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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:
WhoKnewBeefStew · 17/01/2019 12:45

I think any ‘sorrys’ Or ‘I’ll pasd onto dh’ will be seen as weakness and a ‘maybe’

HeebieJeebies456 · 17/01/2019 12:46

Just reply with one word "NO!"

Or just ignore it.

Simple.

Bluntness100 · 17/01/2019 12:46

I think I would respond with

" I think we have already expressed why this holiday will just be, dh, ds and myself. Please respect that"

And leave it there.

Interested in this thread?

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sackrifice · 17/01/2019 12:48

'why do you keep asking? Do you want us to flip and tell you to fuck off or are you going to stop this now? For the final time, NO'

diddl · 17/01/2019 12:49

"it's nice to be nice"

Presumably that applies to her own brother as well-or just the women??!!

Oh Op, it's not normal to beg to go on someone else's holiday.

She'd probably be a whiney needy arrention seeking pita!

Reallyevilmuffin · 17/01/2019 12:50

I think she will columbo the hotel into telling her what dates you're booked in on and book in there regardless of what you say... She's such a CF its unreal! Has does BIL cope?

Blatherskite · 17/01/2019 12:51

I think BitOutOfPractice had the best reply. Yes, it included "we love you but..." but this is the Ops SiL, she does need to have an ongoing relationship with this woman. There's being blunt and to the point but some of these suggestions are just plain rude.

I agree with not including a sorry though. She's not sorry that she's bugging you after all.

mmgirish · 17/01/2019 12:54

OMG I can't believe that she keeps asking! How awkward!

ReflectentMonatomism · 17/01/2019 12:54

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

Quite. I'm also astounded how few people have pointed out that this is the OP's husband's problem. It's his sister being unpleasant. He doesn't get on with her anyway. So he should just tell her to fuck off, figuratively or (if necessary) literally, and then leave her to stew.

"You have asked three times to come on holiday with my family. Each time we have told you our answer, which is 'no'. You will not be coming on holiday with us. Not this year, not next year, not ever. I do not see how we can make this any clearer, but for the avoidance of doubt: we do not want to go on holiday with you under any circumstances whatsoever. There is no point in continuing this discussion".

Cc it to her husband, her parents and anyone else that is likely to be enrolled as a flying monkey.

Bluntness100 · 17/01/2019 12:54

It all sounds very excluding "oh, we just want to be the four of us". I hate that

WTAF? It's normal for immediate families to go away on their own like this, there is nothing excluding about it. Why would you hate it? Confused

Bluntness100 · 17/01/2019 12:56

Jesus, dont send what reflect wrote, that's just plain nasty and unnecessary.😱

StormTreader · 17/01/2019 12:56

I'd be passing it onto your DH so he can ask her what the hell shes playing at trying to bully you when she knows the answer is no.

TBH if she's this pushy now, thank god shes not going!

ReflectentMonatomism · 17/01/2019 12:58

that's just plain nasty and unnecessary

As a first message, it would be rather firm. But this is the fourth.

If a member of staff refuses to do what they are told, by the fourth time you're sacking them, right?

Whatdoyouknowwhenyouknownowt · 17/01/2019 12:59

I would tell her the wrong dates regardless of whether you think she got the hint. It would be super-awkward if she turns up, having ignored you basically.

My in-laws crashed our holiday once, not happy and we didn't even spend that much time with them.

frazzledasarock · 17/01/2019 12:59

thatmustbenigelwiththebrie you don’t see why it’s an imposition for a third party to crash a family holiday? That is so weird!

Why can’t SIL take her own separate alone holiday? Why is she insisting on crashing OP’s family holiday when she doesn’t get on with her brother anyway and OP’s DH won’t go if his sister does?

She sounds rude, selfish and incredibly entitled. I’d not hesitate in responding with ‘No’ and ignore her.

DartmoorDoughnut · 17/01/2019 13:00

Hell no. Stop asking!

ReflectentMonatomism · 17/01/2019 13:04

My in-laws crashed our holiday once, not happy

Did your relationship with them survive? When did you find out that they were going to be there, or was it "yoo hoo!" over breakfast on day two?

SaturdayNext · 17/01/2019 13:05

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

How hard is it to work out what the harm is? OP and her family don't get the exclusive family time they've been looking forward to and haven't had for 7 years, her husband has to spend time with someone he really doesn't get on with, and the atmosphere would be terrible. It just wouldn't be a holiday at all.

OrdinarySnowflake · 17/01/2019 13:06

I agree with the PP that it sounds like she's trying to cause an argument, push you into being nasty so you are the one in the wrong. So don't be horrible - assume your reply will be shown to others, and given that your DH and BIL are goign on the same stag, there will be other mutal friends.

I would say "I thought we'd been clear the other 2 times you asked, we don't want other people on the holiday, it's just for us and the kids. It's lovely that you want to spend time with us, but we don't want to go on a joint holiday with you. Please don't ask again, I really don't want us to fall out over this."

Clear who is in the wrong if she shows this to other people. No nastiness.

Perhaps get DH to call BIL and say she's asked again.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 17/01/2019 13:09

We said no. We meant no. For the third and final time NO!!

TougheningUp · 17/01/2019 13:09

Don't tell her to "please stop asking". Tell her to "stop asking". You have been more than reasonable; the more you soften your message now, by saying please, the more she's likely to persist.

Tell her once that she is not welcome and to stop asking, and then if she brings it up again refer her to your previous message and tell her she's making everyone feel very uncomfortable by being so rude and pushy.

OrgyofSausages · 17/01/2019 13:10

some people just won't take no for an answer!

PutUpOrShutUp · 17/01/2019 13:13

Any update OP?? Did you reply back???

Hubblebubbletripletrouble · 17/01/2019 13:15

What brass balls!!

M3lon · 17/01/2019 13:15

just wow.

I think I'd go with 'We want to holiday alone as a family of 4 and we will not be changing our minds. You seem very upset about having to spend time alone - is everything okay?'