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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not go to baby shower, making MIL not able to go?

61 replies

Ilovecoleslaw · 29/06/2017 18:52

SIL's baby shower next week. MIL doesn't drive and FIL's car has broke so can't take her.
Arrangement was she was going to come in the car with me (takes at least an hour)
But, i had a misscariage last week and the last think I want is to be around baby stuff right now.
MIL still wants me to go so she can and FIL thinks I am BU by not going.
AIBU??

OP posts:
BertrandRussell · 29/06/2017 19:15

Does she know you've had a miscarriage? If so she is being utterly, utterly outrageous.

MikeUniformMike · 29/06/2017 19:16

You are definitely not BU. Big hugs.

dinosaurkisses · 29/06/2017 19:16

Do your in laws know about the miscarriage? I'm just shocked that people could be so completely wrapped up in themselves that they wouldn't pause for a nano-second to think "hmm, maybe Coleslaw won't feel up to it?"

Especially given how grim Baby Showers are as an event. Yuck.

Coddiwomple · 29/06/2017 19:16

YANBU

any topic around pregnancy is always very touchy so people have to be pretty stupid to insist, even if they don't know you just lost a baby.

She could use public transport and arrive the day before, arrive on the day to the nearest point and finish by taxi or ask someone there to pick her up from the station/ coach station/ bus stop.
There's many way to attend an event only an hour away without relaying on your original lift. Don't worry, if MIL really wants to go, she can.

Ilovecoleslaw · 29/06/2017 19:16

Me and DH will likely go out for the day somewhere so FIL won't be able to borrow car.
Train station is 10 min walk from their house and train station at SIL is 10min from theirs! Would have to change twice i think, so not a massivelt awful journey.
Thank you all for your replies Flowers

OP posts:
3littlebadgers · 29/06/2017 19:18

Flowers yanbu at all. I'm two years down the line from my stillbirth and I still find pregnancy and newborns heartbreaking.

Ilovecoleslaw · 29/06/2017 19:18

They don't have much money at the moment, so won't be able to afford a car rental

OP posts:
Inertia · 29/06/2017 19:19

Yanbu. You need to recover and grieve, not be thrust into something which exacerbates your loss. MIL needs to sort her own travel arrangements.

happypoobum · 29/06/2017 19:24

YANBU

I would get DH to contact SIL directly to explain that you won't be going (don't mention MIL)

What sort of monster would give you grief for not attending? Flowers

Madcats · 29/06/2017 19:27

Miscarriages are hideous in varying degrees. You will always wonder, but the pain/guilt/incomprehension does subside Flowers

Is there a BiL who could go to get his parents/inlaws?

Surely your SiL understands?

In the depths of your hearts you will probably be pleased for your impending niece/nephew.... but it is far better to be around for when the kids are going to need you.

jessebuni · 29/06/2017 19:27

Wow no not unreasonable at all. I myself suffered multiple miscarriages and remember after the third one I pretty much stayed in the house and sulked for nearly a month. So a week after being expected to attend a baby shower it is completely understandable that you don't want to go and no one should be insensitive enough to make you feel bad about it. I would mention how upset you are by the situation with the in laws to your husband and just apologise and say sorry but it would be too upsetting to go. Your in laws are adults and they can arrange transport themselves if they are that bothered.

valeriarrgh · 29/06/2017 19:29

You are absolutely not being unreasonable. My MIL really tried to get me to go to my SIL's baby shower. We had lost our first daughter the year before at 20 weeks and I was pregnant with our rainbow (very early on). I just couldn't handle being around that kind of thing at all. In the end I went over her head and messaged the friend who was organising it, explained that we had suffered a loss and it was just too hard, as the MIL just wouldn't take no for an answer. My SIL was very understanding and didn't take offence at all. You aren't responsible for making sure others can get there, there are options available to them and under the circumstances they should use them.

Stand your ground, don't let anyone make you feel guilty and I am so, so sorry for your loss. Flowers

HotelEuphoria · 29/06/2017 19:37

SIL isn't presumably their daughter or DIL so she can come and get them OR her DP, their son can.

Not your party, they are being insensitive arses.

InvisibleLlama · 29/06/2017 19:38

Not being unreasonable at all - MIL is. Focus on yourself at this very difficult time. If she wants to get there she will find a way. (who doesn't drive these days anyway ducks)

sidesplittinglol · 29/06/2017 19:40

Oh OP I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Of course you are not being unreasonable. I was the same... could not be around those who were pregnant or had kids. Your MIL should understand this and sympathise with you. For her to still suggest you go just so she can is unreasonable. If she really wants to go that much then she can order an uber.

ThatsNotMyMarmot · 29/06/2017 19:40

Taxi. Let the insensitive cow get a taxi. Beyond belief to expect you to do this. Some people are so self centred.

GivePeasAGo · 29/06/2017 19:42

Yanbu. You and dp should go out for the say and tell them how insensitive and selfish they are being.

FUNM · 29/06/2017 19:49

Tell her to take an Uber :)

zaalitje · 29/06/2017 19:58

Does MIL know you miscarried OP?

cherish123 · 29/06/2017 20:05

YANBU. Why would you have to take her? Could SIL or another family member not take her?

Ilovecoleslaw · 29/06/2017 20:06

Yes PIL know i miscarried, sent flowers and messages at the time.
SIL (BiL's wife) was very understanding

OP posts:
GivePeasAGo · 29/06/2017 20:18

Sounds like they are type that think you and your dp should just move on and get over it (awful phrase) quickly. I knew a few like that when I miscarried sadly.

I think you and your dp should challenge them and ask why they think Yabu.

GivePeasAGo · 29/06/2017 20:19

I am very sorry for your loss Ilovecoleslaw Flowers

rollonthesummer · 29/06/2017 20:20

I think your DH needs to ring them and tell them to get stuffed and leave you alone!

itsbetterthanabox · 29/06/2017 20:55

Why can't they get the train?
Or sil/bil pick them up?