should explain to his fiancee that you don't feel comfortable in big family gatherings. So that when you say no to these occasions she and her family will accept it's not meant as a snub.

Rizzz · 28/07/2025 22:05

How does your son not know you have horrendous social anxiety and are a massive introvert?

Remind him and tell him you're happy for them to socialise but you don't want to, regardless of what her family are like.

Cactus1008 · 28/07/2025 22:03

DS has already made it clear that this is how it is going to be

This sounds really controlling and no one should be putting you in this position, you have a right to say no.

Figcherry · 28/07/2025 22:02

Your ds is not the arbiter of how you live your life.

Just say no, that doesn’t work for me.

PollyBell · 28/07/2025 22:00

He cant dictate this so just say no, why is it so hard for people to use this word

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