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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to not want to see in laws

28 replies

Cloudsandrainbows · 22/01/2022 19:20

Long story as short as possible (sorry it's complicated) I haven't seen my in laws for nearly 5 years. DH sees them on a regular basis with DSD (now nearly 13yo, who lives with her mum/nan and stays with us once a fortnight), DD hasn't seen in laws since she was 2 (doesn't remember them) and DS has never met them. I don't deny their existence, my kids are aware they exist, they send a card as Xmas/birthday, but have had zero contact for 5 years. There was a big falling out with DSD mother, a lot of nasty things said, DSD has been emotionally abused by her mother for years, turned against me and her father and made up some lies which got taken seriously and I was forever more the wicked stepmother and banned by the mother from seeing DSD, a lot of blackmail was used, couldn't go to court as waiting times extreme, and she would have stopped my husband's contact with his daughter if we did. Thought it would blow over...it didn't....in laws took sides with DSD mother, agreed they'd have DSD on our weekends to keep her away from me, and that continued with my husband having her at his parents until the pandemic hit and they were shielding. By the end of 2020 DSD was once again allowed to see me, basically only because her mother wanted her weekends off back, and DSD wanted to come, but had been denied by her mother for years. The relationship between DSD and I will never be the same, I try but too much damage is done, however I support her having a relationship with her dad and siblings and just take a back seat. At the time of this falling out my in laws told my husband they wouldn't apologise to me as they didn't want me to have the upper hand? Not even sure what they meant by that. Anyway I was extremely hurt, I used to do a lot for them and DSD, but from then I simply didn't see them, they didn't call, the relationship was dead, and before you know it years had passed. My DH now wants us to all play happy families, and wants us all to go see his parents! Don't know why, this is him, not them asking, not even sure they want to see me, although he says they do, I've had no contact at all. To be quite honest life has been a lot easier without them in it! They have always helped my husband's ex with childcare, yet when pregnant with DD they made a point of saying on several occasions they wouldn't be looking after the baby?! Not that I had asked?! In the 2 years they were in Dd's life they never once baby say but had DSD and nieces and nephews often, which I always found a bit hurtful. My DD has ASD and was undergoing assesment when she was 2 and I always wondered if that was why? Anyway am I being unreasonable to not want to see in laws? Too much time has passed in my view and it would probably cause more problems, but I don't want to upset DH either. WWYD?

OP posts:
Santahasjoinedww · 22/01/2022 19:23

If anyone votes yabu you should deduce mil is on here.
Hell would freeze over before I saw them op.

MatildaTheCat · 22/01/2022 19:28

YANBU re in laws but whilst it’s really understandable that you still feel very upset with the lies DSD told she must have been what, 7 or 8? I
There’s still time to build bridges and have a happy family life. It must feel really sad to have her there with her little half siblings she barely knows and bad feelings between you.

StoneofDestiny · 22/01/2022 19:30

I'd leave it - nothing to be gained by it all. Your DH sees them and unless there is a desperate need for your child to see them I'd leave it as it is. It would be a sticking plaster without proper discussion, apology, and their desire to see their grandchild.

whitewashing · 22/01/2022 19:31

Not in a million years would I go!

Totalwasteofpaper · 22/01/2022 19:32

Yanbu

But your DHs role in all this Shock

RandomMess · 22/01/2022 19:34

I would tell DH that when I have a full and sincere apology from them I will give one visit a try.

Put the ball back in DH court

Fletchersromancing · 22/01/2022 19:38

I'd keep at NC. They sound horrible people and your partner needs to respect your boundaries.

DiscoGlitterBall · 22/01/2022 19:39

Hmmmm, what would DH gain out of this? Are his parent aged no and he can see that they will need more support?

I’d suggest keep the relationship is working fine as it is, your life sounds eminently better! I would suggest trying to set aside what DSD said 5 years ago, if you can you’re likely to have a much more productive and enjoyable relationship with her

MyMoneyIsAllSpent · 22/01/2022 19:42

No. I would definitely stay NC. I can't see that there is anything to be gained by seeing them.

Whatsonmymindgrapes · 22/01/2022 19:47

No way

Cloudsandrainbows · 22/01/2022 20:00

Unfortunately, her mother's hatred for me has never ended, things we're ok for a week or two, and I think there must be things being said to her as she barely says hello to me these days. I've asked my husband to talk to her but he doesn't see the problem, says that's just how she is!

OP posts:
LittleOwl153 · 22/01/2022 20:08

You have a DH problem.

  1. For him to feel that SD can be rude to you and it is just the way it is.
  2. For his mother to be horrific to you and refuse to apologise as you might have the upper hand and him it challenge that...

No way would I play happy families. Why the he'll should you just bend over and put up with more crap. He thinks as he has swept DSDs attitude to you under the carpet he can also brush his mother's attitude under the carpet. Because basically he doesn't care about you. He cares about you facilitating his life.

No way would I let the little ones into this bat shit either. Protect them from it otherwise he will turn them against you too!

Cloudsandrainbows · 22/01/2022 20:08

@DiscoGlitterBall yes they are of a certain age now, and that thought did cross my mind....am I just needed on side as help for them! They have recently moved to a remote location for some reason, but are not in great health and only one of them drives. I am happy as things are and have absolutely no desire to see them. Don't even feel upset or angry anymore, just not interested!
I try my best with DSD but her mother is so totally different to us, I am finding it hard to enforce our household rules. For a child of her age she is very very spoilt, has the latest phone, never puts it down, and the weekends are just being taxi driver for her social life! I know she'd like her own room, and she did used to have her own room which is now our son's room, and she shares with my daughter, but has her own bed and draw for her things. At her age I get her wanting her own space but we can't afford to move and she's here for 1 night a fortnight as she apparently doesn't want to come more than that (as said by her mother, who also knows if she came for 2 nights her maintenance payments would be reduced)

OP posts:
Cloudsandrainbows · 22/01/2022 20:14

In defence to DH he did ask his parents to apologise, they refused, they are funny people and he knows it. As for SD ... She has always pulled the wool over his eyes, and she is apparently the same with his parents...nice to know it's not just me, but I have said to him, he wouldn't allow our two to behave like that so he shouldn't allow her. However easier said than done, as she will go running home tell her mum and twist it, and he'll get a phone call or text of abuse and denied access. We've been here a thousand times before, so I can kind of understand why he doesn't say anything, as he's missed out on a lot of her life because of her mother's games already. However i think she's old enough to know what she's doing and make her own mind up, and hope she wouldn't listen to her mother's vile lies or opinions, or make them up herself, but she's learnt from the best, her mum is a master manipulator. She's had more boyfriends than I've had hot dinners and destroyed them all!

OP posts:
HeddaGarbled · 22/01/2022 20:18

Is it possible that they were being held over a barrel by the ex?

HeddaGarbled · 22/01/2022 20:20

In the same way that your husband has.

Chloemol · 22/01/2022 20:22

Wouldn’t be happening. I would tell dh he is welcome to go, but you won’t be

If he gets cross just tell him he never has your back, they have been awful over the years, list it all again, he has done nothing

You have no time for people like that in your life

Bargoed · 22/01/2022 20:24

Your in laws and your DH want you back onside for their future care - I would politely decline

Cloudsandrainbows · 22/01/2022 20:26

Yes it's possible they were potentially being told they wouldn't see DSD if they had contact with me or something, but don't to k that makes it any better, as they chose one grandchild over another, and they had no need to get involved. They called my husband's ex when he told them about the problems and told her they'd have DSD instead! So I can't see how they are an innocent party. Ok they wanted to make sure DH still had contact, but they could have just called her out for being a liar. They must have believed it all at one point I assume which was very hurtful. Either way they could have made contact any time in the last 5 years if they'd wanted to but haven't. Worse that can happen is O don't answer. If they were that interested in their grandkids would have thought they may have put some effort in

OP posts:
Darbs76 · 22/01/2022 20:27

I probably wouldn’t be happy to see them but why doesn’t your DH take your children to visit them?

Cloudsandrainbows · 22/01/2022 20:31

I think writing it down has helped, doesn't sound unreasonable at all now. I just don't want to argue about it. Our marriage has severely suffered over all this and we are in a good place at the moment, I don't want anything to ruin that, for me or the kids. Like I said he's never stopped seeing them, so not like he's losing out. He wants our kids to see his parents, but I've seen no evidence they want to see the kids. Maybe it is just because of their age, and he's worried they'll never meet their grandparents, which is sad, but I don't think the kids are missing out on anything. If they were old enough to make their own mind up about seeing them I'd ask them, but for now I'm sticking with a no thanks!

OP posts:
Cloudsandrainbows · 22/01/2022 20:36

@Darbs76 I don't think the kids would be comfortable without me. They both have additional needs which I don't think the in laws "believe in". But like I said it's DH asking not them, so not even sure why, what will he gain? He lost his grandparents as a child, maybe that's why, he's worried they'll never meet? Still don't see what either party would gain?

OP posts:
Teaandtoastedbiscuits · 22/01/2022 20:38

No way would I bother with them. If you do you would basically be telling them that it's OK to treat you like shit. If your husband wanted to sort it out he should have done so 5 years ago. All you would be gaining from this is more of the same drama you were dealing with back then. Well done for having your SD back in your home. I know it is her dad's house too but I would be very wary of having someone who has lied to the extent of causing this much upset under my roof. You have no guarantee that it won't happen again

Cloudsandrainbows · 22/01/2022 20:46

@Teaandtoastedbiscuits thanks for acknowledging how hard it is having her back. I was literally shaking first time she came. I don't feel comfortable at all when she's here. I'm really trying. I sorted out a draw for her, got her new sheets and bath towel before she first came back and I'm sure she was just as nervous as me. Awkward thing is, I don't know how much she remembers or knows, or was told about why she hadn't seen me for so many years, and not like I can ask! Like I said I try to take a back seat, but she is so rude sometimes, pushing food round the plate, then as soon as I leave the room tells her dad she doesn't like it, ends up eating crisps 5 minutes after dinner, even when she has eaten it. Doesn't give suggestions when asked what food she does like. Turned her nose up at snacks as expected constant supply of sweets to be kept for her, doesn't say hello or goodbye unless promoted by her dad, never put the mobile phone down! Doesn't come or demands a different pick up drop off place and time depending on her social schedule! Maybe I'm being over dramatic and that's what 13 yr olds are like these days?? I just think it's one day a fortnight, I make my own plans just ensure she is catered for and leave her to my husband to deal with. We've done family games and bonding activities, makes no difference.

OP posts:
Teaandtoastedbiscuits · 24/01/2022 08:19

@Cloudsandrainbows Tbh I don't see how you can do much more than you are doing. Her behaviour in my experience re phone and manners are kind of typical of a 13 year old. I suppose going forward all you can wish for is your sd realises that her mother has a tendency to lie and engineered the situation to what it is now. This as you probably know yourself would be better learned without any input from you. As for your inlaws that is entirely up to them to apologise and make up for. The less you say the less you can be blamed for. You will have a much easier life without them in it.