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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I have a house guest who has been in bed since Saturday and her husband doesn’t seem bothered. WWYD?

999 replies

hangingabout · 28/10/2019 11:03

DH’s cousin and his new wife arrived on Saturday from the US. They’re only here until tomorrow. On Saturday afternoon, I had made lunch for about 20 people because other relatives came over to see them, but the wife went to bed after about one hour. All she ate was a tiny piece of roti and she was very quiet. Fair enough, I thought, she’s probably jet-lagged. Anyway, she has not been seen since! I’m not sure what to do now.
Yesterday morning, I made brunch but she didn’t surface. DH said to just leave a tray outside her door and knock. She didn’t answer, but the tray had disappeared later on. Then DH and his cousin were cycling all afternoon, but no sign of her. I asked the cousin if his wife was ok when they got back and he said she was “just lying down” Hmm and didn’t need any dinner. Then DH took him to the pub.
Today I was meant to be taking her out but still no sign. DH has gone to work and the cousin has gone to meet some business contacts. I have 3 teen / tweens here. AIBU to just go out and leave her a note?

OP posts:
hangingabout · 29/10/2019 15:49

Sorry - I just wanted to say thanks to all the people who have shared their stories about their mental health difficulties. I hope you’re recovering. It has helped me approach the last few days differently, rather than just getting more and more wound up.

What I don’t understand is this... Before they came, there were emails from him saying how much his wife was looking forward to seeing London and she couldn’t wait to get to know the kids. Well, she hasn’t spoken to the kids at all. And she hasn’t seen London except for our house and one restaurant. Hmm

I get on well with this cousins brother’s wife and all the other cousins and relatives and I was looking forward to getting to know her too. I thought she’d maybe like to go shopping, or I could have shown her some great coffee places or the kids and I were planning to take her to the V&A one day. Something like that. It’s half term and normally the kids would have had friends round, which they obviously haven’t been able to do. If she didn’t want to speak to us or even come out of a room, why didn’t they just stay in an airport hotel? Sorry to go on, but I actually can’t believe it tbh. And now I hear they are returning in 12 days!

OP posts:
CanISpeakToYourManager · 29/10/2019 15:51

You should definitely be away when they come to stay next time.

wigglybluelines · 29/10/2019 15:54

Has your DH accepted it's odd behaviour, yet?

Scarydinosaurs · 29/10/2019 15:56

Why on earth did the cousin not take the photo??

At least she told you she liked your home...

Butterymuffin · 29/10/2019 15:58

Well, you know now not to stop the kids having their friends over when family are staying. In fact I think in future your policy should be to carry on doing whatever you'd be doing anyway. If your DH thinks it's essential that someone hangs around to offer trays of food or take them out shopping, he will have to take the time off to do it himself, won't he?

Drum2018 · 29/10/2019 15:59

Just tell your Dh that you are not putting them up on their return journey. If he insists then I'd be taking myself and the kids off to your own relative or a Travelodge for the night. There's no way I'd put up with them again.

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 29/10/2019 15:59

You hear they are coming for 12 days? Fuck that! Say you appreciate she values peace and her own space and you don’t want her to have the pressure of fitting in to family life.

Ginfordinner · 29/10/2019 15:59

Perhaps they could stay in a hotel when they return?

CanISpeakToYourManager · 29/10/2019 16:03

Testing no, IN twelve days. For I think one night.

hangingabout · 29/10/2019 16:06

No they’re not coming for 12 days! They’re coming back in 12 days but only for one night this time. I don’t feel as if I can say no because it’s fsmily. But why are they coming?

OP posts:
hangingabout · 29/10/2019 16:12

Sorry, to answer the question - yes, DH could see it for himself last night. If he’d been here he would have felt it more though, obviously.
I am going to talk to him about helping me more when we have guests. I know this, but thanks to people who have pointed it out as something that needs working on. I shouldn’t have to ask, you are all right, but he’s often very preoccupied with work or whatever and it’s like he doesn’t see things in front of his face, if I can put it like that.

OP posts:
Herewego93 · 29/10/2019 16:12

This sounds like me. I was like this when 8 moved into my partners family home. I have social anxiety and body dysmorphic disorder. Her getting in the car to avoid the photo. Getting super made up for dinner and spending hours in the room getting out clothes to wear.

Herewego93 · 29/10/2019 16:13

I*

ArthurMorgan · 29/10/2019 16:17

She sounds very depressed in my opinion. Shutting herself away, finding it a huge effort to talk etc. I feel sorry for her

Drum2018 · 29/10/2019 16:18

I don’t feel as if I can say no because it’s fsmily.

Of course you can say no - just tell them it doesn't suit to host them again. I'm sure they can afford a budget hotel, where she won't have to integrate with anyone at all.

sonjadog · 29/10/2019 16:19

There is obviously something wrong with her. Poor woman.

beanaseireann · 29/10/2019 16:19

I'm wondering if they had a big row en route. He may be very controlling and the only power she had was to not engage with any of you.
The cousin could be very manipulative and gaslighting his wife.

You say your friendly with the cousin's brother's wife. So the viditor's sil.
Why dont you phone her and find out what the story is.

Settlersofcatan · 29/10/2019 16:30

Your DH should be doing more than just "helping" you with guests he has invited. The way he seems to order you around "have lunch ready" would really annoy me.

I would tell him that they can stay but that you won't be around and find something that you'd like to do instead.

PooWillyBumBum · 29/10/2019 16:31

Surprised at all the assumptions she's super depressed or anxious Could be anything. Jet lag. Huge row with cousin and she's in a strop and sulking to punish him. I wouldn't waste time thinking about it - enjoy having your house back!

TheNamesBond · 29/10/2019 16:36

FWIW I never feel like being the guest when I have jet lag.
I hate being asked questions by my nervous, over eager host, and really feel the weight of obligation to make small talk with my DH’s friends and family to be absolutely crushing.

Staying in a room on my own after a long flight sounds ideal. And if I’m going on to another time zone, I don’t bother to acclimate at all.

I also work very long hours and really, really just want to chill when I’m travelling.

Sounds like family obligations meant she had to stay with you, and not a hotel, but for me I’d always stay in a hotel, as being pestered by an inquisitive host, or feeling obliged to fit into my DH’s family or friends gives me the heebies. I can literally think of nothing worse than having to make small talk with the wife of my DH’s friend or family members, or their kids when I’m jet lagged or just want to rest.

I don’t think she was rude at all. She had her own plan, and your DH and her DH let you down on the communication.
Her plan didn’t include you, and even though she said she was looking forward to London and seeing your kids etc, that was just being polite.

Expect a repeat performance, unless your DH can encourage her DH to stay in an hotel.

No need to get worked up op, she didn’t do anything personal to you! She just did her own thing... if you need to be angry, get angry with your DH and her DH.
It sounds like to me you were expecting something different than the reality of having a guest who felt she needed some down time before meeting more relatives in another time zone.
It might be better not to fight the reality of a situation!

Lower you expectations and I’d say you’ll have a lovey time when they stay again. Make plans for yourselves, leave her a key.

hangingabout · 29/10/2019 16:43

I have just been up there, only to find the sandwiches etc I took up to her over these few days in the bathroom bin! All wrapped individually in loo paper.

I don’t mind that she didn’t eat, but did she think I wouldn’t find this?

About DH, yes I accept he’s difficult in some ways and he does need to be more flexible. It just wouldn’t work for me to just say, “I’m off, you deal with it,” though because our relationship is not really like that and it would be a big deal; though I realise other couples can talk like that and not be bothered. I will have to talk to him properly.

OP posts:
monkeymonkey2010 · 29/10/2019 16:46

He also suspects the wedding was perhaps more arranged than it might appear in the surface
Wouldn't surprise me - even in the more affluent circles the cultural element of "being seen to do the right/respectful thing" is prevalent.

*Work had got a little too much for her back home so he had advised her to leave it and take some time to focus in herself
I know from my own experiences that families will make all the right noises about girls getting an education and working - yet the general expectation is that once married they will give all that up and concentrate on being a dutiful wife and mother.
If the wider family still hold strong cultural traditions, they will be very very vocal in their disapproval/disappointment etc.

The family's 'respect' and 'honour' rest on the behavior of the woman, so her husband will make the final decision on her working.
So it sounds to me like she's been forced to give up her work to keep the 'family' happy.
So she's given up her joy, her financial independence, the freedom that comes with it and been forced via family/cultural pressure into playing the dutiful, obedient wife.
I'm not surprised if she's medicating to deal with this.
She's literally had her whole world turned upside down and been transported back to the dark ages!...and she doesn't have much choice in it.

pictish · 29/10/2019 16:50

To be fair Bond - she was really quite rude. She’s not staying in a Holiday Inn, she’s with her husband’s family. Would you go and stay in your bil and sil’s home and refuse to come out for meals and to speak to anyone? If you would, you’re rude too.

ineedaholidaynow · 29/10/2019 16:50

I would talk to the cousin’s brother’s wife if you get on with her. Are they going to be at the family get together in India?

TheNamesBind the problem is when you are staying with someone you can’t always do exactly what you like, there has to be compromise. Also if she didn’t want to talk to anyone or see anyone due to jet lag, the least she or the cousin could have done is explain that.

PunchBall · 29/10/2019 16:51

This sounds like a mental health problem imo. Her DH might have thought a holiday and being with lots of people would knock the anxiety/depression away. This is a common viewpoint from the Indian community.

I am British Indian and so is my DH. He has been struggling with anxiety for a long time. My in-laws still think he would be better if only he would ‘go out and meet people more’. The DH might also be in denial about the extent of the problem.

I personally think if it was a case of DV he would want her to look like the ‘perfect’ wife, rather than letting her look bad. It would be more likely that she would be forced get up early and cook for everyone, rather than relaxing. Her behaviour looks bad and he must know it. Prestige, honour and keeping up appearances is very important to Indians.

Also, if she was a ‘diva’ then surely she would still want to visit around London. And she doesn’t sound like she was very excited about the India trip.

Poor thing, I do hope she will be OK.

By the way, I am married into a traditional and religious family - I have NEVER seen or heard anyone kissing anyone’s feet! Yuk