Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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:
Rtmhwales · 05/05/2020 21:11

I'd have your kids make a card for the grandparents and leave the rest up to him. It's his problem now.

Iadoremylabrador · 05/05/2020 21:16

For granny and grandad I would get my kids to bake some cookies (or something) and make a card. Only because they're nice though and as you said it is a good example to set your children.

Tistheseason17 · 05/05/2020 21:17

Have you messaged your MIL, yet, OP.
l think you're doing the right thing only buying for GPs.

Kraejka · 05/05/2020 21:19

No.
Grandparents maybe. Rest of the family - no.
It's ex's responsibility. End of.

BumbleBeee69 · 05/05/2020 21:22

Wow... nice piece of manipulating blackmail from MIL right there OP ?! let them stop the gifts to your kids and explain to the kids when they are old enough that your ex-inlaws wanted you to spend your maintenance on 'Gifts' on them..for Birthdays/Christmas etc.. instead of prioritising their needs... and when you couldn't do that.. they cut you guys off .... the end.. do not disguise what these people do to your kids OP.. Flowers

NearlyGranny · 05/05/2020 21:22

No way! I suggest you tell your ex Mil that you're doing presents for the cousins on your side of the family and leaving his side to him to do. That's fair. If he doesn't get organised his parents will have to step in to prevent disappointment. They can pretend the presents are from you and your ex just like he used to. 😉

Make sure she knows your DC won't forget any of their grandparents.

Why is this always seen as women's work?! When my DH forgot his mother's birthday one year, she blamed me!

RandomMess · 05/05/2020 21:26

I would say "sadly no, I can't afford and his attitude extends to his own DC and that is one of the reasons we divorced"

Presumably they haven't all been running around and helping you?

BacklashStarts · 05/05/2020 21:29

I think your position is right - no you won’t do that. But you will get mil something FROM YOU because she’s is YOUR friend. Totally separate to mr manchild.

eggsandwich · 05/05/2020 21:29

I would tell Mil that she needs to have a conversation with HER son about coming to some sort of agreement about present buying in their family as she should also take some responsibility for his lack of organisation and that you unfortunately are unable to facilitate her request as you are not in that sort of financial position to do so but you also will be preoccupied with present sourcing for your family.

saraclara · 05/05/2020 21:30

Just reply and tell her that you cant afford the presents and cards but you'll keep the birthday dates of the kids cousins in your diary and make sure they call if it's your day with them . It's a nice compromise that doesnt set you back financially.

Yep. And include the fact that you have your own family to buy for, as they're your responsibility. And that really it's her son that needs to take financial responsibility for his wider family.

saraclara · 05/05/2020 21:32

...and yes, you're really lucky to have supportive ex-inlaws who you remain fond of. So your response needs to be in sorrow, rather than sounding pissed off. The relationship is clearly important to you.

PogoBob · 05/05/2020 21:34

I agree with what you've said about buying for the grandparents, I see this as a present from your kids with you helping them buy the presents until they are old enough, rather than picking up the slack for the Ex if you see what I mean.

Riverviews · 05/05/2020 21:37

I would send a handmade card from the children but nothing else. Spend your money on your DC and your family, not on making your ex look less bad. Why should you carry the mental load?

TheMotherofAllDilemmas · 05/05/2020 21:39

You need to tell your MIL the same you told to your SIL: speak to my ExH.

Don’t worry about your kids not getting a gift from their cousins, they won’t die if they don’t and probably would not even notice as their life changes and new friends are added to their lives.

Since MIL is so nice, I would suggest telling her that you are not longer in a position to spend that kind of money but you will be happy to keep sending her a gift now that you are no longer family (that shut my exMIL’s never ending requests for good).

newyearnoeu · 05/05/2020 21:39

nah wouldn't do it. If she's upset that she doesn't get presents off her DS and his kids then it's her fault for bringing him up to be such a tosspot.
Would your kids really notice that they were the only grandchildren not getting anything for their GPs? Unless they were having a big family Christmas all exchanging presents together at the same time (which presumably they won't as they will be spending at least every other Christmas with you?) how will they know what their cousins got their GPs? Anyway you can just look blank and say "Perhaps daddy gave them their present earlier"
Nothing to do with you and can't believe the ex-SIL had the cheek to nag you when Lord Fauntleroy's cousins had been with HER OWN BROTHER all day of his actual birthday!

Bet you are grinning every day you don't have to spend lockdown with your ex OP!

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 05/05/2020 21:42

If MIL wants your dc to exchange gifts with their cousins then she should facilitate that. If I was feeling charitable I would facilitate cards.

BumbleBeee69 · 05/05/2020 21:45

I love that MIL let's her Son off scot-fucking-free Confused

monkeymonkey2010 · 05/05/2020 21:45

if I said no, there’d be no presents for them ever again.
All rather dramatic isn't it?
What about the multitude of presents from others?
How is it your problem anyway?

Do they buy you/your dc gifts?
Or are you not 'family' enough for that?

Does your ex buy his dc gifts?
I bet he buys shitty ones if he does.
Tell them they have to suck it up that he doesn't give a shit - just like you have to.

Longdistance · 05/05/2020 21:46

You’re the ex wife, which means ex family. Fuck it, he can sort it!

CrazyTimesAreOccurring · 05/05/2020 21:48

Wo der if either the ex sil or the ex mil have had a go at him? If not it's pretty obvious how he's got to be an entitled knob

alittlerespectgoesalongway · 05/05/2020 21:49

If it matters to your MIL and she seems to have raised such a hapless waster, I guess she can sort out presents. No way would I do this in your position. Hell, no.

sunflowersandtulips50 · 05/05/2020 21:49

Isn't it funny that your ex sister and mum
Contact you to express there upset, rather than there brother and son. You are not responsible for your ex nephews or nieces etc . You need to establish firm boundaries and keep saying in your head it is no longer your problem. That's what happens when marriages end... shocked his family expect you to do the 'wife work' when your not together anymore

hellotoday27 · 05/05/2020 21:50

Whilst your Sil is just dead cheeky, i'm inclined to think in your position I would continue to buy a gift for your ex Mil and Pil, but something from the kids (homemade/small token gift) and maybe small gifts for the cousins (depending on how many). The rest of the adults can frankly go without as they are well.... adults and suck it up.
I would make sure they are signed from your kids.
I only say this as when my parents divorced, my dad was as crap as your ex and I really lost touch with that side of the family and I wish we had continued with birthdays etc. £5 presents?

ScarletFever · 05/05/2020 21:51

No No No!! not your deal any more, unless she wants to pay you to do so, (plus for your time cheeky fuckers) then she can do one

ConstantlySeekingHappiness · 05/05/2020 21:53

Tell exMIL that she is more than welcome to buy and send gifts to relatives on behalf of her feckless son.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.