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Sis - in - law

(44 Posts)
Londonwifi Sat 14-Mar-20 18:37:56

I’ve written about her before so apologies and have no-one to share my distress with so apologies again.
My sis-in-law is the absolute pits! She is a nasty, scheming, unpleasant, fake person, gossipy etc etc.
I’ve just got no time for her but she is husband’s sister so I’m stuck with her!
She visited with her husband this afternoon. They invited themselves round and stayed for four hours! Not only that, she phoned her granddaughter and boyfriend and invited them round to us at the same time.
What can I do? Advice before has been to distance myself but that’s proving difficult. She is just stupid, tactless and not very intelligent and it wears me down. She spreads gossip about me and some other people she doesn’t like. It’s disgusting. People who are friends of her look at me like I’m some sort of alien! She makes up all sorts! I just can’t be bothered by her nastiness. Have managed to ignore some of her texts and any that are necessary to answer are given short polite replies. I unfriendly her from a FB because she never posts anything, she’s just there to nosey - depressed? I am.

ValerieF Tue 17-Mar-20 18:33:12

"She is just stupid, tactless and not very intelligent " mmmm just wondering how you seem to her?

Not that you need to put up with people in your own home no matter who they are. Just tell them...they aren't welcome! Tell your husband they are not coming to your house again for the reasons you have given.

If your husband doesn't agree, perhaps he doesn't see the stupid, tactless and unintelligent attributes to his sister? As for comments to other people? Are the fact or hearsay? Sometimes you just got to be a bit more open minded

kelleensc Tue 17-Mar-20 14:56:58

Tell her you're in self-isolating right now!

Londonwifi Mon 16-Mar-20 12:43:56

My husband absolutely hates her behaviour and thinks she needs counselling. I do to as she exhibits mentally unstable behaviour.

nipsmum Mon 16-Mar-20 11:51:34

My elderly Aunt used to wear a hat around the house. If someone called that she didn't want to stay she told them she was just going out. If it was someone she was happy to see, she told them she had just come in quite a good tactic. I don't bother wearing a hat but a coat hanging near the door is handy.

grandtanteJE65 Mon 16-Mar-20 09:59:06

tell her she has a bloody nerve inviting people to your house. Next time she does so, ask her to leave and tell those she invited that she forgot to get your permission.

Does you husband find her behaviour all right?

Saggi Mon 16-Mar-20 06:02:34

I had a SIL like that . She had no kids , and when my daughter was born , she asked the usual ( weight, name)... when i told her she said “ that name is common” ( Annie) and persisted all the rest of her life to call he Ann- Marie....luckily my daughter grew 8 ins taller than her aunt ...twice as intelligent, and just refused to answer her when called. Do that.... refuse this woman permission to upset you anymore. Then when my son was born three years later.... she started on him... ( Gregory)...But it only took this most placid baby three months to sus out she was a witch,,,, he screamed every time she came near him...still not sure if my daughter was sticking pins in him to make him cry.

jaylucy Sun 15-Mar-20 19:04:43

I feel quite sorry for people like your SiL. Just think, she has no life of her own obviously so has to pick faults in everybody elses.
When I have had the misfortune to meet people like her, I let them get away with it a couple of times but after that if they start spouting something spiteful,I either give them a hard stare or say "Pardon" in a loud voice, followed with "did I hear you right, did you just say *?" Doesn't always work the first time but find they don't do it so often after that.
Spreading rumours? Leave her to it ! Those that matter will know the truth.
Don't only unfriend her but block her on Facebook and encourage any one else to do the same, Change all settings so that any posts you make are seen by friends only and you can also name people that you don't want to see posts.

Jannicans Sun 15-Mar-20 18:26:10

My stepdaughter and her mother fit this description perfectly, luckily I don't ever have to see either of them again now my husband is deceased.

TrendyNannie6 Sun 15-Mar-20 17:16:20

I was brought up to also be kind and respectful to everyone I meet too Londonwifi but I was also brought up to stand my ground and never allow anyone to put me down, as I said put her in her place, you don’t have to invite her into your home, the fact that she’s family makes no difference, i personally wouldn’t pretend I was going anywhere, she would be the one that was turning round and going somewhere! I wouldn’t be pussyfooting around her or this will drag on on on, she’s not a respectful person, and your husband should be backing you, good luck

CherryCezzy Sun 15-Mar-20 15:13:32

The coat ' trick' was used by mother too. It was a pretty effective one. This may be a dramatic suggestion but do you have a garden with gate/s and fencing? I have been a victim of disability hate crime (police were involved). The first thing I was advised to do was padlock my gates to prevent unwanted visitors. Other, friendly, visitors were all made aware and now message me to let me know they are very nearly at my gates so I can let them in. It has proved to be the best advice the police gave me. No more unwelcome visitors!

4allweknow Sun 15-Mar-20 14:48:43

When she decides to appear, you go out. Go shopping, visit a Mall, have a coffee, anything to distance yourself from her. Your DH will get fed up having to accommodate her on his own and may actually address the horrible situation.

Londonwifi Sun 15-Mar-20 14:38:53

Thanks everyone. Some great suggestions here especially the coat one!
Thing is, I was brought up to be nice to everyone regardless of how they were. However, now that I’m over 60 I’m not prepared to put up with people who waste my time playing nasty games. Life is too short for that nonsense.
My husband does not like what she does but she is his sister at the end of the day. She gets off from a lot by her family because of past sadness in her life but we all have our crosses to bear. Her family do not like her much but feel they can’t put her in her place. Personally I think that is ridiculous.
I’ve just lost all respect for them.

Mealybug Sun 15-Mar-20 14:36:20

I would just go out when she turns up and leave your husband to deal with her if he won't say anything to her to support you. No need for that in your own home.

T56ers Sun 15-Mar-20 14:33:54

I would take myself out for a few hours. Let your husband entertain his sister. Try not to worry about things she says as people who know her will know what she's like.

Grandmafrench Sun 15-Mar-20 14:00:12

I've always used the "coat" trick. Answer the door wearing coat - off to an appointment. People have no chance to keep you there or come in. If it's a friend, you say you've just come in - or a very good friend, you can laugh and explain! In the summer it works just as well if you go upstairs (better than answering the door), having wrapped a towel around your head. Open window and shout an irritable "Yes?" in the direction of the door. Easy to see that you don't want to be disturbed and your hair is wet or whatever. If it's a mate - down you go minus towel - you can always explain. NEVER NEVER let people come into your home/life to disrespect you. If you can't rely on your DH to sort her out, do it yourself. You'll be so pleased you did it.

JeannieB44 Sun 15-Mar-20 13:43:57

Mumofbadboys I wish I had known of that repeating advice years ago with my husbands family, won't forget it now though

Summerfly Sun 15-Mar-20 12:56:52

You have my sympathy Londonwifi. What a sad woman she must be. I have a SIL who is exactly the same. Scheming, telling my brother lies about me. I decided ten years ago to cut her out of my life. Best decision I made. Unfortunately I don’t see my brother either but that’s the price I was happy to pay. If he could believe her lies then there’s no room in my life for him. Your DH should man up and deal with her! You’re his wife and you should come before anyone!

red1 Sun 15-Mar-20 12:51:37

I used to tolerate people /family members till i was around 55,a lightbulb moment came on in my head- i was a doormat! i cleared them out, the
result is that i had a period of loss ,but now i have only people in my life who are respectful and loving. Clear them out if you can.

cupaffull Sun 15-Mar-20 12:20:11

Print out this post and send it first class to her. See how she likes it.
Oh and before you do that ensure your OH reads it.flowers

TrendyNannie6 Sun 15-Mar-20 12:14:04

If I was in your position, if she turned up I’d say no you are not coming in my home, you show me no respect, spreading lies, why would you even think you are welcome in my home, I do think your DH should also say the same thing, it sounds as though she’s a very unhappy person and obviously has issues! She has no regard for you and sounds horrendous, you don’t need it and nor should you entertain any of this, it doesn’t matter wether family or not, you are the weakest link goodbye!!!!

Grammaretto Sun 15-Mar-20 12:12:29

I do like the sound of the coat technique - just brilliant!
Why do you have to see this horrible person, relative or not? Does your DH love her?

I have known plenty of people who remove themselves from a scene they don't enjoy. It is far more honest IMO.
DH will quietly remove himself, if the person who calls is not to his liking. I sometimes have to go in search of him when it's time to say goodbye.

Have something imperative to do, at all times, so you don't have to be part of the scene. An urgent phone call, a neighbour who needs you urgently. Tell them where the kettle is.

Use the CV virus as an excuse. Anything until they get the message.

Buffybee Sun 15-Mar-20 12:06:24

Londonwifi, life is too short to have nasty, scheming, unpleasant, fake, gossipy (your words) people in it.
Stop allowing this person to affect your life so much, stop being so polite, if that is what is stopping you.
Ring her up and tell her that you have decided that you really don't have a lot in common and quite honestly, you don't particularly like her, so not to bother calling again, as you won't be allowing her in.
Don't wait for an answer, just put phone down, leaving her mouth agape.
Tell husband he can do what he wants but she's never allowed near you, ever again.
Just do it and breathe a sigh of relief.

grannyactivist Sun 15-Mar-20 11:51:18

EllanVannin ‘the coat’ is a tactic my mother deployed when I was a child. If there was an unexpected knock at the door my mother would pop her coat on to answer it; if the caller was welcome my mother had ‘just got home’, if not she would smile and say, ‘sorry, I’m just on my way out’.

sandelf Sun 15-Mar-20 11:41:51

I like Anrol 's comment. If that is beyond you - what would she find totally boring/enraging - take it up as a hobby activity and insist on getting her actively involved! She will soon stop enjoying your company. I'm just astounded by her brass neck!!!

EllanVannin Sun 15-Mar-20 11:25:14

Have your coat on ready to be out of the house---even if you pop on a bus to the next stop or brusquely jump into the car and start the engine, move and leave her standing there.

I do this when/if JW's knock. ( Jehova's Witnesses )
I had the Mormons last week, so was stumped grin