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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

BIL GF is just a bit ' off '

50 replies

gabbah · 29/04/2024 19:58

Very tight family unit, so try to keep that in mind when considering what I'm about to write.

We don't see each other twice a year, but it's more like, every other weekend or sometimes every weekend. We live very close.

BIL has been with GF over a year and we've spent a fair bit of time with them.

We don't know her very well of course, it's not been long enough.

However I just find her a bit off sometimes.

They come over and she just sits on her phone for hours, barely engaging. You always have to try to start conversations first. She seems like she can't really be bothered. Before anyone comes at me, the close family thing is also something she's used to. So it shouldn't be strange for her, that this is our set up. It's also like that in her own family.

She was over recently and thought nothing of turning her back on me. The way she positioned herself in the room, meant she had her back to me. If it had been me, I would always switch positions so that I didn't turn my back on anyone. It's rude. There was space. She could have sat elsewhere.

It just always feels a bit off. I wouldn't go to someone's house and just sit on my phone or turn my back on the host ( or anyone ).

I am obviously very warm with her when we see each other etc and try and make her feel as welcome as I can.

I will give it more time and always be polite and welcoming as I love BIL, but finding it a bit difficult sometimes. Things may get better. I didn't have a great feeling from the start and thought that giving it time, would make things better, but it's just not getting any better.

She probably fucking hates us or something, who knows but it's just not ideal.

OP posts:
neverknowinglyunreasonable · 29/04/2024 20:02

If she's on her phone with her back to you then send her a message saying "Peekaboo, I'm behind you".

When she turns around throw a custard pie in her face. Hilarity will ensure and you'll become firm friends.

Itiswhysofew · 29/04/2024 20:06

If that's how she prefers to behave, let her. Don't bother engaging with her. She obviously doesn't want to be there, so why should you put in the effort.

FanofLeaves · 29/04/2024 20:07

Well she’s probably bored, as I would be if I had to go to someone’s house every weekend.

I wouldn’t be rude though. More likely I’d have plans of my own and only stay for a bit to be polite.

AntisocialPotNoodle · 29/04/2024 20:08

Maybe she's all family familyed out and would much rather be at home or out somewhere as a couple. Seeing you every weekend is excessive.

DojaPhat · 29/04/2024 20:09

What does your husband say about it? Are you close enough with BiL to ask?

Tbh if it's becoming too much like hard work then leave her to it tbh.

Cm19841 · 29/04/2024 20:09

"it's more like, every other weekend or sometimes every weekend. We live very close..."

This frequency in contact doesn't work for everyone and it sounds like she doesn't want it or enjoy it.

gabbah · 29/04/2024 20:09

AntisocialPotNoodle · 29/04/2024 20:08

Maybe she's all family familyed out and would much rather be at home or out somewhere as a couple. Seeing you every weekend is excessive.

It's mostly every other weekend. I see my brother in law more sometimes. But her, every other weekend to once a month or so.

That still may be excessive to some people of course. But she's the same with her family.

Some people see their family as their friends too and like to spend time with them.

OP posts:
WinterDeWinter · 29/04/2024 20:10

I would literally go insane if I had to see someone else's family every week. I mean, I really would.

She might hate it but just about be able to hack it with her own family because she's allowed to go on her phone.

SuperGreens · 29/04/2024 20:10

Neurodiverse?

Dacadactyl · 29/04/2024 20:11

It's rude in the extreme.

She's not being forced there with a gun to her head. Being on your phone in company is the height of rudeness.

Haydenn · 29/04/2024 20:12

I’d imagine she’s bored out of her tiny mind. You say you’re not that close yet…being forced to spend nearly every weekend with people you’re not that close to sounds like a fucking trial. She must love your BIL very much.

Cm19841 · 29/04/2024 20:12

So if she is seeing her family one weekend and then your family the next weekend, (or every weekend) when does she see other friends, colleagues, have activities, exercise, time to herself etc?

gabbah · 29/04/2024 20:12

WinterDeWinter · 29/04/2024 20:10

I would literally go insane if I had to see someone else's family every week. I mean, I really would.

She might hate it but just about be able to hack it with her own family because she's allowed to go on her phone.

It's rarely every weekend though. Read my post and updates properly. I'm not forcing her to come and I don't even invite them.

It's brother in law. He just turns up.

OP posts:
FanofLeaves · 29/04/2024 20:13

well if she’s like that with her own family then expected to be exactly the same with yours then it’s all a bit much isn’t it, I’d go insane.

PoopingAllTheWay · 29/04/2024 20:13

At the end of the day, it doesnt matter if you like her or not, you arent in a relationship with her

MountCaramel · 29/04/2024 20:14

I would limit the number of times I saw her and restrict it to an activity. So, for example a walk, coffee or lunch with a time limit of 1.5hours once month/every 6 weeks. She may become more engaged in conversation if you do this. It's very obvious she is bored because she is seeing you all too often, so there's nothing to keep her stimulated.

MountCaramel · 29/04/2024 20:15

gabbah · 29/04/2024 20:12

It's rarely every weekend though. Read my post and updates properly. I'm not forcing her to come and I don't even invite them.

It's brother in law. He just turns up.

Well he's bored of her then if he turns up at yours instead of taking her out.

MermaidEyes · 29/04/2024 20:15

I'm guessing she just doesn't want to be there so often and would rather be seeing her own family or doing something else entirely. Can't blame her really, although spending hours on her phone is still pretty rude.
I'm so glad my husband isn't close to his family. I would hate this.

MalibuBarbieDreamHouse · 29/04/2024 20:17

neverknowinglyunreasonable · 29/04/2024 20:02

If she's on her phone with her back to you then send her a message saying "Peekaboo, I'm behind you".

When she turns around throw a custard pie in her face. Hilarity will ensure and you'll become firm friends.

This tickled me 😂

LlynTegid · 29/04/2024 20:18

Why not say to your BIL that you think she would rather not come, and you would not be offended if she chose not to?

gabbah · 29/04/2024 20:19

@MountCaramel they go out loads as well and away on trips a lot. I guess when they have down time, they come over. Also to see his nephews ( our boys ) who are little and they love to play with them.

OP posts:
gabbah · 29/04/2024 20:20

LlynTegid · 29/04/2024 20:18

Why not say to your BIL that you think she would rather not come, and you would not be offended if she chose not to?

She doesn't come every time. She maybe comes once a month or very occasionally twice a month if there's a birthday or something like that.

I don't want to say anything at all to him. I don't want him to know any of it.

OP posts:
gabbah · 29/04/2024 20:22

MermaidEyes · 29/04/2024 20:15

I'm guessing she just doesn't want to be there so often and would rather be seeing her own family or doing something else entirely. Can't blame her really, although spending hours on her phone is still pretty rude.
I'm so glad my husband isn't close to his family. I would hate this.

What about if you liked his family ?

So is it OK to hang out with friends once every couple of weeks ? Or is that also too much ? Or does it just bother people that it's family hanging out ?

OP posts:
Traumdeuter · 29/04/2024 20:23

I don't want to say anything at all to him. I don't want him to know any of it.

What do you want to happen?

Manchestermummax3 · 29/04/2024 20:23

neverknowinglyunreasonable · 29/04/2024 20:02

If she's on her phone with her back to you then send her a message saying "Peekaboo, I'm behind you".

When she turns around throw a custard pie in her face. Hilarity will ensure and you'll become firm friends.

Brilliant! 🤣👏