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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:
ellendegeneres · 17/01/2019 10:08

I’d go with:

I’ve told you twice before, no. Dh and I have discussed this and our answer will not change. Please stop asking. You have your own family to arrange holidays with and are not invited to join mine and dhs.

whystay · 17/01/2019 10:08

She sounds pretty odd! I think it's time to try and match her rudeness, I think I'd say something like.... I'm sorry that you misunderstood, you are not invited to join us on our holiday, hope that clears things up.

DeathyMcDeathStarFace · 17/01/2019 10:09

If a plain and simple 'No' doesn't do the trick what about telling her you have changed your destination, but not actually change it. Get a brochure and show her a new country and nice hotel/pictures on the internet. Really sell it to her that you have changed where you are going.

Then in a couple of weeks when she asks to go again, gradually come round to the idea and say 'Ok, here's the hotel details, we're going on x date and returning on y date.' Make the dates a couple of days before your leaving and return dates.

If you are nicer than me you can drop the bombshell that you are not going there and not on those dates a couple of days before she leaves and tell her not to ask to come on your next holiday otherwise you will tell her incorrect information again and she will waste her money on another holiday where you are not going.

Might also be worth telling your BIL what you are doing when you do it, he might be able to get through to her that you don't want her going and she's making things so awkward for you that you are going to tell her something different to stop her bothering you. This way they won't actually waste their money but might get the message across.

Will probably be a bit drastic, but if you tell her 'No' now and she doesn't listen I'd be tempted to do it to shut her up.

And don't share information about future holidays with her, difficult if other family members know though.

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MargoLovebutter · 17/01/2019 10:09

OMG, she has no shame! She is trying to bully you into saying yes.

I agree with all the posters who are saying that you have to continue saying 'no'.

My text would read: "Hi SIL, No. This is a family holiday just for us."

BitOutOfPractice · 17/01/2019 10:09

"dSIL we all love you very much, but we really do need this break to just be the four of us. So the answer is still no and will continue to be no. It's not personal"

I've gone for the shit sandwich approach!

Seaweed42 · 17/01/2019 10:13

I would say:
No. As we've stated before this is our family holiday and it is of utmost importance that we spend it alone just us and the kids.

ohfourfoxache · 17/01/2019 10:14

Don’t waffle about it, don’t say sorry or “that doesn’t work” or “we love you but....”

You just need to say a very firm, short, sharp no

StarsAndStripesX · 17/01/2019 10:14

I will definitely put in please stop asking, I was trying to say this earlier but just didn’t know how to word it.

Yes worried if she finds out what dates were off that she may just book it regardless.

I will message her and get DH to back me up when he gets home, also get him to get in touch with BIL.

I like Ivy’s response of “this is getting embarrassing, this is the third time you’ve asked now and the answer is still the same.” I think I will use that with please stop asking.

OP posts:
FilledSoda · 17/01/2019 10:19

No , just that, don't apologise, don't explain.
Personally my response would be ' fuck no' but you seem quite a nice person .

eggsandwich · 17/01/2019 10:20

“What don’t you understand about the NO and how better can I reiterate the word NO now do not ask me again.”

NorthernRunner · 17/01/2019 10:20

Does she not have any other pals she can go on holiday with? I would be quite sharp at this point and just say “no we don’t want anyone else there, this is our family holiday, please stop asking as I don’t want us to fall out”

TheFaerieQueene · 17/01/2019 10:25

I would change the holiday and not tell her, if it is in anyway possible.

trulybadlydeeply · 17/01/2019 10:28

Wow, I'd love the opportunity to go off on holiday with friends, or to have peace and quiet by myself at home for a while. I love my children ,and love holidaying with them, but I cannot wait for the time when I can have "grown up" holidays again. Why would someone voluntarily go on holiday with young children?! (No offence, OP, I'm sure your DC are lovely Grin)

Graphista · 17/01/2019 10:28

"I honestly don’t know what to say"

Easy

"NO!" "And stop bloody asking!"

"as he will tell her to piss off." Equally acceptable option!

Cheeky fuckers like this only understand blunt!

NorthEndGal · 17/01/2019 10:30

'Dear sil: You know the answer is still no, and wont change. Please stop asking, I dont want to fall out."

ILoveChristmasLights · 17/01/2019 10:31

‘What part of NO do you not understand? Seriously, this is getting very awkward now. There are lots of group holiday things you could book if you aren’t able to enjoy a holiday alone. Please don’t ask again as the answer won’t change’.

theworldistoosmall · 17/01/2019 10:33

Is everything ok with you're memory? This is the third time now and the answer is still no. You are not joining us on our holiday. How many times does this need explaining to you? Don't ask again.

CheerfulYank · 17/01/2019 10:34

She sounds mad! Definitely needs a very clear NO.

ILoveChristmasLights · 17/01/2019 10:35

Or get your DH to send her something like ‘Stop fucking asking DW if you can come on our holiday. You’d been told NO. That’s not something you’re used to granted, but FFS, get over it’

Maelstrop · 17/01/2019 10:38

Place marking.

Giraffesinscarves · 17/01/2019 10:45

Your DH also needs to make it clear to BIL that this behaviour is putting their friendship at risk.

I would send this:

You are embarassing yourself now. I've said no and mean no. Don't push this issue further as we really don't want to fall out with you. Please respect our decision.

Suresurelah · 17/01/2019 10:48

So even her own DH said she was embaressing herself because she’d asked you both already and yet she still has asked again Shock

OP, this really isn’t about going away with you (to bond) but it’s about the fact that her DH is away on a stag do at the same time you are on holiday. Basically, she’s throwing a tantrum because she’s feeling left out - -poor didums- -.

What’s bloody stopping her, going away with a friend?

Just say

“This is getting embaressing so please stop asking as we will not change our minds”

StarJumpsandaHalf · 17/01/2019 10:48

Keep it polite but firm with no room for any negotiation. Remember she’s not embarrassed to repeatedly force it, so neither should you worry to make your feelings plain. Don’t lie, just be absolutely clear that it’s No and will remain No.

Suresurelah · 17/01/2019 10:49

Typo: Embarrassing!

paintinmyhairAgain · 17/01/2019 10:49

'sorry' 'we love you but' ffs 'you are not going on holiday with us', end of. then ignore, disengage if she's stupid enough to ask again.