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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Would you say anything about DBIL being grumpy and horrid to Dsis? Or about shouty parenting?

11 replies

Withnailandyou · 27/12/2021 09:31

I've just spent a few days with my Dsis and Dbil over Christmas in a rented vacation home for Christmas

We have a bit of a distant relationship as shes several years older than me, but get on well in general

During this time Dbil has been consistently rude, he's been sat with headphones on watching movies on his phone, or snoozing on the sofa. He's barely engaged with the wider family, and seems to be communicating with Dsis via huffs and puffs. All the interactions between them were some form of argument to be honest

I dont feel that the relationship is abusive as much as constantly snippy? She did snip at him a few times to be fair. He's perfectly happy interacting with his family, has hobbies etc and is usually okay (although frequently "absent" via playing on phone, watching something different to the rest of the family but usually to a much lesser extent)

They also have a preschooler kid, who he huffed and puffed at. They both are shouty parents in general which I find tricky and have tried not to judge. For example going to bed is always "look just go to bed will you". My mom has had a heart to heart this week to try to be less shouty
but I heard him calling their kid stupid more than once which doesn't feel right and seems a step too far

Obviously as her sister I want to tell her that it's not okay that he treats her like that, that parenting would be easier without him. I don't want to make her feel judged or make her defensive so stop talking to me about it

Would you say anything?

OP posts:
pickingdaisies · 27/12/2021 09:33

Maybe start by asking her if everything is ok?

mermaidgiraffe · 27/12/2021 09:34

Hard to say really as it could go either way. If you're not close I would just ask how she found the holiday and if she enjoyed it. If she wants to talk about it then you've given her an opportunity.

TooWicked · 27/12/2021 09:35

Yes - I’d start with, “I’m worried about you, is everything ok between you and…” and then take it from there.

Prettyhorrified · 27/12/2021 09:39

Calling their child stupid is disgraceful!

3WildOnes · 27/12/2021 09:48

Did he call his child stupid to his face? That is awful if so.
Yes, I would start by asking your sister if everything is OK.

Palavah · 27/12/2021 09:49

Suggest a walk to her, so you can ask her if everything is ok well out of sight and earshot.

user1471539385 · 27/12/2021 09:49

Please don’t say anything to DBIL. If your sister has a problematic relationship, calling him out may well cause him to make it more difficult for her to spend time with the family. If your relationship with her is not close, don’t bring it up with her. You probably aren’t the person she wants to talk to about it. Just be supportive and make more of an effort to be there for her. Family members are ‘acceptable friends’ for a dominant spouse, so being more available to her and supportive is probably the best thing you can do for her atm.

Withnailandyou · 27/12/2021 12:56

Thanks for all your responses, it's useful to know.
I come from a non shouty family, and its hard to tell whats normal in families.

OP posts:
LaChanticleer · 27/12/2021 13:36

Obviously as her sister I want to tell her that it's not okay that he treats her like that, that parenting would be easier without him. I don't want to make her feel judged or make her defensive so stop talking to me about it

Really, don't say anything. Just be there for her when she finally gets rid of him (had a similar situation in my family - it's so much calmer now ...)

Takemine · 27/12/2021 13:39

I don't think I would say anything but I'd try to build a closer connection.

Withnailandyou · 27/12/2021 21:04

@LaChanticleer

Obviously as her sister I want to tell her that it's not okay that he treats her like that, that parenting would be easier without him. I don't want to make her feel judged or make her defensive so stop talking to me about it

Really, don't say anything. Just be there for her when she finally gets rid of him (had a similar situation in my family - it's so much calmer now ...)

I worry that she must think I don't care as I don't say anything but equally I feel like most people need to come to that conclusion by themselves
OP posts:
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