Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Unhappy with this situation. Who is wrong??

39 replies

upsettingconfrontation · 08/09/2024 17:51

I have known that my partners brother hasn’t liked me for ages and I don’t like him either since he hasn’t been very nice to me.
Past incidents include:
My child (under 2 at the time) was playing near their fan and he almost knocked it over and he just started shouting at me and calling me f*ing useless. I told him not to speak to me like that and we left soon after.
We were at the beach and I was walking with my child (2 at the time) and started walking up a hill so I went with him and one of his kids followed us (5 years old) and we passed a hole on the way up and my child was looking into it and then when we came back down he was shouting at me as there was a hole and they could have fallen into it. It wasn’t an ‘oh no! Look, there’s a hole here have you seen it?’ it was a ‘why are you so useless? Look after the children!’ type of shouting.
There’s probably more but it’s not really necessary to list them as I’m sure you get the idea from those of the tone he uses/how he sees me.
Anyway, today was my child’s birthday party and he came with his kids and his parents (he lives with them and it was their weekend to have the kids). One of his kids almost knocked the bouncy castle over so I went to the waiting room where they were all sitting and said that one of them needs to be watching them and his mum (my partners mum/my child’s grandma) said that there was nowhere to stand yet every other parent was managing it and watching their kids 🙄
Anyway, he comes over with his mum, she talks to the child, he asks why I wasn’t dealing with it/watching her and I said she’s not my child and I must have asked what his problem was as he said that he had a problem with me.
So later on I talk to his mum, say I don’t want to see him again and ask what the problem is. Well, apparently they all have some issues with me as I’m controlling and sometimes when I talk I come across as rude. I have autism so I probably do come across as rude sometimes as I just say what I’m thinking and don’t lie ect. But that’s just how it is and they should really be understanding of that.
As for me being controlling, I won’t let my partner cut his hair. What I actually said was, I’d prefer it if he didn’t cut his hair as he has a bald spot which he hates and is really self concious about and I’m the one that has to live with him and I know that if he gets a haircut he will be able to see it more and will be sad - his hair is now cut and I was right. It wasn’t about the haircut it was about the after affects and how he would feel.
She also said that she used to hang out with him on his own all the time before he met me and I said I’m not stopping him from doing that now but then she said that she would like to spend time with just him and our child like she does with his brother and his brothers kids. It’s completely different as his brother lives with her and the kids stay with them on his weekends. Plus, I don’t want to give up time with my child. I have every right to be with him if I want to be and my partner has said he doesn’t even want to do things on his own with him yet!!
Then she said that we have no control over him like when he throws things. The only time she sees him is when my partner is there too and when we’re at their house (which is the majority of the times that we see them) I feel like it is my partner’s responsibility to do the parenting as it is his families house and I just don’t feel comfortable with it and he has previously agreed. However, we also don’t see every little thing as a big thing that needs to be told off like they do. It doesn’t really matter if he throws a little thing a short distance as he plays but if he were to throw it at people then I would obviously say no and take it off of him. His brothers kids get told off for things that I find silly but everyone parents differently and our child is far from badly behaved and it’s really non of their business. My parents and my friends have never said anything negative about my parenting and my best friend and some mum friends have said that I’m a good mum.
She also said that he doesn’t want to live where we are currently living and we’re only here because I want to be. I know he doesn’t like it here (mainly because the landlord doesn’t come and fix problems) and I do want to stay in the area we are in but I haven’t said I won’t move. He has said that he doesn’t want to go through the effort/stress of moving though.

What would you do?? This isn’t right is it??

OP posts:
SaffronsMadAboutMe · 08/09/2024 22:23

Well, apparently they all have some issues with me as I’m controlling and sometimes when I talk I come across as rude.

Errrm...you 'won't let your partner cut his hair' (your words)

And you won't let him take his son to see his family without you.

Two huge examples of how right they are to think you're controlling.

upsettingconfrontation · 08/09/2024 22:38

I’m not saying we can’t go see them though. We see them at least once every 2 weeks, often once a week for 2-3 hours at a time. My partner doesn’t want to take my child anywhere on his own. He doesn’t see a need to do that 🤷‍♀️

He has plenty of playdates and goes to classes on his own

OP posts:
upsettingconfrontation · 08/09/2024 22:39

SaffronsMadAboutMe · 08/09/2024 22:23

Well, apparently they all have some issues with me as I’m controlling and sometimes when I talk I come across as rude.

Errrm...you 'won't let your partner cut his hair' (your words)

And you won't let him take his son to see his family without you.

Two huge examples of how right they are to think you're controlling.

He’s had his hair cut so I clearly didn’t stop him 😂 Until about a year ago his family told him when he had to go to the hairdressers 🙈

OP posts:
SaffronsMadAboutMe · 08/09/2024 22:56

You couldn't stop him but that didn't stop you trying.

Look, you certainly come across as controlling on this thread and the people in your real life think you are too.

If you want to deny it that's your prerogative but it also makes the thread a little pointless.

GreenFields07 · 14/09/2024 23:05

OP you sound very controlling! Do you take your son places on your own? To see friends or your own family? How would you feel if your partner told you you couldnt do that? Its absolutely ridiculous that you say you wont leave your son for a few hours to let his dad take him to see some family, do you really not think your MIL should be able to see her son & grandson alone without you there sometimes. Ew. Thats honestly disgraceful behaviour. You're using the excuse not wanting to leave your son, to control your partners and sons life by not letting them go to in laws for a while on their own. Sorry but get a grip. Hes going to start school and be the child screaming at the school gates because hes never left mummys side! Your BILs behaviour towards you is absolutely not ok, you shouldn't have to put up with that, but honestly if this is how you behave and they can see that behaviour, they've definitely got a point in how controlling you are. Parent your child properly 24/7, you dont get to choose im not being a parent today because we are at in laws house. Just more excuses tbh. Maybe look inward at your behaviour before blaming them for how they treat you, sorry but there's a reason why they are acting like this. Its because they see who you are.

beanii · 14/09/2024 23:30

You need to be actively encouraging your partner to take your son on his own - it'll do YOU ALL good.

BUT you cannot question him when he comes home - I think that'll be the issue with you.

Do you work? If not look at volunteering or similar - something other than this mess.

H12345 · 15/09/2024 07:50

I feel so sorry for your partner. You sound incredibly controlling and his family can see it so don’t blame them for disliking you.

I massively dislike the fact you feel you can act like a bully and then blame it on being autistic, what a joke! Your rudeness and controlling behaviour is because your choice nothing else!!!!!!

I hope your partner starts seeing sense and gets out of this situation asap before you ruin his life.

Thank goodness he has his family backing him

Bex071509 · 15/09/2024 09:17

this does sound like a really tricky situation & I’m sorry you’re having to deal with this.
i know you have said you don’t want to give up time with your partner & child, but I do personally think, for everyone’s sake, DH should see their parents without DW at time. I’ve done this for a long time. My parents see me a lot alone, especially when my children were pre school age, because I was the main care giver & my DH worked. I think it’s important for a couple of hours, one weekend a month (or so) that he can see his parents without me.
I’ve read someone has said give everyone space & I do agree. There needs to be some space & time to heal here.
I really hope this resolves soon, for you & your partner. He must feel really stuck in the middle.

PacificAtlantic · 15/09/2024 09:23

It doesn’t matter what you do that bothers them, or their opinions, it doesn’t give them the right to shout at you in any situation, that is rude and bullying behaviour and your other half should be telling them this.
I would be actively not including them in any plans until they can learn to valve like adults.

Minniliscious · 15/09/2024 09:26

I’m going to get lynched but why are people suddenly using a ‘diagnosis’ as an excuse for shitty, lazy behaviour?? It’s all I’m hearing lately from a certain family member “oh I forgot to do this and that because of my ADHD” “I don’t clean my house because I’ve got ADHD” No dear - you’ve always been a lazy, useless fucker. I can see through a self diagnosis.

Helsbels666 · 15/09/2024 09:29

Odd one out but I feel like OP is autistic and maybe her descriptions are being interpreted by some as being controlling or selfish but I actually don't necessarily agree. It depends on context for example if partner said do you think I should cut my hair? And OP said no I would prefer it if you didn't then that's not controlling shes just giving her opinion which was asked for. If out of nowhere and often OP was randomly saying you're not allowed to cut your hair as I don't like that then that's entirely different. I also have both my own parents and in laws who's parenting style is to tell children off every 5 mins for even the slightest hint that they might do something wrong such as 'don't get dirty, don't walk too close to the edge in case you fall, don't touch that thing (that they weren't even planning on touching but now it's been highlighted as something to touch they definitely want to touch it)'. Personally I dont think thats helpful or even works at teaching kids how to behave. If MIL wants to see your partner more tell her to talk to him about it, you're not his secretary. And if HE wants to arrange going over with the kid for a fews hours that's fine. But am assuming as you've mentioned he's not bothered and wouldn't so that. But that's not your responsibility

Calamitousness · 15/09/2024 09:34

It is none of their business what your marriage is like. They should not be rude to you or be discussing what they don’t like about you. It’s up to your husband to have a conversation with you if he feels controlled. Your marriage is your business. I would have replied that they’re hardly likely to see more of my family if they are rude to me and that you’d be seeing less of them moving forward. I also think your husband could visit parents etc without you sometimes, if he wants to. That’s no bad thing.

Lifeisbetterwithbutter · 16/09/2024 02:32

I think it would be better to talk to your husband and your parents to figure how to work around this. If his family used to tell him everything like when to get haircuts they may be quite irritated that you are influencing him now. The brother should not talk to you in that way, your husband should stick up for you, thats very hostile and I wouldnt tolerate someone calling me names in a hostile manner, especially in front of my kids. I also personally would not feel comfortable leaving my child without myself in that household where your husband doesnt have the ability to speak up for whats best for wife and child.
The other stuff is trivial and dramatic, I wouldnt go around them simply because of how hostile the brother is towards you. Grandma can come over to your house and visit if she wants to spend more time with her son and grandchild and you wont have to worry about your kids touching their box fan on the floor or the brother’s kids toys (since it sounds like they cant afford much and it upsets them it might get broken) and you also wont have to deal with the stay at home man baby of a brother.

NoThanksymm · 17/09/2024 05:19

This sounds like you and your partner need to talk. And they need to stand up for you.

not your job to watch BIL kids. Not your job to schedule play dates between partner and his mom. weird she wants her son and grandson there, but not you, what’s behind that?. But might be good for them to see that kiddo acts the same with him, but also might be bad because kiddo won’t have anyone to stand up for them.

yes with hair, his body his choice. But you can say you think he’s handsome no matter what.

living situation, really none of in-laws business. Are you guys super young or something? Is husband bad mouthing you to them? Blaming you for stuff?

all around inappropriate and odd behaviour on their part.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread