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should I do nothing?

(54 Posts)
Catlover123 Sun 03-Feb-19 15:28:39

Recently my DS and his wife went to visit my niece. My niece who is in her thirties has not had a good record with boyfriends in the past, and the last one was jealous and controlling. Her current boyfriend seems to be liked but I'm not sure how much we know about him. Anyway my DIL said after their visit that the new boyfriend seemed overly critical and bad tempered. My niece had told them that she couldn't discuss her new job openly with them because it threatened her bf's masculinity because he was in a lesser position. They didn't feel comfortable about him at all and now they are engaged. I would like to ask my sister-in-law if she thinks everything is OK but I would have to tell her about the private conversation I had with my son and his wife, and I wouldn't want it to get back to my niece that they had been discussing their visit with me. My DIL asked for my advice and I said I didn't see how she could do anything about it. I am still worried and don't know whether to keep mum about it or not? any advice appreciated.

Luckylegs9 Tue 05-Feb-19 16:43:12

Do nothing, know nothing.

llizzie2 Tue 05-Feb-19 15:40:18

People have to make their own mistakes in life. They will not thank you for interfering and it may even make them more determined that they are right and you wrong, even when they ask your advice, so it is best to leave things alone. No one can know what someone is like. As JJ says: 'it calls for the operation of the mind'. Of course that is for court evidence, but is true nonetheless.

ElaineRI55 Tue 05-Feb-19 13:42:58

As others have said, trying to warn someone about a partner doesn't usually work and may actually hasten a marriage.
However, it does sound as though your DS and DIL were pretty worried and the critical and bad-tempered bits do make you wonder about the possibility of control or psychological abuse. There may, of course, be nothing at all to worry about.
Would you have any reason to give your niece a call or visit her and chat about things in general including her engagement? If so, she might say something that you could use as the basis for talking to your SIL without your DS and DIL being "implicated".
Maybe longer term , you and your DS and DIL could try your best to stay in touch with your niece, so that you can offer support should it be needed.

Alexa Tue 05-Feb-19 12:23:55

Depends how close you are to your niece. Do you know if she would welcome a friendly talking it over with you?

jaylucy Tue 05-Feb-19 10:25:18

Difficult to even think of anything when you are hearing everything second hand!
I think you need to meet the man before forming your own opinion !
In this day and age, personally, never heard of a woman feeling her partners masculinity would be affected because she has a better job! Anyway, she may well marry him anyway, whatever anyone thinks or says. I'd keep out of it!

abcassignmenthelp Tue 05-Feb-19 05:16:33

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Nanny41 Mon 04-Feb-19 22:11:02

Dont go there!

moggie57 Mon 04-Feb-19 20:59:10

don't get involved .but be there if she needs you .

sodapop Mon 04-Feb-19 18:14:05

I agree totally with your comments quizqueen

quizqueen Mon 04-Feb-19 17:34:06

Any criticism of family's friends/partners etc. rarely ends well. I'm afraid, you have to let people make their own mistakes and just be there to pick up the pieces if things go wrong and try very hard not to say, " I told you so". It's difficult to see a person you care about with someone considered unsuitable, I know, but unless you are asked outright for an opinion by your niece, it's best not to say anything to her personally.

ayokunmi1 Mon 04-Feb-19 17:33:01

Im a bit different and it might be because my culture will not allow my child as it would be termed even though its your nieces
To step where there is danger. If there are concerns I would have too say something ..its how I say it thats key ..wont allow my own to step in the lions den without raising an alarm.
Never could understand this keep out of it advice, why would you not show concern if there is something to be concerned about

GabriellaG54 Mon 04-Feb-19 17:17:32

Hahaha....in her 30s and you're worried about her b/f? She's not even immediate family. Good grief.
Why on earth do you think that it's anyone else's business? Keep out and MYOB.

vickymeldrew Mon 04-Feb-19 15:21:33

Playing devil’s advocate here, but I think your niece’s previous history of controlling boyfriends may be clouding your judgement. It could be that your niece was unwilling to discuss her new job out of her own respect and deference to her fiance, and not something he was aware of. Just a thought...

LuckyFour Mon 04-Feb-19 14:41:17

Don't say anything, not your business.

It could be that your niece's parents or other family members have noticed his manner/behaviour if it has been obvious to your DiL. Let them sort it out. NOT YOU!

luluaugust Mon 04-Feb-19 14:11:50

I would take the engagement as an opportunity to have a talk with your SIL, in between asking about the ring and possible wedding dates you can ask about his family and so on, surely this is a conversation you are going to have anyway. During the course of the chat you will be able to work out if your SIL sees any problems, if not keep quiet. Might she have rung you if she had concerns? None of you can do much about a 30 something determined to get married.

grandtanteJE65 Mon 04-Feb-19 12:42:11

I wouldn't express your doubts to anyone in the family. If your sister-in-law, who I assume is your niece's mother, admits she has doubts about her prospective son-in-law, you can admit that you don't quite like what you hear either, but don't bring it up unless she does.

Otherwise put a good face on it, because any criticism that you or others express to your niece will be badly taken.

Iam64 Mon 04-Feb-19 12:38:28

theretheredear- why do you think the OP speaking to her nieces mother will do anything at all to stop the partner from 'carrying on'.

Family does come first but are you suggesting that the other people saying exercise caution are not putting family first?

Tillybelle Mon 04-Feb-19 12:34:42

Catlover123. I'm so sorry! For you and this poor girl who clearly doesn't value herself highly enough or maybe is scared that she is getting older now and has to take whomever she can to marry her.

I can feel how this is nagging and upsetting you. I am sorry to say that should you try to do anything it could make things worse. It is better in my humble op. to keep your counsel. I know this is hard and you want to protect this girl/woman but I think by disclosing this private message you could start a family rift which would help nobody. You all need to be closely united in case the future holds unhappiness for your niece.
Men can be very sensitive about their job and its standing. I have witnessed this many times. I am unhappy that the girl has to keep quiet about her job and it doesn't bode well for her happiness in this relationship. You may best be of help by simply showing your love and support to her and her mum, so they know they can talk to you and lean on you if needs be. Could you pay a visit, just naturally because you like to see her?

theretheredear Mon 04-Feb-19 12:06:53

Difficult but family come 1st. I would speak to her mum, it is everyone's business to keep family members safe & cared for, i don't understand why we should keep quiet here, yes there may be fall out but that's family life, everyone has her best interests at heart which is paramount. Not speaking up let's him carry on.

Albangirl14 Mon 04-Feb-19 12:04:09

I would do my best to continue to have a good relationship with my neice by keeping in contact etc and if possible say you are always there for her if she needs someone to talk to
and leave it at that.

Pythagorus Mon 04-Feb-19 11:47:39

When did any of us ever take advice re relationships? When did anyone we have given advice to heed our warning?
Probably never ....... until we learn it by our own mistakes we never, ever learn.

Nothing you can do.

allsortsofbags Mon 04-Feb-19 11:42:02

If I have read your post correctly this young woman has a history of being in relationships with controlling men.

If that is the case she will only change when she has had enough and gets some help to make that change.

As others have said "stay out of this situation". This young woman is making her choice. If she has the better job and the support of her family she has the option to get out of this relationship. She isn't making that choice.

Again others have made the point that nothing anyone can say will stop these types of processes or relationships going forward.

It is sad, it is difficult for those around to watch a loved one going headlong into hardship and pain but it is their choice not ours so watch, wait and hope we must.

Sounds like there are plenty of other family members concerned for this young woman, relax and let her follow her course.

sarahellenwhitney Mon 04-Feb-19 11:32:57

CatLover123.Only you know your niece and view her in your own words as ' vulnerable'.
This then rules out independence /decision making characteristics frequently observed in many 21C women.
From your description of her boyfriends past and present I have the impression this' vulnerability' is picked up in the early stages of her relationships hence the way she is being treated seen by others as unacceptable ,which it is, and not the basis of a lasting relationship.
Stay away until invited is my advice.

BlueBelle Mon 04-Feb-19 11:14:47

.....and stop squirrelling away together to discuss her choice of partner or her difficulties real or imagined, behind her back
There is close and there is intrusive

Jaycee5 Mon 04-Feb-19 11:09:40

If there comes a day when she does need help, she is unlikely to turn to people who might say 'I told you so' (even if they wouldn't).
Least said soonest mended.
Be wary of communication channels being closed down and keep in touch even if you don't get much response.