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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

I just can't be happy for her

34 replies

SheerWill · 18/01/2015 13:33

Apologies in advance this could be a very long one.

My cousin, who I used to be very close to, was in a bit of a difficult situation around 6 years ago. Her boyfriend had been kicked out of his house and they were sleeping in her car as her parents wouldn't have agreed to let him stay there. So as I had a spare room in my house I let them love with me, paying rent. I really enjoyed living with her but the boyfriend was an utter waste of space. Spent most days getting up late, bumming around my house, playing guitar and smoking weed (not inside). He couldn't seem to hold down a job and she was paying for everything for the both of them. I just felt really uncomfortable around him as he very rarely speaks. I work full time as a busy teacher so had other things going on in my life and my exh also moved in a few months after they did - so there were 4 of us.

Exh and I went on holiday about 6 months into this whole arrangement and upon our return I noticed around 90 DVD and blu-rays had gone missing + games etc from the study. Things had been rearranged on the shelves to make it look full up, but stuff was definitely missing. I asked them about it but they denied all knowledge. We had a sneaky suspicion it was him but at the time had no proof.

A couple of days later, while they were out exh went though their stuff without me knowing and found cash converters receipts hidden in pairs of his socks. We immediately handed the evidence to the police and he eventually admitted it and handed himself in. I kicked them out, felt awful for my cousin (even rang her mum ahead of doing it to try and ensure she had some support). He was fined £1000 by the court but as he didn't work was only expected to pay back £10 a month. We recieved money for a few months then it dried up completely. The money was awarded to exh as most of the stuff taken was his, so I never saw a penny and he didn't challenge the fact that the payments had dried up. I continued to be on good terms with my cousin and even found out that he'd stolen money from her by using her debit card without her knowledge.

Cousin and arse split up for a while but eventually he apologised to her parents (wtaf) and they got back together. They've been together quite a while now, but I avoid him at family events. He's now in a stable job and they've just announced their engagement and they're expecting a baby.

I know I should probably just get over it, but hearing everyone congratulate them and act like nothing happened is now really getting to me. I keep remembering that feeling, like when you've been burgled, of when someone's been though your things and taken them.

I just can't forgive him or forget. He's never apologised to me and I just can't bring myself to be happy and congratulate them. Of course I'm pleased that my cousin is happy and she'll be a brilliant mum. But I can't lie. I can't sit there and watch her marry the twat and be pleased for them.

So come on Mumsnet give me a dose of common sense and tell me I'm being unreasonable. It might help me get over myself and be happy for them.

OP posts:
RJnomore · 18/01/2015 13:36

Actually no YANBU.

If he had sincerely apologised and tried to repay you, you might be a tiny bit u but then again you were the victim of the crime and I for one won't tell you how you should feel.

And unfortunately I think his true colours might out again at some point.

DeliciousMonster · 18/01/2015 13:37

Of course you don't have to be happy for her. I would be gutted that she can't see past the obvious.

ShizeItsWeegie · 18/01/2015 13:40

I would not be able to go to the wedding in this case OP. Sorry you have had this shit in your life.

BitterAndOnlySlightlyTwisted · 18/01/2015 13:40

You're not being unreasonable at all. This man was, and probably still is, a thieving arsehole who abused your hospitality, and stole from your cousin, too. That she's stupid enough to be having a baby him after how he's behaved is a cause for sorrow, not putting it all behind you and trying to be happy for them.

There are times to bury the hatchet but I don't think this is one of them.

SheerWill · 18/01/2015 13:41

Thank for for sticking with just a long post. I've just been added to a fb group called cousin and twat and can't leave it without everyone knowing. So have to see all the messages of congratulations come in while wanting to throw heavy objects at my laptop.

OP posts:
GotToBeInItToWinIt · 18/01/2015 13:41

YADNBU. If someone had done that to my family I would be absolutely livid, especially someone who had gone out of their way to help me (and him!) out. I certainly wouldn't start a family with him and agree to marry him. An apology wouldn't even cut it for me to be honest. Why should you be happy for them? If I was you I would continue to avoid, avoid, avoid.

SheerWill · 18/01/2015 13:55

I'm just so sad to be losing someone I've always cared for like a sister. I'm still close to her sister. I used to babysit them both when we were younger and I'd try out my activities/ ideas on them both(nerd that I am always wanted to be a teacher). Smile She was a bridesmaid at my wedding (they were split up at that time). And although my marriage didn't work out I'd like her to be there if lovely dp and I were to marry. Gutted

OP posts:
Zzzexhaustedzzz · 18/01/2015 13:59

As a veteran of family arguments/ hostilities I suggest you :
A) forget about it and join in with the celebration in a minimal way, if at all
B) confront the hubby to be in a calm yet assertive manner, face to face and suggest an apology would be appreciated as you are still very angry/ upset with him... Obviously before the wedding!
Could you do b? I imagine as a teacher you must have some skill in this kind of thing?

SheerWill · 18/01/2015 14:12

I would try b but would begrudge the fact that I'm basically asking him to apologise so wouldn't feel I'd be getting one with genuine remorse but because he's been told to. Also I only ever see them at family gatherings when there's loads of people and emotions are quite near the surface so I'll probably cry (not like when I'm in a professional role when I feel calm and composed). But hey when has doing the right thing ever been the easy option. Hmm

OP posts:
gamerchick · 18/01/2015 14:22

Just leave the group and if people ask you why then tell them.

I would be calling him a thieving little cunt on it first but I wouldn't advise that probably.
You owe them nothing.

MarjorieMelon · 18/01/2015 14:30

You can probably hide the posts without leaving the group.

YANBU. You are very calm and tolerant considering the circumstances. I'm not sure I could be as understanding as you have been.

RandomNPC · 18/01/2015 14:33

Christ, I'd want to punch his thieving face in. YANBU!

VinoTime · 18/01/2015 14:36

I'm not surprised you can't be happy for her - she's marrying and having a child with a complete bellend. What on earth is going through her mind, staying with somebody like him?!

Honestly? I'd leave the FB group. There's no point in staying and getting wound up by it. If questioned about it, explain in a nice, polite manner that whilst you want them to be happy and wish them all the very best, you don't feel particularly comfortable within the group considering that man was welcomed into your home and stole from you. He hasn't ever apologised for his actions, he hasn't repaid the debt fully and you don't have any interest in playing at fake, happy families with a thief. You don't trust him, you don't like him and you have every reason to think of him as bad news for your family - who you evidently care a great deal for, OP.

What a shitty situation Sad

SheerWill · 18/01/2015 14:48

Is there someway of leaving a fb group without it being too obvious? If I did it really late or in the small hours would people notice as much. I don't want to upset her mum, who has always been a great support to me and is worth her weight in gold. It was she who added me in the first place. All these problems fb cause. I'd never really experienced it until now (except when I gave a spoiler away watching game of thrones and was swiftly told off Grin - but that was my bad.

OP posts:
RandomNPC · 18/01/2015 14:53

Leave the group, quickly deactivate your account, then log in again? That might work.

Wrapdress · 18/01/2015 15:03

I would not "pretend happy" at all.
I would not keep their secret.
You are not being unreasonable.

SheerWill · 18/01/2015 15:14

It's not a secret. The rest of my family knows but just seem to be accepting it and going with it. Acting happy for them even if perhaps they're not. But then he didn't steal their stuff.

OP posts:
Thenapoleonofcrime · 18/01/2015 15:23

I expect you would find, if you asked her parents and other rellies they feel exactly the same as you. I'm sure they don't want a thieving son in law either, but have decided that rather than lose their daughter/sister, they don't have any choice but to play along with it all and keep close to her while tolerating him.

I have seen this dilemma played out before- there are few choices unless you want to cut them off.

It's of course up to you whether you join in with this event or stay on the sidelines- I might go along but don't lie, don't say anything you don't mean (like 'this is amazing, congratulations') and attend the wedding if you would like to. Do what you want, you are the one wronged here.

Could it have been the case he sold the stuff for drugs money and now isn't using at all- this may be why your cousin has forgiven him?

It is so hard to watch someone you love shack up and have children with a loser, you won't be the first though.

BreakOutTheKaraoke · 18/01/2015 15:26

You can stop getting notifications without everyone knowing. If it's an actual group page, go to the button that says 'following' under the picture, and click unfollow. If it's a group message, there will be a little arrow somewhere near the top. One of the options on this is turn off notifications.

DeliciousMonster · 18/01/2015 15:41

I wouldn't pretend happy either.

I'd make a statement that I was not going to sit around and pretend to be happy that my niece has chosen to get engaged to someone who stole from me and who can't even apologise for it. And then I would leave the conversation.

You bet that most people are thinking it anyway.

DeliciousMonster · 18/01/2015 15:44

Cousin...not niece.

Same principle.

SheerWill · 18/01/2015 16:33

Thank you so much for all your responses. I really appreciate you taking the time to help me with my situation.

I have managed to mute the responses from the conversation until I tell it otherwise so at least my phone won't ping every time somebody offers their congratulations. But I can't unfollow as it's in fb messenger not just a group. So I'll still get updates until I leave the group later. I told my mum what I intended to do and she seems to think that's fine. The last person to offer their congrats is my own sister, she's not said anything gushy but still stings. She probably feels a bit trapped in the middle. Confused

OP posts:
Moniker1 · 18/01/2015 16:58

I agree with Thenapoleon , no one wants a criminal in the family. They are putting a brave face on. I would just keep quiet even though you are totally justified in expecting some remorse from him, the fact that he hasn't apologized shows the type of person he is.

GoatsDoRoam · 18/01/2015 17:20

Oh, if it's a group conversation on FB messenger, rather than a FB group, people leave those all the time, exactly for the reason you state: that you get spammed by everybody's replies.

So yes, it will show that you have left the conversation, but it will be seen as quite normal (since you seem to be worried about how people will perceive your choice to leave). But honestly, who cares how others perceive your choice to leave the conversation? It's your choice. You really can't control what people judge or don't judge, so don't stress about it.

As for being happy for her, you don't have to be. But what you can't do is change her mind. Just be there for her in whatever way you feel comfortable with, and let her make her own choice and her own mistakes.

Poor woman.

getthefeckouttahere · 18/01/2015 17:49

YANBU. Just leave them to it.

I would go to a charity shop and buy them about 90 DVDs as a wedding gift though.

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