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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
SunnyRedSnail · 12/08/2026 08:42

You and your SIL sound very similar and both enjoy making a mountain out of a molehill.

Sounds like you clash as you are so similar.

Scrubwren · 12/08/2026 08:30

WhatNoRaisins · 12/08/2026 06:30

I don't get why you're so enmeshed with and have given so much support to someone you don't like. That was inevitably going to lead to resentment and it sounds like this has made you behave really badly here. You need to be polite but distant and be discerning about what you share with her.

It’s the classic people-pleaser thing of running around for years offering services to someone you don’t like, all the while seething with resentment, and then cracking when it’s clear your 17 years of service didn’t get you what you thought they were getting you. You see it an awful lot on Mn. The answer is obviously not to give more than you’re able, ever, and not to do things for years for someone you dislike when you don’t want to.

Helgirl666 · 12/08/2026 08:22

Frankly I would have done the same. Your only human ans can take only so much! Sounds like you are well rid of her. Don't help out again and let her sink or swim on her own I say. One less toxic person in ur life - well done you!

WhatNoRaisins · 12/08/2026 06:30

I don't get why you're so enmeshed with and have given so much support to someone you don't like. That was inevitably going to lead to resentment and it sounds like this has made you behave really badly here. You need to be polite but distant and be discerning about what you share with her.

Gengha · 12/08/2026 05:43

Fedup0707 · 11/08/2026 23:22

If we could move we would, but not as easy as that, am main carer for my parents, who are needing more and more help now, plus work and being able to afford to move. Its just not possible, have thought about it alot but just cant at the moment, I know my tolerance at the min is at an all time low i think cause of going through menopause, i shouldn't have argued today or brought it up, should have walked away, but still felt really angry and I normally don't care, as know she has form and try to ignore, but i didnt.

You don’t have to move miles away but some distance so you aren’t in each others pockets might be good. I know it’s not that easy though

user1492757084 · 12/08/2026 00:49

Back off from your brother's family.
Learn to smile politely at essential family gatherings.
Cease saying anything offensive about her.
Take it one week at a time.

Reward yourself by findong a new bunch of unconnected friends.

LivelyGreyShark · 12/08/2026 00:40

Ignoring the spam, you sound way too involved with your brother and SIL life OP.

OneAmpleSloth · 12/08/2026 00:38

This reply has been deleted

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Warmlight1 · 12/08/2026 00:36

MayWelland · 11/08/2026 23:18

Nobody said that @Fedup0707. I’m genuinely sorry you are having a rough day but please don’t start on the people who are trying to help you.

You put a post on AIBU, which isn’t known for its nuance, and you were desperately unclear (prob because you were upset). The advice you’ve had is really solid - you are overthinking, let it go, find something else to do to stop it feeling so overwhelming.

Nobody has said that they don’t fight with their families and never argue.

In fairness many posters are not strictly trying to help. ....

OneAmpleSloth · 12/08/2026 00:11

This reply has been deleted

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Moonandstarsandsun · 12/08/2026 00:11

Hahaha living for the comments. Still don’t understand over the duvet???

Moulook31 · 12/08/2026 00:09

Gengha · 11/08/2026 22:00

This

I’m none the wiser on the duvet cover

And if OP is only a few doors away why couldn’t brother go and get it himself?

And how is it SIL duvet cover but not also BIL’s given they live together?

Everyone sounds batshit

It’s a mathematical problem! 😂

Moulook31 · 12/08/2026 00:05

Fedup0707 · 11/08/2026 21:14

She was out and my brother asked me to run over and get a duvet cover from his house for Airbnb as he was about to leave, her daughter gave me one and that was the one she was going to change. And I know i was absolutely shocked that she caused a huge argument over this! She phoned me at 10pm after she had been to a party to argur i didnt expect it at all, it was such a non issue!

Edited

Was totally confused here. So glad the duvet part has now been made clearer.

Firefly1987 · 11/08/2026 23:52

Is anyone else feeling a bit sorry for the SIL?

OP takes a duvet without asking so SIL asks why she did that at which point they get into a massive barney and OP decides to accuse her and her brother of conspiring to break up OPs marriage!

She's nice to OPs mum but apparently was just being fake so OP starts another fight with her.

Well she could be a manipulative psycho or the OP could just be paranoid, who knows really.

Whoops75 · 11/08/2026 23:46

For your own peace of mind just deal with your brother.

Happyjoe · 11/08/2026 23:44

Smile, walk away and just live your life. It sounds like it's done, not much point giving it all much headspace.

orangehandles · 11/08/2026 23:31

She's a right madam. No wonder her marriage to your brother is in trouble.

FaceEatingLeopard · 11/08/2026 23:28

What fresh unintelligible hell is this now?

Well it doesn’t matter because I’ve slipped almost into unconsciousness trying to understand it so bonne chance to anyone who sticks with it!

PorridgeEater · 11/08/2026 23:24

Fedup0707 · 11/08/2026 21:48

I have explained about the duvet already my sis in law was out and my brother just asked me to run over and get one from their house, we live a few doors he was at my mums, again a few doors down, his daughter13 year old was still asleep and I woke her up and asked for a duvet to give as he was about to leave for airbnb, she then rang me first and said why did you give duvet i needed it etc, so i messaged my brother and said dont use it she needs it, he then messaged her and said that she should have spoken to him not me. She then rang me at 10pm to accuse me of causing arguments in her marriage. I was literally gobsmacked as didnt expect it and shouted back at her that I've always been there for her etc.

Wow!

Fedup0707 · 11/08/2026 23:22

If we could move we would, but not as easy as that, am main carer for my parents, who are needing more and more help now, plus work and being able to afford to move. Its just not possible, have thought about it alot but just cant at the moment, I know my tolerance at the min is at an all time low i think cause of going through menopause, i shouldn't have argued today or brought it up, should have walked away, but still felt really angry and I normally don't care, as know she has form and try to ignore, but i didnt.

OP posts:
PorridgeEater · 11/08/2026 23:19

FleshLiabilities · 11/08/2026 21:19

Well that's as clear as mud.

This.
Still baffling.

MayWelland · 11/08/2026 23:18

Fedup0707 · 11/08/2026 23:13

I was literally asking for advice i know its a non issue thats been taken out of context! Im glad you all get on with your family's and never argue or try to keep peace to see your nieces and nephews! Your all very privileged and lucky to have that.

Nobody said that @Fedup0707. I’m genuinely sorry you are having a rough day but please don’t start on the people who are trying to help you.

You put a post on AIBU, which isn’t known for its nuance, and you were desperately unclear (prob because you were upset). The advice you’ve had is really solid - you are overthinking, let it go, find something else to do to stop it feeling so overwhelming.

Nobody has said that they don’t fight with their families and never argue.

Gengha · 11/08/2026 23:16

Fedup0707 · 11/08/2026 23:13

I was literally asking for advice i know its a non issue thats been taken out of context! Im glad you all get on with your family's and never argue or try to keep peace to see your nieces and nephews! Your all very privileged and lucky to have that.

Oh bloody hell OP one side of my extended family are/were mental. That’s why we live 400 miles away from them and not in the same road

Fedup0707 · 11/08/2026 23:13

I was literally asking for advice i know its a non issue thats been taken out of context! Im glad you all get on with your family's and never argue or try to keep peace to see your nieces and nephews! Your all very privileged and lucky to have that.

OP posts:
Gengha · 11/08/2026 23:13

She does sound like a cow to be fair.

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