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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not want SIL at baby's first birthday party?

23 replies

Imalrightme · 24/06/2023 11:25

My partners sister (will call her SIL) don't get on, we're not even civil. We did prior to my LO being born but she out of the blue decided I was disrespectful to her parents by not letting them regularly babysit my LO when he was just a couple months old, started calling me all names under the sun and made nasty and vulgar remarks about my choice to breastfeed. I decided at that point I'd have nothing more to do with her, the things she said are too vulgar and nasty to even post here. My partner still speaks to her, and I've seen her once at a family event since the fall out, where we didn't acknowledge each other.

I'm fine with this set up as I genuinely want nothing to do with such a horrid person but my LOs first birthday is coming up and SIL has children who I would want to come to the party, and I imagine my partners family will expect SIL to be invited as well.

I'm struggling with what to do, I could be a people pleaser and invite her and have the memory of my baby's first birthday be tainted by the presence of someone I intensely dislike (and who doesn't like me), making me feel on edge and uncomfortable throughout the day, and keep the family happy. But then I will only get this day once, and I want it to be a happy and positive day to remember and it just simply won't be if she's there.

AIBU? What would you do? Don't want my partner and his family to be upset about SIL not being there but the way she spoke to me was beyond unacceptable and I really don't want someone like that in my life never mind present at such an important event.

OP posts:
Tinkerbyebye · 24/06/2023 11:27

Personally I would talk to your partner and tell him why you don’t want his sister there and she is not being invited

However I don’t think you can invite her children either and that’s the price you have to pay

i would rather none there than some and a big fall out

Rainrainstayawaytilseptember · 24/06/2023 11:29

Invite her. Let her be the one who causes a family rift if she can't behave. If you don't invite the ble will forever be in you.
Ime.
Just leave her to dh to 'manage'. A brief hello from you and then enjoy the day!

StephanieSuperpowers · 24/06/2023 11:30

Leave it to your partner to decide. His family, his choice, his problem.

Quitelikeit · 24/06/2023 11:31

I think you have to grin and bear it.

Having discord with the in-laws makes for an uncomfortable life. And it rarely is worth the aggro

AndTheSurveySays · 24/06/2023 11:32

I'd say the children are invited but that she isn't welcome.

Kirstyshine · 24/06/2023 11:34

I think I’d celebrate with my friends/my side of the family only this year: I think 1st birthdays, especially of first child, are as much about the parents’ celebrating their new family as about the child itself, but future birthdays will be increasingly all about them as an individual, and I’d want to keep the heat out of this difficult relationship so as to promote the possibility of cousins coming to future birthdays.

Or I’d accept having to invite her and set up closest friends/family to be on guard as buffers. And i’d take some time to celebrate in a smaller way separately, even if only drinks with husband, too.

OliviaFlaversham · 24/06/2023 11:35

You do not have to tolerate people like that. You just don’t. Someone who could make remarks so vulgar about breastfeeding you can’t post them, must be pretty vile and I wouldn’t want that toxicity in my life or my children’s. Don’t invite her!

rainbowstardrops · 24/06/2023 11:35

Has your partner addressed her behaviour towards you to her?
If you do decide to invite her (I'm not sure I would), I'd be making it clear to your partner that he deals with any horrible behaviour. Hopefully she wouldn't be nasty on your child's first birthday though.

ImustLearn2Cook · 24/06/2023 11:36

You can’t invite her children and not her. But, you can have boundaries. Make it very clear to her that she is to treat you with respect. If she doesn’t, you’ll be asking her to leave.

headcheffer · 24/06/2023 11:37

I was in your position and I invited her against my better judgement. She ruined my child's first birthday by kicking off and causing a huge family row. I can never get that day back, and so if you think she might ruin the day then don't invite her.

Youtoldmeonce · 24/06/2023 11:37

Do you have to have a party? Why not just you, DP & LO go somewhere special for the day ( e.g. zoo, picnic).

Luxell934 · 24/06/2023 11:37

Kirstyshine · 24/06/2023 11:34

I think I’d celebrate with my friends/my side of the family only this year: I think 1st birthdays, especially of first child, are as much about the parents’ celebrating their new family as about the child itself, but future birthdays will be increasingly all about them as an individual, and I’d want to keep the heat out of this difficult relationship so as to promote the possibility of cousins coming to future birthdays.

Or I’d accept having to invite her and set up closest friends/family to be on guard as buffers. And i’d take some time to celebrate in a smaller way separately, even if only drinks with husband, too.

That seems really unfair to only invite one side of the family to a first birthday?

Lagershandy · 24/06/2023 11:39

Youtoldmeonce · 24/06/2023 11:37

Do you have to have a party? Why not just you, DP & LO go somewhere special for the day ( e.g. zoo, picnic).

This!!!

Whippetlovely · 24/06/2023 11:39

I would not invite her, why would you as she’s been so vile? What did your husband say about the comments she said to you. Surely he is not happy with her behaviour toward you?

Probationnotontarget · 24/06/2023 11:39

I’d talk to the grandparents and explain the children are welcome but SIL isn’t if they want to arrange bringing them. They won’t come.

Anyone asks - just be truthful.

Merryoldgoat · 24/06/2023 11:41

I’m obviously in the minority but

  1. if she was so objectionable why is your partner still speaking to her? My sister would be told I’m to uncertain terms to fuck off if she did similar to my husband.
  2. I don’t any anyone in my house if I don’t want them there so she’d not be invited.
  3. If you don’t want SIL in your life, make your peace with having no relationship with her children. You can’t have it all ways.
billy1966 · 24/06/2023 11:43

So your partner is involved with someone who treated you so badly?

I would say No and if the children can't come, so be it.

Similarly if your in laws can't make it.

Invite those that are close only.

Your partner sounds very disloyal which is not good.

LeilaDarling · 24/06/2023 11:43

I was in a similar situation as you but it was with brother in law instead and it was over my wedding. He came and near on ruined the day; I look back with hardly any fond memories of what was meant to be a special day.

Flamingoingmad44 · 24/06/2023 11:44

If the dislike is as mutual as you say, she won't want to come either but is probably banking on not getting an invite because it gives her something else to bitch about...invite her and if she does attend ( I wouldn't be surprised at a last minute illness that means the kids go but she doesn't anyway)watch her squirm while you kill her with kindness 😆🤣
A smile hits where a thousand daggers miss..
Good luck! Hope your little one has a fantastic birthday! X

RoachFish · 24/06/2023 12:11

I was in your situation with my ex-SIL too who basically decided before even meeting me that she didn't like me and that she wasn't going to treat me well. We plodded along for almost two decades being civil to each other until she flipped completely and started to accusing me of all sorts of horrible things I have never done. At that point I just dropped her completely and told everyone that I will never speak to her again. My ex continued being close with her though and that definitely contributed towards our separation. I couldn't respect a man who couldn't stand up for me because he was scared of his sisters temper. I don't regret the stand I took and it would have been detrimental to my health to sweep what she did under the carpet. I am sure me and my ex would have divorced anyway at some later point, this just moved it forward. I am not saying this so that you will forgive your SIL to save your relationship with your partner, I am saying stick up for yourself because your partner isn't and don't invite her.

Dontjudgeme101 · 24/06/2023 12:17

Youtoldmeonce · 24/06/2023 11:37

Do you have to have a party? Why not just you, DP & LO go somewhere special for the day ( e.g. zoo, picnic).

I would do this.

FluffyFlannery · 24/06/2023 12:21

Merryoldgoat · 24/06/2023 11:41

I’m obviously in the minority but

  1. if she was so objectionable why is your partner still speaking to her? My sister would be told I’m to uncertain terms to fuck off if she did similar to my husband.
  2. I don’t any anyone in my house if I don’t want them there so she’d not be invited.
  3. If you don’t want SIL in your life, make your peace with having no relationship with her children. You can’t have it all ways.

Absolutely agree with this.

gavisconismyfriend · 24/06/2023 12:25

Do something special just the three of you on actual birthday. Then have a party a different day and invite everyone including SIL. That way she can’t ruin the actual day but also can’t bitch she wasn’t invited.

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