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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

Advice please, MIL and Christmas problems!

7 replies

frostyfingers · 04/11/2008 10:59

My DH went over to help MIL put up pictures in her new house (5 hour round trip) and at the end raised the issue of Christmas in a vague sort of way "what are your plans" or similar. She said that she'd asked SIL and her family, and BIL who lives locally over - no mention of including us, nor query of what we were doing. She has plenty of space but is a terrible fusser and finds cooking stressful. I can see that having lots (11 all told) would stress her but would be happy to help and I know SIL's hubby is helping with food but feel so hurt that we weren't even consulted/considered. She is not easy to get on with, and has always been hard on DH, but we've managed. She won't help with our children, but will with her daughters (looked after them for 3 weeks whilst SIL recovered from op), but wouldn't come here for 2 nights so we could go away - lots of incidences like that which individually are all small, but build up to a huge feeling of resentment (as you can probably tell!). Anyway, she is coming to lunch on Sunday and I really feel that I should mention how we feel about this - what I'm after is suggestions on how to handle it. I don't want to cause a scene, or behave like a brat, but want to let her know how upset we are. I also want our dc's to have a good relationship with their granny, and to spend Christmas together with their cousins as well would be great......HELP!

OP posts:
Sobernow · 04/11/2008 11:08

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hertsnessex · 04/11/2008 11:11

she sounds a cow tbh.

id go with what sobernow says xx

Freckle · 04/11/2008 11:28

Mothers do tend to be closer to their daughters than their sons once they have married. Maybe she thought you'd be spending time with your parents.

I do think it is for your dh to broach the subject with his mum though. What did he say to his mum when she told him of her plans?

frostyfingers · 04/11/2008 12:24

Thanks - good idea Sobernow. Freckle, he was so gobsmacked that he just said "oh, right". Had my mother living with us this time last year after a major stroke and did Christmas here, meeting in laws on Boxing Day as MIL stayed with SIL which is about 40 mins from us. Was aware that last year was very much about my side of the family because of my mother being so ill so did mention then that next year (ie this year) we'd like to concentrate on them this time. I was just taken aback that it was all sorted so early on, no discussion, interest in our plans at all - if she'd said that she'd invited SIL but was sorry couldn't manage us as well then it wouldn't have been quite so bad - but nothing at all. DH was treated badly (physically and verbally) by both his parents (FIL now gone), and has always been ambivalent about his mum and would probably be happy to have v little contact at all. They have always been nice to me, no harsh words or anything and chatty on the phone - I really don't think she realises that what she's done is a problem, she's incredibly self centred, and more so now since she's been widowed. I hate family ructions and feel defensive on behalf of both DH and dc's (SIL has 2 children who are the best thing since sliced bread - I have no issues with her at all, we get on well and I did ask her if she could mention Christmas plans with her mum, but haven't heard from her yet). I think I'll do what you suggest Sobernow and see how many difficulties she throws up as to why she can't have us! Let you know next week...

OP posts:
bumpybecky · 04/11/2008 14:00

I'd avoid including MIL in the planning. Would you be willing to host SIL, BIL and their families for a meal on Boxing day?

that way you get to have a chilled out day with just your DH and children on Christmas Day (wihout having to be polite to nasty MIL) and get to see DH's family too

If it were me I'd call SIL and try and arrange something directly with her. Invite the others once you've got a date set

2rebecca · 04/11/2008 14:09

I agree with Bumpybecky. If MIL finds cooking stressful and fusses why are you so bothered about going there?
If you have children why not have a nice family xmas just with husband and kids. When I was a kid I much preferred xmases at home to those spent with relatives.
It sounds as though you're more interested in your kids seeing their cousins anyway so why not just invite cousins and their family around after xmas.
Many people would regard a xmas with just their husband and kids as a luxury. Enjoy it whilst you can, she may insist you spend xmas with her in future years and you'll be trying to get out of it.

frostyfingers · 11/11/2008 13:45

Just thought I'd let you know (if you're interested!) that for once there's a happy ending to this. Spoke to MIL at great length on phone yesterday and said I wanted to discuss Xmas arrangements. She explained about SIL and her family and then I said that we were hurt not to be included, it would be nice to be all together for the first Christmas in about 6 years. Anyway, complete turnaround from her, very gracious, apology that we'd felt left out and yes, you must all come (dogs included if necessary...) I was gobsmacked, it was the most reasonable conversation I've had with her for ages - so all bad MIL thoughts banished for the time being!

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