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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:
AllMYSmellySocks · 18/01/2019 18:40

I wouldn't make up lies or excuses or offer alternatives. I would flat out say "we've told you no and won't change our mind. It's our first family holiday in seven years and we definitely do not want anyone there with us"

Vivianebrezilletbrooks · 18/01/2019 18:43

A blunt "No and please don't ask again!" would do it.

To be honest if you've been calm to this point with her you're doing much much better than I would be. I would have lost my temper by now.

I think she thinks she'll wear you down the more she keeps on at you both.

The babysitting idea is a really bad one I do honestly think a firm NO is what's needed.

SheWoreBlueVelvet · 18/01/2019 18:59

I like “ we haven’t changed our minds. Just DH and kids”

Reminds her you’ve told her and that she’s being pushy.

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ReanimatedSGB · 18/01/2019 19:03

'The answer will still be No however many times you ask. Please let this drop.'

fedupwithcookingfromscratch · 18/01/2019 19:09

Tell her your time together is a family is precious, so you are going to stick to your original plan. Or ‘I’m sorry but we can’t invite you’ to reinforce the point that she needs to be invited rather than inviting herself! What an awful woman!! Good luck.

MarvellousMonsters · 18/01/2019 19:12

I think your DH needs to set her straight. She’s his sister, not yours, his family.

Danicooper08 · 18/01/2019 19:12

Just say no it’s a holiday for me my husband and kids no extended family invited Smile

Inertia · 18/01/2019 19:26

How keen are you on this particular hotel? Could you book elsewhere?

I wouldn't lie to her in order to stand her up, but I wouldn't want to spend the holiday on edge that she'll turn up regardless, so I would be very tempted to actually book to go elsewhere and then never mention it again. If she asks directly, tell her that you're reconsidering the holiday in light of developments when booking.

angelfacecuti75 · 18/01/2019 19:38

Perhaps she loves her brother but the feeling isn't mutual as dh feels they are too different 2 get along etc.
Say no. And that u won't change ur mind.

Jux · 18/01/2019 19:40

"No, SIL, as said before. Please don't ask again as we will fall out."

You don't have to apologise or explain, she already knows. If she asks after this, just ignore or forward text/email to your dh to deal with. If she asks f2f or on the phone then immediately hand her over to dh "I've given you the answèr, but here's dh,yo can ask him. Darling, sIL wants to ask you something" and wander off. You can almost guarrantee she won't actually ask him. If you do that a few times she'll stop.

willyloman · 18/01/2019 20:02

Pass the phone to your DH now. Step back. Have a relaxing bath.

Fozzleyplum · 18/01/2019 20:05

Have not RTFT, so someone else might have pointed this out. If she doesn't know what dates you are going, DON'T TELL HER. Sounds as though she's sufficiently brass necked to book in at the same time, if you don't let her go with you.

PolarBearkshire · 18/01/2019 20:11

You need to call her to come “for coffee” and mafe you realise you want just your small damily holiday - no extended family. End of.
You sound not less woundable- you sound more like a push over- make her go away! Surely your husbands happiness should be more important than pleasing his irritating sister

UniversalAunt · 18/01/2019 20:22

If you can, then do NOT respond to date requests.
If you must reply to request for dates, then the answer is simply ‘No’
OR ...or you could give her the wrong dates*.

*Although I’d be tempted to tell her just in time for her to cancel ‘cos I really not that mean. ;-)

UniversalAunt · 18/01/2019 20:31

You could tell her the wrong dates so that she ends up arriving the day you leave "Oh sorry SIL! I got the dates mixed up, silly me!"

Now that is better CFery, far more plausible & no FOG about giving her time to cancel. Yes to that suggestion.

Consider the classic ‘which bit of no do you not understand?’ broken record technique.
Let’s try it together now.
See how simple it is, see how much better you feel.

Meditate with this mantra so that it trips off your tongue when SIL cranks it up or ambushes you with her requests.

delboysskinandblister · 18/01/2019 20:58

@Can'tWaitToRetire

My evil twin... I am loving your work! Grin

OP - I would soooooooooo do this!

Boulty · 18/01/2019 20:59

NO just repeat as if on a stuck record

You would be really stupid to cave into her constant demands. She already has 2 other holidays this year - listen to your DP.

greenlanes · 18/01/2019 21:21

i think that you need to do this rather than your DH. I think he needs protecting against this family dynamic. Many decent answers have been provided above. You can use one, then when she still doesnt get the hint another, then a third, then the final one F off!

Pawsandnoses · 18/01/2019 21:24

I think by this point, I'd be inclined to give her the dates and tell her you've decided to go somewhere else. I'm sure you can google a hotel 1000 ish miles away. It's mean, but might teach her a lesson. 😂

Fiddie · 18/01/2019 21:33

What did you do?

delboysskinandblister · 18/01/2019 21:38

OP's has gone on holiday early and I don't blame her one bit. Grin

Sallycinammonbangsthedruminthe · 18/01/2019 21:39

I have said no and I mean no...nothing else before nothing else after! switch off phone! job done!

MyKingdomForBrie · 18/01/2019 21:42

Oh god does she know where you're going? I'd be terrified she'd just book for roughly the right dates. Any chance you can cancel and rebook elsewhere?!

KeiTeNgeNge · 18/01/2019 21:47

Did you tell her no?

FuckOffMeadowSoprano · 18/01/2019 21:47

Argh I'm too invested in this now. 😤

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