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AIBU?

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Family dilemma

30 replies

Girlmum72 · 23/12/2025 17:00

Hey
First time posting and looking for some advice.
Mil is always making excuses as to why she can't visit mainly due to not being able to leave her pet. We can't visit her as my children are afraid of her pet that she hasn't trained.
Mil booked a meal for us and SIL and her children bearing in mind SIL never bothers with our children to the point we haven't seen her in years this being since I stopped making the effort as it was always one sided with myself offering to visit etc.
MIL has booked a meal for all of us, my husband, children, herself, her partner, SIL and her children. Am I being unreasonable to not attend this meal considering I've made countless efforts for MIL to visit and it's always thrown back at me as well as SIL never having anything to do with us.
Partner is saying he's fed up that we see my family but they make the effort. Feeling fed up and deflated by it all.

OP posts:
CatherinedeBourgh · 23/12/2025 17:04

I don't see the problem. They booked a meal, you just have to show up.

Sure, you will never have a close relationship with them, but you can have a casual one. You aren't really being asked to make an effort, so don't make one. But deliberately not going to the meal (which unless there is something you are not disclosing like it being a million miles away is not much of an effort) would be an unnecessary and deliberate snub, and putting yourself in the wrong.

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 23/12/2025 17:04

Looks like an attempt at peace- making to me.

TinselTitts · 23/12/2025 17:03

SIL never bothers with our children to the point we haven't seen her in years this being since I stopped making the effort as it was always one sided with myself offering to visit etc.

Why were you making all the effort to visit your husband's sister with the kids anyway?

Isit2026yet · 23/12/2025 17:02

@Girlmum72 would it really be the end of the world to go to the meal?

TinselTitts · 23/12/2025 17:02

No, just stay home and let your DH go with the kids.

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