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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:
DisplayPurposesOnly · 17/01/2019 11:22

Displaypurposesonly is a cunning genius

You're too kind Grin

Zoflorabore · 17/01/2019 11:22

Wow op some people just don't take the hint!

You mentioned that she already has two other holidays booked... I would also then mention something like this...
" this is the only holiday we will be having this year and both dh and I are in agreement that it's just for us and dc" then maybe-
"If we were going to go on holiday with other people then I will be totally honest with you sil that we would probably go with friends who have young children too" she needs told straight.

Worryingly though she sounds the type to do a surprise surprise on you.

Fromage · 17/01/2019 11:29

Wow. What a rhino hide she is.

I would ask dh to text her the same as you. Say it's embarrassing, still no, stop asking.

And tbh, I think in these circs, I would text her dh and ask him to have a word with her - also he might not know she is still badgering and pestering, and he might like to keep an eye on their bank account for a holiday booking for one!

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RedHatsDoNotSuitMe · 17/01/2019 11:32

Some excellent suggestions, and I like the one you're going with.

I hope you'll let us know how she responds.

MeredithGrey1 · 17/01/2019 11:32

As well as clearly saying no to her, maybe be extra careful not to tell her the dates, even if it looks like she's dropped it? So, if she says "ok, I wont come, but let me know the dates anyway so I can come and water your plants/feed your cat/pick up your post while you're away" don't tell her!

GhostSauce · 17/01/2019 11:32

She really is a cheeky cow isn't she.

chocatoo · 17/01/2019 11:33

I would text: Sorry but DH and I need time just us and the kids so not this time. Maybe next year.

GinIsIn · 17/01/2019 11:33

As already discussed, you won’t be joining us on holiday. This is not something we will reconsider.

Then don’t give her the dates, whatever you do!!

CinnamonToaster · 17/01/2019 11:34

Oops, thought I'd read RTFT but missed your update OP. Let us know how it goes.

nauticant · 17/01/2019 11:35

I'm grinding my teeth at how many suggestions contain "sorry".

Ribbonsonabox · 17/01/2019 11:35

Just say No. And do not tell her the dates!

cowfacemonkey · 17/01/2019 11:40

"No need to book, like we've already said we aren't available to spend our holiday with you and as awkward as this is to say to you please don't ask again, we don't want to start having to avoid you altogether but this is starting to feel very uncomfortable all round"

Fromage · 17/01/2019 11:42

"Accidentally" tell her the wrong dates. Grin

mbosnz · 17/01/2019 11:44

"No". cc DH and BIL.

If she comes back again:

"Non" cc DH and BIL

If she comes back again:

"Nein", cc DH and BIL

repeat as necessary, using as many different forms of the word "No" as you can come up with. . .

longtimelurkerhelen · 17/01/2019 11:47

Or just send her a link to this thread so she knows how unreasonable she is being.

Ragwort · 17/01/2019 11:49

For goodness sake don’t say ‘maybe next year’ .... she will start asking for dates immediately.

I really don’t understand the desire for people to spend holidays with other families - I find being with my own family challenging enough, my ideal holiday is totally alone !

rootsandbranches · 17/01/2019 12:00

I think i'd 'let slip' some wrong dates so if she does book anyway you won't be there!

Babysharkdoodoodoodo · 17/01/2019 12:11

@Ragwort I've just booked a week away, all on my own. Kids are all over 18 & OH is going to Turks &Caicos for a fortnight in June to help SS with toddler whilst his wife is having babe no.2.
So I have no qualms in leaving them for a week in March and if one of my sisters tried to nudge in, I'd tell them to F off as well. This one is for me and me alone!

Thiscantreallybehappening · 17/01/2019 12:22

"I'm really confused you've sent me this text. We've already had this conversation twice and we've explained our situation. That hasn't changed and it won't change. The answer is still no. Please can we now move on."

Please don't leave any room for negotiation or make any promises for future years (unless you want to).

SassitudeandSparkle · 17/01/2019 12:27

Surely she already knows the dates because she knows when her husband (your BIL) is away and she knows it clashes?

Parthenope · 17/01/2019 12:27

I'm grinding my teeth at how many suggestions contain "sorry".

Yes! What on earth is with all the placating and shuffling about 'maybe another time? This is someone trying to gatecrash a family holiday repeatedly, despite being firmly told she isn't wanted. Now is not the time to go all timorous and hand-wavy and apologetic!

StarJumpsandaHalf · 17/01/2019 12:33

Sassitude she knows the stag do dates but not the OP's date of departure and return either side of those dates.

OP as we're almost all saying, it's your money, your time, your holiday and your absolute free will how to spend all of those and who's included.

Please keep it simple and just say no. Don't lie because it'll only open up other opportunities for awkwardness. As it stands it's not personal, you've planned for just your immediate family and that's what you want, no other wider family members, no one else's children and no friends. If she takes offence at that, so be it, she's looking to take offence and being very entitled.

Whisky2014 · 17/01/2019 12:39

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

I hate shit like this. People should not be forced to do things they dont want to do on the premise of being nice for niceness sake.
They dont want her to go on holiday with them, she asked twice and they said no twice. She has asked again and quite frankly is very rude. She has made it all an issue herself and then the op and her husband get lambasted for being "mean". Give over.

MikeUniformMike · 17/01/2019 12:43

Definitely don't say 'Maybe next time'. Don't apologise - she's the CF not you.

Tell your SIL to PM this person (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) and they can go on holiday together.

WhoKnewBeefStew · 17/01/2019 12:45

Wow she’s got the hide of a rhino!

A simply ‘we’ve already discussed this, this holiday is just for the 4 of us, please stop asking as the answer is still, and will always be no’