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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to end things with my sister-in-law after years of helping?

134 replies

Fedup0707 · 11/08/2026 20:26

need some honest opinions because I'm very angry and upset and don't know if I'm seeing this clearly.
She's my SIL (my brother's wife). I've never particularly liked her, but she's family and for 17 years I've always tried to be there for her. I look after her children, send my own children to help her and whenever she needs something I tend to run over. I've always felt you support family, even when you don't particularly get on.
However, I feel she constantly blames others, twists situations and portrays herself as the victim. She has a very difficult relationship with my brother and, although he's certainly not blameless, I feel she takes their problems out on the wider family. She's also accused my mum of causing problems between them.
Recently there was an argument over a duvet cover. My brother wanted one, so I gave him one of hers. I accept I should have asked her first. She rang me furious, shouting "how dare you" and accusing me of causing trouble between her and my brother. We both shouted at each other on the phone and I told her i knew that her and her brother had conspired and tried to separate me and my husband, because she wasnt happy being married to my brother. (They are still married) mainly for the kids.
I messaged her afterwards because I was fed up with being blamed and accused when I feel I've done so much to help her and her children. I told her I wouldn't get involved in her affairs again.
Then today my mum came out of hospital. My SIL was there, and I felt she was being fake sympathetic towards my mum as shes previouslybeen awful to her but trying to show look I'm good etc.
I was still angry and confronted her. I told her I didn't think she was a good person and that she should apologise for things she'd said previously.
She told me "don't talk to me." listening to your voice gives me a headache and i said dont talk to you "forever?" And she said well im not a good person and I said I agree your not and she replied "don't talk to me ever, our relationship is finished."
I know I started today's argument and I'm not denying that. I was angry and deliberately confronted her rather than walking away.
But I feel I've spent 17 years helping her, looking after her children and running whenever she needs something, while she repeatedly blames me, my mum or my brother when things go wrong.
I've also realised I've probably pretended we're much closer than we actually are because she's family.

OP posts:
Gengha · 11/08/2026 22:49

not really but I am waiting for my kid to get in and I was bored. I don’t think he’ll be bringing a duvet cover, but you never know.

Shinyandnew1 · 11/08/2026 22:51

Fedup0707 · 11/08/2026 21:48

I have explained about the duvet already my sis in law was out and my brother just asked me to run over and get one from their house, we live a few doors he was at my mums, again a few doors down, his daughter13 year old was still asleep and I woke her up and asked for a duvet to give as he was about to leave for airbnb, she then rang me first and said why did you give duvet i needed it etc, so i messaged my brother and said dont use it she needs it, he then messaged her and said that she should have spoken to him not me. She then rang me at 10pm to accuse me of causing arguments in her marriage. I was literally gobsmacked as didnt expect it and shouted back at her that I've always been there for her etc.

WTAF?! Do you think that is somehow clearer?!

Bogofftosomewherehot · 11/08/2026 23:03

Well, there's 10 minutes of my life I'll never get back!

Are you all usually this batshit crazy?

All living doors away from each other (I bet the neighbours sit with their popcorn at the ready).

Why are you all so in each others pockets and business if you don't even like each other? 17 years of it and you're still living there. I'd have moved years ago rather than live in this soap opera hell.

LakieLady · 11/08/2026 23:05

Lub7347 · 11/08/2026 22:37

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

There are no words for this level of batshittery. Each update is more bonkers than the last! 3 explanations and still the duvet debacle makes absolutely zero sense 😅 has given us all a good giggle though

Thank you for this.

I was beginning to think I'd lost the power of comprehension, but clearly it was all actually incomprehensible.

Fedup0707 · 11/08/2026 23:08

@Gengha good ai version but he was helping my dad with something so literally just asked me to get a duvet cover a non issue! sis in law does have form for over reacting and unfortunately this time I gave in to her ridiculousness whereas I normally would ignore, she should have just asked my brother who was not going to move to an Airbnb he runs a buisness thats it. Duvet is just an underlying issue and as previously pointed out I am really fed up of just being there for her and have realised I dont actually like her! And do resent her. Her brother came to visit a few years back he lives abroad, and they tried to meddle in my relationship, my husband nearly fell for it then told.me what they had been trying to do, her and my brother were going through a really rough patch at the time. Although they are still together it hasn't been the easiest of marriages and I guess I kind of felt a bit sorry for them at times, and just wished we would all get on! So yes have been a peacemaker we do live in close proximity and sometimes I think its too close, but all the children get on wonderfully.

OP posts:
PeterRabbitsWhiskers · 11/08/2026 23:09

One for the Old Timers, but this is giving TRex in the frozen food aisle vibes. Is that you, Sharon?

Fedup0707 · 11/08/2026 23:10

we dont have screaming matches in the streets! We never have??

OP posts:
ALovelyPinkUnicorn · 11/08/2026 23:10

PeterRabbitsWhiskers · 11/08/2026 23:09

One for the Old Timers, but this is giving TRex in the frozen food aisle vibes. Is that you, Sharon?

🤣 I need to be asleep but am just too invested!!

ALovelyPinkUnicorn · 11/08/2026 23:11

Wait!! Are you in Mexico op?!

Gengha · 11/08/2026 23:13

She does sound like a cow to be fair.

Fedup0707 · 11/08/2026 23:13

I was literally asking for advice i know its a non issue thats been taken out of context! Im glad you all get on with your family's and never argue or try to keep peace to see your nieces and nephews! Your all very privileged and lucky to have that.

OP posts:
Gengha · 11/08/2026 23:16

Fedup0707 · 11/08/2026 23:13

I was literally asking for advice i know its a non issue thats been taken out of context! Im glad you all get on with your family's and never argue or try to keep peace to see your nieces and nephews! Your all very privileged and lucky to have that.

Oh bloody hell OP one side of my extended family are/were mental. That’s why we live 400 miles away from them and not in the same road

MayWelland · 11/08/2026 23:18

Fedup0707 · 11/08/2026 23:13

I was literally asking for advice i know its a non issue thats been taken out of context! Im glad you all get on with your family's and never argue or try to keep peace to see your nieces and nephews! Your all very privileged and lucky to have that.

Nobody said that @Fedup0707. I’m genuinely sorry you are having a rough day but please don’t start on the people who are trying to help you.

You put a post on AIBU, which isn’t known for its nuance, and you were desperately unclear (prob because you were upset). The advice you’ve had is really solid - you are overthinking, let it go, find something else to do to stop it feeling so overwhelming.

Nobody has said that they don’t fight with their families and never argue.

PorridgeEater · 11/08/2026 23:19

FleshLiabilities · 11/08/2026 21:19

Well that's as clear as mud.

This.
Still baffling.

Fedup0707 · 11/08/2026 23:22

If we could move we would, but not as easy as that, am main carer for my parents, who are needing more and more help now, plus work and being able to afford to move. Its just not possible, have thought about it alot but just cant at the moment, I know my tolerance at the min is at an all time low i think cause of going through menopause, i shouldn't have argued today or brought it up, should have walked away, but still felt really angry and I normally don't care, as know she has form and try to ignore, but i didnt.

OP posts:
PorridgeEater · 11/08/2026 23:24

Fedup0707 · 11/08/2026 21:48

I have explained about the duvet already my sis in law was out and my brother just asked me to run over and get one from their house, we live a few doors he was at my mums, again a few doors down, his daughter13 year old was still asleep and I woke her up and asked for a duvet to give as he was about to leave for airbnb, she then rang me first and said why did you give duvet i needed it etc, so i messaged my brother and said dont use it she needs it, he then messaged her and said that she should have spoken to him not me. She then rang me at 10pm to accuse me of causing arguments in her marriage. I was literally gobsmacked as didnt expect it and shouted back at her that I've always been there for her etc.

Wow!

FaceEatingLeopard · 11/08/2026 23:28

What fresh unintelligible hell is this now?

Well it doesn’t matter because I’ve slipped almost into unconsciousness trying to understand it so bonne chance to anyone who sticks with it!

orangehandles · 11/08/2026 23:31

She's a right madam. No wonder her marriage to your brother is in trouble.

Happyjoe · 11/08/2026 23:44

Smile, walk away and just live your life. It sounds like it's done, not much point giving it all much headspace.

Whoops75 · 11/08/2026 23:46

For your own peace of mind just deal with your brother.

Firefly1987 · 11/08/2026 23:52

Is anyone else feeling a bit sorry for the SIL?

OP takes a duvet without asking so SIL asks why she did that at which point they get into a massive barney and OP decides to accuse her and her brother of conspiring to break up OPs marriage!

She's nice to OPs mum but apparently was just being fake so OP starts another fight with her.

Well she could be a manipulative psycho or the OP could just be paranoid, who knows really.

Moulook31 · 12/08/2026 00:05

Fedup0707 · 11/08/2026 21:14

She was out and my brother asked me to run over and get a duvet cover from his house for Airbnb as he was about to leave, her daughter gave me one and that was the one she was going to change. And I know i was absolutely shocked that she caused a huge argument over this! She phoned me at 10pm after she had been to a party to argur i didnt expect it at all, it was such a non issue!

Edited

Was totally confused here. So glad the duvet part has now been made clearer.

Moulook31 · 12/08/2026 00:09

Gengha · 11/08/2026 22:00

This

I’m none the wiser on the duvet cover

And if OP is only a few doors away why couldn’t brother go and get it himself?

And how is it SIL duvet cover but not also BIL’s given they live together?

Everyone sounds batshit

It’s a mathematical problem! 😂

Moonandstarsandsun · 12/08/2026 00:11

Hahaha living for the comments. Still don’t understand over the duvet???

OneAmpleSloth · 12/08/2026 00:11

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