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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:
popehilarious · 17/01/2019 09:48

"Hi, looks like you didn't understand our previous replies on this. For clarity, the answer is no, the holiday is for us four only, and this will not change."

UnicornSlaughters · 17/01/2019 09:48

You know you're going to go down for breakfast one morning and see her sitting by the pool, don't you? The woman has no shame.

Don't reply to her. Tell your husband, get him to nip it very firmly in the bud. Now.

EssentialHummus · 17/01/2019 09:48

It sounds like she knows your DH won't have a good time if she's there, and she trying to make that happen.

Interested in this thread?

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LiveCCTV · 17/01/2019 09:49

The fact she asked you to reconsider shows she’s total aware that the answer is no. Use her phrase back at her. “We won’t reconsider as we’ve been quite clear that this holiday is just for us.”

CookPassBabtridge · 17/01/2019 09:51

The bare faced cheek and social unawareness of people still surprises me Shock

comebacksoonsusan · 17/01/2019 09:52

I'd enjoy cutting her down tbh.

Definitely tell your BIL too.

Drum2018 · 17/01/2019 09:53

I'd also let you're Dh deal with it now. She's not listening to you because she thinks you're a soft touch and that you will give in. Tell him to send her a message that will make it 100% clear that she is not welcome to go with you on holiday.

However, if you do reply yourself do not use the word 'sorry' in your message. You don't need to apologise for not wanting her along. From now on keep any conversation about the holiday vague. I'd go as far as telling her you are looking at different hotels from the one you have already told her about. Be vague about the dates - don't let on when you book flights. If she has all the info about your holiday I'd almost put money on the fact that she'll turn up anyway!

Mayrhofen · 17/01/2019 09:54

The classic MN reply? "Sorry, but this really doesn't work for us xx"

AintNobodyHereButUsReindeer · 17/01/2019 09:55

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!"

Onecabbage · 17/01/2019 09:55

I can see why this is awkward for you, but sometime you have to be brutal.
Your sil isn’t embarrassed enough by your polite refusals, so you’re going to have to be absolutely straight with her. Tell her in no uncertain terms “no, it’s not happening, so please stop asking!” her being upset is not your problem.

In your circumstances I’d be having a quiet word with her Dh too.

Mayrhofen · 17/01/2019 09:56

In view of @dum2018 response I will edit the response to "no, this doesn't work for us" Grin

CoraPirbright · 17/01/2019 09:56

Displaypurposesonly is a cunning genius:
Appeal to her competitiveness... "Sorry, no. Like I said before, we want to keep it just us as our first family holiday with DS. Why don't you get together with a friend to do something? You could get a much nicer hotel!"

Copy in your dh, her dh and your BIL (I like the sound of him “stop it, your embarrassing yourself” Grin)

ApolloandDaphne · 17/01/2019 09:57

Gosh she is bold! Tell her that the answer is always going to be no and to stop embarrassing herself.

EllaDownTheLane · 17/01/2019 09:57

Don’t reply, give it a couple of weeks and tell her you’ve had to cancel the holiday due to work commitments etc. It’s still a few months away and if she finds out the dates I imagine she’ll be waiting for you by the pool no matter how many times you tell her no.

cantfindname · 17/01/2019 09:57

She is behaving like a child who asks for the same thing over and over.

Stick to your guns or she will be even worse in the future.

Stormwhale · 17/01/2019 09:59

This person is not worried in the slightest about upsetting you by trying to make you do what she wants. Don't be a doormat and tiptoe around trying not to upset her!

"SIL we want a holiday alone, as we have already explained. I don't want to have this conversation again."

Anonalongadingdong123 · 17/01/2019 10:01

Are you worried she might just go ahead and book to go anyway? Speak to her DH too make she doesn't. Keep stressing how much you need time together as a family and that it's a much needed break for your DH and DC to reconnect.

WTBE · 17/01/2019 10:02

I would just get your DH her brother, to message "I do not want to holiday with you, this is the 3rd time of saying No, please don't make this any more awkward"

Haworthia · 17/01/2019 10:02

I don’t think this is even about wanting to holiday with you, is it? She’s annoyed that you said no, and now it’s a battle of wills that she’s hoping to win.

I think you need to say it quite plainly: no means no. We said no and we meant no. She’s counting on you not feeling like you can to be rude to her. Well, too bad!

Anonalongadingdong123 · 17/01/2019 10:02

*to

sausageees · 17/01/2019 10:02

I would say,

Please stop asking, this is getting really awkward/uncomfortable now. As explained before we don't go on holiday with other people due to previous bad experiences and are looking forward to some quality time together.

Thanks ....

GlitteryFluff · 17/01/2019 10:03

I agree with others. Simple reply. Don't say 'sorry'.

sausageees · 17/01/2019 10:03

Also as others have said she's probably just trying to 'win' at this now

ChrisjenAvasarala · 17/01/2019 10:04

Do not say sorry. Do not say you wish you could or anything like that. Do not say anything about it being too much time with her, as then she will just turn up during he stage weekend since she knows you're there at that time.

Be blunt. Don't be polite.

DarlingNikita · 17/01/2019 10:07

She’s clearly messaged me rather than DH as he will tell her to piss off.

Get him to message her back and tell her to piss off. That's clearly what you both want to do.

Don't complicate it by trying to be polite or involving BIL.

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