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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:
lyralalala · 05/05/2020 23:23

Also try and keep in mind that the reason they are so enthusiastic about him is because he's an occasional thing.

Think about big things you get excited about - holidays, days out, Christmas.

That's what he is. He's a big thing.

Think about the things that you love and make yo feel safe - your home. You are home and everyone loves getting home at the end of the day.

Cherrysoup · 05/05/2020 23:25

Hands OP copious amounts of vodka

No longer your problem and should never have been. Very early on, I told the DH that I was no way remembering his family’s birthdays too. He seemed surprised, but when you think of asking your DH to do all the birthdays/presents for your family, I bet he’d be amazed.

Keep on buying for the grandparents, yes, they’re your dc’s gps, so I’d say that’s normal. Cousins, tho? No way? I love your response to your ex-sil!

Easilyanxious · 05/05/2020 23:30

It's entirely your choice if you continue to buy presents for them or not
Will they stop buying for your dc if you stop and would that bother you ?
If you wanted you could still buy token gift for nan and grandad and maybe just dc cousins ( children )
Personally I still buy for my nephews : niece who live with ex sil but that's because I get on with her better than bil and kids still see each other and she buys for mine also but if she decided she wanted to stop I also would see that as her choice ,

saraclara · 05/05/2020 23:33

Gawd @RoseByAnyOtherName that's terribly wordy and all about the OP saying 'poor me', which really isn't appropriate.

"Dear MIL. I'm sorry, but I really can't afford to buy gifts for all of my own relatives and all of Ex's. There are a lot of you, and my finances are much reduced now. You know I love you, and I'll be continuing to mark you and FIL's birthdays, but it's really up to ex to sort out his and the DC's gifts to the rest of the family."

Headbangersandmash · 05/05/2020 23:37

I'm another poster who uses "I don't know" as it is the truth even if I can guess the answer why. I've also said "ask your Dad when you next see him" and they rarely do as I suspect they know why.

Your exILs sound lovely. It's a shame that their kids are no as understanding but in your shoes I'd buy them gifts too.

GlummyMcGlummerson · 05/05/2020 23:42

Thank you @lyralalala and @Nancydrawn - that is really helpful and lovely of you to say. I think I'm in the bitter/angry stage of grief right now, it's not pretty Confused and fucking exSIL isn't helping expecting me to centre her Precious One when my kids return home after a week (and a 2 hours car journey). These fucking enablers - no wonder he's a man child

OP posts:
DarklyDreamingDexter · 05/05/2020 23:43

My first thought was “no fucking way”

This. ^^

Your first thought was entirely correct. Why is it your problem that your ex doesn’t buy cards/presents for his side of the family? Don’t be a mug and let him continue to get away with it! If your in-laws have a problem with the lack of presents, refer them to him.

Jux · 05/05/2020 23:49

His parents have behaved nicely towards you; I would question how fantastic they are as their son is so awful, though!

Just tell them that you really can't help in this regard, and if ex doesn't do it then maybe they should take over. DO NOT USE THE WORDS "FOR ME"!!!!! you can say "for him" though.

EKGEMS · 05/05/2020 23:49

What would happen if you texted the piece of shit that is your ex exactly what your daughter said to you about him not taking them anywhere? Would he retaliate against you or the kids? He should be fucking ashamed of himself

Mincingfuckdragon2 · 05/05/2020 23:54

Tell MIL 'I won't be doing that now. You could either speak with Ex or arrange for someone else to buy gifts on his behalf. I'm sure he and the kids will appreciate your concern and efforts to ensure gifts are bought for the family".

Tell SIL and everyone else "You'll need to speak with Ex about that, I'm sure he has organised something for you/your child/your family."

Why in the everloving fuck do any of these people think this is your responsibility??? If your Ex was dead, then maybe I can see how people might look to you - but he's not.

You are not in the wrong here - at all. The fact that you are tying yourself in knots indicates what a lovely approach you have to maintaining relationships. Just make sure you don't chuck yourself under a bus in the course of doing so...

lyralalala · 05/05/2020 23:55

@GlummyMcGlummerson Every stage has it's place so don't feel bad for being there.

And just because they expect you to pick up his shit doesn't mean you have to do it.

The fact your exMIL jumped after your exSIL got your reply suggests both your ex and his sister are spoilt. That's not your problem, it's theirs. They'll have to learn to deal with it.

Enjoy having your kids home. And always remember that - you are home. That might mean you get more of the downsides, but nothing is more prescious in life than having a safe home.

Mincingfuckdragon2 · 06/05/2020 00:00

Also, maybe a way to explain to your kids is 'Ex doesn't buy gifts for, or for you to give to, your (maternal) grandparents/aunts/uncles/cousins etc. So it doesn't make sense for me to buy gifts for, or for you to give to, the other side of the family does it?". Just explaining this in a matter of fact way and without rancour might help them see that his behaviour isn't reasonable.

1300cakes · 06/05/2020 00:05

YANBU, OP. I'm happily married but I've never bought a gift or card for my in laws. I love them but that's just not my job, just like I don't attend my husbands work meetings in his place or brush his teeth for him.

GlummyMcGlummerson · 06/05/2020 00:11

What would happen if you texted the piece of shit that is your ex exactly what your daughter said to you about him not taking them anywhere? Would he retaliate against you or the kids? He should be fucking ashamed of himself

I keep contact to the absolute bare minimum but if I did mention this I imagine that he'd say it's too busy/crowded and that and they're soooo happy at his that there's no need to go to soft play, and he'd say something like "I'm not like you looking for an excuse to fob the kids off and sit on my phone". In short - he'd find a way to turn it around and make a criticism of me.

OP posts:
2kids2cats1me · 06/05/2020 00:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RainbowMum11 · 06/05/2020 00:26

Explain to XMIL that you can't afford to do this as you are now a single parent and perhaps she should get her son to grow up and remember there are other people not just him, or that she should perhaps buy them on his behalf .

MrsCollinssettled · 06/05/2020 00:42

IME if you don't criticise the ex but always answer questions truthfully they WILL notice who is buying the presents, taking them places etc. They may not tell you out of a sense of loyalty to their DF but you can be sure they will talk about it to other people/friends.

I would say that now you are divorced you can't be responsible for sorting his family out, but you're sure that the dc's would love it if ex-mil took them shopping and enabled them to buy presents for their family.

MrsCollinssettled · 06/05/2020 00:45

It would also be more stimulating than spending time with a disinterested father.

abstractprojection · 06/05/2020 01:07

No way! But it would be a shame for your kids to not be able to partake in gift giving for his side of the family. So I’d ask the MIL to look after this if the Ex can’t or won’t

TorkTorkBam · 06/05/2020 01:08

Don't mention the cost. It's not about that. It's about your time, your mental load, being taken up. You have divorced that shit.

Tbh, I would probably completely 100% ignore MILs message. Her other spoiled child kicked off and she tried to dump the problem on you. Frankly not worthy of a response.

She's not as nice as you think she is.

TooMuchBloodyChoice · 06/05/2020 01:27

You sound lovely OP. And it sounds like Ex-MIL realises that and is appealing to your good side. Send cards if you wish, but presents are a definite no go. Unless it’s to the grandparents, whom you actually like. If they don’t like the consequences they should speak to their own children about it.

On the second point about the small things - children do notice. However it does take them getting older to realise just quite what you do. And they will have a close relationship with you, and probably not with their dad.

My two adored their lazy arse father when they were little. Despite all the awful behaviour. They absolutely worshipped the ground he walked on. Ten years down the line, they see him for exactly who he is. My eldest actually sent me a song link the other day. It’s Mama by lunch money lewis, basically it’s a recognition song for the mums of the world. And DS1 sent it to me! Because he knows who cooks, cleans, buys presents, builds Wendy houses, and ferries him everywhere. They know. And they will love you all the more for it.

madcatladyforever · 06/05/2020 01:43

I'd just say you still like them and want your children to have a good relationship with them but as a single parent you just can't afford it any more and to have a word with their son.

Harakeke · 06/05/2020 02:24

YANBU. Definitely don't mention the money though - even if you became a millionaire overnight there would still be no reason you should carry out these tasks because your ex can't be bothered.

Your ILs sound really nice, I'd make them the exception.

Nitpickpicnic · 06/05/2020 02:35

Sorry, I haven’t read all 7 pages. I’d be very tempted to add (to any of the excellent text suggestions here):

‘I’m sure we’ll all get used to the new normal in time, MIL, after all my side of the family have never received so much as a birthday emoji from exH. Not a wedding or condolence call, card or present. In xx years. They’re used to it now, but it did take a while.’

timeisnotaline · 06/05/2020 02:43

There are perfect responses here. I too would make an effort for lovely grandparents even if it’s just making sure the dc draw beautiful cards and a heartfelt message and bake them cookies if money is tight, that’s investing in their valuing good and loving relationships. I’d do fuck all for Father’s Day etc because I’m caring like that, and his sister can find some other way to centre her child’s universe as he will forever get one gift less from now on, such a devastating experience.

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