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AIBU?

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AIBU to end things with my sister-in-law after years of helping?

134 replies

Fedup0707 · 11/08/2026 20:26

need some honest opinions because I'm very angry and upset and don't know if I'm seeing this clearly.
She's my SIL (my brother's wife). I've never particularly liked her, but she's family and for 17 years I've always tried to be there for her. I look after her children, send my own children to help her and whenever she needs something I tend to run over. I've always felt you support family, even when you don't particularly get on.
However, I feel she constantly blames others, twists situations and portrays herself as the victim. She has a very difficult relationship with my brother and, although he's certainly not blameless, I feel she takes their problems out on the wider family. She's also accused my mum of causing problems between them.
Recently there was an argument over a duvet cover. My brother wanted one, so I gave him one of hers. I accept I should have asked her first. She rang me furious, shouting "how dare you" and accusing me of causing trouble between her and my brother. We both shouted at each other on the phone and I told her i knew that her and her brother had conspired and tried to separate me and my husband, because she wasnt happy being married to my brother. (They are still married) mainly for the kids.
I messaged her afterwards because I was fed up with being blamed and accused when I feel I've done so much to help her and her children. I told her I wouldn't get involved in her affairs again.
Then today my mum came out of hospital. My SIL was there, and I felt she was being fake sympathetic towards my mum as shes previouslybeen awful to her but trying to show look I'm good etc.
I was still angry and confronted her. I told her I didn't think she was a good person and that she should apologise for things she'd said previously.
She told me "don't talk to me." listening to your voice gives me a headache and i said dont talk to you "forever?" And she said well im not a good person and I said I agree your not and she replied "don't talk to me ever, our relationship is finished."
I know I started today's argument and I'm not denying that. I was angry and deliberately confronted her rather than walking away.
But I feel I've spent 17 years helping her, looking after her children and running whenever she needs something, while she repeatedly blames me, my mum or my brother when things go wrong.
I've also realised I've probably pretended we're much closer than we actually are because she's family.

OP posts:
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SparklyLeader · 13/08/2026 23:03

You HAVE TO learn how to express your emotions and not bottle them up without exploding. Look for a behavioral therapist to help you create new pathways for expressing yourself that assist you so you stop shoving things down. That is the very best thing you can do for yourself right now, learn how to be nicer to yourself.

LeopardStar1 · 13/08/2026 19:59

AutisticMumOf2 · 11/08/2026 20:34

You fell out over a duvet cover? Seriously?

Obviously not. She fell out because she was yelled at over the phone!

changeme4this · 13/08/2026 19:47

You should have told your brother to fetch it himself and stay out of your SIL’s linen cupboard.

Cynicalist · 12/08/2026 22:37

There’s still far too many unanswered questions considering I reached the end of this thread!!
Was it a freshly washed and ironed duvet cover from the airing cupboard? Or did DC just whip the duvet cover off the duvet that was on the bed? Single or double or king? Was it made of silk?! And more importantly, please @OP FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR MH AND SOUL, don’t EVER get involved in a marriage between 2 other people over something like a DUVET COVER!!!!!
so step away, put the duvets down, curl up under your OWN duvet for a bit to rebalance and then please focus on your family and your kids and your husband x

NotAnotherScarf · 12/08/2026 21:28

greenpolkadot55 · 12/08/2026 19:29

I'm not following it either. i thought it was the mums duvet cover..did you give it to her while your mum was in hospital ?

I still don't get it. There's an Airbnb that needed a duvet cover. Your brother asked for one. You got one from his daughter. Somehow it kicked off

But who's Airbnb
Why hasn't your brother explained he asked for it

But most of all...why the fuck are you not explaining any of this shit in actual English?

Surgz · 12/08/2026 21:15

How old is the dc. - duvet cover??

ThisKookyExpert · 12/08/2026 20:39

She is angry with her husband but she can’t afford to start a Barney with him if their relationship is already on the rocks . Your brother didn’t want to ask his wife because for some reason it would have started an argument which he knew hence phoning you. You have been played in their marital drama . Don’t worry my sister did the same crap to me. Just stay away from the pair of them for a bit .

Firefly1987 · 12/08/2026 20:29

maxslice · 12/08/2026 19:34

You gave away something that didn’t belong to you. You try to minimize it, but it was just wrong. You may hate her for other reasons, but if she gave away something that belonged to you, you’d be on here ranting about that. You are being unreasonable.

Yep OP should've just apologised or said "take it up with brother he gave me permission" but instead of doing that she got into a huge argument with her about stuff from the past.

ThisMauveTurtle · 12/08/2026 20:28

You are all too involved in each other's lives and live too close to each other.
It's very very common to see this happening.
She put up with you all when she needed childcare etc but she obviously doesn't like you.
Regarding helping look after her children, like many parents she probably thought you loved having her kids over so in her head there would be nothing she should appreciate about it

Also, your brother should have gotten the quilt cover.
I wouldn't like someone coming to my house like that.
It's not easy living beside a Mil much less a mil and sil

BeUmberMember · 12/08/2026 20:15

The duvet cover issue sounds like a storm in a tea cup, but some people are precious with their things and she may only have a couple, one on the bed and one in the wash. We cannot choose our family members and obviously you have been supportive to your brother and his family for many years, and I am sure he appreciates it, even if she doesn't. You only have one family and obviously have to consider your mum's feelings if you were to stop speaking to your sister in law, plus your brother's, so for the sake of restoring family harmony I would just let this go, in the knowledge that your sister in law will need you in the future and not want to continue not speaking. You as the more mature adult can back down in the best interests of all your family.

maxslice · 12/08/2026 19:42

Bababear987 · 11/08/2026 22:20

Stop living in each other's pockets and get a hobby... I'd suggest reading.

And exercise to burn off that rage.

maxslice · 12/08/2026 19:40

Gengha · 11/08/2026 22:07

So did your SIL then go to the Air BNB to retrieve the duvet cover?

where was the air bnb?

Should the Airbnb have duvets in covers for the guests?

maxslice · 12/08/2026 19:34

You gave away something that didn’t belong to you. You try to minimize it, but it was just wrong. You may hate her for other reasons, but if she gave away something that belonged to you, you’d be on here ranting about that. You are being unreasonable.

HereWeGo1234 · 12/08/2026 19:30

Have you heard of greying or grey rock method? Google it if you haven’t - it might help you in your dealings with her in the future.

greenpolkadot55 · 12/08/2026 19:29

NotAnotherScarf · 11/08/2026 20:43

No me neither

I'm not following it either. i thought it was the mums duvet cover..did you give it to her while your mum was in hospital ?

Vaxtable · 12/08/2026 19:21

Just let it go. D9 t bother speaking to her again and let her do her own thing

ChocoChocoLatte · 12/08/2026 19:12

Jesus wept are you all 14. Stay the hell away from each other. She sounds like an absolute melter and you need to learn not to people please.

MoonWoman69 · 12/08/2026 18:37

In a word, pathetic.

winter8090 · 12/08/2026 18:36

The problem is if you cut her off it will
impact the relationship with your brother and his children.
id find a middle ground. Be pleasant but distance yourself a bit in attempt to stop getting involved in their dramas.
The duvet situation was clearly a misunderstanding and I’d just say you did you best to try and help and leave it at that.

Iamgettingolderandgrumpier · 12/08/2026 18:27

Sorry, you’ve spent 17 yrs putting up with this cr*p. Sounds as if you quite enjoy the drama. If you really don’t, just go no contact. You can still see your brother. He can meet at yours, your mums or neutral ground. Avoid the cow!

Millerhouse1 · 12/08/2026 18:24

In families an entitled person can argue over anything, hers was a duvet. Whether you were right or wrong an argumentative person will always find fault. Forget her and move on, rid yourself and your children of being used by her. There's always one in a family, and yours is her.

HerbertPootle · 12/08/2026 18:22

I think your brother is at fault here. He could have phoned his 13 year old daughter to bring a duvet cover out to him as he left. Why ask you? Sounds like they all treat you like a slave. Leave them to it, they’re adults.

Doubledenim305 · 12/08/2026 18:18

Just don't waste your time helping her any more. Just silent silent silent.
You sound like you have just realised she's awful and are pained at all the effort you made in the past. That's why you are smarting.
It is what it is.
Let them do their thing and don't offer anymore help.

LouiseK93 · 12/08/2026 17:53

I think its probably tip of the iceberg sort of thing

Eurovisionwatcherbecauselol · 12/08/2026 12:52

Firstly I don't understand how people don't understand the duvet post? It was messaged in simple terms so Where's the confusion?

But secondly I don't understand how it all blew up from a row over duvets as it wasn't your row it was between bro and sil?

Thirdly (and you knew this) you were wrong to both act like children in front of your mother!

So forthly from now on just step back but try and be civil keep communication between you and brother but if sil about be short but polite!