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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think my IL's could be a bit kinder to me?

141 replies

jamoncrumpets · 30/03/2018 09:05

Have NC for this because I'm terrified they might read this...

In the last few years, in the last twelve months particularly, I've noticed DH's family have been cutting me out a bit, ignoring texts and phone calls.

His sisters don't reply to any of my texts at all, even one where I invited them to come and stay with us (any time, was a kind of 'hey, we've sorted out the guest room now, would love to see you for a visit' text). I wouldn't say I was texting them excessively, maybe once or twice a week at most, with things mainly about DH or DS, never myself. They used to reply. We'd talk about their lives. Now, nothing. We used to like and comment on each other's Instagram pics, but they haven't interacted with me at all on there for over a year either. I still like their pics, to show that I'm interested in their lives, but I don't really feel like writing any comments if they can't be bothered to interact with me at all. I'm also aware of looking needy.

I should point out here that DH is crap at contacting his family, and they used to say that without me they'd never hear from him.

MiL was obsessed with getting baby pictures and used to tell me how much she loved seeing pics of DS, so I'd send her them often, maybe two or three times a week or if he did something funny. I would always ask about what they were up to too, trying not to make everything about my DS! We'd chat. It was all lovely. But again, in the last year I haven't had any replies really - it feels like they're ghosting me. Again, I have cut contact to maybe once a week, just too keep the lines of communication open.

I'm trying to work out why this has happened and keep coming back to two things. One is that I had a miscarriage last year at 11 weeks. DH's family weren't particularly supportive at this time. In fact, lots of comments were made the next day along the lines of 'Oh you'll forget it soon' and ' Get your weight down and you might have more luck next time'. None of them have mentioned it AT ALL since then. Two is that DS is undergoing assessment for additional needs, it's looking like an ASD diagnosis, but it's not set in stone at the moment. He's lovely but he doesn't behave in the way a lot of 3yos do, and the IL's have often suggested this was because he was at home with me instead of nursery (yes, I know this is bollocks). He can't really hold a conversation at all and they can't get their heads around that. SiL's don't really make much effort to try and engage with him in person, thinking him aloof, which is a shame because once he trusts you he will lavish you with attention!

I'm trying to understand why they have pulled away from me, and I'm also trying to see ways that it could not be about me - I do suffer from low self esteem so blame myself for things a lot.

I don't really know how to tackle it, going forward. Do I just let them go? They're my DS's family.

OP posts:
Lacucuracha · 30/03/2018 09:09

I would pull right back. No calls, texts, likes.

It may make them re-assess their behaviour or it may not.

But I couldn't continue as you are.

Could DH ask them why they no longer respond to contact?

jamoncrumpets · 30/03/2018 09:11

The only reason I haven't pulled right back, tbh, is because I don't want to piss anyone off.

OP posts:
GreatDuckCookery6211 · 30/03/2018 09:13

Personally I would always ask someone who had previously been friendly with me why now they're not. I know not everyone feels up to doing that OP but I think it's best not to second guess and you could be wrong in what you're guessing.

Sounds like there's something but quite what I don't know. I know some posters will say " fuck em " type thing but I don't think that's what you want to do, it's obviously (understandably) bothering you.

Could you talk to them?

jamoncrumpets · 30/03/2018 09:13

What upsets me is that without me they wouldn't hear from DH at all. One had an important anniversary recently, so I reminded DH to call them, she was so pleased to hear from him and thanked him for remembering and calling.

And I was just thinking...

I did that. Me. And I can't even get a poxy 'like' on a picture of my DS?

OP posts:
GabriellaMontez · 30/03/2018 09:14

Let them go.

They don't sound like the sort of family your ds needs.

Troels · 30/03/2018 09:15

They have no problem pissing you off with indifference so go ahead and pull back, if they get annoyed that is not your problem.

Idontdowindows · 30/03/2018 09:15

I'd try to have one chat about this with each of them, and if that doesn't bring clarification or clarity, pull back.

Lacucuracha · 30/03/2018 09:17

The only reason I haven't pulled right back, tbh, is because I don't want to piss anyone off.

Just think about this OP! You're worried about pissing people off who treat you like you're invisible. Why?!

Your DC really don't need to say their dad's family treat you like crap. That's not healthy for you or them.

Lacucuracha · 30/03/2018 09:17

*See not say

pandarific · 30/03/2018 09:17

I would say, once a week would still feel a lot for a SIL to contact me. Do your SILs work full time? Kids? Do you work, have friends you go out with and see etc?

They may have more stuff going on than you if you’re a SAHM - that’s not a jab, people are busy and lots of interaction from someone when you’re busy with other stuff would probably get ignored tbh. In this situation it wouldnt mean they don’t like you necessarily, they’re just busy.

Also, if they’re sisters and close, they’re naturally going to interact with each other more than they do you so I wouldn’t compare those levels of contact.

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 30/03/2018 09:17

Pulling back and ignoring them won't bother them but their behaviour IS bothering the OP which is why she posted. It's all very telling a stranger to ignore them but this is HER life and she's not happy with her in laws and SIL ignoring her.

jamoncrumpets · 30/03/2018 09:17

They're so awkward to talk to though. They don't really talk about issues or feelings at all. My family do, we're v open, and tbh I think DH's family think they're more open than they actually are. They don't want to know when things are difficult, and they deal with bad stuff mainly by getting drunk.

OP posts:
Juiceylucy09 · 30/03/2018 09:18

Could you ask them. From your OP you sound like a lovely DIL and SIL. As you are a good communicater would you do a group message to all.

You do not have much to loose, hopefully they have just become lazy and everything's ok. You d be fair to ask them as its mean what they are doing.

JustVent · 30/03/2018 09:19

2 or 3 times a week?!

That’s way way way way too much. They probably had enough of being suffocated by you.

I get on really well with my IL’s but send them pics maybe twice a year.

I had a miscarriage at 15 weeks in the summer and no one has mentioned it. Why would they? It’s a subject that gets discussed only if the person suffering brings it up. That’s a very loud unsaid rule.

You sound nice, but very very needy. That’s really hard work.

jamoncrumpets · 30/03/2018 09:19

Good points pandarific, and I'd never expect to be as close with the SiL's as they are with each other. I have my own siblings and I know how profound that bond is.

OP posts:
Lacucuracha · 30/03/2018 09:21

Which is why I've suggested OP asks her DH why they no longer respond, Great Duck

It's not normal for SILs not to reply to texts for a year. I would do what I have suggested to OP.

How would you deal with it, Great Duck?

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 30/03/2018 09:21

Yep I know the sort of people they are OP. It doesn't mean they don't think about things though, they will do they're just rubbish at conveying their feelings. You might not get much back in way of a conversation but what you say to them ( regarding them dismissing you ) will go in. It may alter their behaviour and it may not. But at least you've let them know their behaviour is not acceptable.

applesandpears56 · 30/03/2018 09:22

I don’t even text my own sister once a week. I think you should cut down contact in case it’s too much for them - judging by how you talk about their family they are used to less communication whereas you are used to a closer family. Try texting one a month.
It’s not you - it’s just you have different expectations as to what is normal.
They sounds awful re the miscarriage and your ds so it’s in your interests to distance yourself from them a bit

ShortandAnnoying · 30/03/2018 09:23

That's sad but the answer is to stop wasting your time on these people and concentrate on your friends and if you have any of your own family who are close. Maybe there's a reason your Dh isn't that bothered about them?
If your ds does have ASD or some other behaviour issues a support network of understanding friends/your own family will help you.
Personally I'd keep being polite but not putting much effort in.

Downtheroadfirstonleft · 30/03/2018 09:23

They don't want a relationship with you. They probably find it stating that you keep contracting them, when they are clearly showing you that they don't welcome it.

You may have possibly affected this, but it's more likely that it's something with them. They may be having a tough time, or they may just be knobs. Who knows.

Step back and ignore. Not your circus, not your monkeys.

DevilsDoorbell · 30/03/2018 09:24

I would stop the texts and stop reminding your dh about anniversaries.

Downtheroadfirstonleft · 30/03/2018 09:25

Sorry typo.
They probably find it a bit irritating that you keep contacting them.

Inertia · 30/03/2018 09:25

I'd leave the communication with DH's family up to Dh from now on. He can organise birthday phone calls, Christmas presents etc.

jamoncrumpets · 30/03/2018 09:25

I think I'm going to pull right back and see what kind of contact I get, if any, after DC2 is born in the summer.

I don't want to create any fuss for anyone or make anyone feel more angry or annoyed with me than they might be already. I think asking them about this would just piss them all off and make them think worse of me.

So DH can text or call them for now (he won't).

OP posts:
JustVent · 30/03/2018 09:26

Does no one else agree that 2–3 times a week is far far too much?

Why is everyone saying that they don’t like her or want to be in contact with her when it could clearly be something as simple as being them feeling suffocated?

It could be easily fixed OP, don’t think too much into this.

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