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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU that this seems like sibling favouritism?

27 replies

Notquitemyselfanymore · 16/04/2019 17:02

Late last year we raised the topic of conversation about going on a big family holiday as I had not long had a baby and thought it would be lovely to all go away together. This included my parents, my husbands parents, my brother and sister in law and my brother in laws. Myself and my husband were well aware that not everyone would be able to come for various reasons and siblings dropped out due to work commitments. My parents in law were on board, my parents refused to give an answer for months holding up any plans, but eventually gave a half hearted excuse about being unable to go due to my mums work. AFAIK there was no other reason for refusing; everyone gets on well, it wasn’t a holiday outwith anyone’s budget, everyone had shown they were keen at some point. All fine, holiday arranged for five (myself, baby, DH and parents-in-law) and we went and had a lovely time.

Recently, I’ve discussed on other occasions with my mum about doing another trip. My circumstances have changed somewhat over the last year, I was very badly treated with my employment and ended up having to give up my job before returning after my maternity leave which has deeply affected my mental state and feeling of self worth. On top of that we moved house, which is a bit of a shithole and needs loads of work doing to it. In short, I need something to look forward to! When speaking to my mum about it, it was clear she wasn’t keen. Her excuse being that my parents are looking at going away with my brother and sister in law, to the same place we were arranging a holiday to with them last year. It was clear that myself and DH and our baby are not invited as all these discussions have taken place without us (we will all go to our parents once a week for dinner together, so plenty opportunity to raise the discussion).

As yet there is not any concrete plans but I’m feeling so hurt that we’ve been left out. I told my mum this in the discussion, but she brushed over it not denying that it’s true, they are purposely leaving us out. Our relationship as a family is good, maybe not great. I do often feel as though there is lots of jokes at my expense (laughing at me now not having a job, constant put downs about my previous failed marriage, about the weight I’ve put on since having my baby) but I’ve put up with it all not showing it’s upsetting me for the sake of not rocking the boat.

But I’m now thinking that none of them like me very much. They’ve been a great support to us and love my baby so much that I really don’t want to affect the relationship we do have. I know that I’m already in a delicate state of mind with everything that has been happening so maybe I’m reading into it all a bit too much, but AIBU feeling so left out?

OP posts:
Notquitemyselfanymore · 16/04/2019 17:34

Blush I feel awful for having typed all this out and it just seems so petty!

OP posts:
ItsNiceItsDifferentItsUnusual · 16/04/2019 17:38

It's not petty. It's rude.

I can totally understand them not wanting to go on holiday with your in-laws (have I read that right?) but not on to then organise a separate family holiday that you're excluded from.

And the 'jokes' at your expense are a disgrace.

Jingzhou · 16/04/2019 17:39

Maybe they just didn’t want to go on holiday with your husbands parents.

BitOfFun · 16/04/2019 17:41

Oh love, that's hurtful Sad. Can you be honest and ask your mum why they didn't invite you? Be honest about how you feel.

LuckyLou7 · 16/04/2019 17:42

Does your mum know how left out you feel? If you were my DD, and felt like this, I'd want to give you a massive hug. As for the mockery about your weight and employment status, are you sure they are laughing at you? Or trying to make a joke out of something that is obviously concerning you, in a clumsy way?

downcasteyes · 16/04/2019 17:42

Oh my God this sounds awful. It's not just their behaviour over this holiday - it's that on top of basically laughing at you to your face! It's not about who else was going on your holiday, but about the fact that they have deliberately excluded you from their arrangement.

It sounds to me like you are being slotted into the role of the family scapegoat. Are there other behaviours that would be consonant with that?

blackteasplease · 16/04/2019 17:43

I'm thinking they don't want to be on holiday with a baby. Could that be it?

Easterbunnynearlyhere · 16/04/2019 17:44

I would see it as a prompt to concentrate on spending time with your dh +dc and leave them all to it.

Vehivle · 16/04/2019 17:46

It doesnt sound petty dont worry. I too would be a bit hurt. In fact I would be asking my mother directly if we were invited, and if not - why not? I wouldn't allow her to brush me off - I'd want and demand a clear answer as to why we are not invited. Id potentially (depending on how the convo went) also directly state that not being to this upcoming holiday, combined with their turning down coming with us the previous holiday to the same bloody place - is making me feel like perhaps they dont want to go on holiday with us - and id be expecting some reassurance or an explanation on that point. Perhaps there is a good reason - maybe they don't like your partner? Maybe you rely on them too much for child care when you go on holiday with them? Maybe they want a child free holiday as you don't mention your sibling having kids? Maybe you ask them for money when abroad and forget to pay it back? Or maybe they do prefer your sibling - I'd want them to say that to my face if it were my parents. Go and get some answers from them.

CripsSandwiches · 16/04/2019 17:52

That doesn't sound petty to me at all. In what way have they supported you? It sounds like you've had a rough time and they've turned it into a joke. Laughing at baby weight gain and failed marriages sounds incredibly insensitive.

IsThatYou · 16/04/2019 17:57

If you get on with your in laws I would suggest that you go away with them.

Your parents are definitely rude... petty would not be making jokes at your expense. In some ways treat this as a blessing to concentrate on your DH and DC.

Ribbonsonabox · 16/04/2019 18:01

Its rude and horrible of them but I doubt it's about not liking you. It probably bas more to do with your young child and them not having any young children and not being arsed to deal with one on a holiday.... so excluding you out of selfishness so they get to relax more or whatever.
They sound very selfish and nasty.
Just go away with your ILs and have a lovely time. Flowers

7yo7yo · 16/04/2019 18:01

They are awful.
I’d be pulling right back and if they say anything tell them you don’t like being laughed at.
If they say it’s a joke say well I’m not laughing.
Horrid people.

Notquitemyselfanymore · 16/04/2019 19:04

Thank you all.

We haven’t had a big, together family holiday ever so it’s not a previous holiday experience putting them off. I thought it would be a nice thing to do, and no one had said otherwise. When my parents didn’t come away with us and the in-laws, I took it to mean they weren’t keen on the idea of a family holiday but with them now arranging to do this with my brother, I think the issue is with me. If it was an issue with the in laws, I don’t know why they wouldn’t invite myself, dh and baby this time.
I don’t think it’s about not wanting to go away with the baby, because they love spending time with her. They really are doting grandparents.

I know to really get to the bottom of it I do just need to ask outright, but I am apprehensive that it’ll cause an atmosphere and I’m not very good at being assertive.

OP posts:
OKBobble · 16/04/2019 19:08

There is a difference between spending time with your baby and 24/7 with a baby on holiday when they probably want ro relax. I would wait until your child is a bit older before suggesting a big family holiday (which personally I would rather scratch my own eyes out before doing!)

Cherrysoup · 16/04/2019 19:12

You need to ask why. Do they not like your DH?

FattyFatCakes · 16/04/2019 19:17

My parents often go on holiday with my sister and her family but have never been on holiday with me and my family. They all love skiing but I don’t so we never get invited and they have never wanted to join us on a sunshine break. Also my sister’s children are wayyyyy better behaved than mine which might have something to do with it!
But if they’re going to the same place you went to and it’s not the baby then what could it be? Do they think you can’t afford it as you’re not working? Do you have other siblings or is it just you and your brother? If it’s just you that’s been left out I can understand why you feel hurt. I think you have to let your mum know how you feel.

BollocksToBrexit · 16/04/2019 19:35

YANBU My family are the same and it bloody hurts. One time I invited my mum over for Christmas and she wrinkled her nose as if I'd waved a turd under it and said she'd let me know. Fact is she'd rather sit at home on her own on the off chance that one of my golden brothers drops in than come to mine. I no longer have contact with any of them.

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 16/04/2019 19:51

Maybe we no job and a new house they didn't ask as they thought you couldn't afford it. Maybe they feel they would be the default sitters etc.

Going on holiday with the inlaws is something most people wouldn't find appealing.

Pinkprincess1978 · 16/04/2019 19:52

That's understandable to feel that way.

My sil and bil have been invited to holiday with us and in laws (sil parents) many times over the years. They always refuse - we have children and children and holiday in the uk - but they have been on holiday with bil parents and sibling many times. They go abroad and I think her in laws pay for the accommodation so they just have to pay flights but still, it's hurtful to DH sometimes that they don't want to holiday with us.

Notquitemyselfanymore · 16/04/2019 20:03

I’m not aware of anything they dislike of DH. But I suppose unless I ask then I really don’t know what the issue is.

If they had thought money was the issue then surely in me bringing up the topic of looking at arranging another family holiday would maybe then trigger a late invitation from them when they realise we would be looking to spend the money on a holiday.

I’m so sorry to all those who have experienced something similar. It just all feels so hurtful.

There is just the two of us siblings. I do think our mum favours my older brother as he has always been seen to do no wrong, even when he is being quite a dick.

OP posts:
Meandwinealone · 16/04/2019 20:07

I think you do need to confront her about this and don’t let her brush you off.

My parents aren’t exactly the best, but they wouldn’t leave me out ever, and if they didn’t want to come to something they would just tell me why.

Leeds2 · 16/04/2019 20:21

Maybe it is your bother and his wife, rather than your parents, who don't want to holiday with a baby.

I think you have to ask, directly, for the reason or it will eat away at you. But if I were on the receiving end of the "jokes" you mention, I would probably be restricting the amount of time I spent with them anyway.

MumofTinies · 16/04/2019 20:24

Definately ask her directly, allthough from what you've said about them making jokes at your expense it could be a case of them having a golden child.

Giving them the benefit of the doubt, could they be concerned that if you were involved in the planning, you would want to invite your in laws along too. Allthough they may like them it's another thing to go on a joint holiday.

Notquitemyselfanymore · 16/04/2019 20:40

I am finding me going round less recently now since I’ve found out about this holiday, so about a month now.
The issue is more with my brother I think, as he is the instigator of the jokes and quite a selfish person in general. It’s possible my parents are going along with what he wants to keep him happy.

OP posts:
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