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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

WIBU? Lashed out at DH’s family a bit

376 replies

sterrryerryoh · 06/09/2010 13:29

Oh Bugger - long post, sorry
I lashed out at my Dh?s cousin?s girlfriend

So WIBU?

DH and I have adopted a baby, and we couldn?t be more thrilled. The adoption journey began three years ago after several years of IVF and TTC. Not once during all of this time has anyone in DH?s family asked us how we are or how things are going, despite knowing all about the IVF/Adoption etc through DH?s mum.
Not a problem to us - some people just don?t want to interfere or know what to say. It has never bothered us, their apparent indifference, as we know there may well have been reasons etc.

We adopted our DS in January this year. To date, only one of DH?s cousins have met him (and this is a close family - we used to see each other about once a month) - we asked DH?s brother why they were staying away, and he said it was so ?we could bond? as a family. OK, fine - we have sent them all messages to say they are welcome to come round, but no real responses until the Friday just gone by.

It was DH?s cousin?s 30th - we all went out for a meal. DH?s OTHER cousin and his girlfriend are expecting. A little way into the meal she said to me ?Sorry about being pregnant. It must be gutting for you?
I said ?Erm? what?? and she said ?With you having to adopt and not have your own. Just saying, sorry?
So I said, ?It?s fine - I have my lovely DS, and am fully aware that other people get pregnant - I?m thrilled for you? - so then she said, ?Oh good - we were wondering - is it you that?s barren or is it DH that?s firing blanks? - cue much laughing and chortling at the table. So DH replied ?You know, that?s a bit personal and insensitive? and she said ?Well, sterrry said she?s alright with it, so come on - give us the goss? We?ve been dying to ask?

So, I calmly replied ?If you genuinely wanted to know what our difficulties were, the time for you to talk to us and offer support might have been during the invasive fertility testing a few years ago. Or it might have been during our failed IVF cycles, or it might have been at some point over the last three years of our Insanely painful and highly emotional adoption journey. To be honest, saying this poisonous crap to us right now smacks of insensitivity and voyeurism? to which she replied ?so it?s you then, and he's alright.?
DH and I looked at one another, stood up and I said ?Hope your fucking food chokes you, you bitch? and walked out.

Bit dramatic I know, but she?s a cow, right?

Or did I just bring myself down to her level?

DH think I did just fine, and he?s completely behind me, but I feel a bit of an arse, as they?re his family and I might have made things a bit horrible now?.

OP posts:
deakell · 06/09/2010 20:13

YANBU.
She's a vacuous little twunt.
I hope she did choke (somewhat)on her food; or at least spilled gravy down her new top/trousers, whatever.

Congrats to you and DH and DS

kingnothing · 06/09/2010 20:14

The phrase that?s sticking out for me is ?give us the goss? - WTF? Your life is goss, is it?
Absolute gold-standard cow.
Actually, I can?t even begin to dissect exactly what she said/did wrong, as there is too much. I?m so mad for you, and so impressed with you!! I wish you were my cousin.

BootyMum · 06/09/2010 20:14

Am absolutely disgusted at this woman's comments and behaviour. I know this really happened but it is almost unbelievable that someone could be so callous, rude and insensitive.
Good on you for standing up for yourself when it must have been a hugely painful and humiliating experience. I think I would have burst into tears and walked out and then would have fumed for weeks wishing I had said something as eloquent as what you managed to.

What a horrid group of ignorant people. My heart also goes out to your poor husband who has to call them family....

tribpot · 06/09/2010 20:21

As the aunt of three gorgeous, and adopted, nephews and nieces, I would be absolutely appalled if anyone ever spoke to my dbro or dsil in such a way, it is highly disrespectful both of them and of their children. In their case I happen to know the cause of their infertility but that is because they have chosen to share, I would NEVER have inquired.

Congratulations on your ds, I hope he will continue to give you as much happiness as my ds has given me, and my dbro's children have given him. Adopted, schmadopted, no-one should have to deal with rudeness like that. How sickeningly vile.

BootyMum · 06/09/2010 20:21

And also congratulations on your little boy. I second what so many others have said, he will be very proud to have such a mother as yourself Smile

Booboobedoo · 06/09/2010 20:23

Another one very impressed by your control.

What she said was teeth-grittingly awful.

I hope she gets great big piles.

TastesLikePanda · 06/09/2010 20:24

If there were ever a time for a john-hughes-type-film slow-handclapping moment, that would have been it for me. I only wish I had been there to also walk out in disgust - leaving them with a massive bill!

Congrats to you and your lovely son and husband!

MeMudmagnet · 06/09/2010 20:25

Good for you OP!!!
And good for your DH!

I nearly cried on your behalf..

Chrysanthemum5 · 06/09/2010 20:27

Goodness she sounds vile and very insecure your reply was excellent and incredibly restrained. YANBU at all

congratulations to your Ds for having such excellent parents

clam · 06/09/2010 20:30

My main concern when first reading your post was that you might have "turned the other cheek" and let her get away with it.

Nearly cheered when I realised what you'd said.

BRILLIANT!!! Well done.

And how nice that your lovely DH has totally and 100% backed you, even if it means cutting out his own family. No loss there.

And I'm hoping that the text from the brother the following day was indicating that your marvellous put-down had caused a catsbum flounce from the cousin's girlfriend and that the evening was stuffed from that point on. Or maybe she really did choke on her food.

Can we come round at Christmas instead of them?

LeQueen · 06/09/2010 20:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

twinterror · 06/09/2010 20:34

OP:

what a heartless bunch of people. you stood up for yourselves and I don't blame you. I ttc for 5 years and know what a bloody painful slog it is.

congratulations on adoping your DS - its times like this you find out who your friends are.

You sound like you nad DH have been through a long and painful process with little support from those mentioned on the post - despite this you've managed to stay sane, have a strong relationship and now a son.

stay strong and ignore the rubbish from the others.

Spacehopper5 · 06/09/2010 20:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Minione · 06/09/2010 20:35

Good for you! She sounds a complete twunt and tbh i don't think I would have responded in such a calm way!!!

What a horrible person - thoughtless, vile and nasty.

anyabanya · 06/09/2010 20:42

Wow. She IS a bitch.

Hats off, Sterry, seriously. You have slammed someone at the right moment, when called for. I wish I could do that.

Congrats on your son. :)

mumbar · 06/09/2010 20:45

WOW - you were very restrained. I actually felt my blood boil as I read your post.

Firstly congrulations on DS - he's as lucky to have you and DH as much as you are to have him.

Secondly - How farking rude was his cousin. Laughing and joking about something so painful and harsh. She spoke to you like speaking to 2 children who you want to admit which one broke the ornament.

Thirdly - your persective is amazing considering. Your right that these questions should have been asked and support offered during the past 3 years not NOW you have a child. You are a mother - how does she not get that Angry

OK that was a rant but YANBU.

Longtalljosie · 06/09/2010 20:47

The brother's text to me sound like testing the water, to see if you and your DH are both singing from the same hymn sheet. Or an attempt to brush it under the carpet.

Fuck that. YAsoNBU - you managed to actually say the things that most of us just think up, fuming, later on. How cool is that?

zachsmama · 06/09/2010 20:49

Good for you, sterry. I think you're amazing - you were soooooooNBU.

sungirltan · 06/09/2010 20:49

astonished!

i am just so shocked that one's ability to conceive is open for judgement!! is nothing scared?

what a v odd social education these people have had!

pinkfizzle · 06/09/2010 20:52

How horrid - enjoy your child. Good on you, and good on your husband for backing you up.

Even though they are obviously the most awful people around it must have hurt.

linroz · 06/09/2010 20:58

Well done! It sounds like you really managed to keep your cool and say exactly what was on your mind. It can't have been easy. These people sound awful and I am glad your DH is behind you. You did the right thing.Enjoy your time with your DS, wishing you lots of happiness with him

ivykaty44 · 06/09/2010 21:06

Congratulations on your ds Grin

as for pond life - don't bother looking backwards

lemonysweet · 06/09/2010 21:06

what a bitch! what an immature vacuous [ugh] there are no words!

You on the other hand dear lady are AMAZING and your DH sounds like a star as well. Congrats on your DS as well, you sound like fab parents.

Mumsnet Medal Of Honour!

Summerbird73 · 06/09/2010 21:22

another round of applause for sterry here!

you go girlfriend! {summerbird takes on a weird ghetto accent whilst clicking fingers in a wrist cracking way!}

and congrats on your DS - and well done Mr Sterry Smile you all rock!!!

fuschiagroan · 06/09/2010 21:24

Oh my God! What a twat.

You were very restrained.

I would have thrown something.

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