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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not continue to buy my exH's family presents?

254 replies

GlummyMcGlummerson · 05/05/2020 20:06

ExH and I have been split up for nearly a year. We’re leading separate lives in separate cities whilst trying to co-parent our 7yo and 3yo.

When we were together I did ALL the “life admin”, even in regard to his family - bought all presents, RSVPd to weddings and organised hotels, outfits etc, sorted us going to family parties, everything. I did it begrudgingly because I always loved (most of) his family and otherwise nothing would get done.

The kids came back from a week at his on Sunday, the same day as their cousin’s (exSIL’s son) 7th birthday. I commented on her Facebook post saying happy birthday Harry, but I didn’t check if the kids had spoken to him as, by then time they got home at 5.30pm, it had gone from my mind. May or may not be relevant - “Harry” is very spoilt and indulged, to a ridiculous degree, Ex and I used to refer to him between ourselves as Little Lord Fauntleroy. There would be an expectation from everyone to make a big deal about his birthday.

Yesterday I got a text from exSIL saying that Harry is very upset as he feels his cousins forgot his birthday - they didn’t get a call, a card or a present, and she “expected better of me” Hmm. She knows they came home in the evening and Harry was expecting a call when they got back. Now since Ex and I split up, I’ve maintained a good relationship with his family - mainly because I always got on with them, especially his mum and dad, and there really was no need for any animosity. But his siblings were always hard work and I wasn’t sorry to see the back of them. So I simply replied “speak to your brother” and thanked my lucky stars I didn’t have to please her any more.

Anyway today I got a text fro exMIL - who BTW I adore and she’s been amazingly supportive since the split. She said exSIL is obviously upset because Harry’s birthday was a bit naff in isolation and that was compounded by no contact from his favourite cousins - which she acknowledges is exH’s fault entirely. However she’s basically gone on to ask if I could carry on getting presents for their family members - on behalf on the DC and/or me rather than from ex - as she feels that otherwise there’s gonna be no presents at all and a lot of upset.

My first thought was “no fucking way”. Aside from the fact that I don’t want to continue to facilitate exH’s goal of being the biggest manchild in existence, I’m a single mum now and this could cost a fortune! His family is huge and even if I spent just £10 each on cousins, aunties, uncles and grandparents, for Xmas and birthdays that would be £400 a year!

However, she’s right about one thing - if I said no, there’d be no presents for them ever again. ExH has the unfortunate affliction of being lazy, selfish and tight fisted all at the same time. He’s not hapless or forgetful - but buying presents means taking more than 4 seconds to do something for someone else, whilst parting with his money, and he won’t do it. And he wouldn’t be ashamed about it either (you can see why he’s an Ex). His mum and dad especially deserve better than that. I’m not exaggerating when I say I’ll be amazed if DD gets anything from him for her birthday in a couple of weeks. So if I do say no, then my in laws will get nothing and my DC will be in the horrible position of being the only grandkids not to buy granny, grandad etc presents at Christmas - something they scarcely notice now but will do before long.

Good people of MN - what should I do?!

OP posts:
Actionhasmagic · 08/05/2020 21:26

Well done!!!!!!

BumbleBeee69 · 12/05/2020 16:20

Well done OP Flowers

SIL sounds like grabbing cow

mam0918 · 23/05/2020 11:05

I would definately buy gifts if I attend a party (obviously with lockdown thats not happening) but after that it depends how close I or the children where to the person in question

if the cousins really are close and have a good relationship I would probably get a token gift from the children for the child, if they are just cousins by title and never bother with each other then I wouldnt bother getting a gift

I would still buy something for the grandparents from the kids and because you seem to have a good relationship (do they help out/babysit? etc...) I think if they are family still properly involved in your lives its pretty mean not too

I wouldnt bother buying for extended family at all though (no uncles, aunts, 2nd cousins etc...) only the members the kids are very close too and it would be more token gifts (like a mug that says 'best grandad' etc...) not expensive gifts

movpov · 23/05/2020 13:36

Your in laws sound like a nightmare and you're well rid of it all.

I have 2 nieces on exH side and when we split up I still had a reasonable relationship with his DB and SIL so I chose to carry on buying for birthdays and Christmas, hoping this would help maintain good relations between them and my DS seeing my exH and his DB were no longer on speaking terms; parents both dead and it was only the two of them. For years I did this, every birthday and Christmas. When older niece got engaged i texted BIL with congratulations & said i'd like to get the happy couple a gift & asked for ideas; his response indicated he was pleased to hear from me, very chatty etc, anyway he said a gift card from a certain retailer would be welcome & invited me for lunch. I spent £100 on a gift card & I went over with it & armed with flowers for 2 nieces and their mum, sweets for BIL and prospective son in law, we had a nice lunch & afternoon, no sign of tension though I did think the thanks for the gift was a bit lukewarm but said nothing. Fast forward to time for wedding invitations and...nothing, but guess who did get one...my exH who for years had had nothing to do with any of them; blood thicker than water obviously. DS also invited but didn't want to go against his dad. As wedding date approached it was obvious I wasn't invited and it wasn't an oversight. ExH didn't respond to his invite and didn't go so BIL had no one from his side there while all his in laws were there.

Now I know it's their day and they can invite who they like, I get that. It just seemed a really shitty thing to do to the only person on that side of the family who had made any effort for years . I still have no idea why I was ignored - there was no argument or falling out - but it felt like a clear message that I wasn't wanted. I can only assume that after so long apart from exH i was no longer considered family but if so i would have preferred to know that before spending so much on a gift that wasn't appreciated; felt a bit like well we're not inviting her but hey let's get a gift out of her anyway. Guess I was a poor substitute for a non contact brother. So I made the decision to make no further effort and just completely went no contact...they have never been in touch to ask why so I guess they either know fine well, or don't care, or both. Disappointed in BIL particularly; always thought we had a reasonable relationship & thought better of him, and I thought he appreciated the fact I didn't walk away when I could have. Anyway the door to any further possible contact/relationship is now firmly closed and BIL or ex BIL as I now think of him, is completely estranged from what family he had left.

I guess the moral of the story OP is that your in laws don't sound like the kind of people who would appreciate efforts on your part and sound quite grabby so I would stick to my guns now and don't give yourself the stress. You won't regret it

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