Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:To the previous poster, I would hardly say I'm desperate for the cousin relationship, it's just nice to have some kind of relationship. My kids are close to my sister's kids and they love spending time together. Sometimes I get the feeling my sister in law doesn't like me so my guess it that it has something to do with that. I've been nothing but nice and helpful whenever she has needed anything so I have no idea what the issue is. Sometimes she can be really friendly and other times kind of standoffish. My husbands brother has made comments before wishing we all did more stuff together so I don't think it's because of him. Oh well...guess I'll see them next holiday season.
This is me OP - I have family and friends like you that I LOVE. But I love them because they know to give me space and that just because I decline their invitations 2/3rds of the time it doesn't mean I don't love them.
Maybe your BIL + wife aren't interested in having a 8-person family fest with all of the preparations involved every weekend or even every other weekend. And that's fine. They'll still see you when they can.