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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

in thinking DP's family's behaviour towards me is pretty outrageous?

405 replies

SylvieSmith · 03/07/2012 17:40

So, DP's DB and his wife have just had a baby. DP rings DB on Thursday to ask if we can round to see the baby for the first time on Friday. DB says no, they'll come to ours Sunday. DP says Sunday is absolutely no good because Sylvie is working all day (twelve and a half hour shift). DB says they will try to come on Saturday. Saturday comes and goes, no sign of them. Late Saturday evening DP gets a text saying they're coming on Sunday. Neither of us is happy about this, but DP is all like I can't get into a confrontation with them when they've just had a baby and refuses to talk to his DB about it. So I go off to work on Sunday and they and DP's mum come round with the baby, and DP gives them the presents I carefully selected, bought and wrapped months ago, and I'm left out of the whole thing!

But it's not only this. I've never been able to build much of a relationship with them. DP and DB are not really close, they're quite different people. DP: bookish, sensitive, university-educated, teacher, teetotal. DB: laddish, a drinker, left school at 16, works in a factory. We've never seen him and his wife loads and when we do it is an effort for both of us.

There have been a few things they've done that have pissed me off. For example, DB is our DS's godfather (DP's choice) but he has never taken much interest in him.

DP lent DB £500 when I was pregnant with DS, which we couldn't really afford, and DB has never paid us that money back, though they have been on several holidays since and are now in the process of buying their council house Hmm. (We, on the other hand, are finally going on our first holiday for three years this summer, as we haven't been able to afford it until now). DP refuses to ask for the money back and says we should just write it off. (It went towards paying debts).

They never say thank you for birthday and Christmas presents, for themselves or for their kids. Ever.

One time it was DP's birthday and we invited people round at four in the afternoon for a little party. DB didn't want to come at 4pm (he didn't have other plans, he just didn't want to come) so he turned up at 10 in the morning instead, with wife and two kids in tow! My friend from overseas was coming to stay that evening and I was rushing round trying to get the house clean for that and the official party happening in the afternoon, and somewhat stressed, so I stayed upstairs cleaning for most of the time they were here. After that DB complained to DP about me being "unfriendly", and came round less (his wife didn't actually come round again until this Sunday when they brought the baby over, which basically means she didn't come round for three years).

Another time we went round to drop a present off for their DD. We were in a rush (my mum had given us a lift up there and was waiting in the car outside) so it was just a very quick visit, but it led to another complaint about my supposed unfriendliness because apparently I didn't say hello or goodbye (I don't remember this - I'm sure I must've acknowledged them with a nod or a wave).

And one time, and this is a little thing but it pissed me off no end and now is my chance to get it off my chest (!), DB's DD threw up all over my settee and when he asked me for a cloth to clean it up with I told him to use the old cloth under the cupboard under the kitchen sink but instead he helped himself to a new one out of the packet, and it wasn't just any old cloth but a fancy M&S one, and of course it had to be thrown away afterwards so it was a complete waste, and what made it even more irritating was that the DD had obviously thrown up because she'd been allowed to stuff herself stupid with crisps before they came over, it wasn't like she was ill or anything...!!!!

I've never said anything to them about any of these things (though with the cleaning cloth thing I really wish I had!!). One, I'm quite shy, and two, I think it's DP's place to deal with his family. I was brought up to be polite to people I don't know very well and that is exactly what I've tried to do every time I've seen them. My only crime, as I see it, has been my shyness. But apparently they now feel justified in leaving me out of big family occasions.

OP posts:
BlackOutTheSun · 03/07/2012 20:33

I agree we are strangers on the internet

So how the fuck were suppose to know about the other brother?

You are still BU for the last 8 1/2 pages

SylvieSmith · 03/07/2012 20:34

Argh! Sorry, I already know I'm not being unreasonable to think threatening to hit people is wrong.

OP posts:
EnjoyResponsibly · 03/07/2012 20:36

Anyone else want to know what the MIL and FIL did?

SylvieSmith · 03/07/2012 20:36

I think some cross-posting is going here.

OP posts:
BlackOutTheSun · 03/07/2012 20:37

Of Course Grin

MsPaperbackWriter · 03/07/2012 20:37

Your dh needs to grow a pair of bloody balls and stand up to his idiot brother. Stop moaning and do something about it!

squeakytoy · 03/07/2012 20:38

PIL probably gave the baby a fruit shoot...

SylvieSmith · 03/07/2012 20:40

Why did he threaten to hit me? Because we got into an argument about housework and he said I didn't do enough of it, that I should keep the house cleaner, and then screamed at me and called me a bitch and waved his fist in my face.

People may or may not believe me, but I'm a Christian, I believe in God and He knows I've not lied so my conscience is clear.

OP posts:
mynewpassion · 03/07/2012 20:40

Or they used her M&S burp cloth instead of a primark the one.

Seriously though, where was your DP when this other BIL was threatening you?

crunchbag · 03/07/2012 20:40

That brother was more than outrageous in his behaviour and I hope you called the police on him.

But to be included in your family you have to stop excluding yourself.

carlywurly · 03/07/2012 20:41

I believe you're a Christian.

How did the argument escalate to the point of threats? What were you saying back to him?

IKilledIgglePiggle · 03/07/2012 20:42

In two name changes and quite a few years on MN I have never known a more persistent OP.

YABU Mrs Bucket.

SerendipitousHarlot · 03/07/2012 20:42

Sylvie.... really? Really really? Why would you straightaway assume that people would think you were lying? Hmm

And why choose the completely ridiculous examples in your OP rather that that one? It's all rather odd.

Anyway. Did you call the police? What did your DH do?

SylvieSmith · 03/07/2012 20:43

Obviously Fuckity, I forgot to go back and change the title. Outrageous was the wrong word, crappy might have been better.

OP posts:
IslaValargeone · 03/07/2012 20:44

I have Tom Hardy, chocolate and a glass of wine waiting for me upstairs, and yet, I cannot leave;this is so enthralling.
Did you tell him you could have done more housework if your best cloths hadn't been so hideously misused?

BlackOutTheSun · 03/07/2012 20:45

Well I don't believe you are telling the whole story

EnjoyResponsibly · 03/07/2012 20:46

Or referred him to BIL1 who can attest you spent one of his entire visits cleaning?

SerendipitousHarlot · 03/07/2012 20:47

Isla and Enjoy Grin

SylvieSmith · 03/07/2012 20:50

Because somebody said a while back they didn't believe me.

DP was at work. What did I say back to him? It's not your house, it's none of your business. I can't remember exactly because he was yelling at me and I was crying. I didn't call the police, no, because he ran out the door straight after and because he's family and DP would have been upset.

What did DP do? Nothing. I told him when he got home, he said how bad it was then nothing happened, because nothing ever does, because DP lets his family do whatever they want as I already said.

OP posts:
thebody · 03/07/2012 20:51

So dps other chav brother accused you of.... Not keeping your house clean and wanted to punch you in the face???

What did your dp do about it?

Am I mad as a frog or are you op

crunchbag · 03/07/2012 20:52

Since when is being unreasonable the same as lying Confused

And why was bil2 complaining about your cleaning, had he hired you as a cleaner?

Mspontipine · 03/07/2012 20:53

Who buys M&S fancy cloths???
She wasn't even really ill? How very dare she Grin

thebody · 03/07/2012 20:53

So dp did nothing to support you as you were threatened?

He lends money without asking you?

Your problem isn't with your in laws it's with your dh.

crunchbag · 03/07/2012 20:54

x-post about bil2

SylvieSmith · 03/07/2012 20:54

I don't know why because one shitty thing happened I should be totally focused on that and am not allowed to be upset about more recent shitty things that have happened, i.e. not getting to meet my new DN, even if they're less shitty, IYSWIM.

OP posts: