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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:
TapirBackRider · 04/07/2012 17:13

I can't see a thread in relationships, so the OP is obvs not that concerned.

I don't actually think that the OP wants help or advice, she appears to only want a chorus of agreement with her POV - and is bandying around insults etc because we're not universally agreeing with her.

OP - simply because we don't agree, doesn't mean that we are mean, or bullying you; nor does it mean that AIBU as a forum should be deleted.

Dprince · 04/07/2012 17:18

There has been some unpleasant posts here, but to label people as 'bullies' is wrong. I wonder if this is how you react in rl when something does not go how you want.
You haven't answered all the questions. I asked if your dp has possibly told his db not to pay the money back. Or if your dp possibly told his dbro Sunday was fine after the conversation you were there for.
Your dp has form for not telling you the whole story. I suspect that he isn't being honest with you leaving you thinking its the dbro and sils fault

wordfactory · 04/07/2012 17:24

Raising the word bullying, does not make it real OP.

Just as you insisiting your are being reasobable vis a vis your DP's family, does not make it so.

Kayano · 04/07/2012 17:29

There is a lot of drip feeding here which I am going to ignore and only go off the OP alone

I actually think YABU

about the cloth and not even saying hello to them in their own house because your mother was in the car.
I would not rearrange showing my brother my newborn to suit someone who gives the impression they don't like me and cant even say hello

and its a dishcloth. If someones kid threw up in my house I would expect them to clean it which they did, but I would get them the cloth! Its bloody stressful with kids.

(not a bully btw, just my opinion)

Laquitar · 04/07/2012 17:43

You seem very good at excusing your own behaviour but not flexible with other people's behaviour.

Yes, you might be shy or depressed. Others might be too, your ils or other posters here. Your sil has just given birth. They have financial stress. The posters here might have problems too, depression etc.

Can you see it this way?

PleaseTakeOffYourJimmyChoos · 04/07/2012 17:51

All of those saying 'it's just a cloth for heavens sake' bla bla bla I'm sure the OP doesn't give two flying hoots about the stupid cloth its the principal that these people do not listen to her or respect her.

Saying that op I'm sure you may give off vibes of unfriendliness even if you don't mean to.They sense you don't like them and likewise.
You don't owe them anything.Let your dp make the effort they are not your family they are his.

Greatauntirene · 04/07/2012 17:55

They owe you money, they know they owe you money, DP doesn't like to ask for it as he likes his DB, so relationship will be touchy.

Ask to pop in to see new baby taking large bottle of champers-like cheap wine all get a bit tiddly and then leave them wishing them well.

You are being too formal and correct and need to loosen up but probably should keep contact to a minimum as they are not your type

NovackNGood · 04/07/2012 18:25

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by Mumsnet for breaking our Talk Guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

Dprince · 04/07/2012 18:36

Great we don't know that the dbro does know he owes them money. OPs dpo has, on more than one occasion, agreed to these things without the ops consent. He also didn't ask her about lending the money.

Jux · 04/07/2012 18:50

Therefore, Dprince, it is not the ILs who are the problem, it is the dh.

OP, you really do need to address that, and not in AIBU, but in Relationships.

mumbodragon · 04/07/2012 19:30

It seems that you are all being a bit unfair the DB sounds like a waste of space and the wife no better
Dont worry to much about seeing the baby it will probably turn out like them any way

SerendipitousHarlot · 04/07/2012 20:03

Where on earth have you got that from, mumbo? What have the DB and his wife done?

londone17 · 04/07/2012 20:07

It's not the OP that's being rude.

Dprince · 04/07/2012 20:08

Yes jux I have been saying that since page 2. I was responding to the earlier comment that the dbro may not know he owes them money.

MsOnatopp · 04/07/2012 20:17

Oh please OP. I am a Christian. I can not lie to save myself. I am not bullying you. I gave you it straight.

Stop playing the victim on this thread. This is your whole problem. You view yourself as the victim. You do with your in laws and you are now.

If you have a problem with your DH and your marriage, take it to your minister.

londone17 · 04/07/2012 20:20

'Stop playing the victim', stop being rude then.

MsOnatopp · 04/07/2012 20:27

I am not being rude, I am being frank. There's a difference.

If you ask if you are being unreasonable, people will tell you if they think you are or not and why.

I have answered OP.

OlympicFlame · 04/07/2012 20:44

I really don't know what to make of this... I only read this because the OP has posted in site stuff and I was nosey. I read the whole thread. Good golly!

My take... Seeing as I went to the effort of reading it all... YABU!

londone17 · 04/07/2012 20:46

I understand what aibu means. There's a way to express views politely too.

MsOnatopp · 04/07/2012 20:54

It's not that I am not being poilte, it's that I am not being cute and sweet. Others have tried that in the thread and OP has paid no attention to what they have said. So I decided to be frank and I am not sorry for it.

You will also notice in my first posts that I did say the ILs had done things wrong too.

londone17 · 04/07/2012 21:07

Op has thanked some of the posters for their comments yet can't do wrong for being right.

MsOnatopp · 04/07/2012 21:26

Look I don't think I have been rude. If it comes off as rude I apologise. I agree with what I was trying to say.

londone17 · 04/07/2012 21:37

Fair enough, if I've been rude to you I apologise.

mathanxiety · 04/07/2012 21:38

I really think you should not bother about the £500. I suspect the H told his brother it was a gift and not a loan, and has been lying to you.

However, the fact that your DH thinks it is perfectly fine for his brother to abuse you should have resulted in the DH's bags being packed and a note pinned to them out in your front garden telling him to choose once and for all who he was married to, his family or you.

I think you should go back to counselling together or go on your own to try to figure out whether you can put up with what you are dealing with or call it a day.

hhhhhhh · 04/07/2012 22:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.