So I thought I’d venture over from mumsnet and get the other side of the coin.
I have been with my DH for 20 years. I was the only one in the family organising parties etc for the PIL. The last few years I got seriously ill. Long term I don’t know how many years I have left. My PIL response was to be angry at me for being ill and ignore me before major surgery.
They have always disliked that I wasn’t a meek housewife and I earnt more than DH. He is my equal in everything. They believe since being disabled that I should live with them so he doesn’t have to do any woman’s work.
I was in hospital for 2 weeks. They came up twice and didn’t visit me, only went to the shop as he couldn’t be expected to do that as a man. It was more work for him than it helped.
For the previous decade they have only wanted to see us to help, or when they perceive us a failing and think we need rescuing. Now we’ve stopped reinforcing that behaviour and said they only want to see us socially they have distanced themselves. Whilst at the same time making their hate for me clear and acting as though I have stolen their son and restricting his time with them.
I have been encouraging him with continuing to send presents etc. He has asked me if I want to go NC with them he would support it.
Seeing them is so draining. We are meeting up this weekend. If he’s out the room they just glare at me. Or I get mansplained at or talked down to about my career specialism, as I clearly as a woman don’t know what I’m talking about.
Do I write them an email saying I know thy hate me and I’m trying to get this going again, or just leave it they’ll never change?
Gransnet forums
Relationships
DIL wanted advice- do I have it out with PIL?
(30 Posts)Leave it and just be bland, don’t give them anything.
It sounds like they just wanted trouble, so sorry they sound vile.
Good that you have your husbands support though.
Yes, I agree. Be boring and bland. Don't let them stress you out. So pleased you have your husband with you on this.
Don't write. Once it's in an email no one knows what will happen except that you will undoubtedly be "in the wrong" again.
Good luck. Stay strong.
Finding it hard to follow. You say for ten years your inlaws only came to see you when you needed help? And now you want to see them socially only they have distanced themselves? Sounds perfect to me!
Seriously though, doesn't sound like you really need to see them much at all if you choose not to so no I wouldn't write any emails or ask them anything. When they arrive at weekend, smile sweetly and say tea? and skidaddle into the kitchen leaving husband with them. You don't have to sit in a room with people glaring at you surely? If you need to be alone - be the one to ask the questions...... So how is your garden looking at this time of year, dreadful weather isn't it? Did you enjoy your ...holiday (whatever)
I am assuming they are just coming for a couple of hours and not staying a week?
Time for a weekend away I think. On your own or with a friend.
They’re his parents. You don’t have to be there.
Or if you can’t bring yourself to do that invite a friend along -for the weekend if necessary. Bet they’ll be charming when someone else is there!
Don’t put anything in writing
I echo what Eglantine21 has said.... please do not put anything in writing.
I can't give you the other side of the coin- All I have to go on is your story-
The most compassionate move you can make is to be clear about how you feel and without reservation determine what type of treatment you, as an individual, will accept-
They made the decision to distance- Your husband made the decision to honor whatever you choose to do- Now it's up to you to decide what type of treatment you are willing to accept or not with a clear heart and mind-
Being compassionate isn't acting like a doormat- It involves clarity and taking action-
I wish you felt better...
Grey Rock, all the way.
You as a M'sNetter should know what this means. 
Instead of sending an email could you just ask them in a gentle and non-confrontational way, whether or not they actually like you or have an issue with you. Say you have picked up these vibes but hope that you are mistaken.
You don’t mention any children, so it is not as though you need to maintain a relationship to facilitate access to grandchildren, Assuming that to be the case and, given that you have your husband’s support, I would give them an opportunity to explain and talk it through and take it from there. You don’t have to put up with them, let DH see them on his own if they are so rude and unpleasant.
Do you have to see them? Clearly neither they nor you get anything out of it. I would not bother writing anything, I would simply stop communicating at all and stop accompanying your DH for any visits. If they come to you, go out for the duration.
They sound ghastly. I hope your DH agrees that they are barking. In sickness & in health has been in Anglican marriage vows for centuries, it’s not some modern political correctness gone mad. Doubtless if it had been their son who became ill, they would have expected you to wait on him hand and foot and put him before all else.
I’m so sorry that you are so seriously ill. I hope you are under a top specialist in the field and do better than you fear.
If seeing them is draining, don't do it.
Is the meet-up at your house or somewhere else? If you have children let your DH take them for the weekend while you stay home. I wouldn't bother with an explanation tbh. Let them work it our for themselves.
Sending an email will solve nothing. Don't do it.
Your in-laws have very outdated attitudes, be thankful that your DH isn’t influenced by them or shares them. I doubt if they are ever going to change so I would be tempted to put no more effort in to the relationship, or lack of it, by sending presents etc, they don't deserve your consideration. Try to be civil but indifferent to them
I would advise you not to send letters or emails because they can be kept and held against you in the future and they can be shared with others when a letter should be a personal communication. I do speak from experience here. You sound like a caring DIL and many PILs would be happy to have someone like you in their family. Enjoy the life you have built with your DH and try to stop fretting about the issues with your in-laws, focus on your own health and emotional needs because the two things are linked.
I'm sorry you're having health problems and as you are, you need to take care of yourself as best you can so, spend as little time with your in laws as possible.
There's no need for you to see them with your DH, can he visit them on his own or can you make alternative arrangements when they're coming over?
As others have advised, don't put anything in writing. If you can just accept the way things are. They sound very unpleasant and the less you have to do with them, the better.
.
I'm also sorry about your health issues. And I'm sorry about the way your ILs treat you. Agree w/ others that there is no point in writing them anything. Kudos to DH for being supportive - he has given you leeway to go NC w/ his parents, and I'm going to chime in w/ those who say to take him up on that offer. No need for YOU to "meet up" w/ his parents this weekend. Let him go if he wishes and you stay home and relax or spend time socializing w/ a friend or two. Enjoy!
That email will be used against you.
Missfoodlove
Love that word 'bland"n this context .
Dawn
I couldn't be doing with all that.
Life is too short why are you even bothering with these people.
Let your husband do all the socializing if he wants, keep out of it they sound like poison to me.
If you have health issues and are working you have enough to do, you don't need this, it's stressing you out which is not good.
Just put them in a box and close the lid.
Get on with a lovely life with your husband.
Thank you for all your replies. They ended up cancelling but worded it as if was stopping them coming!
I’m sure they want us to argue and split up and think DH will move back in with them (he wouldn’t!).
In the past I have written to them to try and improve relations and they just ignored it.
You are right that nothing I can say now will change their view of me. You would think you would be happy for your son in a loving supportive relationship that’s equal and enabled him to achieve in life?
But there is another DIL who they haven’t treated as badly as me, but she hasn’t seen them for over a year as they view her as a lazy housewife. She is lovely, has lovely children and a happy marriage too.
I did spend a few hours writing a long letter. With the intention of not sending it, but getting it all written down helped. Also helped me feel a bit angry at all the things they’ve said to me in the past (all when DH hasn’t been there to witness it) and that’s cemented my thinking that they will never change their view of me.
Burn letters are a great tool to manage the frustration and get it off your chest. Well done!
I think there is something called " grey rock" technique. Sorry you have been so unwell.
Glad the letter helped you! Now please toss it, and also toss any idea of meeting up w/ your PILs again. You need to be done w/ them and focus on taking care of yourself and doing things you enjoy. Hugs!
Good that they canceled, no matter what reason they gave. Hope you and DH do something special for yourselves that day instead.
Thankyou all. I had actually missed that my MIL had posted a meme on Facebook that basically said you should do as your elders say, say “yes sir”,
I was worried before one surgery that them treating me this way would be upsetting for them if I had of died. Now that risk is greater I’m more concerned with how they will treat my husband after I (if) I die. To be extent that I had to ask my SIL to make sure they didn’t do certain things with my husband.
I will research grey rock.
I am sure there is a thread somewhere of how they are suffering and have been cut off and have only ever tried to help....
For goodness sake, just distance yourself from them, why are you meeting up? Wouldn't it be better just to have a weekend away with DH. Just don't get involved with them, block them on Facebook and get on with your life. Good luck
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