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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not spend the whole week in the All-Inclusive that my sister paid for? She called me a CF

438 replies

HitTheLight · 17/08/2024 17:48

I’ve ruffled a few feathers in the family but I personally don’t feel I’ve done anything wrong. My sister eloped with her lovely DH in March, they’ve been together over a decade and have 3 children already so they didn’t see the point in a big white wedding. They invited us all to lunch the day after to tell us the news then surprised us saying they wanted to take us all on holiday to a lovely all-inclusive. Invited on the holiday (other than them and their DC, obviously) was me, my DP, our brother and his girlfriend, and my parents. Her DH is Australian and his family are over there hence why his side of the family weren’t included.

They were very generous. We were only expected to pay for flights but that was fine given it’s a destination covered by dirt
cheap RyanAir flights. My parents have always been quite poor so the idea of a holiday abroad was a real novelty for them. We were all incredibly grateful, lots of hugs and tears over the dinner table.

We’re on the holiday now, 5 days in and it has been quite stressful. Sister and her DH have left the resort every day together so far for “couple time” leaving us with the DC for 6+ plus. They said it’s a wedding celebration combined with their honeymoon hence why they want time alone during the day but to then come and drink with us on the evenings (though my poor DM is usually stuck in the hotel room with sleeping children). One child is a toddler so it’s been hard work. My parents, me and my brother have been splitting childcare mostly. Nobody feels as though they can say anything because Dsis and her DH paid for the holiday.

Me and my DP have been getting a bit bored, and yesterday at breakfast we announced we were going out for the day. We’re on a gorgeous island in the Mediterranean with so much history and culture and we wanted to explore. We announced we were going to look at some buildings and then eat out for the evening and that we’d see everyone later. Nothing was said. We said anyone was welcome to come but nobody fancied where we were going.

When we got back we headed to our usual spot where we tend to congregate for evening drinks. We noticed a vibe from everyone so I asked what was up. Dsis then said she found it “fucking cheeky” for us to leave the resort for dinner when she has already “paid for all of your meals” and that she felt I was ungrateful. My dad said me and DH seemed off at breakfast and he also felt it was a bit cheeky of us to announce we wanted to get out of the hotel for the day. I tried to apologise and state that it’s been lovely and we adore the hotel but that we just want to see the island, but a few drinks had been had and it got heated (I did end up feeling quite hurt so made a comment about how they have used mum for childcare, which didn’t go down well) so everyone went to bed. I tried to reconcile at breakfast this morning but there was still a lot of tension, so we’ve mainly been in our rooms.

Were we cheeky?

OP posts:
coldcallerbaiter · 17/08/2024 19:42

But the grandparents are there, so it cannot be a childcare issue in that day unless the gp left the resort too?

pizzaHeart · 17/08/2024 19:43

HitTheLight · 17/08/2024 19:25

Her husband also made a ‘joke‘ about how we’d offer to take the easiest kid out and not the others.

I think after that remark we can be absolutely sure that her tantrum and comments were because she counted on you for childcare. Otherwise her DH won’t be saying anything like this.
Her comments about DBro needing practice are also very telling. She obviously couldn’t count on your Dad judging by his behavior and your Mum was probably exhausted.

Tbh I didn’t think that you were CF before but after your update that you suggested to take DN with you….I think you’re a perfect sister and behaved like an angel on this trip.

Just out of curiosity did your sister and her husband disappear on that day as usual or stay?

MaryEllenWaldron · 17/08/2024 19:44

BeanCountingContinues · 17/08/2024 19:22

Ideally yes, Mum should stand up for herself. But she won't - she "feels guilty" and is I expect conditioned to always put her offspring before herself.
So OP has to step up here for Mum's sake.
OP has lots of opportunities for other holidays, but this one is special for her parents.

How very sexist. Why on earth should OP 'step up' and not the two men? Classic male learned helplessness, in avoiding childcare and dealing with the sister and her husband who got them all there under false pretences.

Holiday time is limited and precious. They've wasted their time and money on flights, however cheap those might have been.

HitTheLight · 17/08/2024 19:45

pizzaHeart · 17/08/2024 19:43

I think after that remark we can be absolutely sure that her tantrum and comments were because she counted on you for childcare. Otherwise her DH won’t be saying anything like this.
Her comments about DBro needing practice are also very telling. She obviously couldn’t count on your Dad judging by his behavior and your Mum was probably exhausted.

Tbh I didn’t think that you were CF before but after your update that you suggested to take DN with you….I think you’re a perfect sister and behaved like an angel on this trip.

Just out of curiosity did your sister and her husband disappear on that day as usual or stay?

Edited

Yes they still went out, they weren’t out for as long as previous days but had a good few hours and a lunch and even after coming back apparently went for a lie down.

OP posts:
Sometimesright · 17/08/2024 19:46

Iwantamarshmallowman · 17/08/2024 18:02

I think your sister is the CF here. she should have discussed her expectations before the holiday was booked, especially regarding childcare. she's being a hypocrite for having a go at you for leaving the hotel one day when she has left every day.

Especially as they paid for their own flights anyway!

Aria999 · 17/08/2024 19:46

coldcallerbaiter · 17/08/2024 19:42

But the grandparents are there, so it cannot be a childcare issue in that day unless the gp left the resort too?

Their dad isn't much good with the toddlers and her mum has been doing all the evenings already. I think OP was meant to be on point for the little ones.

ABirdsEyeView · 17/08/2024 19:48

There's no way on earth I'd apologise - you haven't done anything wrong. Dont allow them all to make you the scapegoat - I actually think your parents are being very unfair on you too, particularly your dad. But your mum is also being a martyr and expecting you to do the same. These aren't your kids and minding them all day isn't your responsibility!

Don't back down. And when you do get home, I suggest you be a lot less accommodating. Your sister owes you all a huge apology

EnjoyingTheSilence · 17/08/2024 19:48

Only one cf here and it’s your sis. So it’s ok for her and her dh to disappear for hours on end but not you.

Her gift def came with strings

Thunderboltandlightningveryveryfrightening · 17/08/2024 19:51

If she wanted a week of shagging she should have got married before having dc...
Hire a buggy and take the dc out at night... Your dm is a martyr staying in every evening. ..

Noshowlomo · 17/08/2024 19:51

Hope tonight is a bit better for everyone but they are absolutely CFs.
They paid for the hotel but you paid for the flights to the country you’re in! And you’re allowed to see it!

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 17/08/2024 19:52

I would publicly address the fact that she has brought you all along solely as round the clock childcare and it's not some act of bountiful largesse. I wouldn't be able to let it go, but my own sister is quite the twat so something like this would rile me no end.

selldonaterecycle · 17/08/2024 19:52

You've done nothing wrong that I can see. I think DSis is jealous of you and your DP and the free time you have and that you were able to just go out for the day - and why shouldn't you! Her kids are her responsibility - not yours (or you DPs for that matter. It sounds like you offer support on a regular basis as well as looking after them on this holiday which is very generous of you.
It's a shame she's taken this stance after her generosity in taking you all away. But, it was her choice to invite you all so she shouldn't get annoyed that you're enjoying yourselves.

Dweetfidilove · 17/08/2024 19:52

HitTheLight · 17/08/2024 19:45

Yes they still went out, they weren’t out for as long as previous days but had a good few hours and a lunch and even after coming back apparently went for a lie down.

Christ! That's why they're pissed.
You're supposed to stay put to help your mom as the honeymooners won't be deterred.

If only they'd been upfront, you'd have known you can stay home or sign up for childcare. Even then you'd expect to be allowed out for one day of sightseeing. They're not just cheeky, but selfish too.

Flossflower · 17/08/2024 19:54

coldcallerbaiter · 17/08/2024 19:42

But the grandparents are there, so it cannot be a childcare issue in that day unless the gp left the resort too?

If the Grandad thinks it is women’s work then it probably is a lot of work for the Grandmother to do it all the time.
YANBU OP. You are perfectly entitled to go out for the day. Your sister did not tell you that it was a prison and you couldn’t leave. Everyone wants to have a proper dinner out. Did you sister leave your Mum to do
the childcare again today?

NewName24 · 17/08/2024 19:54

They were very generous. We were only expected to pay for flights but that was fine given it’s a destination covered by dirt cheap RyanAir flights. My parents have always been quite poor so the idea of a holiday abroad was a real novelty for them. We were all incredibly grateful, lots of hugs and tears over the dinner table

They weren't generous AT ALL.
They have made you and your dp PAY to babysit your dc somewhere hot.

Even worse, they have made your parents go through all the rigmarole of getting passports etc, AND pay for flights so they can babysit the dc.

There are 2 people in this story who ABU, and it isn't you, your dp, or your parents.

Mind, I would have challenged them after the first time, not let it go on as long as it has.

BeanCountingContinues · 17/08/2024 19:54

MaryEllenWaldron · 17/08/2024 19:44

How very sexist. Why on earth should OP 'step up' and not the two men? Classic male learned helplessness, in avoiding childcare and dealing with the sister and her husband who got them all there under false pretences.

Holiday time is limited and precious. They've wasted their time and money on flights, however cheap those might have been.

Yup, it appears from OP posts that the men are sexist assholes.
That cannot be changed in the next few days.

So in the circumstances OP has the choice to help her Mum out and put her Mum first, or not.

Manlon · 17/08/2024 19:54

Why do they need 6 adults to look after 3 children? Surely turns can be taken?

PixelatedLunchbox · 17/08/2024 19:55

"Sister and her DH have left the resort every day together so far for “couple time” leaving us with the DC"

SHE is the CF.

Tulipsareredvioletsarebue · 17/08/2024 19:56

It's a bit shit to invite people on holiday with so many strings attached without having to explain it first, so oyu can make a decision if you want to go or not. Spending the whole day doing childcare and not being able to see anything at all is not really a holiday. Even au pairs are paid if they travel with families, and have everything paid for. It was very cheeky of them.

pizzaHeart · 17/08/2024 19:57

HitTheLight · 17/08/2024 19:45

Yes they still went out, they weren’t out for as long as previous days but had a good few hours and a lunch and even after coming back apparently went for a lie down.

They are thick skinned ones!

OrangeJeans · 17/08/2024 19:57

Differentstarts · 17/08/2024 18:12

Your not their nanny if she wanted this she should of hired one.

This would probably have been more expensive

deeahgwitch · 17/08/2024 19:58

Doseofreality · 17/08/2024 18:02

just tell her you didn’t realise the holiday came with a clause of temporary hostage status.

Love it 😂

Margaux1 · 17/08/2024 19:59

Being stuck in an AI as a free childminder wouldn't be a holiday for me, more ike a punishment 😝

RedRobyn2021 · 17/08/2024 20:00

Your sister sounds awful tbh

BeanCountingContinues · 17/08/2024 20:00

Manlon · 17/08/2024 19:54

Why do they need 6 adults to look after 3 children? Surely turns can be taken?

DF and DB are sexist lazy men who "can't" or won't take responsibility for babysitting. DB GF is pregnant and needs frequent rests.
So that only leave OP and her Mum.
(Given that DSis and BIL won't care for their own DC on their "honeymoon)