Self centred family members

[CatManIsInHisDressingGownAgain]

How do you react to them?

Do you say no if they ask you for something but you know rhey wouldn't reciprocate?

We've just declined an invite to my SIL 40th birthday. 500 mile round trip and two nights in an hotel to celebrate her birthday when in 17 years she's only ever wished me happy birthday once via Facebook.

Sounds fair enough, you don't have to go. Know your boundaries, just because they're family, you don't have to bend over backwards. Would you miss seeing other family members if you didn't go though?

Will there be other family members there? Others you’d like to see?

If not then perhaps it’s time to be ironing shoelaces.

“It’s nice to be asked.”

My dad has just commanded my presence at his sister's birthday. I have seen her twice since my wedding, 30 years ago. He needs me to show he has a loving family. But he doesn't. He really, really does not.

But it took quite a deliberate thought process to decline driving for 4 hours, sleeping overnight on a blow up bed and the promise of a meal that was described as a school dinner / pub lunch and then a drive home, no offer if a second night in the blow up bed as I 'obviously have work in the Monday'.

Sometimes you just have to laugh... and decline

Don't get me started on selfish SILs. Politely decline. Life is too short to be doing shit you don't want to do, that won't be appreciated anyway and you know will never be reciprocated