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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to think my DH is lazy WRT his family and I shouldn't feel guilty?

116 replies

ILoveAutumnShowers · 14/09/2021 12:33

A couple of years ago I decided to take a step back from my in-laws. Since I met them 28 years ago they, well MIL mostly and they do what she says, have been very rude and unkind to me. My MIL has constantly told me I am not part of the family, despite being the mother of her only DGC, and has gone out of her way to openly put me down in front of others. She once told me that it doesn't matter what I do, say, or look like because I am nothing to do with her or her family and it won't reflect on her, as everyone knows I am a nobody. One of the reasons why she does this is because she seems to see me as a serious threat to her and her DD's for some reason, which I really don't get.

Luckily I have a wonderful, loving and confidence boosting family of my own so I have not had to revert to counselling as a result Hmm.

After quite a few years of this and trying to get her onside, she'll like me when she gets to know me, etc. I gave up. I have taken small steps back over the years, but about 2 years ago I just decided that I can't be arsed with this anyone and I took league boots steps back. So now I facilitate nothing, I refuse to cancel what I am doing if they want to meet up, I don't buy them presents, I don't do their cards and I no longer facilitate meet-ups or days out or phone calls. I am not rude or nasty, I just resigned from the wifey work. After all, I am not family and I am crap at everything, right?

The AIBU is that my DH does nothing. He doesn't buy cards, presents, etc. He waits for me to arrange Sunday lunches and I don't. He waits for me to offer to host Christmas and Easter etc. and I don't. As a result, we have not seen his sisters for 18 months. That is fine by me, but there is fallout from it. MIL is not happy she rarely sees us gets the opportunity to lay into me, upset if she doesn't get a card and last Christmas she was really upset because I usually buy really thoughtful Christmas presents and do a stocking for everyone, but she asked for some towels and that is what she got, some towels in a plastic bag.

So, AIBU to think that my DH is really lazy when it comes to his family and it is not my problem. I know I shouldn't give a shit, but I am pretty sure that "it's all my fault" and they are blaming me and for some strange reason I feel guilty for treating someone like this. However, I was a nice DIL and SIL and they just threw it back in my face.

FYI my DH also does NOTHING for my family. In fact, I think he may recognise my mum and dad if they walked past him in the street, but they wouldn't recognise anyone else. He hasn't seen my brother, who lives 15 miles away from us, for 5 years.

OP posts:
IrisLilyRose · 14/09/2021 12:35

Stop feeling guilty.

WimpoleHat · 14/09/2021 12:37

So, AIBU to think that my DH is really lazy when it comes to his family and it is not my problem.

No, you’re not. If you get any kickback, just refer it to DH. “I don’t know, DH does/organises that.” And repeat.

Teacupsandtoast · 14/09/2021 12:38

Well, you dont have a mil problem but a dh problem. Is he lazy in other ways? Why did he let her off with behaving like that towards you? But hell no, don't feel bad about it - like you say, you're just a nobody to them and a nobody can't buy gifts!

ILoveAutumnShowers · 14/09/2021 12:38

IrisLily

That is the million-dollar question. I want to stop feeling guilty, but I do. I don't think you should treat your MIL like this, but honestly, some of the things she has said to me are just cruel.

My DC have partners, including girlfriends and I certainly do not treat them like this. I treat them as I would like to be treated myself.

OP posts:
OrangeTortoise · 14/09/2021 12:38

Of course YANBU! You tried for years and years and they took you for granted. Next year, don't even buy the towels (or whatever they ask for) and let your DH do it (or not do it).

Dozer · 14/09/2021 12:38

YANBU.

Wouldn’t have been unreasonable to stop the ‘wifework’ even if your in laws were perfect!

Your DH’s family: his relationships to manage.

Has HE argued or implied that you should have continued to do X, Y and Z for him/his family? If so, would address that with him.

What has he decided as regards his family relationships?

Wouldn’t worry about what the in laws think of you.

ChorleyFMcominginyourears · 14/09/2021 12:39

His family, his problem! Good for you for not taking their shit anymore, a lot would carry on doing and continue complaining about it! She said what you do doesn't matter to them so what you don't do should matter even less, DO NOT go back to doing anything for them!

TheQueenOfDreams · 14/09/2021 12:41

28 years??? You made an effort for 28 years and they still told you that you were nothing to them?
Forget it. You have absolutely nothing to feel guilty about. Nothing.

CharlotteUnaNatalieThompson · 14/09/2021 12:42

If your in laws give you shit I'd be inclined to ignore them - who cares what a bunch of ignorant knobbers think?

If you want to respond then I'd reply "I'm not part of the family and you clearly don't like me. Why on earth would you expect me to make any effort?" They can reap what they sow....

IrisLilyRose · 14/09/2021 12:42

But he is the son.
It's his responsibility.
Do not borrow other people's troubles.

mumsie8 · 14/09/2021 12:42

Good for you OP!! I mean that genuinely.

Why on earth would you even want to go out of your way for people/s who have actively and deliberately been so rude, dismissive amd downright cruel to you over what appears to be, absolutely nothing.

I would definitely carry on as you are and take great delight in doing so.
Bully's like that who can dish it out but can't take it are despicable in my opinion.
If they want only 'family' then what they get (or don't) is down to their son/brother not doing his bit for his family.
Nothing to do with you after all!!!

Take pride in having such a decent sense of self worth and a family (yours) that do support and love you.

lazylinguist · 14/09/2021 12:43

YANBU. If you had lovely in-laws then I suppose you might want to facilitate contact, presents etc if your dh was useless at it (though it should still really be him that took the lead). But they are vile to you! You really really should not be feeling guilty about this!

MedusasButterDish · 14/09/2021 12:44

Haha, what a pity that you've killed the fiction that "their" boy (your DH) would be a wonderfully attentive fsmily member if only you had let him. Grin

ILoveAutumnShowers · 14/09/2021 12:47

I am finding it a lot easier to step back from them now my DC are older. When they were younger, I felt obliged to include them and suck it up, because my DC are their only DGC, and "family" is everything to my MIL, except if you are female and not blood that is.

Now my DC are older and doing their own thing I find it a lot easier as my DC don't want to hang out with them and are doing their own thing. My DC do not like them much. They think my MIL is nasty to me, my FIL is rude, and are indifferent to my SILs, their Aunts as they have never shown any interest in my DC. In fact, I would go as far as saying they are jealous of them getting any attention from PIL.

The reason I posted here is that it is my birthday next week and I end up getting stressed out about it because I know I will not get a card and it kind of spoils it for me that someone is actively being PA towards me on my one fucking day I get to have a nice time IYSWIM. I am a bit sensitive!

I don't think my DC are going to join in on going up to see them sitting on their sofa for 6 hours whilst MIL talks about herself and it will just be me and DH and what I want to do now is to be able to say to my DH that Ia m busy and he should go see HIS parents on his own, as I do.

OP posts:
CharlotteUnaNatalieThompson · 14/09/2021 12:48

Actually I disagree that the OP has a DH problem. Seems he can't be arsed to make an effort for a bunch of bullies. I think he's spot on! And even if he offered to host Christmas / Easter etc himself, it would be a flat out no to allowing people who are openly hostile and nasty to you into your home if I were in your shoes.

On the other hand if he's just as lazy and useless to you maybe you do have a DH problem....

Thecurtainsofdestiny · 14/09/2021 12:48

I read on here once, "feeling guilty is not an emergency".

It's an unpleasant feeling but that's all it is - a feeling.

LittleOwl153 · 14/09/2021 12:48

It seems a very odd way to live to me. But as you say it is entirely of her own making. I do t think you should feel guilty for leaving DHs family to DH to organise - independently of their opinion of you, so given their opinion it just confirms the thought really.

Maybe she'll come to the realisation that you are needed - but maybe she won't. But even if she does you don't need to respond.

She once told me that it doesn't matter what I do, say, or look like because I am nothing to do with her or her family and it won't reflect on her

You have your answer there... it doesn't matter what you do. Therefore maybe she will start to see your DH as useless?

How do your DC handle that side of the family. I'm assuming they are perhaps grown up now?

dayslikethese1 · 14/09/2021 12:48

Are they that horrible to everyone who joins their family? Sound like weird people. Definitely don't do the wife work, your DH can if he wants to.

burritofan · 14/09/2021 12:48

I don't think you should treat your MIL like this
Stop thinking of her as your MIL and start thinking of her as “that rude cunt parent of my lazy-as-fuck husband”.

CMOTDibbler · 14/09/2021 12:48

She told you that you aren't, and will never be, part of the family right? So all you are doing is going with what she said and behaving like it. Because you wouldn't do all that stuff for random people that don't even like you would you?
And if your dh doesn't like them enough to want to do cards/presents etc, then thats his choice to rightfully make to not be that bothered about people who are nasty to someone he loves.
So put that woman guilt in the F**k it bucket and move on

CharlotteUnaNatalieThompson · 14/09/2021 12:50

Cross posted...

Sorry, the plan for your birthday is that you and your dh visit your MIL???? FUCK. THAT.

If your dh chooses this on your birthday you have most definitely got a DH problem

forrestgreen · 14/09/2021 12:54

He has a crap family that he can't be arsed with. That's ok, and you definitely don't have to do it instead.
But does he put effort in for your birthday?? And don't expect a card off the il's and you won't be disappointed

LittleOwl153 · 14/09/2021 12:55

I think it is reasonable to give up visiting someone who thinks you are a nobody . I especially wouldn't want to sit there for 6hours (or do the required travel that implies!) Heck 2hr visits to my MIL were enough and she was pleasant and made an effort!!

Definitely do not do this on your birthday - of course you have other plans.

LittleOwl153 · 14/09/2021 12:56

Time to just expunge them from your life. That way you won't need to get upset /disappointed. Just decide they are no longer part of your life. Remove yourself from any conversation about them.

MyCatEatsPrawnCrackers · 14/09/2021 12:59

Why are you going to see them on your birthday?

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