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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:
CottonSock · 17/01/2019 13:16

Good luck op! I think that is a good response

ReflectentMonatomism · 17/01/2019 13:21

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

You hate the idea of parents going on holiday with their children, and think that saying no to random relatives is "excluding"?

My God, things I learn from MN: that some people have absolutely no sense of boundary, and are happy to sacrifice their own interests to any passer-by.

Atalune · 17/01/2019 13:23

I would echo what everyone has said here and be firm but be pleasant as I think she is spoiling for a fight...

Ha ha! You're hilarious! Are you trying to give me a nervous breakdown? We are having a family holiday, strictly just us! Anyway, can't believe you have asked again, are you having a moment ;), See you soon, xxxx

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

diddl · 17/01/2019 13:23

"It all sounds very excluding "

Who do you take on your family holidays then?

Auntiepatricia · 17/01/2019 13:24

Or! Don’t respond to her at all, contact her DH and ask him to get her to stop asking.

Killer blow. Gets you off the hook speaking to her at all.

cupofteaandcake · 17/01/2019 13:31

Your DP needs to tell her 'no' and to stop messaging you about it. It's his sister, he needs to manage this.

noodlenosefraggle · 17/01/2019 13:32

I think you need to address the possibility that she'll find out the dates and book anyway. Get your DH ( as hes her sister who he doesn't get on with anyway) to text her or email her and her DH, who seems to have some sense that if she turns up, she will not be included on the holiday as you will be spending all your time with your immediate family, and that your relationship will be irreparably damaged if she ruins the only holiday you have had together in 7 years.

Zucker · 17/01/2019 13:35

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

Where do you draw the line @thatmustbenigelwiththebrie ?

ohtheholidays · 17/01/2019 13:35

I think I'd go with I love you SIL but this constant asking is upsetting me know please stop and respect our wishes.xx

Hopefully that would get the message accross that you do like her but that she's upsetting you and surely that's not what she wants to do

OrdinarySnowflake · 17/01/2019 13:36

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.

Well done, it is excluding, the OP has booked a holiday with her DH and DCs and everyone else in the whole world is excluded from that.

Why should the OP be the only one being nice? The SIL knows her brother and wife have jsut the one holiday this year, and have said they don't want her to come along, but she really doesn't want to be alone for a few days, so is trying to force them to do what she wants. The SIL is not being nice.

The harm in her coming along is that the OP and her DH don't really like her, having to spend their holiday with someone they don't like will ruin it for them. The harm is their 1 holiday of the year ruined, while it will be just one of 3 holidays the SIL has.

I really don't understand people who assume they must always say yes to others even if it upsets them and lowers their/their DCS quality of life.

Other people's feelings are more important than yours. It's ok to put your own happiness above another adults.

ReflectentMonatomism · 17/01/2019 13:40

I love you SIL but this constant asking is upsetting me know please stop and respect our wishes

Why all the pussy-footing around? This is how cheeky fuckers get away with it; they are relying on the reluctance of normal people to actually stop their CFery.

The OP's feelings are irrelevant. The SIL is out of order even if the OP's response one of wry amusement. The OP's feels are not the point: the OP has said no, and there is no need for the OP to discuss or explain her no.

And it's not about the SIL "respecting wishes, please, pretty please" it's about the SIL ceasing to plan something that is not going to happen.

If the OP sent this message, the SIL would see "I love you", ignore the rest, and think it's a negotiating position. It's not a negotiating position.

poobumwee · 17/01/2019 13:40

"I've explained twice that we do not go away on holiday with other people. Nothing has changed. Do not ask again"

You were very direct in the first place and its gone over her head/she's trying to ignore it. Get your husband to have a word with BIL too, so that he can also tell her to back off

Honestly, some people!

Whatdoyouknowwhenyouknownowt · 17/01/2019 13:40

I'm fortunate in that my beloved DH is both objective and supportive, so it did.

I made the hotel put them on a table away from us. Feel a bit guilty about that but I couldn't deal with MiL over brekkie or FiL over dinner.

pusspuss9 · 17/01/2019 13:40

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

What a load of PC claptrap! Oh look everybody, I'm showing my PC credentials!

We exclude people all the time. I don't invite my neighbours into our mealtimes. They don't invite me to their family occasions. If I'm going out with one friend I don't invite all my other friends. I'm so sick of this PC bollocks.

pusspuss9 · 17/01/2019 13:43

Hi

can somebody tell me how to do 'bold' type here please? Thanks

MulticolourMophead · 17/01/2019 13:43

I think that with someone this determined, I would not feel comfortable that SIL wouldn't be able to find out the dates and turn up anyway.

She needs to hear "NO" again from OP, OP's DH and her own DH. I'd also consider relocating the holiday if it's possible.

BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 17/01/2019 13:46

I often quietly wonder if the posters who think the OP should be kind and include her SIL are also the sort of people who merrily pitch up uninvited without ever considering whether they are welcome. Not intentionally being rude but so incredibly extrovert that they genuinely don't understand that other people have a need for down time. The type of person for whom 'the more the merrier' is something to always strive for not an occasional thing.

OurChristmasMiracle · 17/01/2019 13:48

“As previously discussed you coming on holiday with us, doesn’t work for us. This will not change”.

KittensAndCake · 17/01/2019 13:49

Asterisk before and after what you want to type puss or if on app tap T at the bottom 🙂

Topseyt · 17/01/2019 13:50

Be very blunt and leave no room for misunderstanding.

I think your DH's preferred response is more in line with what I would say. "Piss off" (or "Fuck off" even) should be direct and unequivocal enough.

That said though, she sounds like the sort who never listens. Make sure that you are not over sharing with her about stuff like when and where you are going on holiday. She already knows roughly when it must be because she knows it clashes with the stag do, so hopefully she doesn't go ahead and book it anyway. She sounds just the sort, so I wouldn't put it past her. Tell her wrong dates if you really have to, and make a mental note to not share such information in the future.

Tonkerbea · 17/01/2019 13:51

My in-laws invited themselves to part of our first family holiday when DD1 was a baby. My husband and I are people pleasers and didn't say no.

Bloody should have done! I'm still resentful they butted into that special time. Grrrr.

OP, her persistence is quite frankly astonishing- don't let it wear you down.

DameSquashalot · 17/01/2019 13:52

She sounds like such hard work/incredibly delfish. I really hope you get it sorted. I think your DH should be the one to tell her.

justilou1 · 17/01/2019 13:55

And get her husband on the job too. Let him know that this is embarrassing too!

ReflectentMonatomism · 17/01/2019 13:56

I often quietly wonder if the posters who think the OP should be kind and include her SIL are also the sort of people who merrily pitch up uninvited without ever considering whether they are welcome. Not intentionally being rude

It's charitable to assume they are not being intentionally rude. I think they know full well they are being rude, but don't think it matters.

explodingkitten · 17/01/2019 13:58

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

I'd be tempted to tell her no and mention the wrong month. As in: "SIL, we told you no, we are going in July on our own" while you've actually booked in August.