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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Not wanting my SS over for Chistmas Day

187 replies

Lifelessonsnotlearnt · 17/12/2024 09:27

Apologies for the long story but there is background context to add...

My husband and I have been together for 9 yrs married for 7. We each have kids from previous marriages, husband has (M26) and (F20). I get on really well with my SD, however SS tolerates me and is civil, but there is no real relationship there.

Rewind to a few months ago. SD and SS both live with husbands elderly parents (in their 80's). MIL is the loveliest person you could ever hope to meet and will do anything for anyone. SS has lived with her since husband and ex divorced (another story but not relevant to this one). SS has for the most part since turning adult has been in and out of work. There have been various 'interventions' with my husband on his lack of job, grumpy and rude attitide around the house, and not contributing to the house financially or physically, not to mention the smoking of weed in his bedroom! (FIL has COPD amongst other health issues). So during yet another 'chat' with SS, husband reiterated again that he needed to get a job, start contributing to the household and be more pleasant with his grandparents...and stop smoking weed in the house. MIL came in after and the conversation turned to her offing to pay for his driving lessons, which had been on the table since be was 17 and he hadn't taken her up on it, He took some sort of offence to this and he told her she was acting like C which obviously incited my husband and all h broke lose. Husband and SS were shouting and swearing at each other then SS stomped off to his bedroom crying.

SS didn't speak to husband for a few weeks and was cordial with inlaws. Afew weeks later he got a job, but continues to smoke weed in the house! (small changes?!).

Since then I haven't really visited MIL at her home as I'm still enraged at how he spoke to her and how he has treated her over the years, and the fact that he STILL smokes weed. Had that been one of my adult chidren they would have been shown the door! I just don't want to be in the same space as him, and have informed my husband so.

Fast forward to 10 days ago, my husband picked me up from work and informed me that inlaws and SS were coming for Chrismas dinner. Bearing in mind we had always had an 'open house' invitation, but they had never come. SS has only visited his father at out home once or twice and refuses to come when invited. He's had Christams invitattions previously, has said he's coming and just doesn't.

We have argued none stop since, I don't want him to come, husband says 'what am I supposed to do, he's my son'. I feel sick to my stomach thinking I have to spend the day in his company knowing what he's treating my inlaws. I feel there will be an awkwardness that veveryone will pick up on and it will ruin everyones day.

Am I being unreasonable, as husband says I am?

OP posts:
JollyZebra · 21/12/2024 20:04

You should go ahead with the SS for Christmas lunch. It's one day. He's your husband's son.

MeridianB · 21/12/2024 20:23

I think Christmas Day is the least of your worries.

It sounds as lif DH has had discussions with DS about the past and his feelings. Could he approach this again and suggest counselling as a way forward? DS clearly needs some help taking responsibility for himself.

But…. You won’t thank me for this but I think DS needs to move out of the IL’s house next year to protect them.

His poor GM being called that name by her adult grandson. I bet your FIL was furious. I’m amazed it didn’t provoke far worse reactions. Was he at the very least made to apologise? And the drug smoking… your poor FIL. It’s totally unacceptable.

If DS can’t or won’t live with you what are the alternatives? Because that is what DH needs to be working towards - getting him away from poor ILs.

And MIL should stop offering driving lessons to a druggie. If she really feels she wants to spend money on DS after the way he’s behaved then perhaps she cojkd pay for private therapy.

WendyA22 · 21/12/2024 20:27

bigkidatheart · 17/12/2024 09:57

Probably won't turn up or he might turn up and try to make amends.

It's a tricky one, just hold your breath, count to 3 and make it through the day.

If he smokes weed, he won't want to leave his bedroom all day, so he probably won't turn up anyway.

I think more of a concern is him living with your in-laws. He has no regard for their rules or poor health.
Christmas Day is just one day. I'd focus on helping the in-laws for the rest of the year.

Mememoo · 22/12/2024 15:04

I understand you not WANTING and not liking his behaviour (which is terrible) definitely seeing as he's an adult but married or not its not really any of your business it's just one of life's things your gonna have to suck up, it's your husbands family (his child) more importantly so u can't deny them spending Christmas together of all days! I'm sure we could all tell atleast one story about our spouses family or specific member that annoys,angers etc (in my case all of them id love nothing more than to go no contact) us it's a part of life when two families who've grown separately so inevitably differently come together there's always going to be clashes "pretty that's the clause in for better or worse" vows 🤣 if he's nice on the day great it maybe a turning point for him to actually start appreciating his family more, if he's not make your drinks a double 😉

OldScribbler · 22/12/2024 18:22

Stormyweatheroutthere · 17/12/2024 10:47

Dh wants a druggie in your home? No thanks. He wants to see him fine but not in your joint home. Keeping a junkie out overrules having one in.

I have never done any drugs myself but know many who do marijuana - indeed in some US states it is legal. So I wouldn't call him a junkie but I would make sure he's asked not to do it during the visit. If he can't oblige he's a waste of space

JuniperKeats · 22/12/2024 18:33

It’s his son. Suck it up.

GivingitToGod · 22/12/2024 18:40

middleagedandinarage · 17/12/2024 11:04

YABU - he is still your DH's son. He lives with your PIL's, surely they can't come for christmas without him.
I imagine there's a lot more backstory to this but my advice would be, you try and stay out of it, you still visit PIL's and be pleasant to SS. You don't need to be his friend but from what you've said he hasn't done anything to you directly so you adding your hate for him is only making things more awkward and harder for your dh. You need to support your DH on this one and not make it about your feelings towards him. Imagine it was DH saying one of your children couldn't come for whatever reason

Edited

SPOT ON
This young man is your husband's son!

Clueless2024 · 22/12/2024 19:44

It's a no from me. I'm with you OP. Sounds like your SS is a spoilt arsehole who is being enabled, and not held to account for himself. I'd not want to be around him either.

Iceboy80 · 22/12/2024 19:55

26 years old and acts like that, he needs a good kick up the arse and needs to learn to stand on his own 2 feet and that starts with moving out of his grandparents house.

I recently read that Gen Z only consider themselves adults at 27 years old, what happened, where did we go wrong?

emmax1980 · 23/12/2024 17:15

I would put up with it for the lunch but say to dh that he needs to say to his son be on best behavior as he has upset you maybe.

daleylama · 23/12/2024 17:21

Mixey · 17/12/2024 09:37

Agree SS' behaviour has been appalling. But is it possible that joining you for Christmas day, is his attempt at making an effort?
I sympathise as either option - hosting him or telling him he can't come - puts your or your H in a difficult situation.

Can you muster enough energy to consider this us the answer? Baby steps, maybe, so give him a chance to show it? What's the alternative? He's home alone for Xmas? That won't be forgiven

MeridianB · 26/12/2024 07:50

How did it go, @Lifelessonsnotlearnt ?

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