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Been put in a really akward situation with SIL and having to say no to her request for the 3rd time.

351 replies

StarsAndStripesX · 17/01/2019 08:22

SIL (DHs sister) and DH don’t really see eye to eye, they are very different people. He sees her as very high maintenance, jealous and selfish. Where as DH is very laid back. SIL is quite a bit older than DH and must be seen to be doing better. Whatever we have / get she has to get bigger and better and really makes it known with her constant bragging and it really winds DH up.

DH and BIL get on really well and I know if BIL wasn’t on the scene he wouldn’t see SIL. He tolerates her, I get on with her ok as I’m not easily wound up by her I let her brag but it washes over me. I don’t see life as a competition like her.

We hosted DHs family over Xmas. BIL gave DH the dates for mutual friends stag, turns out DH can’t go as it clashes with our family holiday.

A hour or so later SIL said she had a great idea as we are all away at the same time why doesn’t she come on holiday with us so she’s not missing out.
I told her straight and said “we don’t do holidays with others due to previous bad experiences in the past. It is our first family holiday since DS was born (he’s now 7) and since DH changed jobs (he doesn’t see the DC for 5 days a week, every other week due to new hours) and were looking forward to spending some quality time with just us four. She seemed to accept that and said it’s fine not to worry.

A week or so later they stopped in for a flying visit to borrow some tools, DH was in the garage and SIL brought it up again. She said she feels upset that we are all going away and it’s not fair on her and she wants to come away with us. BIL stepped in before I could speak and said she was embarrassing herself, she had already asked and has been told no, she’s already got two holidays booked this year and to drop it.

Me and DH spoke after they left and he said if she comes away with us he’s not going. I do get on with her more than DH but 10 days joined at the hip with her is far too much and the thought fills me with dread aswell as DH.

I really thought that was the end of the matter, seems not. She messaged late last night I’ve only seen it this morning. “She’s been looking online and the prices are going up, she would really love to come so can we reconsider and let her know what dates we go and come back so she can book it”

She knows what hotel were staying at as we previously went to the same hotel 8/9 years ago and they went to the same hotel a couple of months later. We spoke about it Xmas day before she tried to invite herself. She even said it was ok but not as good as more expensive hotel down the road they stayed at last year. She doesn’t know our exact dates just we will be away over the stag do.

I honestly don’t know what to say, I’ve tried a few times to draft a message and I don’t know how to get the point across. She’s clearly messaged me rather than DH as he will tell her to piss off.

The problem is we’re not actually going until July and it’s going to be a long time of her asking if I can’t set her straight once and for all.

OP posts:
Slightlyjaded · 17/01/2019 14:00

Actually, I think she sounds a bit unhinged. The fact that you have said no twice and she has not only asked again but you feel there is a real risk she would 'show up' is not a normal response.

If you get on with her ok why don't you do Ivy's response along with a 'please don't ask again, we get on so well and I don't want to fall out' and if you can bare it, maybe offer up a girls weekend together at some later date. Not because you have to placate her but because you say you like her and she sounds quite desperate.

BitOutOfPractice · 17/01/2019 14:01

She knows what month / general time they are going as it clashes with the stag do mentioned repeatedly in the OP

ReflectentMonatomism · 17/01/2019 14:04

maybe offer up a girls weekend together at some later date

Mummy, mummy, can I have a pony?

No, because we live in a third floor flat.

Mummy, mummy, can I have a pony?

No, because we cannot afford it.

Mummy, mummy, can I have a pony?

Oh, how about very small Shetland Pony, you can keep it on the balcony and I'll work some extra hours to pay for it.

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IdleBetty · 17/01/2019 14:05

You will have to be blunt, she is too thick-skinned.

Forward the message to BIL and say 'Am I speaking Swahili? Any chance you could tell SIL it is NOT happening as she is not hearing me? Thanks'.

MistressDeeCee · 17/01/2019 14:05

No - it's our family holiday and we haven't changed our minds.

That should do it. I wouldn't write more than one sentence. She's been told. Same short sentence every time she asks. That's it. Don't put any major thought into it at all.

nauticant · 17/01/2019 14:06

if you can bare it, maybe offer up a girls weekend together at some later date

Aargh! Rewarding CFuckery is an invitation to a CF to continue being a CF.

ReflectentMonatomism · 17/01/2019 14:14

Rewarding CFuckery is an invitation to a CF to continue being a CF.

This. She sounds needy and pathetic, and neither the OP nor the OP's husband like her. Why would you want a weekend away with someone needy and pathetic, whom you don't like? In order to avoid...what? A needy and pathetic person you don't like not liking you?

SugarPlumLairy · 17/01/2019 14:15

Has it already been said that you need to mention that should she decide to gatecrash/surprise you on your holiday you will NOT spend time with her and it will affect any future relationship you have. Or more to the point don’t have with her in future.

She sounds horribly selfish. I think you should follow your DHs lead as it’s his family,

Parthenope · 17/01/2019 14:17

and if you can bare it, maybe offer up a girls weekend together at some later date.

Seriously? Hmm

Topseyt · 17/01/2019 14:22

Why the fuck should anyone offer up a weekend to go away with someone they don't particularly like?

You don't need to placate her at all. She's a cheeky fucker.

QueenOfIce · 17/01/2019 14:28

I'm sorry but I'd be quite rude at this point. I'd send several texts one after the other saying the same thing.

No

No

No

No

No

pusspuss9 · 17/01/2019 14:32

Thank you kittens!

BarbaraRoyale · 17/01/2019 14:36

I can't believe the poster who thinks you are being selfish for wanting your first holiday in 7 years with just your family
MN is weird sometimes

Belenus · 17/01/2019 14:54

No. Non. Nein. Ne. Ingen. Nee. Ei. Nihil. Nr. Nie.

The word is surprisingly similar across several languages. Send her those and she should be able to work out at least one of them.

NerdyBird · 17/01/2019 15:25

Channel Theresa May, OP. No means no, stick to your red lines. Your family has voted for a 'just us' holiday and you must deliver the will of the family!

Seriously though, be very blunt with no sorry or please or whatever. Get your DH to message her too. I hope you have a great holiday!

HoHoFuck · 17/01/2019 15:39

Is the hotel already paid for? If not, I'd be tempted to book somewhere else so even if SIL tries to "surprise" you, you won't be at the same place.

I'd definitely be direct with her, too: "No. For the third time, SIL, you're not invited. Stop asking.".

CantWaitToRetire · 17/01/2019 15:45

I'd go with:

SIL, there's been a change of plan as we read some bad reviews on Trip Advisor. We're now going to {completely different country} and we'll be staying there {dates}. These are the flight numbers {xxx}. See you there!

Foonababoonalagoona · 17/01/2019 16:12

Fucking hell ! I wouldn't be changing any plans or any hotels, nor would I be pussy footing around a clearly selfish ,self centered , no regard for anyone but herself SIL!!
I would quite honestly say what I really wanted to say and that would be ....
We don't want you to come on holidays with you , so stop asking .

CantWaitToRetire · 17/01/2019 16:24

I wasn't suggesting that OP should change her plans IRL, just tell her SIL that the plans have changed to divert her somewhere else Grin

DragginBallsEEEE · 17/01/2019 16:28

'Lol I hope you're joking. We've already said no, not sure how many times you want us to say it?'

I'm a bit scared she will just book anyway and turn up. I remember spending one of our holidays on edge as BIL had been asking too many questions about our holiday and how it sounded great and that if they could afford it they'd join us. Even text on the first day asking what the name of the hotel was again.

StormTreader · 17/01/2019 16:46

I think it's quite mean to suggest "just tell her the wrong dates", would the posters be really laughing in real life at someone being in another country only to find their "friends" not there?

Just keep telling her no, its not complicated.

ReflectentMonatomism · 17/01/2019 16:52

I think it's quite mean to suggest "just tell her the wrong dates"

If you have been told that you absolutely cannot join someone else on holiday, find out their dates and proceed to book, then if that ends in tears it's your problem and might serve as a useful life lesson.

But overall I agree. The amount of pussyfooting around to avoid saying "we do not ever want to go on holiday with you, now or in the future, and we will not discuss this again" is extraordinary. The OP doesn't like her sister in law. The OP's husband doesn't like his sister. Why on earth would they care if she's upset by being told the facts? Why should they have to dissemble and cavil, when all that's needed is a statement of the facts.

If you give cheeky fuckers an inch of ambiguity, they will take a mile of negotiation. Be clear. Be unambiguous. "You are not coming on holiday with us. Ever."

qazxc · 17/01/2019 17:00

Just tell her
"We're not going on holidays with anyone else as we want to spend the time just us 4."

Whatdoyouknowwhenyouknownowt · 17/01/2019 17:19

The problem is that if she does ignore all the "no" messages is that it becomes the Op's problem again if she's sat there in the hotel for the entire week or whatever.

poglets · 17/01/2019 17:29

all these responses regarding your husband's sister. This is not your problem. Get DH to manage his own fucking awful limpet of a sister.

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