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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DB and his Fiance

157 replies

n1mechange87 · 27/03/2018 08:48

I'll try to be concise, just after some reassurance im not AIBU?

Back story:
So my DB has been with his now fiance for 8+ years and engaged for 5. They have a child who is 18months and are due to marry in August this year.

My DB is 7yrs older than me and up until he met the fiance we were very close considering the age gap. Only when he was at Uni and when i was at uni did we not really make contact - too much partying.

Since she came into the picture, i did try very hard with her initially but didn't get anywhere. I'd ask how she was, what had she been up to, how was work, etc. I soon grew tired of making 110% of the effort and gave up after 2-3+ years. I cottoned on early on there isn't much between the ears and she had gone through a handful of jobs in that time, claiming bullying, didn't like it and generally sponging off my DB.

Fast forward to now. I have nothing or very little to do with my DB, i have made it clear to him as things have progressively got worse with the fiance, that i would prefer it if i only saw him (and now niece). Basically, so i don't upset the precious one and then get it in the neck myself.

I happen to be staying at my DM's on Friday whist she is away. My DB has not met my dogs and i thought it would be nice for my niece to meet them. So, I have invited DB and my niece over. I have two dogs - one calm and gentle, the other energetic and excitable, both love children and of course will never be left with my niece alone. My DB's fiance did not like the old family dog and made it clear buy shooing her away. Luckily, the feeling was mutual and the dog stayed well clear... (whats that saying about always trust a dog's instincts...) I have made it clear to my DB that if you're not a dog person you will not like my energetic and excitable dog. I've not actually met anybody who didn't like her - she is a lovely girl but high maintenance and is going to obedience classes! We have made a lot of progress in the two years we have had her since we picked her up as a pup from the rescue centre.

He has asked why i hadn't extended the invite to the fiance. I explained again - dogs. I said if she did want to come then ok, but be aware if you're not a dog person, etc. I also explained my DM will be looking after my two dogs in June for 4 days whilst we go away for a week and she may need assistance with the dogs and it might be nice if he met them before June. She won't, but it thought a good excuse.

I have explained on many occasions to him that whenever i have met his fiance. I feel i am made out to be the baddy despite going out of my way to be nice. I never get anywhere so i made the decision a few years back i wouldn't have anything to do with her as it only caused more upset for everybody but mainly myself. It got to the point where i wouldn't say anything for fear of upsetting her - i was then told off for joining in. I would then join in and ask how she was only to be told off again. So you see i cannot win.

Am i right to not want her to meet my dogs? She'll only make a big deal of my energetic and excitable one and i have to say with pregnancy hormones running wild i don't think i could or would refrain myself from unleashing a shed load of verbalness at her.

Aside from this - im due in August. I live in a narrowboat. When baby is born - am i AIBU to not want her to meet my baby? Dogs will be on my narrowboat, space is limited.

I just feel like i'd be a hypocrite. I'm going to teach my child as i was taught. If i didn't want to do something and had a genuine reason and could explain it then i shouldn't feel forced to do something for the sake of the 'family'... Why should i put myself through it?

Am i being totally AIBU?

I could say alot more about the fiance, but am not sure if she uses this MN and it would be outing. The stuff i have said is the least outing. She is viscous and manipulative.

OP posts:
TheFaerieQueene · 27/03/2018 10:11

We’ve hit ultimate MN. Unreasonable in laws, lazy, not meeting baby and dogs - one of whom is excitable. Well done OP, you have reached peak MN. Grin

pasturesgreen · 27/03/2018 10:11

You sound unhinged, tbh.

"Meeting the dogs"?! Oh, do give over! Hmm

NameChangeBiatch · 27/03/2018 10:12

'I cottoned on early there isn't much between the ears' - you sound nice. I'm sure your DB sees sth in her though, to be with her for all this time. Have a child with her?

Also attending uni as you mentioned you and your DB did, does not necessarily denote intelligence and vice-versa.

Maybe she was in-fact bullied at work?

You're excluding her now from meeting your dog. Which is obviously a privilege.

If you were my sil I'd be running for the hills after sinking your boat.

LifeBeginsAtGin · 27/03/2018 10:13

Wheres your partner in all this - whats his opinion or advice?

steff13 · 27/03/2018 10:15

We’ve hit ultimate MN. Unreasonable in laws, lazy, not meeting baby and dogs - one of whom is excitable. Well done OP, you have reached peak MN

My MN bingo card won't be complete until someone says they think the OP is getting a hard time on here.

Creambun2 · 27/03/2018 10:15

@TheFaerieQueene

If only the OP was having twins........

ATurnipOfMyOwn · 27/03/2018 10:17

Many people live on narrowboats with children and dogs. There are 4 families in my marina at the moment. It's just a different lifestyle.

I realise that, but I'm just saying that of all the details to leave out in case you are recognised, these probably should have been top of the list.

Zaphodsotherhead · 27/03/2018 10:18

Tbh though, dogs and babies are alike, in that your own are lovely, but you can't really be bothered much with other people's.

Mightymucks · 27/03/2018 10:20

It's just a different lifestyle.

Sorry, that’s hilarious. I love the way people think they’re so different by doing the same as all the other people who think they’re different too. Going travelling then moving on to a narrowboat is such a cliche. I bet you have dreadlocks and are planning to home educate too. Because you’re so different and unpredictable entirely predictable and boring.

EdmundCleverClogs · 27/03/2018 10:22

I love the way people think they’re so different by doing the same as all the other people who think they’re different too.

She’s an individual, just like everyone else Wink

PanGalaticGargleBlaster · 27/03/2018 10:23

We’ve hit ultimate MN. Unreasonable in laws, lazy, not meeting baby and dogs - one of whom is excitable. Well done OP, you have reached peak MN.

Not quite, one of dogs needs to have self identified as a bitch and is now wanting to go to female dog only obedience classes.

thatmustbenigelwiththebrie · 27/03/2018 10:25

It sounds like you're making a mountain out of a molehill.

So she might be not be your favourite person but she doesn't sound too bad. Can't you just invite her and spend time with her regardless? I don't understand the whole dog thing either. Why is it such a big deal?

Trinity66 · 27/03/2018 10:26

Oh Dear, YABU.

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 27/03/2018 10:31

I'm going to stick my neck out here to say I think it might you that's the problem here OP and not your SIL. I'm wondering if you're a bit jealous that you don't have your brother all to yourself anymore.

Trinity66 · 27/03/2018 10:34

I also explained my DM will be looking after my two dogs in June for 4 days whilst we go away for a week and she may need assistance with the dogs and it might be nice if he met them before June. She won't, but it thought a good excuse.

Which one of you is manipulative again?

llangennith · 27/03/2018 10:36

OP you really are away with the fairies😂

DistanceCall · 27/03/2018 10:40

You don't "meet dogs". They're not people.

I'm going to teach my child as i was taught. If i didn't want to do something and had a genuine reason and could explain it then i shouldn't feel forced to do something for the sake of the 'family'... Why should i put myself through it?

FFS. Nobody is asking you to be best friends with her. You don't like your SIL. That's fine, you don't have to. You HAVE to respect her as your brother's chosen partner and the mother of his child, though. That's not hypocrisy, that's politeness.

So, if you want to have a relationship with your brother and his child, you're going to have to accept it. Like it or not.

And personally, I think it's crazy to live on a narrow boat with two children and an energetic dog that is going to obedience classes.

Pandoraphile · 27/03/2018 10:43

I can't get past the fact that you think it's such a big deal to 'meet' your dogs Hmm. They're not your family, they're your pets and I suspect that no one else gives a flying fuck about 'meeting' them.

MimpiDreams · 27/03/2018 10:43

My DB is 7yrs older than me and up until he met the fiance we were very close considering the age gap.

This is the issue. You need to grow up and accept that you're not #1 in his life anymore.

DistanceCall · 27/03/2018 10:44

Not quite, one of dogs needs to have self identified as a bitch and is now wanting to go to female dog only obedience classes.

Grin
TheJoyOfSox · 27/03/2018 10:50

You sound like a complete bitch, you’re being rude and nasty to your SIL, and in turn that’s rude to your db.
You exclude family members from events and you think everyone should love your dog, I’m not surprised your poor sil doesn’t want to put any effort into getting to know you.
So yes, yabu, rude, nasty and I’m surprised your dB hasn’t snapped at you for being so awful to his fiancé.

SillyLittleBiscuit · 27/03/2018 10:52

I would want to be introduced to people's dogs Blush love them.

DistanceCall · 27/03/2018 10:54

I would want to be introduced to people's dogs Blush love them.

That's great. Not everybody likes them, though.

FizzyGreenWater · 27/03/2018 11:14

You are so, SO much the problem here.

Get a grip or your brother will eventually get tired of the 'one to one time' duty calls i.e. where you don't get sulky because you have his full attention and will breathe a sigh of relief and skip off to his perfectly happy life with his perfectly normal wife.

Exclude her from seeing your baby and that will happen much quicker.

Oh and your dog sounds awful!

Creambun2 · 27/03/2018 11:18

I don't think op is coming back.

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