My SIL makes family functions unbearable - I really need to vent.

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm sorry you are dealing with this. I hope your son is recovering from his injuries.

I agree with the other posters that you have to find a way to disengage. Your SIL has every right to be upset about not being able to have children. But she doesn't have the right to take it out on family members.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

On the slim chance this is actually real ( I have a strong feeling you are the author of my SIL is mean to my baby)

You don't get to determine this. You don't get to even wonder about it.

You don't get to decide what other family members do with their money or their relationship with them.

You can choose how much time you spend with her and her BIL. You can choose how much money you are willing to help them with.

Your SIL is hurting. Hurting people react in a variety of ways. Some become reclusive, some become bitter an nasty, and some reach out to others. You really don't have to understand it. You just need to choose how you will react to it.

I don't have a baby, this is real, and I have not posted about my SIL before.

I get the advice you are giving but I do get to feel exhausted from years of this type of abuse. She has physically attacked me. She has emotionally abused my other SIL.

I don't think I said anywhere in my post that I get to decide what other family members do with their money. I can worry that my aging ILs are being bullied into emptying their retirement.

As I said in my OP I get that she is hurting. But she is hurting our entire family and I think we all deserve a bit of consideration too.

You asked " when is enough enough? implying you get to decide things. You don't.

Outside of what you,your DH and your kids do you don't get to decide. Your in-laws are adults they can determine what relationship and the boundaries they want to have with her SIL. You can determine your own boundaries.

" I'll never understand why..."
If you see that she's hurting it really shouldn't be baffling to you why she acts the way she does. As an adult I'm sure you're capable of understanding that hurting people behave in all manner of ways.

Since you feel abused and scarred by her behavior, instead of worrying about your SIL seeking therapy, maybe you should go to therapy yourself.

No, I didn't imply that I get to decide everything for my family. I think you are reading in to things that are not there. I stated that I needed to vent so I didn't explode on my SIL.

I kind of don't see where you are coming from and I am trying to understand. Because she is hurting she can be physically and emotionally abusive as well as be a bully and no one can question that at all?

I never said I get to decide or determine or control anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I think you need a family meeting about this, sans SIL. Centering about when enough is enough, and what the grandparents's obligations are regarding money, and what the family's obligations are regarding including her in social gatherings if she continues to make it all about her. I think you are all miserable separately and feeling guilty, and that you will feel so much better if you can find a safe outlet to express everyone's feelings about the matter.

The reality is, some people need to be told directly what the boundaries are. If the whole family can agree on some, it might be a good idea to let SIL know what they are. She'll feel awful in the moment, but perhaps it will be healthier for her in the long-term.

She is not open to adoption?

My DH's sister has wanted to have a family sit down about this for a while now. No one has wanted to exclude SIL though and go behind her back. We are all really trying to be considerate of her situation. I think I might back the idea though. It certainly couldn't make this situation worse.

My BIL has wanted adoption for a very long time. I don't know why she is not open to that idea. Maybe she will be now that their options are limited.

It is none of your business if they adopt or not. It's not your place to suggest it.

Please quote where I said it was my business or where I suggested it.

I know the my BIL has wanted to for years because he has told me directly. I have no idea why she wasn't open to the idea. If I made it my business I would have asked her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I'm sorry you are dealing with this. I hope your son is recovering from his injuries.

I agree with the other posters that you have to find a way to disengage. Your SIL has every right to be upset about not being able to have children. But she doesn't have the right to take it out on family members.

Thank you, he is doing wonderfully.

I haven't spoken to her in a bit but we have an event upcoming where it will be unavoidable. One of the big reasons I wanted to just get this all out so I could find my kindness again and be around her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I think you need a family meeting about this, sans SIL. Centering about when enough is enough, and what the grandparents's obligations are regarding money, and what the family's obligations are regarding including her in social gatherings if she continues to make it all about her. I think you are all miserable separately and feeling guilty, and that you will feel so much better if you can find a safe outlet to express everyone's feelings about the matter.

The reality is, some people need to be told directly what the boundaries are. If the whole family can agree on some, it might be a good idea to let SIL know what they are. She'll feel awful in the moment, but perhaps it will be healthier for her in the long-term.

She is not open to adoption?

My DH's sister has wanted to have a family sit down about this for a while now. No one has wanted to exclude SIL though and go behind her back. We are all really trying to be considerate of her situation. I think I might back the idea though. It certainly couldn't make this situation worse.

My BIL has wanted adoption for a very long time. I don't know why she is not open to that idea. Maybe she will be now that their options are limited.

It is none of your business if they adopt or not. It's not your place to suggest it.

Please quote where I said it was my business or where I suggested it.

I know the my BIL has wanted to for years because he has told me directly. I have no idea why she wasn't open to the idea. If I made it my business I would have asked her.

That's just i their choice to adopt or not shouldn't evn be part of this conversation, but you and PP are discussing it. It's not your concern at all.

The only thing that is your concern is how you choose to respond to your SIL's behavior and the boundaries you and your DH ( if he is willing) to put in place.

The money they spend on fertility treatments or what your parents in law choose to give them is not your concern.
Adoption is not your concern.
How other family members choose to spend time with BIL and SIL is not your concern.

Your job is is to figure out your boundaries and how to enforce them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I think you need a family meeting about this, sans SIL. Centering about when enough is enough, and what the grandparents's obligations are regarding money, and what the family's obligations are regarding including her in social gatherings if she continues to make it all about her. I think you are all miserable separately and feeling guilty, and that you will feel so much better if you can find a safe outlet to express everyone's feelings about the matter.

The reality is, some people need to be told directly what the boundaries are. If the whole family can agree on some, it might be a good idea to let SIL know what they are. She'll feel awful in the moment, but perhaps it will be healthier for her in the long-term.

She is not open to adoption?

My DH's sister has wanted to have a family sit down about this for a while now. No one has wanted to exclude SIL though and go behind her back. We are all really trying to be considerate of her situation. I think I might back the idea though. It certainly couldn't make this situation worse.

My BIL has wanted adoption for a very long time. I don't know why she is not open to that idea. Maybe she will be now that their options are limited.

It is none of your business if they adopt or not. It's not your place to suggest it.

Please quote where I said it was my business or where I suggested it.

I know the my BIL has wanted to for years because he has told me directly. I have no idea why she wasn't open to the idea. If I made it my business I would have asked her.

That's just i their choice to adopt or not shouldn't evn be part of this conversation, but you and PP are discussing it. It's not your concern at all.

The only thing that is your concern is how you choose to respond to your SIL's behavior and the boundaries you and your DH ( if he is willing) to put in place.

The money they spend on fertility treatments or what your parents in law choose to give them is not your concern.
Adoption is not your concern.
How other family members choose to spend time with BIL and SIL is not your concern.

Your job is is to figure out your boundaries and how to enforce them.

You do understand want a vent is right?

[Anonymous]

Pretty sure it is the same person calling troll.

The money is their concern if BIL & SIL are asking them for money, which they have, or if they might wind up supporting MIL & FIL in the future, which they might if they keep giving BIL & SIL money.

And making the new mom cry? You're going to excuse that behavior and say it's ok because SIL is hurting? That's such bullshit.

Furthermore, this is all the OP's business because SIL keeps maki f it their business. Mass emails criticizing others for having kids and basically existing, just because she can't have kids is definitely making her infertility everyone's business. OP isn't inserting herself into SIL's fertility woes. SIL is spreading that around herself.

Sometimes life sucks. I have a disability. I certainly don't go around yelling at everyone who doesn't have my disability. Nor would I expect people to keep excising such shitty behavior from each if I were to do that. And if I kept sending mass emails every time someone had a party and I felt like I couldn't enjoy it to the fullest because of my disability, I'd expect to stop being invited, or have someone ask if I needed help finding someone to talk to (therapy).

SIL's behavior is not ok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I think you need a family meeting about this, sans SIL. Centering about when enough is enough, and what the grandparents's obligations are regarding money, and what the family's obligations are regarding including her in social gatherings if she continues to make it all about her. I think you are all miserable separately and feeling guilty, and that you will feel so much better if you can find a safe outlet to express everyone's feelings about the matter.

The reality is, some people need to be told directly what the boundaries are. If the whole family can agree on some, it might be a good idea to let SIL know what they are. She'll feel awful in the moment, but perhaps it will be healthier for her in the long-term.

She is not open to adoption?

My DH's sister has wanted to have a family sit down about this for a while now. No one has wanted to exclude SIL though and go behind her back. We are all really trying to be considerate of her situation. I think I might back the idea though. It certainly couldn't make this situation worse.

My BIL has wanted adoption for a very long time. I don't know why she is not open to that idea. Maybe she will be now that their options are limited.

It is none of your business if they adopt or not. It's not your place to suggest it.

Please quote where I said it was my business or where I suggested it.

I know the my BIL has wanted to for years because he has told me directly. I have no idea why she wasn't open to the idea. If I made it my business I would have asked her.

That's just i their choice to adopt or not shouldn't evn be part of this conversation, but you and PP are discussing it. It's not your concern at all.

The only thing that is your concern is how you choose to respond to your SIL's behavior and the boundaries you and your DH ( if he is willing) to put in place.

The money they spend on fertility treatments or what your parents in law choose to give them is not your concern.
Adoption is not your concern.
How other family members choose to spend time with BIL and SIL is not your concern.

Your job is is to figure out your boundaries and how to enforce them.

You do understand want a vent is right?

Yes. Duscussing SIL's adoption plans have nothing to do with venting, and everything to do with the same tided DCUM infertility debate.

1.Infertile people do this
2. Well you just don't understand them.
3. I understand them ,but X
4. Infertile people are selfish and horrible
5. They should just adopt and be happier
On and on it goes.

[Anonymous]

What boundaries can OP put in place other than shutting themselves off from family events that include SIL?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

You said you think it's your place to worry about and determine how your aging in-laws interact with them that's about control.
You want to have a big faily intervention with your BIL & SIL that's about control.
You have made no mention of boundaries you and DH have put in place or talked about putting in place.

I am going to try this one more time and then I am done.


You said you think it's your place to worry about and determine how your aging in-laws interact with them that's about control.
Not once did I say that. I do think it is my place to worry about how she treats my DH's parents. I do think it is my place to worry about them spending their retirement on this. But not once have I "determined" how my ILs interact with them.

You want to have a big faily intervention with your BIL & SIL that's about control.
Not once did I say that. My DH's sister has wanted to do this. When it was suggested by a poster I said that I might support her in this. I make it my place to stay out of as much of this as possible.

You have made no mention of boundaries you and DH have put in place or talked about putting in place
Right in my OP I stated that I have not had any contact with her in almost a month. I have to see her this weekend. This is why I just wanted to vent it all out on an anonymous forum.

What I have not mentioned is DH has told his brother no more money from us and he has also told his parents no more depleting their savings. I have not gotten in the middle of that, but I support my DH.

I am very sorry that this has obviously touched a nerve in you. It might have been better that you simply report it and stop reading.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I think you need a family meeting about this, sans SIL. Centering about when enough is enough, and what the grandparents's obligations are regarding money, and what the family's obligations are regarding including her in social gatherings if she continues to make it all about her. I think you are all miserable separately and feeling guilty, and that you will feel so much better if you can find a safe outlet to express everyone's feelings about the matter.

The reality is, some people need to be told directly what the boundaries are. If the whole family can agree on some, it might be a good idea to let SIL know what they are. She'll feel awful in the moment, but perhaps it will be healthier for her in the long-term.

She is not open to adoption?

My DH's sister has wanted to have a family sit down about this for a while now. No one has wanted to exclude SIL though and go behind her back. We are all really trying to be considerate of her situation. I think I might back the idea though. It certainly couldn't make this situation worse.

My BIL has wanted adoption for a very long time. I don't know why she is not open to that idea. Maybe she will be now that their options are limited.

It is none of your business if they adopt or not. It's not your place to suggest it.

Please quote where I said it was my business or where I suggested it.

I know the my BIL has wanted to for years because he has told me directly. I have no idea why she wasn't open to the idea. If I made it my business I would have asked her.

That's just i their choice to adopt or not shouldn't evn be part of this conversation, but you and PP are discussing it. It's not your concern at all.

The only thing that is your concern is how you choose to respond to your SIL's behavior and the boundaries you and your DH ( if he is willing) to put in place.

The money they spend on fertility treatments or what your parents in law choose to give them is not your concern.
Adoption is not your concern.
How other family members choose to spend time with BIL and SIL is not your concern.

Your job is is to figure out your boundaries and how to enforce them.

You do understand want a vent is right?

Yes. Duscussing SIL's adoption plans have nothing to do with venting, and everything to do with the same tided DCUM infertility debate.

1.Infertile people do this
2. Well you just don't understand them.
3. I understand them ,but X
4. Infertile people are selfish and horrible
5. They should just adopt and be happier
On and on it goes.

No one is discussing SILs adoption plans. Please stop making bogus claims just because you've got a bee in your bonnet.

[Anonymous]

Ugh I feel for everyone in this situation Op. I wouldn't want to be around her either. I was at a really low point once when I was dealing with infertility as well (4 miscarriages in a row) but if others' successes bothered me as much as they bother your SIL I would have just stayed away from baby and child related events. No use in bringing everyone down with you. Also, in this kind of situation I wouldn't want my children around her. No need for bad envious vibes. Poor woman, she needs help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ugh I feel for everyone in this situation Op. I wouldn't want to be around her either. I was at a really low point once when I was dealing with infertility as well (4 miscarriages in a row) but if others' successes bothered me as much as they bother your SIL I would have just stayed away from baby and child related events. No use in bringing everyone down with you. Also, in this kind of situation I wouldn't want my children around her. No need for bad envious vibes. Poor woman, she needs help.

I am so sorry for your losses and that you had to go through that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh I feel for everyone in this situation Op. I wouldn't want to be around her either. I was at a really low point once when I was dealing with infertility as well (4 miscarriages in a row) but if others' successes bothered me as much as they bother your SIL I would have just stayed away from baby and child related events. No use in bringing everyone down with you. Also, in this kind of situation I wouldn't want my children around her. No need for bad envious vibes. Poor woman, she needs help.

I am so sorry for your losses and that you had to go through that.

Thanks! I did get lucky the fifth time. Then 3 more mc and then another baby.

[Anonymous]

BOUNDARIES.

Build yours. And tell SIL what they are. Dont be codependent anymore. But Beatties Codependency daily meditation book. Short message for each day kind of thing. You will quickly learn its ok for you to have had enough. You will no longer tolerate her physically abusing you, guilting you into paying her bills, and making rude remarks about your children. Moving forward the abusive behavior must stop you arent her punching bag.