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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU for wanting to go no contact with draining in laws?

7 replies

Hellobuttercup · 18/08/2026 07:45

I’ll try and keep a very long and complicated story as brief as possible. My husband and I have been together for 10 years, happily married with 1 child. I come from a small family that all get along. His family on the other hand always have some sort of drama going on.

His siblings despite all being in their late 30s fall out consistently and go periods of time without talking over the silliest of things. My husband generally stays out of it but does occasionally have arguments with them too as it just seems to be their family dynamic.

I find it so draining! I don’t have a huge amount of contact with them but sometimes, even when I haven’t seen them for a while, I’ll come to a family event and they won’t be talking to me and I’ve absolutely no idea why. My husband had a disagreement with one of his siblings recently and I seen them out and about with the kids during the school holidays and was completely ignored while with my daughter even tho the argument didn’t involve me. It was confusing for her that her family just walked past us. My MIL is also very hot and cold and if any arguments have happened, also stops talking to me or is very blunt with me dispute me not being involved in the arguments whatsoever.

I find it all so childish and draining. I never know where I stand with them or for what random reason they are passive aggressive with us next. It makes me dread things like Christmas which I used to love. I don’t want to make things awkward for my husband but AIBU to want to step back and stop going to family events etc where I’m often ignored because they are annoyed about something that’s nothing to do with me?

It’s got to the point where I end up feeling bad about myself, I constantly question what I could have possible done or said wrong even though I know there’s nothing. My husband knows they are difficult but understandably doesn’t want to cut them off completely.

OP posts:
OtterlyMad · 18/08/2026 07:49

YANBU. I couldn’t be arsed with that either, and I would be furious about them punishing my child for a falling out between adults! If DH wishes to continue the relationship with them then that’s his prerogative but don’t subject you or your daughter to it.

ScarlettSarah · 18/08/2026 07:50

You might as well play them at their own game. They like to ignore you? Fine, you ignore them. Permanently.

CinderellaGotOld · 18/08/2026 07:52

Agreed. would have no time for this. I would not want to go somewhere people may or may not be talking to me and would not tolerate my children being dragged into it.

TheWonderhorse · 18/08/2026 07:56

I was fully expecting to come on here to say that all in-laws are draining and you get used to it, but they ignore you and your child? Balls to that. Primary school behaviour.

BusyMum47 · 18/08/2026 09:15

Eff that. I’d happily back out, ignore & move on - let your husband do whatever. BUT I would be wary about the influence all of it will be having on your little one. If they can ignore their grandchild/niece for no reason, then they don’t deserve to have a relationship with her.

StressedOutPeanut · 18/08/2026 09:32

My in laws were the exact same. Extremely toxic they would fall out regularly and slag each other off. One of them even stopped their sibling saying goodbye to their dying mum (MIL) because they weren't talking and told the hospice staff to not let her in.
It was at that moment I snapped and went no contact with them all when MIL passed the next day and I must say myself, dh and our dc feel so much better not having to walk on eggshells.

Cuppachuchu · 18/08/2026 09:37

Don't waste your energy trying to figure them out, they seem to live on the drama. As PP said, match their energy and ignore them too.
Should make Christmas nice and easy, no need to trouble yourself with gifts, invites etc. Your DH can bother with them, or not.

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