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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be secretly despise a visit from BIL this weekend?

46 replies

RoaringTiger · 16/04/2014 15:06

Just that really, I hate him. I've never hated anyone, but by jolly do I actually physically hate him! And I have the choice; spend 4 hours faking it with him, smiling to the children, enthusing along with them when they fall over themselves being duped by his smarmy charm or don't go with them all-giving him ultimately what he wants (as proven when he told my dp in jan that from then on 'tiger' couldn't be there whilst he saw HIS dn's). I always feel so anxious about the stupid visits :(

OP posts:
diddl · 16/04/2014 15:48

He doesn't deserve to see the kids & they don't deserve to be subjected to him.

Keep you & them away & leave your husband to it.

RoaringTiger · 16/04/2014 15:49

We did decide when we talked last time as well that we will deal with him my dp's way this time but next time I will be telling him myself to feck off out of mine and the kids lives.
It's just annoying because dp goes back to having a reletively good relationship with him, he just does it when I'm not present-all phone calls are done not in my presence ect. If someone acted that way to him they'd be gone-no questions asked by me.

OP posts:
TinklyLittleLaugh · 16/04/2014 15:51

You know DP's brother is a bit of a man child. Pleasant enough company most of the time, but basically, at his core quite selfish.

The DCs absolutely adored him when they were small. Now they are teens they see quite clearly why it is annoying if he turns up 2 hours late (or not at all) to a meal I've cooked, or whips their little brother into a frenzy for his own amusement a minute before bedtime.
And they think he is quite sad to be honest. Your time will come OP.

RoaringTiger · 16/04/2014 15:51

I can't really say no now though as I agreed to it as long as he didn't come to the house and that it was only for the 4 hours a month. I know he doesn't deserve to see the kids and I certainly know he isn't a role model that I want then to see and look up to but they're 50% my dp's so until he fucks up again I'm stuck doing this :(

OP posts:
RoaringTiger · 16/04/2014 15:53

That's what I'm hoping tinkly I really do. My eldest she sees him as he is anyway (got asd and quite perceptive with people-but also because he has been really pushy with her and overstepped her boundaries at times and I've had to tell him to back off). It's dp who needs to see it more than anyone though so that he can stop being sucked in all the time.

OP posts:
OnlyLovers · 16/04/2014 15:57

I'd cut him out. You're not stuck doing it; your DP can take the kids to see him if he wants.

If someone told me I was a money grabbing cow and/or controlling and manipulative, that'd be it; no more contact. And that's without all the other twattish behaviour you describe.

Mind you, I suspect the difference is that my DP would robustly stand up to anyone who talked to me like that, not just 'placate' them. Hmm

RoaringTiger · 16/04/2014 16:13

He barely even stands up for himself only, he's been conditoned so much. I've made it more than clear though that from now on he deals with his brother himself and stops hiding behind me (sacrificing me in favour of keeping in the good books himself) I've started saving too-just in case cos if it happens again and he doesn't have my back then we're gone (I didn't quite put it like that to him though). I'm the first one to ever challenge his brothers behaviour and call him out on his verbal bullying so it is a huge change which I think I've allowed more than enough for now.

OP posts:
OnlyLovers · 16/04/2014 16:28

Yes, I do understand, OP. Must be tough. Good on you for spelling it out to your DP and saving up for an emergency (but I really hope it doesn't come to that). Thanks

diddl · 16/04/2014 16:55

"What about telling him he can see his nieces when he has learnt to treat their mother correct and with respect."

And their father for that matter.

He's so awful that he's not welcome at your house so you all go somewhere to meet him anyway??

How screwed up is that!

Nomama · 16/04/2014 17:15

Practically, Tiger, you are going to have to wait it out. You have identified your DPs state of readiness, your kids will take longer, but you will probably have to put up and cause the rift BIL is accusing you of, or shut up(ish) and wait for the natural to occur.

DH has an equally toxic set of sibs, I put up with all sorts of shit for many years. I was happy to be cut off from all that lovely family contact and let DH get on with it. It took a friend to call SIL on one of her really nasty little tricks for DH to fully appreciate what was going on. SIL used to give him a hug hello and, over his shoulder, smirk and mouth to me "I could have him, you don't deserve him, he doesn't actually love you". I had always laughed (DH dislikes her intensely) but a mutual friend called her on her behaviour in a packed pub. Much sulking ensued.

DH eventually came to the decision that he would see them occasionally but would never ask me to accompany him. Or to ever invite them to us.

Life has been easier since. He sees their behaviour for what it is, If they have a pop at me when he is with them he used to say I was working (teacher, so that was easy). Now he says I just don't want to visit. SIL had a conniption the first time, but he pointed out that we have lived here for 10 years and the closest they have been is the pub on the river.

Put your foot down gently. Give your DP the time he needs to see BILs behaviour as an adult, not as a spoiled child. But be prepared for a long wait. Grow a sense of humour about it (it can be done with practice, I managed eventually).

Good luck.

magoria · 16/04/2014 17:29

Is there anyway we can help you get through these 4 hours?

Some form of mumsnet bingo for what he says/does and how long it take him?

It may annoyed you but you will also have that secret smirk of how right you/we all were?

hamptoncourt · 16/04/2014 17:41

If BIL is too toxic for you to tolerate then he is too toxic for your DC to be exposed to him.

Take them to the zoo. Tell DP to see BIL on his own. If he doesn't like it he can piss off again.

thebodydoestricks · 16/04/2014 17:47

Why does he have such an interest in his neices?

Most single blokes think kids are cute in very small doses but that's about it.

I would be worried frankly.

He seems to be deliberately trying to get your children away from you by pudding you off. I personally wouldn't leave them with him for 2 mins.

OnlyLovers · 16/04/2014 17:53

That's just innuendo, body, and 'Most single blokes think kids are cute in very small doses but that's about it' is a massive generalisation.

That's a very serious thing to suggest about someone. I'm behind the OP 100% and think her BIL is a tit, but this your suggestion is a bit much IMO.

Caitlin17 · 16/04/2014 18:01

Sorry, I'm not bog

Caitlin17 · 16/04/2014 18:06

Sorry I'm not big on family but making such a fuss about seeing nephews and nieces seems really odd. Do they want to see him? 4 hours duty visit out of a teenager's week-end seems a big ask.

diddl · 16/04/2014 18:12

"then he is too toxic for your DC to be exposed to him."

I agree.

He's already said he would see them & then not bothered.

Plus "joked" about suicide.

Sounds as if he really enriches their livesHmm

SystemIDUnknown · 16/04/2014 18:16

That's an awful thing to suggest from such limited information The body.

DH's brother (young single man) absolutely loves his d nephews. He's babysat a few times for us, visits regularly, attends every kids party (which isn't his scene at all but he makes the effort).

Why can't men be interested in their family? Would you say the same if this was the SIL?

Caitlin17 · 16/04/2014 18:18

Like the body I'd be wondering why a single man is making such a fuss about having organised contact with his nephews and nieces. Not necessarily meaning anything sexual, just seems very odd. Doesn't he have a life of his own?

diddl · 16/04/2014 18:22

"I'd be wondering why a single man is making such a fuss about having organised contact with his nephews and nieces."

Because he can!

It's a way of guilt tripping his brother.

Caitlin17 · 16/04/2014 18:23

system yes I would say the same about a sister -in-law. Fine, if being interested in nephews and nieces is part of a natural family dynamic which is welcome and beneficial to all. This however sounds like one of the bonkers grandparent situations where someone is demanding "my rights" to see the children.

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