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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

How do you behave towards ILs you don’t like?

5 replies

Crawsy · 29/05/2026 19:35

Just that really. When I first met my SIL I liked her. But over time red flags emerged. To the point my brother’s best mate asked brother what he was doing marrying SIL. She is very controlling and demanding. Will go and buy designer clothes regardless if they can afford it. Doesn’t have a job. Talks down to brother etc.

I shared my concerns once with brother years ago. only once and left it at that. But brother explained what he saw in SIL and I left it at that. It’s his choice at the end of the day. I don’t want to push it as I love my brother and we as a family have a lovely relationship.

I’ve tried my absolute best with SIL. Cooked nice meals, invited her shopping etc. Genuinely tried to have a friendship/meaningful relationship.

But I have since learned SIL was seen punching brother on their drive. I want to maintain a relationship with brother. So I haven’t brought it up. I’ve had advice from mumsnet in the past and was told keep my mouth shut so as not to give SIL an excuse to isolate brother.

SIL and brother are coming over this weekend. I make small talk but we tend not to engage on a deep level with each other. I feel like such a two face asking SIL about her family/job for example.

How should I behave? It just feels so wrong and phoney. But I don’t want to lose brother

OP posts:
DaisyDooley · 29/05/2026 19:43

I would be civil , mainly because you clearly want to maintain a relationship with your brother.
BUT if this was my brother I would arrange to meet for a coffee /get him round on some pretext to help with some 2 man DIY and speak to him. I would tell him what had been reported to me, say l was worried about him and I’m there 24/7 if he needs me.

CamillaMcCauley · 29/05/2026 19:52

Your only real choice is to limit interactions with her for your own peace of mind and express gentle reservations to your brother one-on-one if you get the opportunity.

He’s a grown man, he can decide for himself if he wants to be tied to a spendthrift who punches him.

canuckup · 29/05/2026 20:38

Just see them less

Sunisgettinganewhaton · 29/05/2026 20:41

Tell db you know. Tell him you won't be mentioning it again but that he knows where you are.. See him alone of you can. Bare minimum chat of you have to see her..

MancunianFay · 30/05/2026 00:25

How can you ask her about her job if she doesn’t have one?

i would just be nice as possible. Means to an end if you want to have a relationship with your brother.

Hopefully he’ll see her for what she is at some point.

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