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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not tell the in laws we are having a baby?!

29 replies

glossyflower · 28/08/2012 13:32

Ok, very very long story - my fiance has fallen out big time with his parents for something that sounds quite silly but has seriously affected us emotionally.

When we announced we were getting married, the mother in law told me we were not to invite a certain aunt. I just ignored it, and my fiance and I decided we were inviting whoever we wanted, no one can put demands on our wedding day.
The in laws and the aunt apparently fell out because the aunt organised a party the in laws could not attend and did not rearrange it. Well I say fell out, rather the in laws complained to everyone else but the aunt, so the aunt knew nothing of what she had done wrong.

A few months ago my fiance visited his parents, and they asked if this aunt was invited, he said she was. They said if the aunt was invited they, the in laws would not attend our wedding! His mother screamed and shouted at him, told hurtful things like I had been saying nasty things behind my fiances back and his father kicked him out the house.
What my fiance rightly pointed out that his father runs a family owned business alongside this aunt, and he is willing to do that in a professional manner, yet won't attend our wedding if the aunt is there.

Since then we have not been round to the house but his father has come round once and it seems they now want to come to the wedding but we have not sent them an invite...his father did not apologise but said if they are not invited, then my fiances grandparents would not come either..which sounded like he was trying to put a terrible guilt trip on us.
Despite this the grandparents who live abroad are very elderly and we knew could not make the trip anyway due to bad health.
The day after this visit, his father sent us a text to say he wanted clarification that I had asked would they attend if they were invited, however my fiance said they were not invited...I was exasperated as I had NOT said this at all!
His father actually said to me they didn't want to come to our wedding anyway!

Occasionally we'd received texts about some post being at their house, or to return some books, or did we want something they'd found in their house back, we just ignored these.

On my fiances birthday, they did not even send a happy birthday message to their own son! And they have had family celebrations that we have not been invited to.

Recently I had sent a letter to my grandparents in law who live abroad, I had written a letter that I understand they couldn't make the wedding but at some point afterwards, we would like to visit them.

The grandmother had been asking my fiance why the in laws were not invited to the wedding, and whatever it was we should forgive them. She did not know the reason why, and my fiance did not want to tell her because she would get upset and its been caused by her two children falling out.
Eventually my fiance told her by telephone what the falling out was about and she was very upset.

A few days later father in law telephoned me from a blocked number (which had never done before) and was rather short, asking me if my fiance knew I had written this letter, I was stunned, and felt his phone call was a little bit sneaky and the fact I had written a nice letter to his mother was none of his concern..I was confused as to what he actually wanted. I could hear my mother in law in the background too.
He said my fiance was refusing to talk to her, I said no, he had spoken to her on the telephone the other day, but for obvious reasons did not want to tell her and have her upset. Father in law didn't know that my fiance had spoken to her, and he was surprised to hear that from me, and he ended the conversation.
I was confused that if he wanted to know if my fiance knew I had sent a letter, why didn't they ask him directly...it seemed very contrived.

Later I then sent him a message to not contact me again, as it was very upsetting to have to explain myself to him, and his telephone call was unnecessary. I only want people in my life that love and care about us. In fact I felt like it was harassment especially since the number was blocked.
That was the last we heard from him.

There are other issues that we have had with the in laws which have upset us, but we have let go, but the ultimatums we had regarding our wedding day was the last straw.
I feel they are toxic people and they are very negative to be around, they are always talking about other people behind their backs, and causing arguments between people saying so and so said this about you etc...it's very playschool.

We get married this saturday. I recently found out I am 7 weeks pregnant. My fiance has explicitly told me not to speak his in laws and he does not want to tell them we are having a baby.

My feelings are the same, but are we being too harsh?

Any thoughts?

OP posts:
2rebecca · 28/08/2012 13:36

At 7 weeks I wouldn't tell them, there is no rush. I would leave things up to your boyfriend. If he wants to tell them they get told, keep out of things and just support him in his decisions. They will find out about the baby eventually. If you think they are toxic why rush to involve them in your life again?

SlightlySuperiorPeasant · 28/08/2012 13:36

It all sounds very odd and involved.

I think in general YANBU?

ArthurandGeorge · 28/08/2012 13:39

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Sorry but I find your post a bit confusing as to the ins and outs of things.

Your dp needs to decide if he wants to cut his parents out of his life altogether as this is what will happen if you do not tell them about your pregnancy (not saying you have to tell them right now but I am assumming you mean not to tell them at all).

I also think tbh that if you should have invited his parents to the wedding and then left it up to them to come if they wanted to whilst not disinviting his aunt.

Weddings and pregnancies can bring out the worst in people rather than the best. I hope you have a lovely day on Saturday Smile.

SirBoobAlot · 28/08/2012 13:42

Well I certainly wouldn't have my now husband ordering me what to say to whom, that's the first point.

You're only seven weeks, a lot of people don't tell anyone until they're over twelve anyway.

Think you all need to grow up, TBH, especially if there is a baby on the way.

bigmouthisstruckbymrgreyagain · 28/08/2012 13:45

Congrats on your wedding and pregnancy.

As for everything else... tbh it sounds like a lot of fuss over nowt. Everyone getting very fraught over it but weddings have the potential to cause upset only if the people involved allow it to. If your in-laws and their sister fall out it is up to them to deal with it. If the in-laws don't want to attend the wedding it is up to them to deal with it - including letting your grandparents in -law know why. Don't give them any more power over you and your plans.

If you don't want to tell the in-laws you are pregnant yet that is up to you. It is sensible to keep things quiet in the early months while you are getting used to the idea, if you had a good relationship with your in-laws then maybe you would tell them but frankly you do not.

elizaregina · 28/08/2012 13:48

Hi

Absoluty not - I totally agree with him and I think you are very very lucky its coming from him!

You dont need any stress at all during pregnancy you must put yourself first.

Its sad that your PILS wanted to use your wedding as a tool to get back at this aunt, your right it is childish and petty.

You know what they are like so to involve them in this will be like deliberlty smashing your car into a wall - you know its going to hurt.

I have learned this from personal past experience.

After not speaking to my PILS for 6 months - ( they didnt know this i just didnt go round there), I decided my pregnancy would be a good time to start afresh.

It brought NOTHING but bloody hassle and negativity.

MY own DM passed away a few years ago - but instead of me and MIL walking round choosing prams and discussing this - that the other - of course - she did all that stuff with her own DM. I wasnt consulted - treated like a breeder cow with no feelings or opinions.

It became VERY clear as well as time went on - that she was struggling with the fact that her son was now going to be sharing a child with me!!!! Ending up - in a massive verbal attack on me days after DD was born and I had lost my DB>

That was five years ago and we do not speak now.

This time round - I made the descion NOT to tell them i am pregnant with DD2.

ITS BEEN BLISS - peaceful - wonderful!! No negativity! NO stress and no worries.

I am not a martr - I wil not put myself into a car that i know will smash into a wall again.

If in the futiure your PILS realise - find out - then you can simply wait and see how much effort they make with you - if they truely want to repent they will.

I think your very very lucky to be able to contain this information now - its a very very speical time for you. I hope you have a wonderful wonderful wedding day and I think it bodes well for the futiure that your DH is understanding of how his parents are!! And didnt cave in to the aunt problem!

glossyflower · 28/08/2012 13:49

Thanks guys :-)
Firstly since I am relatively new on here what does YANBU mean?!
Yes I know its a bit confusing, there is a lot more to it, but I had to shorten it down a whole lot.
I don't mean about telling them now, what I should have said was that my fiance wants to cut his parents out completely, and doesn't want to tell them at all, whereas I do feel despite all the upset and hurt they have caused us we should at the very least inform them.
My fiance has only said not to speak to them as it has upset me a great deal, and to be fair it's his family (I know they are mine too) but I respect his wishes. He has had his whole life to get used to their behaviour yet I have had this past year to have lots of negativity thrown my way and I am not used to it.
xxx

OP posts:
NarkedRaspberry · 28/08/2012 13:54

Difficult people. Honestly? I'd stop being involved in this. Let your DP talk to his parents and if they phone tell them to discuss it with their DS. Leave the communicating with his family to him. They seem to be able to tangle things up and create a huge drama out of very little, so stop giving them any ammunition.

When you tell your parents his should be told too. You know they'll hold a grudge if they're told an hour later than yours! And send them an invite to the wedding. If they choose not to come, so be it. That's their choice. Don't allow them to turn your life into a soap and upset the rest of the family by claiming they're being excluded etc.

Hope everything goes smoothly for you.

diddl · 28/08/2012 13:54

If your husband wants to cut them out-let him!

Can´t see why you wouldn´t just want to go along with that tbh.

inkyfingers · 28/08/2012 13:57

whatever you decide to do, and honestly I couldn't advise; think through what kind of relationship your children should or might have with their grandparents in 5/10/20 years time. Are they people that you don't want them to meet at all and what about weddings/birthdays in future? It's a big question mainly for your partner as it's his side of the family and he's the broker at the moment.

elizaregina · 28/08/2012 13:59

Glossy

YANBU means you are not being unreasonable.

Please dont be a martr dont get into a car you know is faulty and will crash. honeslty speaking from personal experience i wish my DH had your DH good sense to decide NOT to tell them.

as others say 7 weeks is VERY early you dont know how things will pan out with this baby at all.

what do you expect if you tell them>

as said up post my MIL went crazy when i had baby - very obvioulsy as we now shared the same blood! HOw will yours cope not only is her DS getting hitched but a double whammy of a baby too!! more reason for her to grieve in my opionin not to rejoice.

elizaregina · 28/08/2012 14:02

"Are they people that you don't want them to meet at all and what about weddings/birthdays in future? "

Its not really ops problem, if her PILS find out evenutally - and they want to start afresh - and make amends and have a relationship with thier GC they will make that happen wont they, by showing humiltiy - sorrow - being concillitory and keep trying until it happens.

unfortuanlty though usually the GP want to carry on treating thier child and his/her partner like crap but still see the GC!

Thats not ops problem. its the PILS and how much they vlaue thier future relationship with GC> they havant started out very well so far have they, off the starting blocks!

glossyflower · 28/08/2012 14:08

elizaregina - thank you, your comments have really helped having had a similar experience. I do feel sad that it has to be this way, but that is not my fault, so yes you are 100% correct, I know they won't change so better to cut our losses, move on and have a happy productive life.
xxx

OP posts:
Olympicnmix · 28/08/2012 14:11

Sometimes family weddings don't bring out the best in people. It's going to be very noticeable at the wedding that the groom's parents are not present and may well be a talking point rather than the dress/food etc. But it is what it is as it looks like no one is going to sufficiently unbend.

I would suggest you do keep the pg to yourself anyway as it's early days and you may well want to get scan and tests out the way first.

inkyfingers · 28/08/2012 14:13

Hope you have a day of really happy memories on Saturday whoever is there.

Paiviaso · 28/08/2012 14:17

Congrats on your pregnancy and wedding!

You say you have toxic inlaws - well you also have a fiance who is happy to stand up to them, which is invaluable. It is a massive decision to cut your parents out of your life, and if your fiance has reached that point I'm sure its after years of hurt. I think you should support him - as you said, you only need people in your life that love and support you.

So, I would leave it up to your fiance to tell (or not tell) his parents about the pregnancy.

WelshMaenad · 28/08/2012 14:17

I think you and your DF are being utterly over the top, to be honest. And I say this as someone who does not get along with her inlaws. I could very easily have said, let's just cut them off. I have not, I continue to try to keep things civil, so my children can have a relationship with their grandparents, and things are improving. I just use the likes of MN as an outlet.

They acted like dicks over the aunt/wedding, yes. Sounds to me, though, that they realised this. All those little texts over inconsequential things that you ignored - did you not see those for what they really were - little attempts to re-establish contact? Really? And you ignored them all. Then you have th gall to moan you were not invited to family events? REALLY? When you threw every attempt at contact back in their faces, are you surprised? Grow up.

You all need sitting down and your heads banging together a good talk, air all your grievances, and forge a civil way ahead. These are your unborn baby's grandparents. Don't be a wazzock, give your kid the chance to have a relationship with them.

I think you need to invite them to the wedding and send your MIL out to get a hat.

diddl · 28/08/2012 14:20

TBH, if they don´t attend their own son´s wedding because someone who they think has slighted them will be there, they are (imo) not worth bothering with.

tiggytape · 28/08/2012 14:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BackforGood · 28/08/2012 14:26

I agree with Welsh. Sounds like you are all being ridiculously childish to me. Sounds like his parents were initially acting immaturely, but then you and your fiance have decided to be just as immature. Sounds as if they were daft over the initial falling out with the Aunt, then thought they could get one over on her by emotionally blackmailing you, which, quite rightly you stood up to, but after that, all the bits and bobs and ins and outs do sound like making mountains out of molehills.

bogeyface · 28/08/2012 14:39

I think you need to step away and stop getting involved.

Dont write letters, dont send texts etc, let your DH deal with it all. They are his family, he has made the decision to cut them off and it should be his place to handle any communications from them. Otherwise you will find that you are the villain "Oh Dave was lovely until he married her and now we dont see him as she has stopped him seeing us".

Socknickingpixie · 28/08/2012 14:42

the suituation sounds a bit strange to me but that aside you have no duty to tell them anything at all.

if he has no intrest in involving them given that he knows them better than you its safe to say this is not the only reason.

just because a person is related to another person it shouldnt mean you have to involve them in anything at all

ChaoticismyLife · 28/08/2012 14:59

The OP has said there is more to it.

Sometimes texts about inconsequential things as a way of establishing contact simply aren't good enough. The OP and her DH2B may have reacted differently if the PIL had made a genuine apology either by phone of face to face.

OP there is no need to tell anyone about the pregnancy yet. These are your DH2B's parents so let him decide what he's going to do about them.

glossyflower · 28/08/2012 15:14

Thank you all for your advice...yes there is stubborness on both sides unfortunately.

I have no contact with them at all unless they call me unexpectedly...as for writing letters, I think we are entitled to correspond with my fiances grandparents as they have nothing to do with the argument and we have a good relationship with them.

As for moaning that we were not invited to family functions, I was not moaning, just stating that's what happened. I feel if they felt regretful over what has happened then they would have invited us regardless. Instead the only contact they have opened up is to tell us there is post etc, which may be their way of opening up discussion to resolve the issue, but whenever we have spoken to them all they have done is berate us for being in the wrong by inviting the aunt.

It does sounds contradictory that we have not sent them an invite to our wedding, but the initial argument occurred 8 months ago and they had said they would not come. I assumed later on they had changed their minds about coming but they did not definitely say so.

Personally I think we should have sent them an invite and if they chose to come that was up to them, but my fiance did not want to.

I think I will leave any communication in the future to my fiance, and if I receive a telephone call, email etc I will just ask them to speak directly to him.

And yes it does seem very trivial but there is a lot more separate to this argument I have left out because we don't have all day... :-)

xxx

OP posts:
NervousAt20 · 28/08/2012 15:21

YANBU at all. If your in laws are toxic now they will not be any better when your baby arrives or grows up. If your DP has made the choice to cut them out of his life then I'm sure he hasn't made it over night and has had many problems leading upto this point and IMO the best thing for you to do would be support him and move on with your lives without his parents in it.

Congratulations on your pregnancy and wedding Smile