Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

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:
hickerydickerydockmouse · 18/01/2019 21:56

Just tell her that you can't go on a holiday for her as it's your family's holiday. Also make clear that even if she goes she will be spending time on her own as you already have family activities planned and will be busy with them.

Whisky2014 · 18/01/2019 22:08

Op not been back? Hmm

TelephoneTree · 18/01/2019 22:10

I reckon she's feeling totally unable to cope with BIL and everyone being away having fun and she's home alone.

I honestly think she would just turn up for at least the duration of the stag do - at the hotel you mentioned.

I think you're only hope is to say a big firm NO to her, tell BIL that he needs to understand it's a big firm NO, and yet I think you may still need to book a different hotel / area and not tell her.

Have you booked it yet??

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

umpteennamechanges · 18/01/2019 22:18

Is your SIL Theresa May?

cstaff · 18/01/2019 22:45

Just checking in to see what happens.

MyOtherProfile · 18/01/2019 22:48

Just rtft. I need to know she has.t booked her flights yet.

BeatriceBee · 18/01/2019 22:52

Just tell her to bugger off! She is not being fair to you by keep asking when you have made it clear the answer is no. Some people are so thick skinned they keep pushing you until you have to be rude before they actually listen. Obviously she is very used to getting her own way and also totally unaware that perhaps she isn't the wonderful company she thinks she is!!

Mycatsaninja · 18/01/2019 23:06

‘No that doesn’t work for us ‘ is allyou need to say and keep repeating ! Don’t apologise or try to justify your answer . She sounds manipulative and will use anything she can to get her own way . Stay strong 🌺

Catsinthecupboard · 19/01/2019 00:44

Tell her dates changed. Sorry.

Btw, i was thought of like your sil; older, married a man who makes good money sometimes. I obviously don't know your family, but i wasn't boasting, i'm not all abt money, etc. Please cut her a little slack. She might be insecure...which is what real boastful people are.

It's very nice of you to keep the peace. It's good for your family. I wish things had been able to work for mine. I miss him.

Deleriumdreamer · 19/01/2019 02:27

You need to be honest and blunt with her here or she’s just going to keep pushing it and frankly, it is selfish of her to keep pushing herself on to you. Just message something along the lines of “look, I don’t want to keep repeating myself here but we need to make this clear. We’ve said no twice now and I’m telling you for the last time that we don’t want you to join us on this holiday. We’ve already explained DC,DH and myself don’t get much quality time. This is our first family holiday together in many year. I’d honestly appreciate if you’d understand that we are not doing this to exclude you but rather to have time just for us.”

Straight to the point and I wouldn’t even say sorry because it will make her think you are being sorter about this and you ain’t and you shouldn’t be

BitOfFun · 19/01/2019 02:51

Just text "No". It will feel quite exhilarating.

OrgyofSausages · 19/01/2019 08:03

We need an update OP Grin

ToftyAC · 19/01/2019 08:08

I agree with other posters that it may be better for your DH to be blunt and tell her to just piss off. Jesus, can she not entertain herself for a few days whilst your BIL is stagging and you’re holidaying? She obvs really doesn’t have any friends.... but perhaps because she did once and they’re all sick of her CFery.

AJPTaylor · 19/01/2019 08:19

I would just send the message on to BIL and tell him that you have now blocked her so will not be responding.

Dillydallyalltheway · 19/01/2019 08:28

Just reply no again, maybe tell a little white lie saying thatyou have already said no to your family members so you can’t accommodate her wishes. My sister in law has been on holiday with us twice, both holidays were honestly ruined, she offered to babysit once and then spent the time moaning because we were doing boring things like going to the beach every day for the children.
I’m sure it possibly works for some families, but I suspect it ends in tears for lots more people.

Libbyloo174 · 19/01/2019 08:29

Invested in this now - need update!

Yulebealrite · 19/01/2019 08:33

Did you get an answer back?

Whisky2014 · 19/01/2019 08:35

13 pages abd people still providing suggestions...why?

Eminybob · 19/01/2019 08:37

Why do we never get an update on threads like this. Please come back op!

Surfingtheweb · 19/01/2019 08:40

I think you should be really clear that you do not want to go on holiday with her. Like really clear. Because it sounds as though she is going to book some flights & be at the hotel for minimum the weekend of the stag doo. She has no respect for your boundaries & is demonstrating that through the keep asking.
At this point don't be polite, tell her straight, asking for the 3rd time allows you to now do that, & be blunt, no polite fluffiness.
The worst case she stays away from you a while, but that's ok, no one likes her anyway.

Kittykat93 · 19/01/2019 08:52

Op you can't start a thread like this and not update!!! Need to know her response !! Grin

mrshousty · 19/01/2019 09:02

Sounds like she has serious insecurity issues... maybe that's something you should be having a chat about x

Also.. ask her how she would feel if you kept asking her if you could go on HER two holidays?

Her fear of missing out may be a problem. But I would try to address her insecurity issues, that explains her need to compete too... perhaps your dh got all their parents attention when he was born... what's the age difference?

ArchiesMumm · 19/01/2019 09:21

Sounds like she doesn't give a shit about you or your wishes so why should you?

Text her back that she's more chance of going on the stag do than she is joining you on holiday!

Only way to get through to CFers is to give them a taste of their own medicine 😇

notapizzaeater · 19/01/2019 09:53

We need to know what's happened ...

AlexaAmbidextra · 19/01/2019 10:08

Sounds like she has serious insecurity issues... maybe that's something you should be having a chat about x

I don’t think she’s insecure. I think she’s a thick-skinned, entitled pain in the arse. Either way, OP doesn’t have to responsible for her SILs mental welfare.