Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

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:
pusspuss9 · 17/01/2019 10:55

do you think she's trying to force an argument?

Yinv · 17/01/2019 10:56

I’d add

My family unit desperately needs and values the time with just the 3 (?) of us on holiday. We need the time to bond and just be alone. We do not want to holiday with you, it is not personal, it is due to our family needing this private time and we never our family holiday with anyone other than the 3 of us.

I would go apeshit if someone tried to book onto our family holiday. I would not go. It would totally ruin it for me. Some people like it, that’s their choice. Personally it’s my idea of hell and I’d prefer to stay home.

nauticant · 17/01/2019 10:57

I like this the best:

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

No apology, no unnecessary explanation, no rudeness (there's no point), no game-playing, just a completely clear NO.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

BertrandRussell · 17/01/2019 10:59

Really- don’t justify or engage or apologise. Don’t give her anything to tug at. Just say no. Or, better still, get her brother to say no.

paintinmyhairAgain · 17/01/2019 10:59

sil is thick skinned she's not going to hear 'needing a family holiday' 'time with our children' flowery excuses etc. cf's like this need a blunt 'no way'

whistl · 17/01/2019 11:00

Just laugh at her. Then say: Good one! You had me for a moment! i thought you were serious. I was wondering if you had a memory problem.

SummerGems · 17/01/2019 11:01

I don’t know why this needs to be awkward. Don’t pad out any messages or say you love her or any of that stuff. “We talked about this already and we’re going on our own,” should suffice.

UnderMajorDomoMinor · 17/01/2019 11:02

Sounds good op. V clear. She’s depending on you feeling awkward so you need to brush that aside. It’s awkward for her. It’s embarrasing for her.

Are you PIL around? Would they also tell her straight?

PurpleDaisies · 17/01/2019 11:02

My family unit desperately needs and values the time with just the 3 (?) of us on holiday. We need the time to bond and just be alone

Don’t say that. It’s totally nauseating.

BollocksToBrexit · 17/01/2019 11:03

If she just books and turns up, I'd blow my stack and I'm usually pretty chilled about stuff like this.

UnderMajorDomoMinor · 17/01/2019 11:03

Tbh if dh goes nuclear that’ll probably be did the best.

She’s not very aware is she? If bil wasn’t about dh wouldn’t see sil, but she thinks dh would want her on holiday with him. Sad really.

thatmustbenigelwiththebrie · 17/01/2019 11:04

I think you sound a bit mean. What's the harm in her coming along? Even if you're not best friends it's nice to be nice. It all sounds very excluding "oh, we just want to be the four of us". I hate that.

pusspuss9 · 17/01/2019 11:04

personally I would not reply at all. Just ignore it.

PurpleDaisies · 17/01/2019 11:06

I think you sound a bit mean. What's the harm in her coming along?

It totally changes the holiday dynamics. It’s not mean at all to say no.

DarlingNikita · 17/01/2019 11:08

Please don't give her ammo by telling her you desperately need time with just your DH and kids to bond. It's not her business. You've nothing to explain.

'No. Stop asking now.'

MargoLovebutter · 17/01/2019 11:08

thatmustbenigelwiththebrie - did you miss the bit where OP said that her DH won't go if SIL goes and that they DH & SIL do not get on at all?

Mabelface · 17/01/2019 11:09

Send a text just saying for the third time, nope. Nothing else required.

longtimelurkerhelen · 17/01/2019 11:09

I think you sound a bit mean. What's the harm in her coming along?

I think we have found another CF Grin

UnicornSlaughters · 17/01/2019 11:11

Hmm So SIL has found the thread then...

Quartz2208 · 17/01/2019 11:11

2 people have out you in this situation your DH and his sister.

He needs to deal with it you have done all you can

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 17/01/2019 11:11
Shock
PregnantSea · 17/01/2019 11:12

The best thing to do would be to reply with a firm no, and tell her stop asking.

I'm not great at confrontation when it comes to my other half's family so I would be tempted to just ignore the message since she has already been told no. This is a coward's way out but I'm just being honest about what I would do... Blush

CinnamonToaster · 17/01/2019 11:15

Absolutely do not justify or you'll give her an "in" to further discussion.

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

It's direct without sounding aggressive.

In all honesty though, I would seriously consider changing your reservation to a different resort. Tell her you've changed it but be vague about the new location.

oh4forkssake · 17/01/2019 11:19

Agree with everyone else. And as you already have the back up of DH & BIL, I think you're in good shape!

Just keep saying no.

She is massively cheeky.

CherryRedismyFaveColour · 17/01/2019 11:21

The answer is still no.

In future OP don't discuss where you are going on holiday with her. If she asks then just tell her you haven't got round to doing it yet, then a week or so before you go just tell her you have got a last minute deal etc. I never discuss my holidays with any of our family because over the years they have had form for trying to muscle in on them.