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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:
SagAloojah · 17/07/2019 10:41

OP, are you coming back?

SunniDay · 17/07/2019 10:54

Hi,
I don’t think how many times you have been abroad in the last 10 years is relevant as it sounds like when you go with the in-laws they pay - it’s not stopping you going abroad without them also - if you can afford it - unless there is a lot of difficulty with annual leave?

I do think if you were posting “my mum wants to take my family abroad, paid for, but my husband doesn’t want to go - despite the fact we struggle to afford a holiday abroad”, then you would get very different responses.

Re the nightmare sister in law: I would want to put on a united front of “happy family” to be honest - not let her win. Do you really want to let her nastiness (in the past) prevent you from enjoying a holiday with your husband and his family? I would go and resolve to be a happy mum and partner. If she makes sly digs draw attention to it e.g. “that’s not a very nice thing to say” and if she has been mean and you are all going out say “only if SIL can be nice else WE’RE going elsewhere”. You obviously still carry a lot of resentment about SIL but no revenge will be sweeter than making her see you happy and chilled out with your family!

As for your husband (I don’t know about previous issues so only based on this thread) I’d say he’s just frustrated at there always being an issue/argument/drama when his parents are offering to pay for a holiday he knows your family will enjoy. I could understand your anger far more if you guys were expected to pay for yourselves and that stopped you having your own holiday. It’s not ideal that they don’t consult you properly so if you were unable to go that would be fine but it sounds like you can go?

SunniDay · 17/07/2019 11:06

Hi OP,
I have just read your previous thread and your husband sounds jealous, controlling and gross so on the basis of that not this LTB!

ThatCurlyGirl · 17/07/2019 11:51

Mate, you know that you shouldn't be with this person.

I've remembered your previous threads and he's repeatedly called you:

Slag
Cunt
Cruel
Evil bitch
And more

He is addicted to drugs - even though it's "just weed" it all adds up and probably makes you a lot less well off than him giving it up.

This sounds like a dealbreaker situation to me - you know they will spend the whole holiday in his ear telling him how bad / ungrateful etc you are. I couldn't bear to stay at home and know that's going on, but I also wouldn't want to go and be unable to relax because they are so horrible to you.

He sounds like a bully raised in a family of manipulators - do you really want to teach your kids that it's ok to call / to be called those names in anger?

Think about what you would tell your daughter to do about this when she's an adult? Then do that.

GabsAlot · 17/07/2019 13:00

Op ive just read your other thread this isnt about the holiday just leave hes an abusive bastard

Purplejay · 17/07/2019 13:09

LTB. No question (I read your other thread too). I don’t say that lightly.

TheABC · 17/07/2019 13:11

Please, please make plans to leave him. Verbal abuse, coercive control, disrespect...your self-esteem must be on the floor.

Your kids will pick up on this. Do you want them to be bullies like their father and aunt? That is what they will learn.

You won't be going on that holiday. He will also need your consent in order for it to happen, especially if you are separated. I would start the ball rolling now and get court-ordered contact to back you up.

Amberlight003 · 19/07/2019 10:04

Update:

We are almost certainly going to separate. All he keeps saying is he’s so angry with me, I’m unreasonable etc. I know in my heart the way I’ve been treated over the years and from your responses that I’m treated badly. I knew that when he stood by and let his family member call me names, bully me, ignore me, slag me off....it’s horrendous.

He’s a control freak so it worries me that the only way he can control me now is through my children. I can’t afford to stay here, but he can so hell buy me out. but then he will be considered the stable parent with the nice house, near to the school and he WILL use this against me and I’ll end up with nothing.

He’s already told me I won’t get as much of the house as him. As 10 years ago when we bought he used some of his grandmothers money for a deposit, I was made to sign an agreement to say if we split up then I won’t get any of that money back. I don’t nessecarily want the money, but the fact he’s already having these discussions just makes me think he is going to be very difficult.

OP posts:
anothernamechange123 · 19/07/2019 10:08

Aw OP Whilst it's going to be heartbreaking and so difficult, it is absolutely the right thing to do. ❣️

zafferana · 19/07/2019 10:16

I'm really pleased to see that you're taking this seriously OP. Your DH is abusive, cruel and (by the sound of it), a drug addict to boot. Please go and see a solicitor and get the ball rolling with your separation and also find your nearest meeting of Nar Anon. A friend of mine, who recently went through a horrible divorce with her alcoholic, heavy marijuana-smoking husband, found the support she received from the people at the meetings as valuable as that of her friends and family. Those people will understand you better than you understand yourself.

www.nar-anon.co.uk/

zafferana · 19/07/2019 10:23

I’ll end up with nothing.

No you won't! Go and see a solicitor. You're married and if you legally separate and divorce him then you will not end up with nothing! The starting point for all financial negotiations is 50:50, but circumstances are taken into account. The end result though is that both parties are supposed to end up with enough to provide a home/basic standard of living. He's browbeaten you for so many years that you're just believing everything he says and that's exactly what he wants, because then he's won without having to do anything. GO AND SEE A SOLICITOR IMMEDIATELY! You need legal representation and I promise you will not end up with nothing.

BluebellsAndRoses · 19/07/2019 10:41

You need to write EVERYTHING down. Gather as much evidence as possible.
Make sure you get everything.
Try and get him to admit on a recording of you can but don't put yourself in danger.

No court will take the kids away from you. Thanks

Therarestone · 19/07/2019 10:47

What's with all the people saying to stop the kids going. That's horrible and if he did that to her there would be uproar on here.

Let the kids go on holiday with their dad and family. They are part of their family, if you choose not to be that's up to you but don't punish the kids for your relationship issues. Why should they miss out on a family holiday just because you don't want to go.

Therarestone · 19/07/2019 10:51

'I was made to sign an agreement' well yes, it is his money and that sounds sensible and normal to me.

I signed one 10 years ago as my DP paid our deposit.

Also as much as I may get slagged for this, you are being ungrateful, it's a holiday they have paid for and included you on. Stop playing victim to the past, his sister has moved on, the rest of them have it's you clinging to the past.

Drogosnextwife · 19/07/2019 10:53

Why are you allowing these people to bully you? Why on earth did you put up with his sister bullying you for 10 years? Is this relationship really worth trying to save?

KatherineJaneway · 19/07/2019 11:10

I second seeing a solicitor. YOU are now in control of this and you cannot allow yourself to let him dictate or scare you with 'You won't get X' etc. Find out what you can get when you split. Good luck Flowers

BluebellsAndRoses · 19/07/2019 11:12

@Therarestone
Have you read her previous post about how he treats her?

Amberlight003 · 19/07/2019 13:32

Therarastone: seriously?? 6 holidays in 10 years, 1 on our own, 5 with them. Being told ‘we are all going away next year just turn up’ and have no say at all. They could offer to take us to the Maldives for 2 weeks of bliss all expenses paid for, but that’s still something I’d like some say in. Not for people to just presume because a holiday is a freebie, you’re ungrateful not wanting to go. Who I go abroad with for 2 weeks isn’t my in laws decision at the end of the day.

OP posts:
Amberlight003 · 21/07/2019 17:03

Further update, just wait for this:

My friend text me earlier asking me what’s new etc...she then sent me a screen shot of my partner who has signed him humself up to Tinder, a dating site.

I confronted him and he put 110% of the blame on me. Not once has he apologised. He said why do I care if this past week I’ve said it’s over. He said as I am going out this Friday night with friends why shouldn’t he date as I’ll be pulling blokes. He looked at me and said just look at what you are wearing today. (A maxi dress btw). He’s deluded, but it shows his colours. I Just have no idea how long he’s been on there for.

OP posts:
Myriade · 21/07/2019 19:16

Get a lawyer. Don't move out of the house and protect yourself.
He clearly has decided that it's the end and has no respect for you. Now is the time for you to take back some control over your life.
He won't like it and he will be shit. But that's ok too. It just shows what you are avoiding by moving on

AcrossthePond55 · 21/07/2019 22:49

Jaysus! Get a solicitor ASAP. And TELL SOMEONE!

Call a trusted friend and/or family member and tell them everything!

If you feel you have no one to call, it's very likely that he has alienated you from them (or them from you). Reach out, I guarantee they are waiting for your call. Even if they are not in a position to help you financially, it's still good to know someone is on your side.

Cherrysoup · 21/07/2019 22:55

You would need to take proper legal advice OP, but I don't believe he can take the children out of the country without your permission.

True. Ltb, he doesn’t sound like he even likes you. Don’t let them bully you anymore, OP, time to make a stand.

Bookworm4 · 21/07/2019 23:07

Dear God, your previous post makes for scary reading, you need away ASAP, can you go to family? Do not let him have the kids alone I wouldn’t trust him.

Smelborp · 21/07/2019 23:36

Don’t move out. Get legal advice and put yours and your children’s passports in a safe hiding place

Mix56 · 22/07/2019 08:26

There are 2 issues here, one is that he is abusive, the other that is that he is a father & can ultimately decide to take DC on holiday where he wishes, ONCE the court has decided what contact he has with DC.
Get a lawyer with a comprehension of domestic violence. This is important, as he will be making your life as complicated & miserable from this day forward as he possibley can. He will fight you all the way.
Have you actually spoken to WA yet. You should, it will validate what we all are saying here, apart from a couple of fruit loops

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