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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

My crazy SIL

114 replies

Username98337 · 13/12/2024 21:34

This is massive sorry but I need to let it out somewhere. I’ve had issues with my SIL (BILs girlfriend) since the day I met her. For ease, we’ll call her Daisy and we’ll call BIL Harry. For context, she and my BIL are my age, my husband is three years older.

I started dating my now husband in early 2016. Near the end of 2016, around October/November time, Harry introduced us all to Daisy. Daisy asked how long I’d been with my now husband for at this point, and I said 10 months. She told me she’d been with Harry for two years. The family all thought this was unusual because none of them had ever met, seen, or heard of her before. She told my MIL and husband that she met Harry at a party, she told me she met him through tinder, and according to Harry, they met at university and had to go long distance for a while. To be honest I didn’t really care enough, so never thought twice about it until now.

When we got to 2019, my now husband proposed. Daisy was furious when we announced the news, and openly said she should have been engaged first because she’s been in a relationship longer. In 2019, my now husband and I also bought our first house. We had a housewarming party which Harry attended alone. Daisy and Harry started renting a house a few months after we bought our house. For a few years (2019 to 2022), she told everyone they had bought the house, and none of us questioned this. However, in 2022, she and Harry had to move in with my MIL as their landlord no longer wanted to lease the property, and this is when we all discovered she wasn’t truthful about owning the property. She does own a house with Harry now (or so she says). Harry never shares any details, Daisy does all the talking.

Also at the start of 2022, my husband and I got married. Daisy argued with Harry very publicly in our reception, telling him that she should have been the one getting married first, not me (they still weren’t engaged at this point, and still aren’t engaged now).

After our wedding, Daisy started asking me at every opportunity when I was planning on trying for a baby. Literally everyday she would ask me, and I always responded with ‘not just yet’. Eventually the constant questioning got to me, and I admitted to her that we’d been trying for a baby ever since we bought our house in 2019, and we were on a waiting list for fertility treatments via the NHS. She said she was sorry to hear this. A couple months later she texted me to say she was 4 weeks pregnant and it was a complete accident and she’s so surprised at how easily she got pregnant. I texted back ‘congratulations, I’m so happy for you’. I genuinely was, but didn’t agree with her letting me know it was an accident. I didn’t share this with her as I won’t let my rain dampen someone else’s parade, plus I pick and choose my battles and didn’t have the energy to fight it.
Around when Daisy was 8 weeks pregnant, she very sadly had a miscarriage and I was genuinely heartbroken for her. I sent her flowers and food packages, and wished her my love.
At the end of 2022, I found out by some complete miracle that I was pregnant. The chances of this happening for us naturally were next to none, so I was very weary of getting too excited. My husband texted Harry and Daisy the news when we got to 12 weeks (we texted as we didn’t want to tell them in public knowing they’d had a loss). Harry called to congratulate us and sounded genuinely pleased for us. My husband apologised for telling him over text but Harry said he understood and appreciated it. We never heard back from Daisy.

When I was around 6 months pregnant, my husband and I met up with my MIL, Harry and Daisy for lunch for MILs birthday. Daisy refused to look at me and blanked me when I said hello to her. After the lunch, my MIL asked my husband and I if we’d like to go baby clothes shopping with her (MIL was very excited about having a grandchild). We agreed and Harry also came along as he said he wanted to treat his future niece or nephew. Daisy meanwhile ran off to sit in Harry’s car for the duration of our shopping. I texted Daisy when we got home to ask if she was ok and she said that she didn’t appreciate me inviting everyone baby clothes shopping as it was really insensitive to her (baring in mind my MIL organised this, not me, and Harry was happy to come along). She also said that I was rubbing my pregnancy in her face by wearing a tight fitting dress, and that I should have worn something loose to hide my bump from her (I was wearing a flowy maternity dress). I apologised and we didn’t discuss it since.

When my baby was born, Daisy refused to meet her, and to this day she doesn’t even look at her or acknowledge she’s in the room. I get that she’s suffered a loss but I think this is unhealthy. My husband spoke with Harry about it, and Harry said that they’re not currently trying as neither of them want a baby yet, and have plans to travel before settling down. Last month however, Daisy told my MIL that I’ve mocked her for having a miscarriage (I never would and I’m still offended by this), and said that I’ve done nothing but bully her since the day we met. My MIL disregarded this immediately. She then showed my MIL a diary she’d kept since 2016, wherein she’s written down all the times I’ve “bullied” her (all complete lies - things like I’ve hit her, called her house ugly, etc). My MIL has never been overly keen on her as she tells small lies a lot (e.g., her salary changes constantly, there’s different versions of how she and Harry met, she said she was originally from Bradford then moved to Scotland as a child when she’s actually from Lancaster, she said her dad is a multi millionaire with a successful company but can’t say the company as it’s top secret, etc). I now think she’s trying to turn my MIL against me, which is sad as I have a lovely relationship with her (so far it’s not working, and is only making MIL dislike Daisy more).

I basically feel like Daisy doesn’t like me, and has wanted to be “first” at everything, and can’t cope that I was. I don’t care about being first, but I feel like she does. She’s still not engaged and I dread to think how she’ll act if it doesn’t happen soon. I’m really furious about this notebook though, I think it’s really weird behaviour, and I’m now starting to think that there’s something wrong with Daisy mentally. Everyone is just laughing it off but my blood is boiling over it. Should I confront Daisy? Or should I ignore her and totally cut her off? I don’t want to be anywhere near this woman anymore, I think she’s plain weird!

OP posts:
TheFormidableMrsC · 13/12/2024 22:08

I can guarantee that Harry is in an abusive relationship. She sounds absolutely batshit and he doesn't dare contradict her. I would see MIL separately and let your H see Harry separately. Anybody who ignored my child like that would be cut out of my life forever. I'd put money on her not having a miscarriage and she's fucking dangerous. Keep your distance. What an awful situation.

Lemonadeand · 13/12/2024 22:10

Don’t ever be alone with her.

Feelinadequate23 · 13/12/2024 22:12

Keep your distance from her and keep MIL close by involving her plenty in DD’s life. Don’t engage with Daisy at all other than saying “hi” if you happen to cross paths and she says hi to you first. Tell MIL that you’re afraid of Daisy and what she might do who you/ DD and say you’re not prepared to be with her in small groups anymore. Big family functions only.

I have a batshit SIL too so I feel your pain. DH and I had to have a very frank conversation with PIL where we said we were willing to cope with her presence for important family occasions but would not engage with her at all otherwise. Took a few months for the new reality to sink in but PIL got there in the end and we have a tight relationship with them now, but next to none with SIL (or with BIL who bizarrely sticks up for her and her batshit behaviour).

Onlyvisiting · 13/12/2024 22:14

Keep you and your child well away from her. She is at best a compulsive liar and seems likely to be mentally unwell.
You can't fix it, just keep well back so you are out of range when it all implodes!

researchers3 · 13/12/2024 22:17

She does sound unwell. Possible personality disorder as PPs have said.

I would go very low contact and agree you should never be alone with her or let your kids be around her.

She sounds extremely envious of you.

Stormyweatheroutthere · 13/12/2024 22:19

You give her way too much head space. She isn't even married into your il's family. She's a nutjob gf of your dh's db.. Back away and avoid her when at all possible.. And stop telling her any of your business..

Quitelikeit · 13/12/2024 22:20

This is up there with one of the craziest things I’ve read on here 🙃

healthybychristmas · 13/12/2024 22:21

You say your mother-in-law dropped her off at the hospital but did she go in with her? I would bet my house that she didn't have a miscarriage.

Username98337 · 13/12/2024 22:24

Quitelikeit · 13/12/2024 22:20

This is up there with one of the craziest things I’ve read on here 🙃

I literally feel like I’m living in an awful fantasy world at times in all honesty

OP posts:
2chocolateoranges · 13/12/2024 22:24

oh dear,, I had a sil like that. Well I said had, I still do but I’m no contact. She is crazy, dramatic , jealous and manipulative, neither of these are things I want to partake in.

Festivespirit85 · 13/12/2024 22:24

Username98337 · 13/12/2024 21:34

This is massive sorry but I need to let it out somewhere. I’ve had issues with my SIL (BILs girlfriend) since the day I met her. For ease, we’ll call her Daisy and we’ll call BIL Harry. For context, she and my BIL are my age, my husband is three years older.

I started dating my now husband in early 2016. Near the end of 2016, around October/November time, Harry introduced us all to Daisy. Daisy asked how long I’d been with my now husband for at this point, and I said 10 months. She told me she’d been with Harry for two years. The family all thought this was unusual because none of them had ever met, seen, or heard of her before. She told my MIL and husband that she met Harry at a party, she told me she met him through tinder, and according to Harry, they met at university and had to go long distance for a while. To be honest I didn’t really care enough, so never thought twice about it until now.

When we got to 2019, my now husband proposed. Daisy was furious when we announced the news, and openly said she should have been engaged first because she’s been in a relationship longer. In 2019, my now husband and I also bought our first house. We had a housewarming party which Harry attended alone. Daisy and Harry started renting a house a few months after we bought our house. For a few years (2019 to 2022), she told everyone they had bought the house, and none of us questioned this. However, in 2022, she and Harry had to move in with my MIL as their landlord no longer wanted to lease the property, and this is when we all discovered she wasn’t truthful about owning the property. She does own a house with Harry now (or so she says). Harry never shares any details, Daisy does all the talking.

Also at the start of 2022, my husband and I got married. Daisy argued with Harry very publicly in our reception, telling him that she should have been the one getting married first, not me (they still weren’t engaged at this point, and still aren’t engaged now).

After our wedding, Daisy started asking me at every opportunity when I was planning on trying for a baby. Literally everyday she would ask me, and I always responded with ‘not just yet’. Eventually the constant questioning got to me, and I admitted to her that we’d been trying for a baby ever since we bought our house in 2019, and we were on a waiting list for fertility treatments via the NHS. She said she was sorry to hear this. A couple months later she texted me to say she was 4 weeks pregnant and it was a complete accident and she’s so surprised at how easily she got pregnant. I texted back ‘congratulations, I’m so happy for you’. I genuinely was, but didn’t agree with her letting me know it was an accident. I didn’t share this with her as I won’t let my rain dampen someone else’s parade, plus I pick and choose my battles and didn’t have the energy to fight it.
Around when Daisy was 8 weeks pregnant, she very sadly had a miscarriage and I was genuinely heartbroken for her. I sent her flowers and food packages, and wished her my love.
At the end of 2022, I found out by some complete miracle that I was pregnant. The chances of this happening for us naturally were next to none, so I was very weary of getting too excited. My husband texted Harry and Daisy the news when we got to 12 weeks (we texted as we didn’t want to tell them in public knowing they’d had a loss). Harry called to congratulate us and sounded genuinely pleased for us. My husband apologised for telling him over text but Harry said he understood and appreciated it. We never heard back from Daisy.

When I was around 6 months pregnant, my husband and I met up with my MIL, Harry and Daisy for lunch for MILs birthday. Daisy refused to look at me and blanked me when I said hello to her. After the lunch, my MIL asked my husband and I if we’d like to go baby clothes shopping with her (MIL was very excited about having a grandchild). We agreed and Harry also came along as he said he wanted to treat his future niece or nephew. Daisy meanwhile ran off to sit in Harry’s car for the duration of our shopping. I texted Daisy when we got home to ask if she was ok and she said that she didn’t appreciate me inviting everyone baby clothes shopping as it was really insensitive to her (baring in mind my MIL organised this, not me, and Harry was happy to come along). She also said that I was rubbing my pregnancy in her face by wearing a tight fitting dress, and that I should have worn something loose to hide my bump from her (I was wearing a flowy maternity dress). I apologised and we didn’t discuss it since.

When my baby was born, Daisy refused to meet her, and to this day she doesn’t even look at her or acknowledge she’s in the room. I get that she’s suffered a loss but I think this is unhealthy. My husband spoke with Harry about it, and Harry said that they’re not currently trying as neither of them want a baby yet, and have plans to travel before settling down. Last month however, Daisy told my MIL that I’ve mocked her for having a miscarriage (I never would and I’m still offended by this), and said that I’ve done nothing but bully her since the day we met. My MIL disregarded this immediately. She then showed my MIL a diary she’d kept since 2016, wherein she’s written down all the times I’ve “bullied” her (all complete lies - things like I’ve hit her, called her house ugly, etc). My MIL has never been overly keen on her as she tells small lies a lot (e.g., her salary changes constantly, there’s different versions of how she and Harry met, she said she was originally from Bradford then moved to Scotland as a child when she’s actually from Lancaster, she said her dad is a multi millionaire with a successful company but can’t say the company as it’s top secret, etc). I now think she’s trying to turn my MIL against me, which is sad as I have a lovely relationship with her (so far it’s not working, and is only making MIL dislike Daisy more).

I basically feel like Daisy doesn’t like me, and has wanted to be “first” at everything, and can’t cope that I was. I don’t care about being first, but I feel like she does. She’s still not engaged and I dread to think how she’ll act if it doesn’t happen soon. I’m really furious about this notebook though, I think it’s really weird behaviour, and I’m now starting to think that there’s something wrong with Daisy mentally. Everyone is just laughing it off but my blood is boiling over it. Should I confront Daisy? Or should I ignore her and totally cut her off? I don’t want to be anywhere near this woman anymore, I think she’s plain weird!

She needs some serious psychiatric help by the sounds of it.

Username98337 · 13/12/2024 22:25

healthybychristmas · 13/12/2024 22:21

You say your mother-in-law dropped her off at the hospital but did she go in with her? I would bet my house that she didn't have a miscarriage.

She did not

OP posts:
nodramaplz · 13/12/2024 22:28

Avoid, avoid, avoid, she's a nut job!
Jealousy is the devil loving inside people!

YesThatsATurdOnTheRug · 13/12/2024 22:30

Totally avoid. You don't have to be nice to her or blank her, I would just be cool but civil and have as little to do with her as possible. Be very open with your MiL about what's happened but don't discuss it too much in case she ends up feeling torn further down the line if/when grandkids turn up.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 13/12/2024 22:36

She sounds appalling - I agree with others that you need to steer as clear as possible.

I also wondered if she’d really had a miscarriage.

I have to say Harry sounds a total wet blanket though. And more people should be actively standing up for you and making it clear her behaviour is utterly unacceptable. I wouldn’t be seeing her any more at all if she blanked my child- not you or your husband who is of course your child’s parent too.

TheCatterall · 13/12/2024 22:42

@Username98337 avoid her.

Tell MIL you don’t want to be included in any drama or allegations and you are sorry that DramaLlama has dragged her into it.

has DH confronted his brother to see if he’s ok and straight up told him all the discrepancies, lies and most recent bullshit?

Is his brother ok and does he need support leaving? Maybe Harry has just convinced himself and been gaslit into believing that he’s the issue etc?

I pray she never has children as this level of behaviour is the icecap of what happens behind closed doors with abusers like this.

and I don’t believe she was pregnant and miscarried. I think she lied to gloat to you that she could be better than you etc and realised the lie has to come to an end. Does Harry speak openly about her miscarriage. Or discuss it without her or is it all led by her? I am sad to say I have seen women go to great lengths to keep up their stories including being dropped at hospitals..

SpryCat · 13/12/2024 22:43

Block her on social media as she will be poring over pictures of you and your dc, block her phone number too.
Don’t mix with her and don’t let her near your child! The less she knows the better because she sees you as a threat!
There is nothing you can do for Harry, he has to wake up to her nature, he will eventually.

SugarPlumpFairyCakes · 13/12/2024 23:11

If this is all true then she's not at all well. Keep away from her.

CautiousLurker01 · 13/12/2024 23:15

Username98337 · 13/12/2024 22:25

She did not

Hate to say this, but I’d be suspicious of the miscarriage claim. I had 5 miscarriages at the 8-12 stage. Never had to have a medical intervention for any of them (D&C etc). The protocol is to let nature do its thing. If it were an ectopic pregnancy she might have needed to go in - but she’d have been in significant pain and very sick, so she’d not have been ‘dropped off’.

Am sorry, but this seems like ‘single white female’ territory (hopefully you know the film) and I would think she most definitely has a personality disorder. You need DH and MiL to take this more seriously because the chances are DBil is in an abusive relationship and/or at risk.

comfortandjoyy · 13/12/2024 23:20

She has targeted you to discharge her dysfunction.

She is seriously mentally unwell - likely a PD.

Look up grey rock, information diet (from you, your DH, MIL) to her and your BIL. Look up 'splitting'.

No intervention from you (or anyone) will help the situation.

Consider her very dangerous to you, your marriage, your DD, your relationship with your MIL. Imagine her as a hyena.

Fade out of her life without drama.

She is attempting to goad you to conflict - and any interaction will be twisted so much so that you will be handing her the bullets to shoot you with.

She is also trying to triangulate and smear you with MIL.

Be very concerned for Harry. He will be going through hell behind closed doors. Please ensure your DH reads up on PDs and how to handle DV / emotional violence towards males. Ensure he doesnt let him become isolated.

I would assume she is stalking you. Get a ring doorbell and dash cam. Things could well escalate and I would have zero guilt in reporting her to the police if things do.

You have been very gracious to date - but know now that you are dealing with someone very irrational who has targeted you and your DD.

WickedWitchOfTheEast87 · 13/12/2024 23:33

@Username98337 She's batshit crazy!! I'm normally in the 'stick up for yourself' camp but reading your post set my alarm bells ringing louder than a football stadium when England win.

Stay well away from her OP and don't ever let on you know about what she's said you'll be playing right into her hands and she will have a reason to play the victim and make you the villain. She's unhinged, manipulative, vindictive and clearly seething with resentment and jealousy.

Also I echo what a previous poster advised and don't ever allow yourself to be alone with her again you must always have someone you trust present in case she makes up more lies and back right off from her. Don't call or text and avoid her she can't make up lies if you stay away from her and aren't alone. If you can't avoid her keep it civil and polite but reveal nothing. The fact she ignores your kid is reason enough to keep your distance. Wait her out and let her show her true colours I guarantee you won't be the last person she tells lies about and I doubt you're the first.

I don't mean this harshly as I've seen those close to me suffer miscarriages and how devastated they were but are you really sure she was telling the truth about miscarrying? I only ask because an ex colleague of mine lied about having a miscarriage and she had told some lies before that too. People like your SIL lie for all sorts of reasons in your SIL's case I think jealousy is playing a massive part and competition. To her you have everything she wants and you did it before her which is ridiculous and childish but I suspect being first makes her feel validated. I'm not excusing her behaviour but giving you understanding of it forewarned is forearmed as the saying goes.

coldcallerbaiter · 13/12/2024 23:34

She is not your SIL firstly.

I would actually hope your BIL drops her, because she sounds pathetic. Might be why they are not married, as he is not too sure. I expect MIL sees through her.

Do not give her the satisfaction of any attention. Just be indifferent.

RainbowsAreNotTheOnlyFruit · 13/12/2024 23:34

I’d find it hard not to Colleen her, go full on Wagatha Christie and do some digging just so I could ‘innocently’ counter the lies. Trouble is, she sounds certifiable so it’d probably backfire. I’m finding it difficult to understand why your BIL doesn’t call her out or walk away.

GooseClues · 13/12/2024 23:43

The diary is a very big red flag to me. I knew someone who did that with me as the subject of it. We were actually good friends for the first few years but then they started to accuse me of bullying. A lot of lies, weird accusations, trying to turn people against me etc. Very similar to what you’re describing. The “diary” whipped out too.
I was completely shocked and initially tried to reason (because we had been friends and I wanted to save the relationship). It escalated though and ended with a physical attack on me. After that I went no contact.

Several years later I heard that this person had a breakdown but at least finally got the help they needed, was indeed diagnosed with a personality disorder and went on medication.

Never leave your DD alone Daisy!

LM88 · 13/12/2024 23:53

I have been in a kind of similiar situation for years.

At the moment (and for the last year) we have been no contact and the relief is worth it! No more interview style questions, no more competitions…its taken years but this has been the best thing to happen.

Sad but it was only a matter of time!