Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

.. To not want to make the effort with them?

12 replies

LilacPomPom · 13/04/2025 14:26

To cut a long story short, my DP's family are a bit manic and almost living in their own worlds entirely. I had my son last year, his birthday is fast approaching. I've planned a party for him (over the top, I know but life is short) and have invited all of our families.

As expected, my SIL and her sub-family (Close Ex-Partner, Son & Girlfriend, Daughter & her own partner) are busy. I have absolutely no problem with this however we initially mentioned about hosting a gathering at our house and my MIL told her she wouldn't be invited (this was months ago) because her and her own family do not like our dog and it's not fair for our dog to be shut away when he gets on with everyone else. She kicked off, made a few unnecessary comments about how it isn't "fair" and so forth. So, we told her we'd plan to host in a neutral location, without the dog. Gave her several weeks notice and have found out she's busy. Oh well.

However, she has seen my son about 3-4 times over the year. She didn't start making an effort until we invited her to his birthday and she said she couldn't come. She's now saying we should plan something with her own children, partner etc. for my son's birthday. I don't really want to - she never made an effort before, her and my DP are not close and, again, I can count on one hand how many times she has seen him over the year since he was born. She has no money, so we'd have to pay for whatever she is suggesting and also, I know this sounds awful but why should i go to the effort of planning something just for them when I've already spent months arranging this party anyway?

OP posts:
Poppyseeds79 · 13/04/2025 14:32

I'd just reply "Ah, it's lovely you want to host something. Just let us know what you're doing?".

100% she won't get around to it.

SeventeenClovesOfGarlic · 13/04/2025 14:38

She's now saying we should plan something with her own children, partner etc. for my son's birthday

Er.. you did. They don't want to attend.
Don't give these people any thought, your boyfriend can arrange contact with them if he wants.
Your child sees the postman more often than these people, so it's of no loss to him.

JaneBoulton · 13/04/2025 14:41

Who is 'she' in the context in this?

im finding it really hard to distinguish the involved people.

LilacPomPom · 13/04/2025 14:43

JaneBoulton · 13/04/2025 14:41

Who is 'she' in the context in this?

im finding it really hard to distinguish the involved people.

She is my son's Aunt (My partner's half-sister)

OP posts:
DPotter · 13/04/2025 14:43

Yep - bounce it back to her and think no more of it. As you say - life is too short.

It's your DP's sister - if he's interested in forging a relationship between her and his son, let him crack on. If he's no interested, (and it sounds as if he's not bothered) why should you be ? Don't fall into the trap of being the one who maintains contact between DP and his family - that's on him and there are reasons why if he doesn't do so.

Gundogday · 13/04/2025 14:44

So you’ve invited them to two events, dc’s party, plus a gathering at a neutral event, but they’re ’too busy’ for both of these, and they want you to organise a third event? Err no!

SeventeenClovesOfGarlic · 13/04/2025 14:45

Oh I thought it was his mother. What does his half sister have to do with anything?

I stay out of other people's family communication and dynamics, nothing good ever comes from getting involved.

LilacPomPom · 13/04/2025 14:47

SeventeenClovesOfGarlic · 13/04/2025 14:45

Oh I thought it was his mother. What does his half sister have to do with anything?

I stay out of other people's family communication and dynamics, nothing good ever comes from getting involved.

No his mother actually started the whole "they've said you're not invited to the house gathering" which meant we had to then re-arrange the party in a neutral location. My MIL was just stirring the pot, tbh.

OP posts:
SallyD00lally · 13/04/2025 14:47

Just plan your party your way.

If they come they come, if they don't then that's their choice.

Ignore all the rest of the crap.

SallyD00lally · 13/04/2025 14:49

LilacPomPom · 13/04/2025 14:47

No his mother actually started the whole "they've said you're not invited to the house gathering" which meant we had to then re-arrange the party in a neutral location. My MIL was just stirring the pot, tbh.

You didn't have to re-arrange anything to be fair, you just chose to.

Make up your mind where you're having the party and stick to it.

If they don't like your dog, then they'll choose not to come.

LilacPomPom · 13/04/2025 14:50

SallyD00lally · 13/04/2025 14:49

You didn't have to re-arrange anything to be fair, you just chose to.

Make up your mind where you're having the party and stick to it.

If they don't like your dog, then they'll choose not to come.

We chose to, yes - we thought it would be nice. The party's still going ahead, i'm just not prepared to do something extra for them when we changed it initially! :)

OP posts:
Caroparo52 · 13/04/2025 15:39

Then don't. You've made plenty of effort which was thrown back in your face.
They are testing you to see how far this can be pushed.
Stop now. Move on.

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