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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

PIL holiday

56 replies

Rainfallrainbow · 06/03/2018 06:48

I feel I need some other perspectives on this as I’m becoming irrationally annoyed.

PIL are very well off and go on multiple fancy holidays a year. Approx 4 weeks before they were due to go on current one, both of fil’s parents were rushed into hospital. Fil’s sister immediately cancelled her exotic holiday (had been due to fly a few days after) to be with her parents. Unfortunately fil’s Dad passed away and his mum remains extremely ill and has only just come out of hospital but the decision has been made that she will have to go into a home ASAP. I’m pregnant and 1 day after the funeral we found out that our baby was seriously ill in the womb. They didn’t elaborate, other than saying the scan suggested a serious chromosomal abnormality, but referred us to a fetal med appointment for a few days later. Obviously we were shocked and frightened and worried, etc. 2 days after that (so 3 after funeral), pil flew off on holiday.

We have now had our fetal med appointment and learnt that our baby has died. Because I am in my second trimester, I will be going into hospital today to have a pessary and give birth to our baby. Words don’t really describe how we are feeling right now.

Dh text his parents to let them know, and we received a reply, but no phone call (will cost a lot to call from where they are, but they can afford it!)

I feel so angry with them. EVen before our pregnancy problems started, dh and I thought it was a bit much that they were still going, considering fil Dad had just been buried and his mum was still seriously ill and had literally only been out of hospital a matter of a day or too (she is extremely poorly and we were concerned that she might pass away while they are on holiday). Now we have lost our baby and I feel dh needs the support of his parents and they’re just not here. They won’t get home for another fortnight.

I think the fact that they have SO many holidays is the thing, it wasn’t long since there last one and won’t be long until their next one. They were needed here by fil’s Mum and now they’re needed by us. I just feel angry at how selfish they’ve been by going. They knew before they flew that baby had serious problems and had already toyed with the idea of cancelling but dismissed it. In mil’s reply she said she felt so helpless? Well yeah, you chose to travel 1000s of miles away when you knew this could happen! And don’t make it about how you feel!!!!!!!!!

Aibu? Is my anger misdirected? Or do I have a right to feel that dh has been let down?

OP posts:
Pengggwn · 06/03/2018 06:51

Please just look after yourself - they aren't worth your headspace at this time. Flowers

Labradoodliedoodoo · 06/03/2018 06:55

Look after yourself today.

I think you need to fully accept that they are not interested in supporting you and seek support elsewhere. You can’t get blood out of a stone.

Be a strong unit together. Lower your expectations of the in laws as otherwise you will be hurt.

Labradoodliedoodoo · 06/03/2018 06:56

Don’t give them your mental energy today

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 06/03/2018 06:56

Flowers sorry about your baby.

If they are selfish, there’s a fair chance they wouldn’t be much help anyway. If they were here to support you, you’d be feeling as sad anyway I imagine. I think the anger at them is a distraction. Yanbu to be disappointed. I wouldn’t fall out with them over this, but I wouldn’t be doing much for them in the future.

Jenijena · 06/03/2018 06:57

Flowers for you, your baby and DH

So you know you won’t get support from them. One day the tables will turn and you will not forget this.

Right now, find the support you can, use it, and forget about PILs.

MarthasGinYard · 06/03/2018 06:58

Yanbu

But don't give any thought to their selfishness and concentrate on you.

I'm so sorry Thanks

LIZS · 06/03/2018 06:59

In fairness they may not have appreciated the severity or immediacy of your situation and perhaps thought with fils mother's illness that this might be the last opportunity they might have in a while. It is sad that they are not there to support your dh and you but resenting them being away is not going to help you long term. Please focus on yourselves for now Thanks

Hortonlovesahoo · 06/03/2018 07:01

I’m so sorry for your loss ((hug)). There are no words at this time that will help.

I can’t understand why you’re feeling like you are and I’d let yourself feel it but I think that it won’t help to keep the anger and frustration against them built up. They’ve made their decision and will need to live with it

Hissy · 06/03/2018 07:04

I agree. Fuck em.

If there is one small silver lining to this, it’s that they aren’t singling you/dh out with their attitude, they are putting themselves first above everyone, even their bereaved and very poorly mother.

Shame on them.

I know this hurts, I know it’s shit, but there literally is nothing you can do to make people do the right thing by others if they aren’t capable of it themselves.

The good thing here is that you now know the kind of people they are and you won’t ever need to rely on them again only to be disappointed at the worst possible time.

My sincerest condolences for your baby, I’m so sorry. I’ve been through a few losses in my time, but none so traumatic as your situation

Put all others out of your minds, be there for each other and in time things will feel a little easier. Are you able to get support from the hospital?

Thinking of you both.

Galaxyfarfaraway · 06/03/2018 07:06

So sorry for your loss. I've been where you are and really I just needed DH. No one else.
Are you trying to deflect your anger onto them and away from what you have to go through today. Totally understandable and fwiw they are mean to go but please look after yourself today. Xx

purplepandas · 06/03/2018 07:06

Sending much love to you today Ok from a fellow Mum who lost her baby. Much kindness surrounds you here. I struggled do much with the behaviour of others and as someone else said, try not to give it headspace. Hard I know.

purplepandas · 06/03/2018 07:07

Op. Sorry. Flowers

Rainfallrainbow · 06/03/2018 07:08

I feel I must say that ordinarily they are very supportive and lovely pil and we never have any issues. I just feel like they’ve left us when dh needs them most. And to top it all, before they flew mil firmly told dh that he was not to tell her mum about what was happening with baby because she didn’t want her mum upset whilst she was away. Well firstly, we’d already decided that ourselves, but secondly I resent her telling us who we can and can’t tell about this!!!

OP posts:
Galaxyfarfaraway · 06/03/2018 07:08

Some people just have empathy bypasses. They are obviously those people.
Hope you don't interpret my message as not understanding
I really do and I deflected loads in the run up to my hospital visit. Still did not help on the day though. Xx

fleaflyflo · 06/03/2018 07:12

I am so sorry for your loss and hope there is other support in your lives.

Sadly you could be talking about my PIL; over the years they've taken my breath away with their selfishness and "Planet Us" attitude. I learnt very quickly not to look to them for any support or comfort

Thanks
Rainfallrainbow · 06/03/2018 07:13

I think I am deflecting. Can’t bare to think about the day ahead so would rather get angry and rant about pil instead than focus on my grief. Thank you everyone for your replies x

OP posts:
Bekabeech · 06/03/2018 07:17

I think your last comment is extremely self aware.
And I'm sure everyone who has read this thread will be thinking of you today. Flowers

yougetwhatyougive · 06/03/2018 07:20

💐

nannybeach · 06/03/2018 07:21

So so sorry to hear your awful news, wish you love and hugs for the day ahead, sod, the inlaws, you consentrate on yourself and your DH.Unfortunately, sounds like in MIL

Snowysky20009 · 06/03/2018 07:24

Flowers take care today, both of you

MrsCrabbyTree · 06/03/2018 07:26

From the bottom on my heart I am so sorry this is happening. Sending you love and strength.

You need to compartmentalise your emotions. Place how you feel about your PILs lack of support in a box but don't open it until you are ready. Concentrate on you and your DH and the sad experience you are dealing with and how you feel as that is all that matters at the moment.

aaaaargghhhhelpme · 06/03/2018 07:27

I'm so sorry Flowers

Thinking of you today. I agree with everyone. You need to focus on yourself. Screw them. Take care

Someaddedsugar · 06/03/2018 07:27

💐 so sorry OP x

billybagpuss · 06/03/2018 07:27

good luck for today I'm so sorry for what you've been through.

I was trying to find a kind way of saying what your last post said, its easy to get cross with other people when you are so overwhelmed with your own grief.

I'm sure PIL will feel awful and I imagine it will impact on future holidays too.

bigupapple · 06/03/2018 07:28

I'm so sorry for what your going through, is such a awful experience I had to go through this last year, and sadly my pil behaved the same!

They had a week away booked, but was a cottage holiday 5 hours away, the day I was going into hosp to give birth to our sleeping baby was the day they left!! I can't believe it, seeing as they like to be here every-time all the time and so involved over tiny things, I didnt want them for me, but I felt so bad for my husband, then they poper in when they were back with some holiday fudge???!!! I cudnt cope, I can't look at them in the same way now, and struggle to make the effort to talk to them, I'm not rude, but neither am I interested now either,

Will be thinking of you, deep breaths sweetheart, xx