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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Sil complaining about her birthday card. AIBU to be at the end of my tether with her?

99 replies

SilIssuesAgain · 20/04/2023 14:19

Bit of background – Me and dh have had a stressful 3 years. I would say the worse 3 years of my life. Starting with my son from age 2 to 3 who had behavioural issues and a big language delay. He would run off outside and would not listen to instructions and had no sense of danger. He would hit me on purpose and by accident – I have had black eyes, blooded noses, bust lips and countless bruises from him. When he turned 3 we started on the year long process of getting him an autism diagnosis and getting the right help. The whole process was slow and it kept me up at night with worry. Worry about the future and if I am doing enough, getting the right help for him. Both me and my dh ended up on anti depressants because of this. He started to improve with his behaviour and language since turing 4 but he still has a language / communication delay. The whole thing has been a very long emotionally difficult time for me. So we decided to have another baby but at 24 weeks I ended up hospitalised with phenomena for 5 days because I had breathing difficulties and felt reduced movement from the baby. Then my baby was not growing any more and I had to have an induction and then an emergency c section. Then my 1 week old daughter was hospitalised with seizures for 6 days. This was the scariest few days of my life and it just felt like one thing after another. They think it was meningitis. She is also quite a difficult baby and still does not sleep well so we are both quite busy and exhausted from the last few years.

Bit of background with Sil – since I have known her Sil has always made demands on our time and it is not a two way street. Like she expected us to break lockdown rules at Christmas and travel 60 miles to clean Mil's rental property (it would have taken 3 hours by public transport since we both could not drive at the time). She of course was not going to help clean. One time she arrived in a neighbouring city next to us early and she than expected us to drop what we doing to come see her (it would have been an expensive taxi ride to get there on time). She would ask for expensive makeup that costs £40-60 from us for every birthday and Christmas and she would get us a £5-10 gift in return. On Christmas day when we would stay at Mil’s house (pre dc) she would bang on our bedroom door at 7am because she wanted us to open presents together (mostly watch her open presents and be stroppy if she got something she did not like). One Christmas she asked for a 20 pounds and a 40 pounds make-up item and we only got her the 20 pounds items since money was a bit tighter that year, and she actually said is that i! Mil would want help with Christmas prepping (perfectly reasonable) but every year Sil would point at me an dh when Mil asked who would help, she never once helped out. When at our house she does not lift a finger while here – she would not even take her own plate away after I made lunch. Tantrums or stroppy behaviour if you dont want to do what she wants. There is also her behaviour which both annoys me and I find odd – examples are - at my sons christening he started to cry when the water was poured on his head and she started laughing out loud. When my autistic ds pronounced something wrong and she said what was that and started laughing. Frankly at this point I do not want her around my son if she is going to laugh at things he struggles with due to his autism.
There is also massive boundary issues that is also a one way street. - like asking private information about us and our family but she would get annoyed with dh if he did the same, her personal life is private. She asked to attend dc's first video appointment with the paediatrician for his autism diagnoses. It really feels like she expects special treatment from dh.

Sil has just complained to dh that her birthday card is not signed with our children names on it. She did not enquire as to my well-being when I was in hospital with pneumonia while pregnant and she did not come to see my daughter while in the hospital with seizures yet she is complaining about her birthday card – wtf?
AIBU to be annoyed at this point by her behaviour and to ask what is actually wrong with her?

OP posts:
shellyleppard · 21/04/2023 18:03

I definitely would tell her!!!

moonspiral · 21/04/2023 18:05

SilIssuesAgain · 20/04/2023 17:50

She asked to attend dc's first video appointment with the paediatrician for his autism diagnoses. It really feels like she expects special treatment from dh.

And how exactly is your husband responding to this? Or does it all get directed to you.

He asked me if she should join the call - I had to tell him no it is our private family matter and it is unreasonable for her to ask. He cant seem to see her behaviour is unreasonable.

What is wrong with him?!

Anele22 · 21/04/2023 18:11

Christinatherabbit · 20/04/2023 16:55

I also think she sounds like she possibly has undiagnosed autism

I was thinking this too

CountryMouse22 · 21/04/2023 18:13

She sounds like a sociopath! Have nothing more to do with her, if at all possible.

Sweetnhappy1 · 21/04/2023 18:55

Neurodiversity tends to run in families and autism can present quite differently in women than in men. Do you think that perhaps she may have her own diagnosis? You mentioned your son's diagnostic process...

oosha · 21/04/2023 18:56

Honestly tell her to fuck off, she is a total nut job and you don’t need that kind of drama, what a silly cow she is.

2bazookas · 21/04/2023 19:00

Tell DH your plate is full, and there's no room for SIL in your life.
If he wishes to maintain a relationship with her, leave you out of it.

Rosejasmine · 21/04/2023 19:12

NurseCranesRolodex · 20/04/2023 15:57

Gut reaction based on much experience, she sounds like she has autism. If she has never had support for that then it is nigh on impossible she will ever change her ways. The inappropriate laughing & emotional response, lack of boundaries, not being able to empathise, being offensive, being self centric. Not everyone with autism is like this obviously but unfortunately lots are. She probably needs help to understand herself and gain insight into how others feel when she engages in certain behaviour.

If she has been assessed and definitely isn't on the spectrum then I would immediately stop indulging her. I would go low contact and give literal, black and white explanations to why you can't do various things, that leaves no negotiation room, 'It won't be possible for us to come, have fun/No we can't move your sofa, do you know a number for man with a van/Our children are our priority now, child presents only from now on!'.

That was one of my first thoughts.

user1471538283 · 21/04/2023 19:14

Your DH needs to knock it all in the head. No presents for adults except his DM and then some flowers or chocolates. You've got your DC to buy for

Or you let him do it all with her. Disengage completely. She sounds jealous, spiteful and attention seeking.

Weallgottachangesometime · 21/04/2023 19:29

Oh god I couldn’t handle this. Honestly I just limit contact with her as much as possible. I’m assuming cutting contact completely isn’t an option??

Any message re gifts/attending appointment etc should just be ignored. Completely ignored. Then if she asks just reply truthfully and bluntly. “I didn’t reply because I thought it was really weird to ask to attend a medical appointment for my child when it is none of your business”.

if I were you I’d tell her that you are cutting back at xmas and will now only be buying present for children and in-laws, not other adults and that you don’t expect any presents from anyone. I’ve never once bought my SIL a gift.

Whatafliberty · 22/04/2023 00:33

Gut reaction based on much experience, she sounds like she has autism. If she has never had support for that then it is nigh on impossible she will ever change her ways. The inappropriate laughing & emotional response, lack of boundaries, not being able to empathise, being offensive, being self centric. Not everyone with autism is like this obviously but unfortunately lots are. She probably needs help to understand herself and gain insight into how others feel when she engages in certain behaviour.
THIS

YDBear · 22/04/2023 01:53

She sounds like a total tossed and I don’t understand why you would give her the time of day. Who the hell gives a toss about whose name is on a birthday card?

MarvellousMonsters · 22/04/2023 07:38

Summerfun54321 · 20/04/2023 15:39

There's no need to swear at her or tell her to f off. I have a tricky BIL who I just say "that's rude" every time he's rude. It actually works quite well. It sounds like she doesn't have a lot of emotional intelligence.

This is how to handle her behaviour. Calmly, clearly.

I have to say I do wonder if she has some kind of SEN type issues (it tends to run in families, and if there's no history of autism in your family, it's likely it's from DHs family) as she seems to have no concept of what's acceptable and reasonable.

Mollymoostoo · 22/04/2023 08:33

SilIssuesAgain · 20/04/2023 15:54

How old is she, OP? She is 33 but the younger sister of the family. Yes I think the whole family indulge her childish behaviour. I am the only one in the family that seems to think there is a problem with her behaviour.

To anyone who pushed me to forgive and make amends I just replied "why do you think I should let someone who makes fun of my child in our lives?" Thanks I will use this, I need to make a list of good responsesso I dont just get angry or swear in the moment.

You absolutely do not have to accept her behavior. Being treated this way by family makes it even worse than if it was a random stranger. The woman has issues, you need to do what you think is best. I had to go NC from my M. In wasn't rude but I wrote to her telling her our relationship was toxic and for my own MH and my children's, she should stay away.
The issue here is your DH. He needs to deal with this behavior.

SilIssuesAgain · 22/04/2023 08:44

Do you think that perhaps she may have her own diagnosis? I don't think she is as it would be used as a way to guilt trip us by Mil and attention seeking or a way to get things by Sil.

I’m assuming cutting contact completely isn’t an option? No I can't get dh to even understand her behaviour is unreasonable.

OP posts:
Daffodilsandtuplips · 22/04/2023 09:03

Just stop it all, stop buying her the gifts she demands, a ten pound gift card is enough. OK she’ll kick off most likely but let her, and don’t apologise or back down. And tell her not to laugh at your son ever again or if she does she’ll never be allowed to see your children again. No you won’t travel three hours to clean MIL house at her demands. If it’s that bad she can pay for a one off deep clean.

Rosula · 22/04/2023 09:17

SilIssuesAgain · 20/04/2023 14:41

We did not go to clean Mil's house but you get stroppy behaviour and made to feel unreasonable if you don't give into her demands. After 14 years of her and her being bothered about the inside of a birthday card when she could not be bothered to ask how I was when I was in hospital with pneumonia or visit my daughter in the hospital I am really at the end of my tether with her. I do feel like texting her she is selfish entitled and to just f*k off.

Surely that needs to be your husband's response - not telling her to fuck off, but saying she has no right to complain when she showed so little interest when you and your daughter were ill. In general it sounds like you need to distance yourselves as much as possible. You have enough on your plate without dealing with this overgrown child.

Brefugee · 22/04/2023 09:19

just stop giving in to her demands, and DH can buy here a 10 quid voucher for christmas / birthdays going forward. You don't need to have any contact with her at all if you don't want. DH can decide for himself.

Bignanny30 · 22/04/2023 11:36

It sounds like she has got some mental issues. What do your in laws say ?

threatmatrix · 22/04/2023 12:21

I would not be in her company because I would be telling her to go feck herself.
on the other subject I don’t understand why you’d have another child? You say you are struggling with your son and are on antidepressants, you are also short of money so why add to your burden? You also say your daughter is a difficult baby but we’re you not prepared for this seeing as your son has difficulties.

SilIssuesAgain · 22/04/2023 12:53

It sounds like she has got some mental issues. What do your in laws say ? They don't think there is any issue with Sil's or Mil's because dh and his brother are just so used to their behaviour and have not been able to set boundaries well into adulthood.

on the other subject I don’t understand why you’d have another child? You say you are struggling with your son and are on antidepressants Since turning 4 ds has been improving with behaviour and language after I have been using speech therapy at home and getting him the right help and ECHP for school etc. It was between the age of 3 and 4 I was on antidepressants when going through the journey of getting him diagnosed / not being in denial and coming to terms with it. We wanted another child so that he will have close family when me and dh are no longer around.
you are also short of money so why add to your burden? we are not really short of money (obviously had to budget more the last year with new baby, cost of living and energy prices but so have most families surely). This was when we were both just finishing being students and dh starting a job and we had to save for moving costs etc and did not have the spare money to waste on a 60 pounds gift for Sil. Even in that situation Sil asked for a 60 pounds gift. Now with cost of living and 2 children Christmas is expensive enough why would we spend that on an entitled Sil?

You also say your daughter is a difficult baby but we’re you not prepared for this seeing as your son has difficulties It is with her sleeping, colic and her teeting early. Ds was a good sleeper who took teething well compared to my daughter. It was more to just summarise what we going through for the past 3 years and that we are at a busy more stressful time of our lives and my Sil is sooo self absorbed that she cares about what is inside a birthday card. She did not ask about me when I was in hopsital for 5 days or come to see my daughter in the hospital but she is going on about a card. And with her behaviour the past 14 years and our last 3 years with have had I am just like fuck it I am done with her, it is the straw that broke the camels back. I am going even more low contact, making even less effort with her and going to be super passive aggressive, and if she laughs at my son again I will tell her exactly what I think of her and say if it happens again she will not being seeing my son.

OP posts:
woodhill · 22/04/2023 12:56

What does she do for you OP

Does she buy you anything nice?

Snapfel · 22/04/2023 13:08

Whatafliberty · 22/04/2023 00:33

Gut reaction based on much experience, she sounds like she has autism. If she has never had support for that then it is nigh on impossible she will ever change her ways. The inappropriate laughing & emotional response, lack of boundaries, not being able to empathise, being offensive, being self centric. Not everyone with autism is like this obviously but unfortunately lots are. She probably needs help to understand herself and gain insight into how others feel when she engages in certain behaviour.
THIS

Just came on to say this. I'm autistic too so not being horrible.

ILoveEYFS · 22/04/2023 19:04

My exSIL was very similar. She is the youngest and only girl. ExMIL had XH and his 2 bros in 3 years. SIL arrived 5 years later. She is also very spoilt, a teacher too (no idea how she copes!!) One Christmas the 3 brothers bought her furniture she had asked for £200ish. She threw a hissy fit about not liking it and the boys put their hands in their pockets and gave her £50 each. I found the grey rock worked for my sanity and she did eventually stop digging. I have nothing to do with her now and it is bliss.

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