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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

WIBU to bin off this holiday early?

373 replies

Ivygarden · 27/08/2018 20:50

For the last few years, me and my DS (4) and DD (2) have holidayed with my DM and DSis and my DNep (6). Every year I vow not to do it again but the children love it so here we are (on a self catering holiday by the seaside).
Basically, every year my sister adopts the role of mother hen and always takes it upon herself to do the washing, tidying, organising (and being a total martyr about it!). My DM and DSis and nephew always travel together in one car throughout the week, including long journey here and back home again. Because of this, DM and DSis are quite often together, making arrangements etc that I’m not aware of (I’m always on the back foot and anything I suggest is instantly dismissed as they have already discussed the itinary etc). My DD (2) is ridiculously clingy to me. My son and nephew are usually playing together and, as I have my daughter permanently glued to me, my sister usually tends to watch the boys (ie puts them to bed whilst I put my daughter to bed). Although this is helpful, it is not necessarily what I would want as I would like to do more with my DS, but again, she takes it upon herself (in her martyr-like way).

Fast forward to now...I just overheard them slagging me off in the garden implying that I’m lazy and saying things like, “oh perhaps she’s actually looking after her own kids for once”, “good job she doesn’t have more than two”, “she might even be doing her own washing etc”.

Honestly, I just feel like going home. My DS has turned into a dick since arriving as he copies my nephew. I’m the bad guy, always reprimanding my son as I know he wouldn’t be so silly at home but my sister then says, “oh isn’t she boring?” to the children and I hear her threatening to tell me when the boys are misbehaving (God forbid).

My DM pays for the house every year. They are already discussing next year’s holiday (I do not want to go). I also don’t want to say that I over heard them and cause a confrontation but I now feel like going home (but shame for the children - this will be their only holiday). I will certainly make sure I’ve turned the washing machine on / unloaded the dishwasher first. What shall I do? Feel utterly miserable.

OP posts:
boatyardblues · 28/08/2018 19:18

Hope you are now on your way home with DH.

Heismyopendoor · 28/08/2018 20:16

Hope you are ok op :)

aNutAboveTheBreast · 28/08/2018 21:04

I wouldn't bother confronting them. I have similar with my own family - they've all assigned me a character, and on the odd occasion that I've confronted them over it they band together and I end up feeling worse. They're so utterly convinced that I'm the person they've decided I am that they can't hear otherwise. Best to see them individually, if at all, because you'll never be in the right.

Graphista · 28/08/2018 21:22

I'd tell them as soon as this holiday is over and you're all home, unless there's noises about booking it earlier in which case you need to mention it earlier. I wouldn't delay because the longer you put this kinda thing off the harder it is and before you know it, it's already been booked and paid for and you come off looking selfish (playing into their hands basically).

Say something like you prefer a different kind of holiday or to go at a different time of year or something. Just because dh is working in summer doesn't mean you can't get a holiday, look at ones more suitable to your whole family. Or indeed go away you and DC just but somewhere you like.

Personally, I'd try to find somewhere else to stay nearby that's cheap and that way you kibosh this crap but the kids still get their holiday (and you do too!) BUT I'm out of the FOG these days so tend not to take the crap - I well remember how hard it was before I got to that point.

I've experienced a similar dynamic in my case it got SO out of hand I was burnt and shoved and as a consequence went nc with my sister.

MummyofLittleDragon - I too have had to deal with the issue of my dd being scapegoat because she's my dd (and I was mum's scapegoat). My sister was the worst for it though and it was another reason for me going nc. At the point of going nc we were already on lc with sis and her kids because when my dd was around her kids could do no wrong (when it's just her kids she scapegoats one of them too - unfortunately they're not yet old enough to understand what's going on so when dd was around they were so happy to be out the firing line they joined in with the scapegoating).

Op - I agree - as time goes on I think you will need to be aware that your child/ren may be scapegoated by your mother and/or sister.

I'm wondering if pps who like me come from toxic families and already have done some work on this score or are good at recognising the dynamic are also noticing the posts likely either from pps who aren't familiar with the dynamic (and think it's easy to deal with these people) or are on the other side of it (and don't understand how it feels to be on op's side of things).

It's easy to say 'confront' 'challenge' when you haven't had to deal with the kind of people likely to turn it into a whole drama where the op's 'guilty' for 'ruining the whole holiday' AND carping on about it for DECADES!

Just read update at 1208 today - fuck em all off! Appalling way to behave your father hasn't even been there so only has what your mother and sister have been bitching to him about! So they've no qualms about spoiling his time with his family and he's no qualms about believing them without even observing properly or listening to your side! What are they like when you're at home? When they visit yours and vice versa or days out? (Think I can guess!)

Even IF (and I genuinely don't believe it to be the case) you were a lazy type they've went about dealing with it in completely the wrong way, IF someone wasn't pulling their weight, you sort a rota or directly ask them to do X - you don't take over and then bitch about it to everyone else!!

I don't think op's dh is unsupportive as such, just probably unfamiliar with this dynamic from a NORMAL family himself and frustrated at as he sees it, op complaining but doing nothing to change things (which is kinda true but also more complicated due to FOG and women being socialised to please all the time - especially family - men don't generally put up with this kinda crap cos they're generally socialised to expect to be the one being pleased not the one doing the pleasing - excepting those also raised in toxic families of course). My ex was the same. On one occasion with my sister I was at end of my tether and asked him to step in on my behalf and he actually did so very well - and my sister was on best behaviour for several months after.

Op what does your dh think you should do?

"Right so I’ve told my DH and he wants me to confront them and says I should go home with him this evening." He's right.

I also think it could become VERY interesting if these 2 toxic idiots are left with only each other to scapegoat!

"Mum while I appreciate you paid for the cottage I'm not enjoying this holiday because you're manipulating the chores to make it look as if I'm being lazy AND bitching about it not only to each other but dad too" turn to face dad "and you didn't even think to get my side of things first" to all "I am looking after 2 small children whereas the TWO of you only really have responsibility for one child, my parenting is also being undermined repeatedly and it's negatively affecting both my DC's behaviour too. So I'm going home with dh and I won't be holidaying with you in future" don't get dragged into a long argument about it all. Pack beforehand and be ready to just go.

MadamBatty · 28/08/2018 21:27

They’re drama queens. Assigned you a role in the family as the lazy feckless one. They enjoy trash talking you when you’re not in the room it’s part of the bond

I’d just pack & leave. Wave as you go out the door. ‘Decided to head home, miss my own bed, byeeee’. Big smile

If you confront them they’ll pick over every word, clutch it to their chest in gleeful
Affront.

If you leave it’ll be you ‘stropping off’ or ‘leaving in a huff’. After all we did for her

Feck em. You can’t win.

Next year stay in your garden rAther than join them!

Cloudyapples · 28/08/2018 21:32

"Mum while I appreciate you paid for the cottage I'm not enjoying this holiday because you're manipulating the chores to make it look as if I'm being lazy AND bitching about it not only to each other but dad too" turn to face dad "and you didn't even think to get my side of things first" to all "I am looking after 2 small children whereas the TWO of you only really have responsibility for one child, my parenting is also being undermined repeatedly and it's negatively affecting both my DC's behaviour too. So I'm going home with dh and I won't be holidaying with you in future" don't get dragged into a long argument about it all. Pack beforehand and be ready to just go.

This! If you’ve not left already then this is exactly what you should say.

WhatchaMaCalllit · 28/08/2018 21:35

Have you left OP? Hopefully you're on your way home now.

Ivygarden · 28/08/2018 22:07

UPDATE
You will all think I’m utterly gutless, but after a nice day with DH and children on the beach, we waved him off this evening and I’ve decuded to stick it out...until Thursday.
I’ve basically made sure I’ve “pulled my weight” with chores etc whilst trying to avoid getting into any type of conversation with my mum and sister. They clearly know I’ve got the arse and have tried to make small talk but I’m not interested. After reading lots of your posts (and thank you so much for your advice), I decided not to say anything as I don’t think it’ll do any good and I’d rather keep the peace. Sorry if that makes me sound utterly pathetic. I also do feel some sense of guilt that my mums paid for this house for me to just leave.

OP posts:
incywincybitofa · 28/08/2018 22:08

I really hope you read the last few posts and walk away with your head held high.
You wont win whichever approach you take. They wont see things your way, they cant because it means admitting too much about themselves.

AtrociousCircumstance · 28/08/2018 22:11

Oh OP. Family dynamics are so so hard, I know, but fucking hell - you are choosing this now.

I do get it, it feels impossible, but it is within your power to tell them how you feel and leave.

Ugh they sound awful.

At the very least don’t holiday with them again.

WhatchaMaCalllit · 28/08/2018 22:16

I can completely understand why you have decided to stay but today was your make or break moment and I think you've missed it. I know they are your family but just because they are family does not give them the right to belittle you and make you feel unwelcome on what is your holiday too.
Remember, you're kids are watching how their grandparents and aunt are treating their mother. If you don't say/do something soon, they will see that it is ok to be treated this way, and it's really not.

Is your DH coming to collect you on Thursday as I would leave and reduce contact with them after this holiday. You don't deserve to be treated this way.

RandomMess · 28/08/2018 22:21

I don't think your spineless but don't do it next year! As I just DM to come visit you for a week and have day trips out or something instead.

Ivygarden · 28/08/2018 22:21

I 100% will not be going away with them again. A family friend is joining us for the day tomorrow so they’ll be on best behaviour, I’m sure. My children are having the best time (even if I’m not).

Earlier on this evening, I went to put pram away in the boot of my car and my mum quickly said, “Are you going home?!” so she obviously did think I might have gone back with DH this evening. I’m hoping (perhaps naively) that they will have realised that their behaviour has affected me and they might be more considerate in the future (and slag me off out of earshot).

OP posts:
Loopytiles · 28/08/2018 22:27

Thanks for the update! Hang on in there, and stick to your resolution about next year!

Ivygarden · 28/08/2018 22:27

Everyone has got the impression that we live far away from one another- that’s not the case. We live close by and I take the children to my mums house at least once a week (not anymore). We live in a small house with next to no garden and they have an enormous garden so we have spent a lot of the summer there. My DS starts school when we get back from holiday so we will naturally see much less of them. Grin

OP posts:
Ivygarden · 28/08/2018 22:29

@Loopy
Thanks- you’ve been here for me from the start. Appreciate your thoughts.

OP posts:
Ivygarden · 28/08/2018 22:31

@Whatcha
I totally agree- I had my window of opportunity but because of the arrival of my DH, I thought it best not to cause an atmosphere. But you are right- it’s now too late so I’ve made my bed (only got to lay in it for two more sleeps...)

OP posts:
WhatchaMaCalllit · 28/08/2018 22:41

@Ivygarden - Keep going. You are doing what you think is best for you and no one can know what the actual situation is, only you. If you'll be leaving on Thursday then know that if you need to off-load, pop back here and we'll be around to offer advice and bitch about them with you! Grin

Best of luck!

mommybear1 · 28/08/2018 22:48

Good luck OP Thanks two more sleeps

Graphista · 28/08/2018 22:55

You're not pathetic, you're in a very difficult situation.

Don't though feel you have to do more than your share to "make it up" to them.

And definitely DON'T go on holiday with them again.

MaluCachu · 28/08/2018 23:05

Do not holiday with them again.Book somewhere nice for you,your dc and dh next year and completely enjoy without having to tread on eggshells/worry about what anyone else is thinking or being subjected to being slagged off by your own family.Step away from them and realise your own family unit’s worth.Bet your tongue will be in ribbons by Thursday 😉

gottastopeatingchocolate · 28/08/2018 23:12

Ivygarden - you are far from pathetic. You are doing the best you can, in very difficult circumstances, and putting your children's happiness with the holiday above your own comfort.

I really hope that the friend coming tomorrow helps and that you have a lovely day. We are still here if you need to vent - I'd implode in that situation, and need somewhere to let off some steam.

12cuckoocuckoo · 28/08/2018 23:31

Sounds like you've picked the best course of action to me. Stick it out and just don't go away with them again.

BarryManilowRocks · 29/08/2018 00:32

I think you've done exactly the right thing.

Southernstars · 29/08/2018 00:49

I think you have done the right thing too, they know you heard them. I like how you have been a bit aloof and not been very responsive when they had tried to engage you in small talk.