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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I know I am, and that you will all come on here and tell me so, BUT It's better that I rant on here than say something to DH.

15 replies

SaltireOShanter · 08/01/2009 14:05

It's starting to wind me up (irrationally) and if I said anything to DH he would get annoyed.

His dads brother (DHs uncle)has terminal cancer, he has had it for almost a year and has, over the past month gone very rapidly downhill. He is the only brother FIL has left. FIL was the youngest, by 12 years of 5. The brother that is left is 74.
Anyway, every day, sometimes twice, since the middle of december DH ahs been getting phone messages left on his mobile

Along the lines of "hello son, its dad,can you ring me/call me immdeiately/its urgent/I've had terrible news**delete where appropriate, all said in this very slow, grief stricken sounding voice.

We got one at 10.30 pm on Christmas Eve. last night, we got another at 11.30
It was the same old thing "your uncle x isn't good, we've been to visit him again" and DH gets all the same conversation as yesterday, and the day before that and the day before that.

Reading this back I know I sound like a heartless cow, and I admit I probably ABU. But I just don't see what the ILs expect us to do. We live a 7/8 hour drive away from them. DH hasn't seen his uncle since our wedding 15 years ago. He never gets a Christmas card, birthday card etc off them.
I just think that(well I don't think, I know) that FIL loves doing grief and sadness. he is never happier than when he is A) Bragging or B) Being a martyr
I know that when his poor uncle does pass away, they will expect DH to go to the funeral. he was "press-ganged into going to Step MILs mums funeral,, in November, it cost us over £100 in petrol, plus another £150 on nights out - with poor upset FIL, who had DH in the pub the night before the funeral, the night of the funeral (and step MIL was left at home on her own,after burying her mother with instructions not to drink so she could go and collect them) and then again on the ngiht after
If I tell DH though how I feel about this, then he will call me a selfish bitch, I know he would, and I don't blame him, hence I'm doing it here.

OP posts:
themoon66 · 08/01/2009 14:08

Can you not just bite your tongue for a while? It sounds as though its pretty much over for the uncle anyway. Just nod your head sympathetically

clam · 08/01/2009 14:14

I agree. Ride it out.

purpleduck · 08/01/2009 14:14

And your husband would be right about the selfish part.

Honestly, its such a little thing for your dh to give a bit of emotional support. If he's not complaining, why are you?

littlelyn · 08/01/2009 14:18

I think you need to rely on your DH's judgement in knowing how best to handle his dad in this situation and whether or not he should attend the funeral. You're being honest not unreasonable

Songbird · 08/01/2009 14:19

Well-vented! As you know, you're right to do it here! It sounds like you FIL wants DH to go and say his goodbyes before it's too late. he won't understand all the reasons why not to that you're listing. You'll be expected to go to the funeral so that's two trips in a short (probably, unfortunately) space of time. Can I just ask, £150 on nights out? WTF?

EBenes · 08/01/2009 14:20

It would wind me up too, but I know I am selfish and heartless. DO NOT mention it to dh now! You can probably joke about it, very gently, in about 3 years and find out your dh had the same thoughts at the time, but he'd be far too guilty to acknowledge them now. Relax, we all have uncharitable thoughts. The trick is to stop yourself hurting other people's feelings, that's what being nice really is.

Songbird · 08/01/2009 14:22

Oh, and I couldn't believe what you said about the men going out the night of step-MIL's mother's funeral, and expecting her to pick them up! FIL sounds a bit selfish to me.

SaltireOShanter · 08/01/2009 14:24

Songbird - oh yes, FIL loves showing DH off to his posh friends. "Look, here's my son, he plays rugby". No mnetion of Dh's 22 years in teh military, or his wife and children. They will ahve gone into the rugby club, and the posh htoels, whereas DH would ahve been pleased with a pint down the local

I told DH that I was shocked that they had gone out and left step MIL on her won, the night of her mother's funeral, and DH said "well you know what he's like" anbd I do, he would have gone in a huff like a 2year old who's been told he can't have sweeties. That how childish he can be.

OP posts:
RedOnHerHead · 08/01/2009 14:25

your FIL sounds like he needs someone to talk to - its his only brother left, of course he's upset!

your FIL probably feels that because you are so far away that he should keep you informed. I'm glad you've got your rant out of the way, but its not really fair for you to be talking like this in my opinion. be there for them. i agree with you, its better than rant on here than say something to your dh.

NAB3lovelychildren · 08/01/2009 14:27

How does your DH feel about the calls?

SaltireOShanter · 08/01/2009 14:29

DH has said to me "I wonder why dad keeps calling to tell me uncle x is still bad, I can't do anything"
I, like I said in OP never said anything. I find it hard to say anything nice about or to FIL

OP posts:
piscesmoon · 08/01/2009 14:45

I think that FIL just needs someone to talk to-it doesn't seem too hard to listen.

claw3 · 08/01/2009 14:57

Does you dh speak to his dad on any other ocassions barring funerals, birthdays and christmas etc?

Struck me that he may use this as an excuse to phone.

SaltireOShanter · 08/01/2009 15:24

DH phones his dad about once a fortnight, sometimes less. FIL only really phones if
A) Scotland have been playing rugby
B) His local team have been playing ryugby
C) He has bought something new
D) He has bought SIL something new

OP posts:
claw3 · 08/01/2009 16:38

Thats my theory out of the window then

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