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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Siblings and Mum excluded me from Christmas

81 replies

Pinkyblue123 · 29/12/2024 21:10

Long post, here is the back story. I’m youngest of 3 siblings all in our 50s Dad died 15 years ago leaving terrible hole in family. Mum stubbornly stays living in a really difficult location (as children we moved around a lot) miles away from where us children have all settled with families. I live 7 hour drive away in England, my sister lives in Ireland (7 hour drive) and my brother is a 3 hour drive from Mum. We all have kids jobs etc, so the location of Mum can be a challenge, added to the fact that she now says she does not want to travel by train (understandable she is in 80s and partially sighted). We decided this year we would try to all meet somewhere for Xmas, this was openly discussed on siblings WhatsApp group, sister and I said let’s lets look into it, brother said nothing on messages (bit strange). I had limited time off at Xmas could not make full week (work commitments for me and husband) but could do Xmas days off. Spoke to Mum one day and she said no one had mentioned Xmas and she was worried she would be left on her own, I said we had been talking as children and hoped to sort something but if not she was welcome to come to mine for Christmas and I would of course not see her on her own. I then shared on sibling WhatsApp the conversation I had with Mum. Next news I speak with Mum and she tells me that she and my sister have been invited to my brothers house for Christmas and they are all going out for Christmas lunch as my sister in law does not want to cook. Oh I said, I thought we were trying to be to sort something thing for all of us? I was shocked so asked directly on the the sibling WhatsApp why this was I not consulted when we were trying to organise a whole family get together? My sister squirmed and tried to back track, my brother completely blanked me, I said how hurt I felt to not be consulted or included, especially as we could have gone along in our motorhome and parted on to their drive so as not to impose in their house. Still radio silence from my brother. I felt hurt and excluded and shocked. I talked to my Mum about it, she dismissed me saying don’t make a fuss and my sister knew how I felt and they both went ahead without challenging my brother. They then all rang me on Christmas Day as if nothing had happened (this is the first time I have spoken to my brother since raising how upset I felt and being ignored). At the end of Xmas week I am being called by Mum and sister as if nothing has happened. I told my sister how hurt and upset I was and she weakly called it a misunderstanding, how can it be I said, I have made it quite clear how I feel to her to my brother and Mum but no one listened and now they are acting as if nothing happened. So AIBU? I feel gaslighted by all of them, so shocked and disappointed that no one said why was I not invited? I thought I had a pretty good relationship with my siblings, when ai have discussed with friends who know my family they are also really shocked. I don’t want a big family fall out but feel that I deserve to be treated beter than this my my own family

OP posts:
Simplelobsterhat · 01/01/2025 08:57

To be fair, if you all have kids, 3 families and the grandmother sounds like far more people than I would be willing / able to host for more than a meal. Yes you could sleep in the van, but presumably you'd still need to all fit round a table, fit enough food in oven for multiple meals, use the same bathroom etc. Unless his house is huge or he's a very laid back host , that sounds like a nightmare to me!

However, on that basis he should have invited both sisters or neither and just had your mum if he didn't want to host everyone. We take it in turns with our siblings to host parents because a huge Christmas day with everyone doesn't suit us, and then see siblings at different times.

You say you'd all agreed about meeting somewhere, but you also say he hadn't replied so you hadn't all agreed. He obviously didn't want to do that plan for some reason (sounds potentially expensive and a lot of people, so could be understandable), but he's been very wrong with not being upfront about that when you suggested it, and with going behind your back to undermine those plans. I can understand you bring very hurt about that.

Out of interest though, how long before Christmas was it that you still hadn't arranged the house and your mum was asking. Because I'd imagine you'd need a lot of notice to book something with space for that many people, and it doesn't sound like the idea has got very far, so perhaps they though it just wasn't happening.

I think it's your brother you need to talk to.

bunnypenny · 01/01/2025 09:04

You lost me when you declared your mum “stubbornly” refuses to move. How dare you? are you suggesting she should move closer to one of you (given you’re all strewn around) even if she doesn’t want to? Doesn’t sound like she’s reliant on any of you.

Simplelobsterhat · 01/01/2025 09:08

bunnypenny · 01/01/2025 09:04

You lost me when you declared your mum “stubbornly” refuses to move. How dare you? are you suggesting she should move closer to one of you (given you’re all strewn around) even if she doesn’t want to? Doesn’t sound like she’s reliant on any of you.

Yes, I wasn't sure how that was relevant to the issue to be honest, and also if you all live so far from each other, how is she supposed to choose who to move nearer to?

Suzuki76 · 01/01/2025 09:12

You need to call (not message) your brother and not let it drop.

user1492757084 · 01/01/2025 09:15

Better luck next year.
Did you offer to drive up after breakfast on Christmas Day bringing a picnic to share for afternoon tea?

Did you outright ask whether you, too, could join in for their lunch, as soon as you found out what was booked?

Probably a practical problem of logistics. So many people around the table.

curious79 · 01/01/2025 09:16

You clearly have an issue in the relationship with your bro and judging how your sister and mum colluded the issue could be something in how you behave that he won’t tolerate / put up with

Screamingabdabz · 01/01/2025 09:19

The key to this is your relationship with your brother - what is the history there? Do you get on with wife and kids? I would’ve asked him point blank when he rang all ‘jovial’ on Christmas Day. ‘Sounds like you’re having a good time there John - where was my invitation?’

SandieWooz · 01/01/2025 09:21

They have no conscience with the way they’ve all treated you. I really would not bother again.

1HappyTraveller · 01/01/2025 09:32

Your brother is the AH here. He has not invited you on purpose. It’s selfish and mean.

I disagree with others that your DS and DM aren’t to blame and just don’t want to be involved. Tough. They knew you weren’t invited, they didn’t tell you, they went along with it and also left you out. They are grown arse women not 5 year old children, they sided with your brother. They knew what was happening. They are complicit in this and they too are ignoring you.

YANBU. They are behaving like a selfish deceitful bunch. All of them. Your feelings are valid. I’m sorry that your family have been so dismissive.

EnterFunnyNameHere · 01/01/2025 09:35

It's so hard to suggest what to do. It's easy to suggest the nuclear option when it's someone else who would need to do it!

If it happened to me, I'd be really tempted to put on the group chat that I'm not OK, I'm very hurt, and until someone tells me why I was excluded, I'm not interested in talking full stop. And attempts to gloss over and avoid to be met with "you knew full well i was trying to organise something and I was deliberately excluded from the event. If you're not ringing to explain why, we've got nothing to discuss".

But would i have the guts? No idea! It definitely feels like they are collectively wanting to brush this under the carpet rather than admit how shitty they've acted!

Tiredofallthis101 · 01/01/2025 09:36

Maybe SIL doesn't like you? Or ad PPs have said maybe it was the easiest thing, they may not have had space for everyone like you with only inviting your mum if wider plans didn't work out. I'd ring him and tell him how you feel - and see if you can get an answer from him.

allthemiddlechildrenoftheworld · 01/01/2025 09:38

@Pinkyblue123 sorry but it sounds like "nest, shove, out"!!!! to me!

1HappyTraveller · 01/01/2025 09:38

EnterFunnyNameHere · 01/01/2025 09:35

It's so hard to suggest what to do. It's easy to suggest the nuclear option when it's someone else who would need to do it!

If it happened to me, I'd be really tempted to put on the group chat that I'm not OK, I'm very hurt, and until someone tells me why I was excluded, I'm not interested in talking full stop. And attempts to gloss over and avoid to be met with "you knew full well i was trying to organise something and I was deliberately excluded from the event. If you're not ringing to explain why, we've got nothing to discuss".

But would i have the guts? No idea! It definitely feels like they are collectively wanting to brush this under the carpet rather than admit how shitty they've acted!

I agree completely with this response ☝🏻@Pinkyblue123

In terms of having the guts, being completely honest I would actually do this! I have no issues with confronting things head on and I also hate liars which is EXACTLY what has happened here. You haven’t just been left out @Pinkyblue123 they have all lied to you and that’s not okay!

CosyLemur · 01/01/2025 09:53
  1. No one wants a motor home parked on their drive at Christmas!
  2. why are you pissed off with your mum and sister, when it was your brother that organised it?
  3. you sound really judgemental about your mum!
SparklingPinkCat · 01/01/2025 09:58

I'd be so offended and hurt, I'd walk away and would have ignored the brother when he phoned on Christmas Day, wouldn't have let him spoil my Christmas Day. You've got your own loving family, enjoy them, you don't need this type of behaviour.

And as for your brother totally blanking you in WhatsApp family group. Wow‼️ so rude and very telling. When someone treats you like that, walk away. Gaslighting doesn't even cut it xx

Oddsquadnumber1 · 01/01/2025 10:03

Pinkyblue123 · 29/12/2024 21:47

I told him how upset I felt about being excluded and that I thought we were doing something altogether. He ignored my messages, but I could see he had read them. I asked why ignoring me and he just ignored my until he called me on Xmas day all jovial as well if nothing happened

And what did you say on the call? I'd have told them to get lost if I'd answered at all

TheBluntTurtle · 01/01/2025 10:15

That sounds horrible OP - I’m so sorry. If I was giving them the benefit of the doubt I’d say maybe they didn’t deliberately exclude you but forgot to include you - but that seems very unlikely given you were making plans to spend Xmas together. They are all to blame- even if it was your brother making the plans your sister and mum still went along with it .
i think you just ring your brother - it’ll be awkward but how else are you going to find out why this happened as he’s ignoring your messages?

Kisskiss · 01/01/2025 10:19

I think you need to ask him directly ( probably on a call ) why you weren’t invited to his for Christmas . It sounds weird

Unicorntearsofgin · 01/01/2025 10:22

bunnypenny · 01/01/2025 09:04

You lost me when you declared your mum “stubbornly” refuses to move. How dare you? are you suggesting she should move closer to one of you (given you’re all strewn around) even if she doesn’t want to? Doesn’t sound like she’s reliant on any of you.

Agree. Perhaps the mother and brother have been upset by the OP saying things to this affect. If she isn’t reliant on you and is happy where she is why try and force her to move.

diddl · 01/01/2025 11:10

I think if you want everyone to be together you have to organise it.

Obviously that doesn't explain why your brother invited your sister & not you.

I think three adults with families keep making suggestions doesn't really work.

Someone has to decide & others join or not.

Did your mum & sister think you were invited?

If so why?

Imbusytodaysorry · 01/01/2025 11:49

OneWittySquid · 29/12/2024 21:19

You live 7 hours away from everyone with limited time off and a frail 80 year old mother I don't know what you expected to happen?

She expected to be included in the plans . Invited or a discussion at least .
Op was going to go out her way for the day for her mum .
Stinking attitude you have of “well if you don’t live in the same village we aren’t including you “
People have a right to choose where they live !
Doesn't mean they can’t have a family !

itsjustbiology · 01/01/2025 12:41

Really sorry but it seems to me that your mum is the one causing issues. You stated she is nearly 80 yet with everyone living so far away one way or the other and her reluctance to move I would suggest this will only become harder for all of you siblings going forward. I would be questioning how long your mother can realistically continue to live on her own never mind the xmas issues. Its tough. Sorry

PragmaticIsh · 01/01/2025 12:47

What did you say to your DB when he phoned on Christmas day? That's kind of key.

DeliciousApples · 01/01/2025 14:51

I'd be hurt too. I think I'd be sending him an email at the bare minimum or preferably speaking to him face to face the next time we all met up again.

To disarm him id be starting off by saying:
"I'm sorry if I caused a misunderstanding when I said I would arrange something for mum and me at Christmas (if nothing was arranged for the whole family). I wasn't deliberately excluding anyone, just thinking about how small my place is to host and tbh was hoping it would perhaps start a conversation about what we could all do as I didn't want anyone to be alone and places book up fast.
Next I heard I was excluded.

I don't understand why.
Could you explain what the misunderstand was please?"

Stay calm. No emotion. No bad mood. Just calm and see if that helps him to explain. If it's a good while between now and then it will lessen his emotion. So you may get the truth.

You only get one shot at that convo. You can't be "always bringing it up" as they will change from gaslighting to saying you're always in about that shut up will you. And you still won't get an answer.

CrayonCritic5 · 01/01/2025 15:46

Did you ask him on the Christmas day phone call? If not, ask him now (not via message).

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