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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:
ralfeesmum · 19/01/2019 10:54

I'd be honestly tempted to cancel the whole thing - this selfish woman has already put a blight on the holiday and cast a sulky shadow over your family with her declaration that she feels upset and "it's not fair on her!"

Gosh! Just how old is this whinger? 10? 12? So what's she gonna do if YOU don't back down? Scream and scream and scream until she's sick just like vile Violet Elizabeth in the 'Just William' stories? She's put a pox on your break already and she'll moan and whine before you go and she'll be waiting to moan and whine when you come back.

You can't win with a witch like that. Best to cut your losses and stay home.

BitOutOfPractice · 19/01/2019 11:28

Cancelling the holiday would be just as much of a ridiculous overreaction as the SIL's ralfeesmum

Kittykat93 · 19/01/2019 12:17

Do not cancel the holiday!! That's just showing the CF that she's got to you.

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kalefire · 19/01/2019 12:24

"Hahaha no way SiL, we need a holiday just us lot"

Wasafatmum42 · 19/01/2019 13:58

sounds like SIL always gets her way but this time stand your ground just say to her I don't want to fall out with you about this as I said before its a holiday for just us and the kids I had a SIL like her she thought she would come to my house and save money on a hotel 2 days in I asked her to leave couldn't stand her diva- rish ways and told her brother my now exh to follow if he had problems with that he stayed shtum :)

AdoreTheBeach · 19/01/2019 14:35

Oh man! Each time I get an email notification for the thread, I’m so hoping the OP has come back. I fear I’m too invested to know how this ends.

Just to say, OP, be very clear it’s a NO and perhaps tweak the dates, providing her with wrong dates (ie, week after stag weekend if your holiday is week before stag weekend). I say this from experience of my mother showing up in a beach holiday. She actually told me the beaches are public locations and I couldn’t stop her from coming to the same beach. My DH almost divorced me on that trip (thankfully understood not my fault).

QueenOfIce · 19/01/2019 14:44

I wonder if @StarsAndStripesX will ever return and let us know how she got on!

StarsAndStripesX · 19/01/2019 20:57

Sorry I’ve not been back to update.

I did message SIL but have had absolutely no response from her at all.

DH is seeing BIL tomorrow so will tell him about her asking again.

OP posts:
ADarkandStormyKnight · 19/01/2019 21:03

Weird that she didn’t reply at all ... hopefully that means she’s accepted it.

ineedtostopbeingsolazy · 19/01/2019 21:09

What did your message say?

Giraffey1 · 19/01/2019 22:03

What did you say, OP?

DragginBallsEEEE · 19/01/2019 22:17

What did you say to her?

StarsAndStripesX · 20/01/2019 11:03

My message to her was

SIL this is getting embarrassing now, this is the third time you’ve asked and the answer is still the same. There is nothing to reconsider as we want this holiday to be just the four of us. We haven’t had a holiday in over 7 years and just want to spend some quality time with the children.

After I sent it I was kicking myself I forgot to include “please stop asking as we won’t be changing our minds” but I figured if she asks again I will just send that.

OP posts:
ADarkandStormyKnight · 20/01/2019 11:22

That sounds fine. Well done!

noodlenosefraggle · 20/01/2019 12:07

I'm not sure what she could say to that! You've given her a good, assertive message. Hopefully she's got the message if she's not answered, or her DH has seen it too and told her to pack it in!

CoraPirbright · 20/01/2019 12:33

Excellent message! I suspect the radio silence is due to her planning her next line of attach though!! Hope not.

DointItForTheKids · 20/01/2019 12:34

Perfect Freudian slip there CoraPirbright!!!!! attach

frompampastobroadway · 20/01/2019 13:14

Well done!

CoraPirbright · 20/01/2019 15:16

Aarrgh! Attack !!!!

You’re right DoinItForTheKids!! Grin

PolkaDoting · 20/01/2019 16:08

Excellent!

delboysskinandblister · 20/01/2019 17:43

Has SIL staged a coup at the hotel. Booked all the sunbeds so you can't have one. She sounds mad. Very good message you have sent.

I wouldn't add 'please' it sounds like you're buckling. Just block her if she contacts again.

She's got no self respect has she? Even less so for you.

CoraPirbright · 22/01/2019 09:03

Has she replied yet OP? Or has the message finally sunk in?!

Impatienceismyvirtue · 22/01/2019 18:13

I need to know if she’s replied too! I didn’t get this username for nothing...

wizzler · 22/01/2019 18:14

What did Bil say when Dh spoke to him?

MrsBombastic · 22/01/2019 18:35

Ignore her: do NOT answer the message, if you don't engage she can't arrange it with or without you.. she clearly needs details so do not give them to her.

Normally I would tell you to just say " sorry but no" and leave it at that but you've already told her no, your BIL told her no and she's not letting it go, probably because you're a soft touch.

She's also clearly used to getting her own way so it's time for a life lesson.

You need to tell your DH and BIL what she's doing and let them deal with her: it doesn't matter if you don't mind her, your DH really does and this is his holiday not hers.

For all her oneupmanship you clearly have the life she covets, cherish it and be more concerned about DH feelings than hers because that's what's wrong with your post.

Stop being a wuss.

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