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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

Advice. In law issues

10 replies

TFICoffeetime · 21/12/2024 07:07

Hi
So we had a family disagreement 3 years ago. FIL & MIL had BIL over & his wife. Went to see them. BIL wife can be quite a bully, encouraging her kids to call their uncle (my OH) swear words because she thinks it's funny. Her Kids all teenagers.

We were sat round dinner table & she used racist language about a particular ethnicity. I bit my tongue but it went on & on. My young child had finished food by then & was still sat at the dinner table. So I said I didn't want to be part of conversation & didn't feel right for my child to hear their remarks & said I'd go to lounge as we were starting to do that. I said it calmly not wanting drama. As I walked to living room everything erupted. SIL called me an f snob and said that my MIL agrees. It was really random and full of venom. I'm quite removed from ever been called a snob (I'm down to earth & from avery working class family). She then to me to f off home - it wasn't even her house. My child was crying when we left as she got very aggressive in raising her voice and chucking us out of the in-laws home that isn't hers. In-laws never challenged her. Ever since then I've made overtures to parents in law as though they said nothing and it was their house, I want my OH to enjoy spending time with them and me and children. There should be no bad feelings there. FIL says he didn't hear what was said ( which I doubt) He was just getting up from table. And MIL was still at table and heard it all & stayed quiet.

Since then SIL has no contact (blocked me on social media) It's made me feel uncomfortable & parents in law have made me feel uncomfortable going over to their house. FIL and I used to get on v well. But he's clearly taken sides & MI made no comfort. Every time I see FIL to this day, he makes passive aggressive jokes, eg he said to my OH & kids today that they are welcome at theirs day after boxing day. He then turned to me & said "you are never welcome" and covered it with a laugh to make it seem like banter. I clearly had some intent behind it. He's also made comments about my own Dad, putting him down. All since this argument which I didn't want. Funny because MIL said things against SIL in past but I would never say & upset someone like that.
Main issue is FIL is still carrying on the beef with me with his passive criticism & he corrects everything I say. My OH really struggling with him but he never pulls his Dad up instead preferring to moan to me about him but not talk to him.
Feel v hurt by OH as I've always had his back when he ever had disagreement s with my family. OH will moan & moan to me the way his Dad is rude to me to him. He never challenges nasty comments in the moment but will moan to me that's he's rude. I'm left feeling uncomfortable & feel let down by OH for not supporting. He could lighten mood & say to his Dad at these times, but he's rubbish at communication. So 3 years on & SIL won't move on from it and FIL since then has picked at me over anything.
I've tried chatting, saying family time more important than a silly argument. Mainly I think OH should step in & help repair a once excellent relationship.

Sorry for the length post. Needed to vent & would be keen to hear any thoughts? Should OH have my back? Am I being unreasonable & do I just keep biting my tongue when FIL makes digs. I don't think he would listen to just me saying how I feel as he is v old fashioned & shut down conversation in past. I feel it can't continue. He's making me feel so uncomfortable. Thanks if you take time to give any advice. It would be really appreciated x

OP posts:
KayVess · 21/12/2024 07:10

I would just avoid the lot of them. They sound awful. You don’t have to keep seeing them. Just stay away!

DustyLee123 · 21/12/2024 07:10

Why on earth do you see them? Send DH over. After she was racist in front of the child, I wouldn’t be sending the kids over either, I’d let them choose when they are old enough.

7yo7yo · 21/12/2024 07:12

Why do you bother?
cut them of snippity snip and go live your best life!

Glenthebattleostrich · 21/12/2024 07:14

Honestly, I'd just cut the off. Stop engaging with them. They've mad a choice so they can go enjoy the SILs toxicity.

Stop arranging visits and no more welcoming them to your home if they can't remember their manners. And as you won't be there to protect the children how unfortunate their time with them will be limited to.

Muthaofcats · 21/12/2024 07:14

She was racist and aggressive to you in front of your child? I would just avoid them and wouldn’t want my kids around them.
I can see why your FIL and MiL are in a tricky spot as they’re hardly in a position to abandon their daughter but that they’ve not stood up against her racism and defended you or tried to smooth it over is not something you can control. You certainly shouldn’t keep putting yourself in that position to keep being hurt. It’s really sad but I ultimately don’t think your fault or within your control.
Your DH can go over there but I would just avoid and accept it’s a sad situation.

BubblePerm · 21/12/2024 07:15

Stop going there. He's told you that you are not welcome; think of it as your get out of jail free card.

FloofPaws · 21/12/2024 07:17

Yep - grey rock them all, they'll soon get the picture that you aren't putting up with their crap

BilboBlaggin · 21/12/2024 07:27

I too would stop going over there. Your OH is pathetic and would rather see you upset than have the balls to confront his father. Tell him firmly that if he hasn't got the courage to say something to his dad then you don't want to hear him moaning about him afterward.

Don't send your child to them either, if your OH can be trusted to protect him from their comments or racism. PIL can come to your house to see DC, where you have the ability to ask them to leave if they start with their comments.

LivelyBiscuit · 21/12/2024 07:30

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This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

TFICoffeetime · 21/12/2024 12:58

Thanks for your replies. Just clarify SIL is not their daughter and doesn't live close so we haven't seen each other since & so it's not been an issue. I still send stuff on for her kids and they do eg Christmas but we don't talk. I want my OH to have a good relationship with his brother but he's already found his SIL a bit of a bully in the sense she can be very mocking to him, like why are you wearing that. She is like that with everyone.
I just feel sad that in laws didn't step in. They could have just said your adults sort out yourself but it's our home and you're all welcome.
FIL makes digs at OH comparing him to his other son which bit mean but he does love him & I want him to have good relationship with his family. The jokes 'well your not welcome " he does in a joking way but I do feel uncomfortable. I want my kids to see them. As there is no argument potential there in terms of the comments that day were made by SIL.
I just feel like it's ruining Christmas a bit for me. We will go round for a meal with them but I just don't want any passive aggressive from them & that tension. They don't really communicate well in the family & my OH definitely gets from them but seeing most of you agree he should speak up does make me feel I'm not asking a lot. I think he thinks it won't make any difference or they will be like I can't take banter - but it's not if it's mocking me & it's not a nice joke given the situation.
I think they think I'm a fussy Mum. But I want my kids raised in certain way & to be kind and not judge anyone based on nationality or ethnicity.
They hold some different views and OH and BIL have always had few clashes in opinion but they moved on agree to disagree. Id rather just harmony across the board. But yep don't like feeling unwelcome & it puts me off them having relationship with their grandchildren without us present as emotional digs at parents isn't most children's idea of feeling happy.
Thanks for your comments will speak to OH as I do think he should make more effort to support resolving. X

OP posts:
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