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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To struggle with the idea of relatives visiting and be unsure how to be chilled .

32 replies

Bibybob · 31/10/2019 18:08

Dh rarely visited his family since leaving his hometown 30 years ago .
I was introduced to his parents who appeared chaotic and had history of stealing , burgalry , systematic benefit fraud . Prison .
They appeared wary of someone - me - of a different background and often asked questions like .. so what’s your parents house like , what car does your dad drive , bet you don’t come from a council estate .. to which I replied best I could ..
detached / Audi / mini / no I don’t .
That was then used against me .. get her type of thing . There were also insults from his mother about my personal appearance .
Over the years I kept trying to go but felt more and more anxious . Also , when we had d c they came to us as it seemed better on home turf .
Other family members too were working and claiming benefit with 5 dc . This was a systematic thing .
They said once to my dh that they simply wouldn’t work for his wages .

Anyway , one of the family members who in his youth commited significant crime and benefit fraud and has the many dc has said he wants to see dh again after all this time .
They are very different to us - I can do different - but some things I struggle with - putting the past fraud and crime aside .. they seem very into having so many kids , fly abroad , a lot of ‘ show ‘ on face book were as we are as green as we can be , grow our own veg , eat simply - veggie husband - vegan me ( which I will not mention unless we eat out n need to check menu )
Am scared of them staying with us as am anxious I may be judged all over again for being different .
I admit I have some anxiety about the past crimes - I know they won’t do any thing to us .. am just quite anxious about these strangers whereas usually I am very hospitable , gregarious , generous and love opening my house .
I don’t want to make things difficult by being tense ..
but am not a good actor .
Help ?

OP posts:
Bibybob · 31/10/2019 18:10

I meant to say I have absolutely no idea of their lifestyle choices now . Other than Facebook posts of holidays , social things .

OP posts:
Echobelly · 31/10/2019 18:15

That sounds difficult - how long are they likely to visit for? Maybe 'programming' a lot of the time doing things might avoid some anxiety-inducing chat and personal questions? Are there any areas you can find common ground?

Bibybob · 31/10/2019 18:16

Or get on the wine ? Or maybe not ?!!!

OP posts:
Bibybob · 31/10/2019 18:18

I don’t want them to ask why didn’t u visit .. as in I was anxious about my dc mixing with some aspects of the lifestyle .
They may have changed .
Face book - fake book- suggest s they have . Seem very ‘ money ‘ .

OP posts:
Bibybob · 31/10/2019 19:10

Yes .. will try to do activities .. busy busy ..

OP posts:
Bibybob · 31/10/2019 20:15

Any more advice?

OP posts:
hopeishere · 31/10/2019 20:26

Are they actually visiting or is this a what if situation?

Bibybob · 31/10/2019 22:32

Yes they are . For two days .

OP posts:
Zebraaa · 31/10/2019 22:35

You sound quite judgmental. You can’t stop your partners from having his family visit, despite them not being the kind of people you associate with. Suck it up, it’s only 2 days.

Hanab · 31/10/2019 22:39

They can visit but stay elsewhere?

Drum2018 · 31/10/2019 22:44

I wouldn't have them to stay. Your Dh could visit them if he wants to rekindle a relationship with them. There is nothing wrong with not wanting to host people with a criminal past, especially when you don't know if they are still living that lifestyle.

NearlyGranny · 31/10/2019 22:45

Their earlier questioning was rude and intrusive. Never feel you have to answer such questions. Turn them away with a question of your own. Why woukd you say/ask/want to know/enquire about that? Bring it back to their motivation with a raised eyebrow.

Think you're too good for us, don't you?! Why would you say that?

Bibybob · 31/10/2019 22:59

NearlyGranny Thanks .. I think that advice would help .

OP posts:
Bibybob · 31/10/2019 23:04

Zebraaa
Yes am being judgemental. I worked with elderly people who have been a victim of bulgars in hospital. Broke my heart to see vulnerable elderly people in shock .
I find it a difficult crime to swallow . I accept that’s judgemental of me - so be it .
I accepted the fact that I had to keep my purse of out of sight in the house .. as advised by my dh .
I accepted quite a few things including being told I was over weight .

OP posts:
Bibybob · 31/10/2019 23:07

Drum2018
My dh says it was a long time ago .
And it was ..
They may have changed
It’s the uncertainty and discomfort I feel but my dh says he feels he should be hospitable . He says I can go out , to avoid , but that would feel rude .

OP posts:
Saddler · 31/10/2019 23:14

Lock away your valuables when they visit just incase

Bibybob · 31/10/2019 23:17

I haven’t really got any . Well apart from tv
, second hand I phone and second hand I pad . !
It’s more an emotional thing really thinking about it .
I know I will cook crap food ! Ha ha

OP posts:
Bibybob · 31/10/2019 23:18

I do have nice cashmere jumpers tho which are worth more than my phone . Lock up yer jumpers !
Sorry getting hysterical after vino .

OP posts:
Saddler · 31/10/2019 23:28

😂😂 lock your your jumpers.

Hopefully it goes better than you're anticipating

Bibybob · 01/11/2019 09:14

Thank you saddler
They here soon !

OP posts:
Ginfordinner · 01/11/2019 09:20

You sound quite judgmental

I don’t think so. His family do though. The OP is merely describing how different her OH’s family are compared to hers. And, yes, I would be bloody judgemental of people who think that crime pays Hmm

Bibybob · 01/11/2019 09:28

Ginfordinner
Yes I am judgemental about this . People say don’t judge , but sometimes in life we have to use or judgement ! So be it .

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Sallycinammonbangsthedruminthe · 01/11/2019 09:34

Fake it OP..thats what you do! You smile,you welcome them,Counting down in your head how long you have til they go home! I think though in all honesty you might find a change in them ( I genuinely hope so!) after all this time.Being respectful,welcoming and calm is your best way to appear even if it is so far removed from how you feel.They are wrong footed to start with if they have any agenda cos they are in your home on your turf not theirs for a start off! Set the bar high with manners and everything else and hopefully they will raise to meeting your personal standards in your home. I wish you luck! Deep breath and you can handle this! I fake it all the time with my husbands family...they are like the clampits on tour when they arrive here, Horrible people they are! ,ugh I get so wound up before but I handle it by having a sparkling house and being welcoming but its our home and we have manners and standards and so will they if they visit,all done in a gentle,unspoken manner but they get it! The kids will not run riot, they will eat at the table ,they will not jump on furniture or attempt to climb my curtains.Nappies will not be changed in front of us all nor will anything else that happens in their homes happen in mine! They know the rules and funnily enough they play the game really....and for some obscure reason they like coming...!!!

AmIThough · 01/11/2019 09:53

Honestly IME people with criminal pasts like theft actually tend to be respectful of family, so if anything you're probably better off being 'in' with them than being a stranger to them. They tend to be the kind of family who'll always stand up for each other against anything and anyone.

I think you're being a bit uptight about them making jibes really. Lighten up and laugh it off. I'm sure they're not meaning to be nasty - they might be joking, they might be jealous, but they wouldn't be coming to stay if they didn't like you.

Bibybob · 01/11/2019 10:16

Sallycinammonbangsthedruminthe Great advice ! Thanks . I wonder how they know to follow your rules . marvellous!

AmIThough
I understand what you say .. but how can someone commuting burgalry be family valuing of the family whose lives they can wreck .
My dh told me to hide my purse for a reason I imagine . Also in the home d h mother keeps her purse hidden within the household - or used to . I know this because once I said “ oh
So and so , you have left your purse in the .. fridge / dryer etc 😃

OP posts: