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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

family problems

12 replies

nickiey · 28/09/2005 12:11

Ok this may be long, first a bit of background about me so things make a bit more sense.
I'm 25 met dh at 16 (he 26) moved in 4 months later, ectopic pregnancy when I was 18, married a few months later, miscarriage, beautiful dd stillborn, ultra handsome ds born 8 months later safe and well, 2 misscarraiges later and we have the present day.

My most recent misscarriage was in April and unfortunatly my SIL was preggers at the same time, we were due 4 weeks apart. In the july it was my MIL and FIL ruby wedding do, they were paying for us to go to a hotel with them for a weekend away-I just couldnt face it, being in close company with SIl when she was heavily preggers. Anyway We went after lots of arguments between dh and myself, I felt that he should take the descision away from me and just tell his mum that it was too soon after the MC. We went because dh didnt mention it to his mum and no-one talked to me about it and I had made the cake (thats my job, wedding cakes and things) so If we didnt go they wouldnt have had the cake etc.
It was appaling, the first momoent I saw SIL I had no control, tears overwhelmed me and I left the room-i dont think anyone realised as I made excuses that I had left ds toy in the car (he is 3) for the rest of the weekend Sil and I didnt speak, I tried to, when her dd fell over (she is 1.6yro) but we pretty much didnt talk.
After the birth of her 1st dd I was overwhelmed with sorrow and pain at the loss of my dd-I felt no joy for them. when they called her a name so similar to my own dd (four letters starting with same letter) I was angered anyway that is by the by.
After we came home a few days later MIL came over unexpectedly, she sat me down in front of ds (after telling me my house smelt of dog) and lectured me about how I wasnt coping, that I should put an act on for the sake of the family, that she didnt think i would "still" feel like this-anyway we had a huge talk and I didnt hold back in telling her just how I felt. she stayed for lunch and then left and really ive not spoken to her since bar the odd phonecall meant for dh.
There is loads of stuff that has niggled me over the years, to much to go into but I feel so hurt by all of this. Was I so wrong to want to put my feelings first re the ruby do, Am I so wrong to feel nothing but pain and sorrow when I think of how happy sil and bil mmust be. They have had the baby now another girl and I did all the right stuff, sent flowers,card but we havent seen the baby (geography helps this) and Im dreading it.
come war, famine and disease people will always have babies and feel the joy that it brings-for me tho It just reminds me of sadness, not many people "get" that.

OP posts:
nickiey · 28/09/2005 12:12

reading all that through it is so jumbled, sorry guys solid proof that you should reread bbefore you post!

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nickiey · 28/09/2005 12:19

SIL if you read this, you will know that is about us-I'm sorry.

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newmumhelp · 28/09/2005 12:25

It must be very difficult for you. I have no advice for you as i can only imagine how you must feel about it all. It is an impossible situation for you all to be in, and i feel for you. No i don't think it was wrong about not wanting to go to the ruby wedding party, as it probably was too soon. You need time to get over it. As for your SIL it must be very hard for her too, as she is obviously very happy, but knows that you are not.

Perhaps you could speak to her and tell her that you are very happy for you her but can't help thinking what could of been for you.

mancmum · 28/09/2005 12:29

you have nothing to apologise for here... I think your in-laws are being very insensitive .. Ihave the best in laws you could ask for but I remember my MIL was quite p'd off with me that I did not go to her granddaughers engagement party 1 day after I had a miscarriage ... and she knew how hard it had been for me to get pg etc... Some families are all about putting on an act and not discussing their feelings... mine is the opposite -- we talk about everythign which can resilt in some fall outs but my family would be fine about me crying over my lost baby when my siblings have a child...

I think you should write your MIL and SIL a letter saying you just want them to know how painful your losses have been and that you are dealing with it as best you can but you could do with some sensitivity and support -- make sure you DH knows how you feel... I think that is all you can do... I personally would avoid them until them make some steps towards helping you...

nickiey · 28/09/2005 12:43

dh knows how I feel tho he doesnt feel the same, I guess its different for women. Ive never been very close to my sil but cant help thinking that if it was the oter way around I would phone her to talk and see if she was ok etc-but then everyone is different-day to day im fine, noone would ever know about this side of my feelings but when I know someone who gets preggers or has a baby girl I just go all funny, cant cope with it and instead of all the nice things people say I can just about utter, Oh, lovely.
I always said I wouldnt let what has happened to us define me, but it does.

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flamebat · 28/09/2005 12:49

Maybe it would be good if you SIL is on here and reads this.

If I was her, then I would be at a loss - I wouldn't know what was the right thing to do, what you wanted me to do etc. I probably wouldn't be phoning you because I would worry that you thought I was rubbing your nose in it Tell her how you feel - phone, letter, anything, just tell her how you feel.

I wouldn't have wanted to go to the ruby wedding do either.

newmumhelp · 28/09/2005 12:53

Was just about to say the same as flamebat. Perhaps she hasn't tried to talk to you as she might think it will upset you

Fimbo · 28/09/2005 13:01

I agree with the last two posters. Whilst I would be upset about the ruby wedding do and the way your mil has gone about things, I do feel for your sil as well. TBH I have been in your sil's shoes and there is nothing worse than being overjoyed at your new arrival knowing that at the same time, your happiness is causing someone else unbelievable sorrow. I hope your sil does see this thread and perhaps the two of you can have a long talk.

Pixiefish · 28/09/2005 13:09

I can totally empathise with you. 8 years ago I had a mc and my friend was due at the same time as I was. Anyway she went on to have a healthy little girl and to this day every time I see this little girl I am reminded of my baby. Initially I couldn't go to see the baby as it was so hard but one weekend I managed it. I was childless and remained childless for 6 years after and it was so hard to see this little girl. Plus my friend asked me to be her godmother- that was bittersweet and still is.
I don't think people should expect you to put on a face- especially family- that's what they should be helping you with and if they don't know how you fell then they can't help you. Yes, life does go on and we have to get on with it but I don't think that anyone will ever understand how you feel unless they've been through it. TBH I can't understand your MIL- she knows what it is to love a child- she should know how you feel having lost. Sorry if that's jumbled but i'm trying to get unclear feelings down

nickiey · 28/09/2005 15:47

TBH, I feel nothing towards my SIL, certainly nothing bad or negative-I can see whow this is hard for her, awkward and a nagging issue in her mind, possible guilt even, tho there is no need for her to feel guilt-thing is for the first time in a long time my concern iss not her feelings (or anyones), its mine-that may seem selfish but ive spent a long time being ok, the strong one, getting back on with life and perhaps ive been knocked once too many times. MIl may see this new attitude as one of not coping but she is wrong, i am coping-very well-im just not taking other peoples crap anymore.
Pixiefish, we too are godparents to their dd-bittersweet indeed.

I phoned the Sands helpline as I dont know anyone who has been through the things i have, maybe i know some one who had a miscarriage or a stillbirth but not everything withing 5 years! anyway they helped me see that I am coping, with things that are very hard to live with indeed, and im coping bloody brilliantly so sod anyone who thinks otherwise.

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newmumhelp · 28/09/2005 16:01

Well in that case, you be selfish. You've been through enough, and if you can't think about yourself then no one else will i say

nickiey · 28/09/2005 16:03

thankyou! im glad i got that all of my chest!

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