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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

PILs get into debt to buy BIL's house - AIBU

62 replies

CrazyFrogg007 · 10/02/2020 10:51

Hello, I name changed for this, I know I am being very unreasonable, but just have to get it off my chest.

Me and DH in our late 30s live far away from our families, but we still meet several times a year for long periods, we always spend the summer holidaystogether etc.
We moved away in our late 20s and since then had DCs, I had to stop working effectively to care full time for my kids as I had absolutely zero support in all these years, kids were all on me, my DH's job has been very demanding from the start, reasonably well paid, but we didn't qualify for any sort of state help, so basically I was SAHM and he was advancing his career. I am not complaining about this, it was our choice and we thought that was fair at that time.
As a result we're still renting but have finally started thinking about buying a property and for the last couple of years have been trying hard to save for the deposit. We would have really appreciated a gift sum towards the desposit and who wouldn't?
In that time we have never asked for anything money-related from PILs because they were caring for other relatives and we knew that their expenses were high.
They have offered a few times to help us by offering things that we thought are not sustainable or just not affordable at that time, like leaving their jobs and coming to live with us to take care of DGC, which would have required us to move to a bigger house, we had to pay them so they don't lose work years - fair enough - I had my doubts that they would really be able to move away from their home and everyone they've known all their lives, so we declined so they don't suffer financially because of us. They offered to mortgage their house again for a long period in order to help us with the deposit, but as they're in their 60s, however still working and receiving a pension, we couldn't accept (again) it as it could potentially leave them in a very precarious situation, so we declined again.
So fast forward a few years and BIL who lives close to PILs is expecting his first DC and has decided to buy his own place. He also can't afford the deposit, so there go my PILs again, mortgaging their home for years into their retirement to pay for his deposit.
AIBU to think this is massively unfair towards DH, who has been working hard his whole life and has been trying to do the right thing by not getting his DPs into debt?
Or have we been terribly arrogant by assuming what other people can and can't afford?
I also feel terribly stupid for not taking what was on offer, for never asking for anything, not even for my children, for declining offers for help, and now I think our children are going to be treated unfairly because we've been too principled.

I know I'm BU, it's their house, they can do as they please with it, but it hurts to feel unvalued and unsupported and I feel unreasonably jealous.

OP posts:
Bibijayne · 10/02/2020 10:53

They offered, you both declined. Your BIL did not. That's on you both.

MindyStClaire · 10/02/2020 10:54

I think they're foolish to offer, and I think BIL shouldn't have accepted. But they did offer both sons, there's no favouritism here.

Namechanger001 · 10/02/2020 10:59

I think they’re crazy for re-mortgaging to help with a deposit but you shouldn’t be thinking that it’s unfair on you and your husband. I’d be thinking your PIL’s are naive or foolish to think that idea is good. It’s nice if parents have spare money to help their children but it really sounds like they don’t- and are messing up their retirement years to help their son.

YakkityYakYakYak · 10/02/2020 11:00

It sounds like BIL might BU to have accepted if it’s obvious that they can’t afford it. But I also think you are BU to feel jealous and unsupported, they have offered you lots of support and it doesn’t seem as though they are doing anything for BIL that they wouldn’t have done for you.

Curiosity101 · 10/02/2020 11:05

unvalued and unsupported

But you say you have declined all offers of help? I'm not sure why you feel unvalued and unsupported?

DifficultPifcultLemonDifficult · 10/02/2020 11:05

but it hurts to feel unvalued and unsupported

You havent been, they have made some very generous offers to you, you declined.

Gamble66 · 10/02/2020 11:07

Can't fathom why you feel unvalued and unsupported in the slightest.

ShirleyPhallus · 10/02/2020 11:07

But they offered to do the same with you, so how is it unfair?

It might have been worth thinking about saving for a deposit pre-children also. Rather than having kids and then expecting help for a deposit afterwards.

BobbyBlueCat · 10/02/2020 11:08

Well, they offered the same to you and you said no. Lesson learned.

You chose to have children whilst still renting and before working both your arses off to save up for a deposit. Nothing wrong with that. But that was your decision.

You chose to be a SAHM. You could have worked from home, retrained / requalified / studied during that time, done a weekend /evening job etc to save up some extra money during that time. But you didn't. Again, nothing wrong with that. But your decision.

You've been offered all the same things BIL has. And more. They were going to move across the country for you!

I don't think ANYONE is at fault here. Just different people making different decisions.

CalmdownJanet · 10/02/2020 11:09

They have offered you loads, you have turned it all down, your bil didn't, you have absolutely no reason to feel jealous, unsupported or not valued

Spam88 · 10/02/2020 11:14

They offered you exactly the same thing though..? So no idea why you feel you've been treated unfairly.

FWIW, I would have turned down their offer as well.

CrazyFrogg007 · 10/02/2020 11:18

Thank you, I really needed a different clearer point of view, I really shouldn't feel as I feel, and hope to get my act together very soon.

OP posts:
Disfordarkchocolate · 10/02/2020 11:22

I think they are being very stupid. You didn't make a mistake, you did the right thing.

HopeYouStepOnALego · 10/02/2020 11:23

What @BobbyBlueCat said

WalkingDeadTrainee · 10/02/2020 11:27

Are their parents vulnerable and not able to make decisions?
If yes, your DH should start doing something about safeguarding.
If not then it is only their decision and they know what they can and cannot afford.

You are not unsupported nor treated unfairly.

Gazelda · 10/02/2020 11:27

I agree with everything Spam has said.
You made your choices based on your own circumstances and with consideration to your PIL. Your DC will still have a happy family life and neither they nor you seem to be less valued or loved in your PIL eyes.

Hoppinggreen · 10/02/2020 11:28

It’s a very stupid idea but to be fair they did offer to do the same for you
Because you are decent human beings you refused but your BIL didn’t so yes you are missing out by doing the right thing - do you regret it?

Shoxfordian · 10/02/2020 11:29

You're not unsupported though, they offered and you declined.

Yabu

FizzyGreenWater · 10/02/2020 11:31

Be angry with BIL for being selfish enough to accept.

And make it clear that if they get into hardship, he'll be the one having to shell out, because you simply don't have the resources because you haven't had help.

NettleTea · 10/02/2020 11:35

i suspect your feelings may be more a case that you are angry with BIL for accepting what is a stupid offer that puts your PIL in debt, when you and DH rejected it for the same reasons.

AJPTaylor · 10/02/2020 11:35

You made your decision. I would have done the same.
Bil sees it differently.

TeaAndCake321 · 10/02/2020 11:39

They offered and you declined, that’s up to you. I understand why you refused but you can’t then be annoyed your brother in law has taken them up on the offer.

Couldn’t you have saved and got on the property ladder before having children? We actually moved back in with parents after university and saved hard for 3 or 4 years to afford our first home, then we got married and had children. I’m just curious why you’d have children and become a stay at home parent when you haven’t yet bought a house? Surely you realised it’d be difficult to save once you had children?

ArranUpsideDown · 10/02/2020 11:39

It's difficult, but relatively, who are the people acting with honour and with due deference to your PIL's present and possible future circumstances?

However, yes - it cost you in the past and if it goes awry, without very clear discussions, it might well affect any inheritance your DH might have received in the future.

AutumnRose1 · 10/02/2020 11:39

there's been no favouritism

they offered you the world

you said no. I understand - how I curse myself for refusing money from my dad to buy a home when he offered it!

but we all have to live with our bonkers decisons! It's not fair to blame them for yours!

YetAnotherSpartacus · 10/02/2020 11:45

I’m not sure I’d like someone (your BIL) who was willing to let ageing parents do that. What if they need that home to finance care?

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