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AIBU?

to not be gushing and enthusiastic about their apologies?

390 replies

Shamalamalam · 01/11/2016 08:32

MiL and SiL have upset me quite a lot. MiL (not heard from SiL) has apologies, I've said OK. I'm not sure what else they want from me, but apparently it looks like I'm sulking.

To give a bit of background, I'm quite crafty - I love sewing, knitting, etc, and in my own family we give each other lots of handmade gifts. I know not everyone appreciates homemade gifts, so I've always just kept this to my own family, unless people have directly commented or outright asked me for something

Anyway, on Friday MiL sent out a group email asking if we knew what our plans were for Christmas.

MiL and SiL then emailed each other throughout the day, but have obviously done the classic error of "reply all" instead of just replying to each other, so I (and DH and half a dozen other family members) get a whole load of emails calling me smug, hoping they wouldn't get one of my crappy homemade gifts again this year.

MiL has rung and apologised. She obviously feels bad, but I don't think it's up to me to make her feel better.

OP posts:
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originalmavis · 01/11/2016 09:10

If you must send a gift, go to Oxfam and buy some old knickers or something that would be hard for them to shift. Then you are also being charitable.

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iwilldoit30 · 01/11/2016 09:10

Sorry is not good enough either, you was insulted in front of the family, you should be apologised to in front of the family too.

I'd also want my partner to say something too.

I'm angry for you OP!

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DrSeuss · 01/11/2016 09:10

Find the worst pattern available and that can be their gift.
May I suggest
www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mens-mesh-shorts-2
or this
www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/giddyup-pony-hood

What a pair of bitches. I bet your presents are lovely.

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Arfarfanarf · 01/11/2016 09:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

blankmind · 01/11/2016 09:10

Oh OP Flowers what a horrid thing they've done, although it's great that everyone on your group email has seen what they are like.

I'd suggest dignified silence on your part, but privately if anyone mentions it do let them know that MIL and SIL had requested those specific gifts from you.

Also suggest that your DH has a word with both of them and says from now on (inference is because of what they did) gifting to adults is out of the question and you'll only give presents to the children in the family and receive presents for your own children.
He can also let them know that unfortunately, you're too busy to spend any time with them this xmas. Let it hang for future years.

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OohMavis · 01/11/2016 09:10

They're mortified and they want you to pretend it never happened so they can feel less like horrible twats.

Not your responsibility.

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Inthenick · 01/11/2016 09:11

Just do remember OP, and I'm in no way defending them, they may well like and care for you a lot but just joke about this aspect of you and your hobbies (behind your back😡) but still be very fond of you and value you in the family. Do you think that is the case? If so, try not to dwell and move on.

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scaryteacher · 01/11/2016 09:12

Trifle I was at a needle arts group yesterday, and one lady was knitting the most beautiful scarf that looked like lace. She said retail they go for at least €150-200, because of the labour cost, and it's a one off original. Bet the OPs horrid relatives hadn't thought of that.

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originalmavis · 01/11/2016 09:12

If I were witnessing this email exchange I'd've pitched in to say they were being horrible. Did everyone really sit back to watch the car crash?

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BarInSpace · 01/11/2016 09:13

Send them a goat next time.

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middlings · 01/11/2016 09:14

This drives me mad. Like four year olds saying "But I said I was sorry!!" That's fine! But I'm still not giving you what you threw a tantrum about.

That's really mean Sham. Glad your DH is having words - give them a wide berth for a while and send me the snuggly blanket

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originalmavis · 01/11/2016 09:16

Or saying 'take it back' or 'shake hands and make friends'. Nooooooo, you can't undo it. They have to make it better somehow.

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emotionsecho · 01/11/2016 09:17

I wouldn't buy them so much as a card or a gift token and if they ever asked me to make them something in future the answer I would give would be unprintable.

Good on your dh let him deal with them and if he wishes to buy them presents and/or cards he can do so (and make sure they know that!).

As others have said your MIL wants you to make her feel better and look better in the eyes of everyone who received and read those e-mails - tough that's not how it works and it's high time she realised that.

Be polite and civil but you don't need to be any more than that, they've shown their true colours and what they really think of you they can't now dictate how you respond to that information.

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FlyingGaribaldi · 01/11/2016 09:17

I think you've done the right thing, OP, thanked MIL for her apology but not downplayed the fact that it was a a hurtful and unpleasant exchange - as you say, it's not your job to alleviate her own guilt about her bad behaviour, and it's classic victim-blaming behaviour. You don't need to do anything further other than let them both stew in their own juices.

And certainly your DH should be the one buying (or making!) presents for his side of the family normally. Perhaps he could teach himself macramé between now and Christmas and make them each a nice teacosy in sludge and orange stripes. Grin

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maroda16 · 01/11/2016 09:18

That's so mean, poor you op, as pps have said buy the fuckers nothing in future!

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Sierra259 · 01/11/2016 09:18

Was just coming on to agree with Arf. MIL sounds like she's more concerned with how she looks to everyone else on the email, and just wants you to sweep it under the carpet so they'll all forget how batch she and SIL were.

Don't feel under any obligation to make her feel better. I'm not sure I could ever 100% forgive someone who spoke about me behind my back like that Sad Your gifts sound lovely and thoughtful.

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Sierra259 · 01/11/2016 09:19

^ how bitchy they were!

Fucking autocorrect Angry

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diddl · 01/11/2016 09:21

Do you have regular contact with her then?

I don't really speak to my MIL.

When I answer the phone I swear she sounds irritated that it's me who picked up!

Used to have a bit of a chat but last couple of times she just said "hello diddl, is husband there?"!

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KERALA1 · 01/11/2016 09:21

I don't think they do "love and care for you" as inthenick says. They don't like you. This is why you are understandably hurt. You don't behave like this to someone you love and care about.

No more gift buying or making from you for Dh family. Sod that. Entirely dhs job now.

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Mix56 · 01/11/2016 09:21

Drseuss, the giddy pony gag ! made my Laugh Out Loud !!!
& am still laughing now !

I would make a donation to a charity on their behalf & give them the receipt !

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Rockingaround · 01/11/2016 09:22

TBH OP I'd cut them off, I'd be mortified and really hurt. My SIL hasn't done anything like that but she's not easy so I pick and choose when I see her, DH respects this and just goes alone with the DC to meet up with her. I wouldn't respond and I wouldn't be seeing them over Christmas or giving them any kind of gift. I would say to DH that you're done with them and that he can take the kids over for a visit on Xmas day for an hour or so and that you don't feel able to be around them right now but that might change with time. Say the same to the witches too (if the apologies/badgering continues). Surly DH can give them a voucher in their Xmas cards, something benign and as thoughtless as possible. I honestly wouldn't put up with anymore, fuck them right off and enjoy not having to put yourself through fake, festive pleasantries with them. Is even book somewhere lovely for Xmas dinner, just your DC's and DH. Let DH descend on the MIL at 8.30 on Xmas day while you get ready and enjoy a glass of bubbles ... Oooooo OP I am bloody raging on your behalf!!! ChocolateCakeFlowersWine

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Shamalamalam · 01/11/2016 09:23

I didn't see the emails at the time, I'd been at work and snowed under, and while my phone had been pinging all afternoon, when I checked I saw it was MiL and SiL so ignored them until I got home

They stopped abruptly about 6pm, so I'm guessing someone must have pointed out their schoolboy error.

The whole family does have form for just wanting to blow past stuff like this and pretend it never happened. MiL is making far more fuss about this than me though

They're definitely talking about my gifts as they mentioned the stuff. The kids just make them little boxes or marshmallows and stuff like that

OP posts:
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DailyMailPenisPieces · 01/11/2016 09:25

Wow. Just wow.

What bitches. The doll and suitcase of clothes must have taken so much time.

I'd be giving them a Lidl box of chocolates this year, if anything and never consider them in the same way again. How very hurtful.

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MrsJayy · 01/11/2016 09:25

Oh no thats awful being gossiped about and ridiculed. I would be hurt and really miffed, people who are caught gossiping expect a lot imo mil wants you to be ok with her its not Ok. Generic crappy bath sets for christmas should send out the message to them Wink

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mikeyssister · 01/11/2016 09:26

Vouchers vouchers vouchers that's all I'd ever give them again.

Bitches

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