Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

In laws booked holiday within less than 24 hours

103 replies

Amberlight003 · 16/07/2019 21:14

Just after a bit of advice as I’ve been made to think I’m going mad but a big part of me says I am not!

Ok so you may recall a previous post some months ago about my partner. We’ve tried and I’ve tried, very hard to make things work. Some weeks have been great, others not so great and things revert back to normal.

Anyway, on Saturday the in laws came over. Before mother in law took a seat, she said she had something to tell us...she said, were all going away next year (mil, fil, sil, bil, me and partner and our 2 kids) for fil’s birthday abroad to Portugal. You don’t have to pay we’re paying and you just have to turn up. She very quickly said after that, but of course you don’t have to come if you don’t want to. Straight away my partner said, yeah I’ll go definitely even if I (me) wants to stay and he said it with a face like a slapped arse, very arrogantly and dismissively and didn’t look at me once.

Basically in 10 years this will be the 6th holiday abroad, 5 of which have been with his parents and sister and her partner, 1 of which on our own. His parents have paid for some of these holidays, after of course telling us we are going on them and me getting no say whatsoever.

I wasn’t thrilled and my expression probably showed, however I did try to express some interest as i thought we don’t have to agree to anything there and then and maybe me and my partner could have a discussion. But later that afternoon Mil told partner I didn’t look happy about it. Apparently he again told her he will definitely be going.

We ended up arguing that night as I said I don’t particularly want to go. A long weekend away ok, I can deal, but another 10 days abroad I wasn’t feeling. He said I was an ungrateful bitch and it’s his family and the kids will love it, he didn’t speak to me for the rest of the night.

Bit of a back story, his sister quite literally bullied me silly, for years and years, the treatment was actually shocking and everyone stood by and said not a word. It took me to literally crack big time at her for my partner to finally take my side and he’s openly said to me and his parents numerous times since that his sister was an absolute cow to me for years and it should have been squashed long ago. There was never any reason except for jealousy over petty things and I actually resorted to being a mute around his family, I couldn’t come out of my shell because she was so vile. My partner always said he never knew what to do and totally accepts she was a bully to me for years. This was squashed 2 years ago and I’ve tried my best to put everything aside and forget everything. She hasn’t been that bad since then. But obviously we’re talking 11 years of disrespect against 2 years of just getting along as best we can.

The very next day after the in laws made their announcement, not even a full 24 hours later, they had been and booked the entire thing. Before they actually booked it they called my partner who told them we were having relationship problems at the moment, but he told them to book me a place and I can cancel. They went ahead and still booked the whole thing, less than 24 hours after announcing it. I can’t help but feel that was a bit selfish as they’ve made it clear they want to get all the grandkids abroad, never mind our relationship was in tatters.

Ever since my partner has called me ungrateful, a b*tch, mad, crazy for not wanting a free holiday.

I just feel he’s put their needs ahead of mine, yet again, like with all the other holidays I had no say in going on, while they all stood by and let his sister be vile to me - despite knowing she was being vile! 1 holiday I was told I couldn’t go on as sil didn’t want me there due to jealousy, her partner was allowed to go but I wasn’t. In the end I was allowed to go but I had to fly back after the first week on my own while they all stayed...all because of sister in law. This was many years ago, he says I shouldn’t hold onto it. But it’s this and other behaviour that makes me hold some resentment. Not to mention all of the other issues. He is refusing to talk to me now. We’ve barely spoken in days.

OP posts:
GabsAlot · 16/07/2019 22:36

They all sound controllling-noone should be made to do something and especially with someone who used to bully them-your partner sounds a prick

PinkCrayon · 16/07/2019 22:36

"Op said it was squashed two years ago.
If something is squashed between two people that is how you have to treat it. To keep replaying events will get you nowhere and you wont be able to move on.
So op either needs to say actually this hasnt been squashed and to sort out differences or go low/no contact with sil."

Infact @jemima232 what I wrote here highlights the fact that I didnt tell op to suck it up.
Some people you have to get rid of out of your life if they make you feel bad.
These are all good options for op to make herself feel better.
As well as getting rid of dp if they cant sort out their rocky relationship.
The title of this thread was "In laws booked holiday within less than 24 hours" that is what I have concentrated on in my replies.

Star81 · 16/07/2019 22:39

Your relationship problems are the first thing that needs dealt with. Ignore the holiday as at the moment it doesn’t matter as it can be cancelled up to a point much nearer the time. How are you working on your problems ? Have you tried relate ?

With regards to the holiday. If you do split up your husband would be entitled to holiday time with the children. Although you may not want this he would get it through a court if it went that far. You could fight not to allow them abroad but then again he would probably then not allow you to take them abroad. That doesn’t really benefit the children. It is hard not seeing them for 1 or 2 weeks but that is the reality of being a separated family I’m afraid.

TheHandsOfNeilBuchanan · 16/07/2019 22:42

I think it's fine for you not to go, but the children will be with their father, unless you think he poses a risk to them, you stay home and let them get on with it. You also should've left this relationship years ago.

LillithsFamiliar · 16/07/2019 22:42

Obviously in a minority but I'm with PinkCrayon on this. If you've said you've moved on from the issues with DSIL and it has been 2 years then you actually need to move on from it. If you can't move on then just end the relationship. Pretending you've moved on isn't helping you or anyone else.
As for not having input into the holidays, I wouldn't expect input into a holiday that I wasn't paying for. Your choice is to go or not.
This (FIL's birthday holiday) isn't actually about you and your DP. Although I understand when a relationship is falling apart, it feels like everything is about that. But, for everyone else, this is about your DC's grandfather having a family holiday to celebrate a milestone. Either you want your DCs to participate or you don't.
But you can't keep going round these same arguments all the time. It's not healthy for any of you.
Decide if there's anything left in this relationship and if there isn't, then end it.
I haven't read your other threads. Your DH may be horrible and abusive. But, asking someone to make a decision about a paid-for family holiday isn't what's causing the problem here. You've just reached the stage where everything is a flashpoint. You can't live like that.

Mummyoflittledragon · 16/07/2019 22:44

It’s obviously a difficult situation but you have to let go of the burden of resentment. Go on the holiday and find and an activity there to take up some of your time away from the group.

The thing is just because it was squashed two years ago, it doesn’t mean op should just suck it up and holiday with the sil. She doesn’t want to. If her dp wanted to make it work he would be declining the offer. But he likes the perks of the free holiday. If her mil respected ops boundaries, she would alternate holidays with her children and families. She definitely shouldn’t “be a good girl” and go away with them just to please others.

MumdayMania · 16/07/2019 22:52

Ok I'm putting aside your dh's behaviour (which is terrible) and the previous issues you've had with the sil.

No should go on holiday is they don't want to go! You have a choice. Just stay home. How old are the dc? Do they want to go?

Leeds2 · 16/07/2019 22:54

I wouldn't be going on this holiday, even if I was still with DP. Which, by the way you describe him, I wouldn't be.
Up to you whether you let the DC go with him to celebrate their grandad's birthday. If you trust him/them to look after the DC, I probably would.

Where are their passports? If you aren't married, which surname do they have?

Nothingcomesforfree · 16/07/2019 22:59

Clearly you want more from the relationship with DP and he’s not giving it.

Not saw it’s your in laws fault. I’m sure you’d feel worse if they had not booked you a place.

I don’t understand when you say you haven’t got a choice. Let the in laws take their son and grand kids on holiday. Save up your own money and go somewhere with your friends or family or on a solo holiday. You say you’ve been on 5 out of six holidays...definition of madness is doing the same thing and expecting a different result.

lifeinthedeep · 16/07/2019 23:00

He won’t be taking the kids with him if you can’t find their passports...

LizzieSiddal · 16/07/2019 23:01

Don’t go in the holiday and
start planning your separation from your partner, he’s a nasty, abusive twat. And he stood by and let you be bullied by his sister! What kind of person does that?!

You and your dc deserve to live in a home without this abuse.

MrsTerryPratchett · 16/07/2019 23:01

Just break up. He's awful.

You can put off the decision about the DC going until nearer the time.

BluebellsAndRoses · 16/07/2019 23:01

Hmmm. Name calling isn't great but it's not abusive unless it's a regular thing. Sound like you either need to get out or do something to fix your relationship - counselling?

He was a twat with the thing with his sister but you said it's been dealt with so you will never heal if it's dragged on and you can't let go. Do you think you can?

As for the holiday... will you have separate living space, will you be able to spend time to yourself or expected to do everything with them?
Personally I'd go for it, with the proviso of having time just you, dp and kids as well as extended family.

Maemae06 · 16/07/2019 23:06

I would not want to go at all but to be honest the thought of him being allowed to take my children would make me go. I’d go and book a separate hotel for say 5 nights in the middle of the holiday so you have your own space. Your partner doesn’t sound like he respects you at all though...why does he want to spend every holiday with his parents and sister being paid for? I think he needs to grow up and put his own family first!!

Ponoka7 · 16/07/2019 23:07

You have to have good reason to stop the other Parent from taking the children on holiday. A judge will generally grant it.

OP, i think you are wrongly focusing on your In-Laws and holidays, instead of the staye of your relationship.

From a different POV, this holiday is a Family Celebration and shouldn't be cancelled because of your relationship problems.

BluebellsAndRoses · 16/07/2019 23:11

Partner treats me like an object www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/3601991-Partner-treats-me-like-an-object

Just read your previous post...
Jesus wept OP, this holiday is nothing.
Get out. Get your kids out. Get away from him!!!!

TanMateix · 16/07/2019 23:12

You may be divorced by then. I really don’t understand why people risk relationships for a sake of a free holiday. Your children would be upset if they don’t go? It is not the end of the world either, I can assure you they will be more sorry to see their dad moving out than missing a few days abroad.

AcrossthePond55 · 16/07/2019 23:16

Next year in Portugal....10 days abroad....

Personally, I'd be making plans and stashing cash. Then I'd use that 10 days to get the fuck out of Dodge into my new place. Then when he comes home (with the kids if they want to go) I'd welcome them home, load the kids in the car and go.

If that's too drastic, I'd use the 10 days to seek legal and financial advice from a solicitor.

RosesAndRaindrops · 16/07/2019 23:35

No way would I be going, that sounds like an awful atmosphere to be in, especially after you were treated so horribly.
Plus, I'd be mightily pissed off about being "told" we were going.
Er, hello, ask first?
Oh and your "D" H from what you've put sounds like an utter arsehole, sorry.

RosesAndRaindrops · 16/07/2019 23:40

Ookay, just seen the thread @BluebellsAndRoses has posted.
I up my last post to what the hell are you still doing there, the holiday is the least of your worries. My previous use of arsehole now seems inadequate. Times it by a hundred.
Leave and get the hell away from him and the lot of them.

TakeOneForTheBreem · 16/07/2019 23:40

The holiday part isn't the issue.

Your partner is the issue.

Jemima232 · 16/07/2019 23:40

Oh Lord.

I've just read your previous thread.

Please don't stay with this man. The holiday is the least of your worries. You need to get out asap and start building a life for yourself.

He is a nasty bully with zero respect for you. You're engaged? Break it off. You had some great advice on the other thread.

I'm so sorry. You've been abused by him and his sister. You're still being abused by him You need to end this.

fargo123 · 17/07/2019 01:16

I've just read your previous thread. Good God. You are in an abusive relationship and need to get out NOW. For both your sake, and that of your children. His entire family is vile and I'd be doing everything in my power to limit my childrens' exposure to them. Has he started abusing them yet too? If not, it's only a matter of time.

I wouldn't be going on the holiday, nor would my children (hide the passports if necessary). God knows what poison they'd be feeding the children if they had them alone away from you.

A PP suggested using the holiday time to escape from this lunatic. I think that's a good idea, but waiting until next year seems a long time to remain with this abuser. Is there another sooner block of time you could use to escape?

Philmitchell · 17/07/2019 01:35

Have some self respect and LTB!

mananaa · 17/07/2019 01:37

Your dh sounds very scary.
Are you able to go and stay with your family or friends and get their support to end this relationship with him?

Swipe left for the next trending thread