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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:
SaturdayNext · 17/01/2019 08:47

Alternatively, get your husband to respond. "Piss off" sounds fine.

MikeUniformMike · 17/01/2019 08:50

Just say "We have already discussed this. The answer is No. Please don't ask again. If you ask again, the answer will still be No. "

FindMeSomebodytoLove · 17/01/2019 08:51

I would play her at her own game. You should message either her DH and say 'So sorry SIL, I've just seen your message from last night. As we've said twice before, DH and I want to spend this holiday with our children so please stop asking me to join.' (Her DH seems to get it and might relay the message to her more clearly than you can.)
Or, I would have your DH reply to her message with a very clear 'NO!'.

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PeapodBurgundy · 17/01/2019 08:52

May I recommend the book 'The Life Changing Magic of Not Giving a Fuck'? A concise way to not waste your time and energy on other people's shit, without the need t be rude. It's the best book I've ever read, and has solved my MIL problems.

AndItStillSaidFourOfTwo · 17/01/2019 08:55

"We have already discussed this. The answer is No. Please don't ask again. If you ask again, the answer will still be No. "

This!

CoastalLife · 17/01/2019 08:55

Bloody hell she's got the hide of a rhino. You need to keep your reply brief and to the point, because she'll see any polite "waffling" as a sign of weakness and find a way to continue the conversation. Just shut her down and then don't reply to any further messages. I like the "No, we haven't changed our minds. Please stop asking" from above.

Itsnotme123 · 17/01/2019 08:56

Just say plain “No” or
Say what Ivy said or
Say it’s not your sort of holiday.

Angelicwings · 17/01/2019 08:56

Why is she not accepting No already though? It's really odd. She doesn't get on with your DH. Is she trying to wind your DH up?

Whisky2014 · 17/01/2019 08:59

Actually, just dont reply.

sleeplessinsomewhere · 17/01/2019 09:03

I had something similar and I said...

Sorry but I'm really not budging on this. It just won't work. Please stop asking.

PlumpSyrianHamster · 17/01/2019 09:08

There is nothing awkward about this! Grow a spine! Your H has already told you he won't go if she does. You just say, 'We've discussed this several times already and our answer is still the same: no. We are going on this holiday on our own and that's how we want it.'

The end.

Mulberry72 · 17/01/2019 09:08

Gosh, she reallly is thick skinned! DH & I had similar but with BIL, we have access to a holiday home abroad that we stay in for an extended holiday during the Summer. He got it into his head that we would love to take (and absorb all costs for!) him, SIL and four DN’s to come with us, and went on and on about it for months, despite being told categorically no on numerous occasions.

He only stopped mithering when DH blew up at him in sheer frustration at his refusal to take no for an answer, a few home truths were told (mainly that BIL & SIL are 100% CF’s, and their DC are spoilt entitled horrors).

I’d let your DH deal with her via BIL, BIL sounds as if he’s on your side!

dontfluffthefluffer · 17/01/2019 09:12

Either ignore the message and leave it on read or a very simple - "for the 3rd time, no. This is a holiday for the 4 of us."

avocadoincident · 17/01/2019 09:13

I vote for @PurpleDaisies response

diddl · 17/01/2019 09:15

Why would she even be thinking of a holiday with a brother who isn't bothered about her?

Why would your husband say he won't go if she does-he surely can't think that you would consider it at all?

Perhaps you'd better let your husband tell her to piss off.

dustarr73 · 17/01/2019 09:15

Get your DH to tell her no.And tell her DH.

KnittingSister · 17/01/2019 09:15

Make sure you copy in DH and BIL to both her message and your reply.

TorchesTorches · 17/01/2019 09:17

It feels uncomfortable but you have to be boringly consistent and repetitive. She wants this so will keep pushing. You can't control how many times she will push, but you can control your reaction, which should be the same, otherwise she will have a new 'in'.

Choose a line you can memorise and repeat and is simple enough to use in all cases. eg. 'Our family holiday is just us 4'.

XmasPostmanBos · 17/01/2019 09:18

Be polite if possible but don't worry about upsetting her by refusing very clearly as many times as necessary. It wouldn't be the end of the world if she flounced off and sulked.

PositivelyPERF · 17/01/2019 09:19

For goodness sake don’t give her the dates! You know bloody rightly she’s going to turn up and tell you that she decided to holiday by herself, while plonking her ass beside at breakfast time.

Petalflowers · 17/01/2019 09:22

I agree with Positive. Don’t give her thedates (or give her false ones, by accident...).

Ethel36 · 17/01/2019 09:22

Tell her to talk to her brother about it.

CallMeRachel · 17/01/2019 09:22

Don't respond to that text.

She's attention seeking. If she asks again after being ignored forward it to your dh and let him deal with her.

user1484 · 17/01/2019 09:22

You SIL sounds like a stalker.
I wouldn’t put it past her to turn up at the hotel.
If I was you and you won’t incur any charges, I would change hotels and not tell her.

Missingstreetlife · 17/01/2019 09:22

Which bit of no does she not understand?

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