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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DP, his mother, and money

143 replies

Janesandian · 30/11/2020 23:52

I have posted about DP and his family, especially his mother before under another name. I have to be careful as she may be on here, no idea! The general consensus was that DP belonged on the Stately Homes thread. When he read the thread he kept saying “omg mum does this” “this is what she says” and was quite sad but felt validated. He still seems to be vying for her attention though. I think she fits the NPD description well.

Anyway, the problem. DP has two siblings (the golden child, older), Amy, and (the baby, younger) Connor. Amy got married in 2017 and his mum gave them £10k towards it. She says it’s £6k but the maths is easy. All along she said how she would give us the same.
We then got engaged, she reiterated about giving us the money. Once when DP was alone with her she went on about how my parents should give us money as they are lying about their wealth (I grew up in poverty but they refuse to believe this - my parents are disabled, she has commented that they fake it).

As the wedding was a way away we didn’t really ask for the money and DP felt very awkward. Time and time again she’d bring it up. We now need it. DP has asked for it numerous times.

It also turns out that Connor, who is no where near getting engaged, got given his wedding money lump sum without asking. They said he shouldn’t be penalised if he doesn’t want to get married. He’s been with a girl 6 years but they don’t approve of her because of her job (classical music related - she is very intelligent but the industry isn’t high paying) and because she’s “fat”. (They have literally said this)

They just don’t seem to be giving the money. I wouldn’t normally care as it’s their money. But they have really made it a thing that they will give it but we’ve mentioned it a few times outright and she’s said to me “let us know when you want the money” so I said “can we have it now please? The deposits are all due” and she never sent it. DP just got a text saying they get paid on X date so can have it then, she said the same thing last month. His parents are wealthy and they just spent £20k on plastic surgery - again, their money, their choice, but they aren’t hard up.

Is this when DP needs to call it a day? We are hosting them for Xmas and I’m dreading the sarcasm and arguments as his mum says something provocative (last time I saw her she turned to me out the blue and said “your friends baby is so ugly isn’t he”). She comments on our finances all the time (“can you afford that”).

Both his siblings are higher earners, we are probably least well off although still doing okay.

Help?

OP posts:
Beautiful3 · 01/12/2020 05:20

I would explain that without the money by x date, we ll have to cancel the wedding. If that happens cancel xmas with them and have a quiet wedding.

PiccalilliChilli · 01/12/2020 05:29

You, DP, two friends, register office, done.

Also, go low contact on this family, they are nasty.

SarahBellam · 01/12/2020 05:36

Take their money out of the equation. They’re clearly no going to give it to you. Go and get married just the two of you - you can have a party later. Cancel Christmas with them. Remove their control over you.

groovergirl · 01/12/2020 05:37

Once again, let me say how much I love MN for all the good and sensible advice proferred.

OP, may I suggest you find a reason for not hosting Xmas this year (it's Covid time, be safe!), then distance yourself from these ghastly, manipulative people. In your own time, have a wedding of your choosing (Huge dance party? Banquet? Elopement to somewhere romantic?) and don't bother inviting them.

Do your own thing, and live your life without regrets or interference. A good wedding is not necessarily an expensive one. It's all about the true love and big fun.

HooverWhenTheCoastIsClear · 01/12/2020 06:00

Agree with posters saying do it without their money.
I never understand why people who hate their inlaws/parents accept money or play into these dangly carrot games.
They have you just where they want you, begging and pleading for money. If they are indeed npd then this is exactly what they enjoy, stringing you along.
Remove their power.
Cut the ties.
Get married within your own means

ChikiTIKI · 01/12/2020 06:20

Seen people in this situation before. Don't let them wait til the morning of the wedding to make a big announcement that the money isn't coming. They want this money situation to the be memorable part of the wedding. Don't let it happen. Have a small wedding, forget to invite them 😀

NoSquirrels · 01/12/2020 06:21

Can you do it without their money? That's really the only question you need to ask yourself right now.

If you can - by hook or by crook, even if that cutting down and scaling back on other things, or living extremely frugally for months - then don't ask for the money ever again and refuse to have any discussions around it. Just a "Fine, no problem, whenever," and a totally DGAF attitude towards it.

And uninvite them from Christmas, again by hook or by crook. I expect one or other of you will - sadly, unfortunately, but rather inevitably - develop a cough round about the 23rd of December and have to quarantine yourselves....

AlwaysCheddar · 01/12/2020 06:21

Cancel them for Christmas

GalaxyCookieCrumble · 01/12/2020 06:23

So you are a money grabber and sound very nasty with it.

CupOfTeaAlonePlease · 01/12/2020 06:29

If she is as bad as you say, then:

DO NOT TAKE A CENT.

The best way to handle a narcissist or an abuser is boundaries.

My in laws are abusive narcissistic people, I absolutely sympathise. But you can't have it both ways, if you see them for what they are, you can't carry on expecting them to be a nice normal family. They will disappoint you every time.

Dramatically adjust your expectations so they can't disappoint you. Don't arm them with a way to manipulate you.

HotelliFinlandia · 01/12/2020 06:34

Galaxy, are you the MIL?

OP whatever you do, Galaxy MIL is going to be a bitch. Do you imagine her at the wedding being lovely and gracious and kind and flattering? With or without having given you the money?

So, do you two want to have a special, intimate, wonderful wedding, or do you want to be on edge about what the bitch will say/do next?

Forget the money. Scale back. Have an intimate ceremony now, then if you want, plan a party after Covid lockdowns are done. You could even make it a surprise where you announce your wedding to guests there. Loads of ways of doing it where you two retain control of your day.

You need to convince DH of this.

One thing is for sure, she will not change how she treats you both. So DH needs to give up on the hope of this. It's hard and painful, but having done it myself, I can tell you the pain is outweighed be the relief. He's so used to her behaviour. He doesn't know what it is to be free of it - yet - and will not be able to imagine it.

lazyarse123 · 01/12/2020 06:34

@GalaxyCookieCrumble

So you are a money grabber and sound very nasty with it.
Are you the mil? They have been told to ask for the money when they need it. No way does the op sound nasty. Op just get married without them or their money.
Shoxfordian · 01/12/2020 06:35

Scale the wedding plans right back and don't take any money from them even when its inevitably dangled over your head again. Go as low contact as your dp feels able to

EssentialHummus · 01/12/2020 06:43

"Hi name, you've so kindly offered to contribute to our wedding so I wanted to tell you that the final date for paying the deposit is [week before actual date]. Of course we don't expect anything at all but if you'd like to contribute we'd need it by then please."

And then just scale back. She sounds terrible. You're not missing out on her money, she's missing out on a relationship with her son and DIL.

Lobelia123 · 01/12/2020 06:55

I wouldnt host them for Christmas either. You're teaching them that they can insult you, deceive you, treat you like shit and take the piss, and you'll swallow it and cook a big expensive meal and wait on them hand and foot while they slag off your friends and family. You're teaching them to despise and disrespect you.

You sound like an absolute peach of a lovely person! But in the nicest way, grow a spine and show some respect for yourself and your partner, and dont accept this behaviour. You are worth better. They will only (very grudgingly) start to show you some respect when you respect and value yourself and show them that you have boundaries.

Nomorepies · 01/12/2020 07:01

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ on the poster's request

slipperywhensparticus · 01/12/2020 07:02

Carrot van 🤣🤣🤣

Totally agree with everyone except galexy do a tiny wedding with no input from them

And develop noro for Christmas

Ironingontheceiling · 01/12/2020 07:13

Just do a smaller wedding.

LilyLongJohn · 01/12/2020 07:20

Don't rely on the money, stop asking and budget for a smaller, less expensive wedding . They are using the money to abuse you both.

If the money ever materialised (which I doubt) you'd never EVER hear the end of it.

I love the idea of a registry office with friends. We did this, and it was amazing.

billybagpuss · 01/12/2020 07:20

Stop asking for the money, assume it will never materialise and plan the wedding according to the budget you can afford. If this is registry office and the pub with your parents afterwards it will still be lovely, but any money that is not given with a good grace will tarnish the day anyway so isn’t worth it.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding and I hope you have an amazing day.

CottonHeadedNinyMuggins · 01/12/2020 07:21

If you take her money, you will be beholden on them.

They will want a say in how you spend it, and will likely ruin the day by insulting all your choices and being rude about guests. Maybe they'd even insult your parents and upset them or read or speeches that put you all down etc etc.

I guarantee if you take it, you'll be posting here about how your PIL ruined your wedding and the build up to it.

Don't take it, scale back (after all it's one day and it's the marriage that's more important!) cut them off and be happy! You won't be with their involvement.

Uninvite them for christmas too. It sounds like you'll have a horrible time and end up waiting on them hand and foot and made to feel miserable after a horrendous year.

Bluntness100 · 01/12/2020 07:21

Stop putting your hand out and spend within your means, it’s the only option. Sorry.

Janesandian · 01/12/2020 07:24

Thanks for all your comments. Sorry I fell asleep as I pressed post Blush

We did need the money before, however, now we could afford the wedding ourselves (to be honest, it’s a 25 people wedding so not big!)
I’ll be honest and say it’s not about the actual money anymore but the principle. I do feel like a mug because the signs are there but I still send her texts, cards, little gifts when I see something she likes. DP is usually fine not speaking to her much, then she’ll call and say how he doesn’t respond to her WhatsApp messages and she just won’t ever speak to him again then. Then he gets angry, frustrated and upset. He has said that he will cut contact if he doesn’t get the money as it’s the final sign that he isn’t cared for. Connor was the straw that broke the camel’s back as he didn’t need or want the money, yet they gave it to him despite knowing we were paying for things (our original venue has collapsed due to Covid now but we lost a lot as a result - insurance won’t cover)

I really don’t think I can cope on Christmas. We are close with my parents which she gets a bit jealous or snarky about. So I can only think of saying we are sick to get out of it? DP would never ever confront it head on, he’s still very much only just realising his feelings are fair.

OP posts:
Nottherealslimshady · 01/12/2020 07:26

Either scale the wedding back or get the funds from elsewhere, don't know how banks are now but I got a 7k loan over a few years just before covid and it's only costing a couple of hundred. I'd rather that than take money from them.

Next time they bring it up just say "oh it doesn't matter now, when you didn't give it us when we needed it we paid for it ourselves. We dont want it now." Or if you have to scale back "we had to cancel everything because you didn't give us it on time when we asked. We dont need it now. Just hope nobody asks what happened."

And bloody uninvited them from chirstmas.

They're using it for power over you and they will for the rest of your lives if you take that money, they will always hold it against you. Do not spend their money.

If they do send you the money, stick it in a savings account and leave it there, the first time they say "are you forgetting we gave you thousands of pounds for you wedding" pull your phone banking out and send it them straight back "here have it back, we don't need or want your money."

Nottherealslimshady · 01/12/2020 07:31

Cross posted. You dont need them so write them and their money off. Dont involve them in any planning, dont tell them anything, just send them an invite. I wouldn't even put them on the top table tbh.

Tell them you have covid for Christmas. Easy, no way around it.

Stop being nice to her though, you need to support your husband in how he wants to deal with it, you're undermining him by sending her stuff and being nice when she's hurting him.