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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask how I can help SIL from abroad?

10 replies

NancyNC · 17/03/2018 10:28

NC as worried SIL will recognise this situation if she uses MN and know its me.

DH's sister is the best aunt ever, she has quite a few siblings and she has always been great with thier kids (huge range of ages from late 20s to 3). She has always taken am interest in thier lives, knows all thier birthdays etc and is really close with many of them.

She had her own first kid in January and since then, despite her siblings, nieces and nephews living nearby (except DH & I who live in the UK, they are all in the Netherlands), only her mum has been to visit her (once, and just for a few hours). She has had no family support and it seems like none of her siblings have taken any interest in her son at all. My heart breaks for her. DH & I went through for a visit recently & they are doing great, but I can tell she is feeling rubbish about it. We spoke to DHs other siblings who we went to visit (I should point out that hardly any of his siblings have visited DH since he moved abroad but that I can understand) and when we said we'd visited SIL's baby, not a single one even asked how SIL and baby were.

I don't know DHs family well due to living in a different country. DH isn't the best at keeping in touch with people (if I go on holiday I hardly hear from him!) but he has messaged SIL occasionally and asked about her son. We can't have kids and DH doesn't always think about asking how peoples kids are doing.*
*
Also wary that when helping out with or asking how my own sisters kids are, everyone makes comments about how its "practice" for my future children, but I'm infertile and hearing comments like that makes it feel like I've been punched in my empty uterus.

So long story short, how can I help SIL, or help DH to help SIL, feel more supported by her family, and show her that at least some of her family really care about her new baby? Keeping in mind that we live in different countries so can't offer her much proper support.

OP posts:
GreenTulips · 17/03/2018 10:37

What suppprt do you think she needs? For example could you arrange a baby sitter or cleaner?
Could you speak to her family more?

Problem is when others have kids they don't have much time to 'help' and turning up with kids in tow doesn't really help - they just create mess and distraction and want feeding every 5 mins

NancyNC · 17/03/2018 11:07

@GreenTulips don't know her well enough to arrange babysitter.

Most of DHs neices and nephews are away at college, and having spoke to/met up with his other siblings, they could pop in for a short visit easy enough. The main thing that got me though is they haven't called her really or spoke to her at all about her new baby. It doesn't take long to send her a message once every couple weeks or to call for a chat.

Makes me so happy how close my own small family are, if I ever manage to concieve at least I know I'll have thier support (and probably SILs - she really is such a great aunt to all her nieces and nephews!).

OP posts:
WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 17/03/2018 11:13

She sounds like a brilliant aunt and it's a shame no one has reciprocated. To be honest I'd just keep in touch by text/email etc and see how she's doing. Ask after her and the baby. Does she actually need any practical help? You can't force other family members to do anything.

GrannyGrissle · 17/03/2018 11:31

Just facetime and mdssage her everyday and be a friendly face and support. There's nothing like having a baby to show who cares about you and who couldn't give a damn. Also brings out allsorts of weirdnesses in families. DSIL and baby are very lucky to have you and DH so just do all you two can. She will appreciate that! (Can you do a supdrmarket shop for treats for her from her local supermarket maybe?).

Glumglowworm · 17/03/2018 11:51

Keep calling her regularly and asking after her and the baby.

Maybe a care package of her favourite treats or treats from the UK that you think she’d like.

Queenofthestress · 17/03/2018 12:05

I'd send a new mum pamper care package or some of her favourite treats?

NancyNC · 18/03/2018 14:32

Thanks for the ideas ladies! Will give these a go!

OP posts:
BettyBaggins · 18/03/2018 14:37

A care package sounds like a lovely idea. Its lovely you are reaching out to her.

ShutToTheTen · 18/03/2018 14:48

Does she mind, or is that your perception? I'm asking because DH and I had twins, we live in a different country. We didn't need or want 'support'. MIL did threaten to come and help for a few weeks after they were born but thankfully DH shut that madness down. We coped fine. SIL on the other hand had one baby, lives 5 minutes from MIL and MIL had to go round every say so SIL & BIL could sleep. It's like DN has 3 parents how involved MIL is. OK if that's what they want and it obviously suits them, it wouldn't suit us.

ShutToTheTen · 18/03/2018 14:49

*every day

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