Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To go NC with in-laws?

7 replies

Stressedshark · 08/10/2025 16:45

Hello,
I’m looking for some advice regarding in-laws.
My husband is originally from Ireland. He moved over here as a builder after he was doing some work on a house and we met and got married etc. He has a big family back home. We have always visited 3-4 times a year, usually it being our only holiday to see grandparents/aunts/cousins who very rarely visited us. (This is because we can stay at his parents house as it’s big but they have to stay in a hotel here as our house isn’t big enough. Uncles and cousins have never really visited which upsets my husband privately).
last year, my husband who is very private had a breakdown and was taken off work with stress. He was very sad about a personal situation. He was very embarrassed and rang his parents, in confidence, for help.
they ended up telling people over there and it has really effected our relationship. They knew how personal the topic was and how sad and struggling we were here and it felt like a breach of trust. I messages explaining we were upset and the reasons and our whole relationship with the Irish side turned sour. We didn’t go over for a few months so they came over for an occasion. (Family wedding over here of another cousin who lives in UK). It was awkward when they came and they were very rude. She is adamant now we go over for Christmas but I really don’t want to. Their whole attitude and the way they’ve treated us has been horrible. Issue is we have small children so difficult to go NC. Has anyone managed to awkwardly keep in-laws in their lives for the kids without having a proper relationship ?! Any advice much appreciated

OP posts:
Ellie1015 · 08/10/2025 16:48

I would be civil for my husband. I would support him if he wanted to go nc but otherwise I would be pleasant and not look for a close relationship with them myself.

lnks · 08/10/2025 16:49

What does your DH want to do?

Stressedshark · 08/10/2025 16:52

lnks · 08/10/2025 16:49

What does your DH want to do?

So he is very upset too and I’ve said il go over if he wants to. He’s upset with them but we both think they are family shall we just accept it? He was in such a bad place he’s really embarrassed and hurt by it all.

OP posts:
Stressedshark · 08/10/2025 16:52

lnks · 08/10/2025 16:49

What does your DH want to do?

I asked if he wanted a family trip over for Oct half term but he said no.

OP posts:
Stressedshark · 08/10/2025 16:53

Ellie1015 · 08/10/2025 16:48

I would be civil for my husband. I would support him if he wanted to go nc but otherwise I would be pleasant and not look for a close relationship with them myself.

This was my plan. I actually tried to make amends by meeting her for a coffee when she was over to try make effort but it was met quite cold

OP posts:
RandomMess · 08/10/2025 16:55

It’s ok for you both to agree it’s too soon and tell them “Not up to it this Christmas but we hope to come in summer”.

It sounds like your DH will struggle to spend time with them so soon?

Stressedshark · 08/10/2025 16:57

RandomMess · 08/10/2025 16:55

It’s ok for you both to agree it’s too soon and tell them “Not up to it this Christmas but we hope to come in summer”.

It sounds like your DH will struggle to spend time with them so soon?

I think you are right. However as we went over several times a year it does feel like it might make things more awkward the longer we leave it. I am just struggling and feel really stressed about it all! They’ve shown me a different side. If we didn’t have the kids wouldn’t be an issue but I feel guilt on that part

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