#$#%^ In laws for xmas and conditional gift.

[tomatolord]

Question do we just send the gift back?<br />Or<br />Send a thank you but say no to the condition.<br /><br />Situation<br /><br />SIL - 43 no kids no plans to - husband 1 kid who is 25 <br /><br />My wife and SIL had a falling out about 5 months ago, about 40 years of pent up frustration on my wifes part in dealing with her sister. <br /><br />Nastly letters emailed and mailed<br /><br />SIL is beyond rude but thinks she is the queen of the world - wont hesitate to ask you to babysit her "kids" two dogs for the xmas holidays.<br /><br />My kids liked going over her house for the only reason that I took them for hikes in the woods, to feed the horses nearby, throw rocks at the satellite dish and other fun things. However her house is the aunts house that when you were young you had to go there and sit and be quiet and dont touch anything for 4-6 hours. Since I cannot sit there for that long either I do something with my boys.<br /><br />SIL thinks my boys LIKE going over to her house and in 8 years she has NEVER baby sat or ever watched our kids. Well there was once when she came over with 2 bottles of wine in her hand to let us have a night out and we quickly called a sitter to come over and "help". She was hammered when we got back and she had a great time.<br /><br />Now SIL sent a xmas gift card to my kids saying she wants to go shopping with them and take them to dinner. <br /><br />I say keep the gifts send a thank you card - but that is all.<br /><br />TIA<br /><br />Tomatolord

 

[ehenry]

Re: #$#%^ In laws for xmas and conditional gift.

What are the conditions??? Go to dinner and shopping with their aunt? She going to pay for what the kids buy??

 

[Twidget]

Re: #$#%^ In laws for xmas and conditional gift.

Wow, sounds like my little sister... I feel for you.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: #$#%^ In laws for xmas and conditional gift.

"Throw rocks at the satellite dish". Priceless!!

 

[mattttt25]

Re: #$#%^ In laws for xmas and conditional gift.

i missed something. their aunt wants to take them shopping and to dinner. unless you fear for their safety, why would you say no? life's too short to hold grudges.

 

[LadyFish]

Re: #$#%^ In laws for xmas and conditional gift.

Tomatolord, let her take them shopping and buy them things. You know, maybe she's had a change of heart and the holidays are bringing out the best in her. I believe in giving second chances when it comes to family.<br /><br />Follow up their shopping excursion with a phone call to thank her. She's not really doing this for the kids alone, it sounds to me like she is trying to make amends but can't quite bring herself to do anything directly so she is starting with the kids.<br /><br />Its a good thing, as my friend Martha says.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: #$#%^ In laws for xmas and conditional gift.

You and your wife need to talk and come to consensus on everything. Then your wife needs to handle it, since it's her sister.

 

[Kath]

Re: #$#%^ In laws for xmas and conditional gift.

Ask the kids if they are interested in going. If they do and you are OK with it, let them go. "throw rocks at the satellite dish" too funny!

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: #$#%^ In laws for xmas and conditional gift.

Originally posted by Flahthead:<br /> "Throw rocks at the satellite dish". Priceless!!

Yea, my thoughts too FH.

 

[deputydawg]

Re: #$#%^ In laws for xmas and conditional gift.

I take it the shopping trip is not a condition to the gift but a part of the gift. Let them do it, it is only an afternoon. Now that the kids are older they might be in the age group she can associate with and it might be a great day for the kids. Then again it might not, but at least they will know for themselves. Unless there is other issues here concerning the safety of the children.<br />Myself I probably would, then see how it goes. Had an aunt that was nasty rude and hated us as kids. When I got to around 14 or 15 she changed and is the nicest person to me now. She just can't get close to young children and really doesn't like little kids at all. Doesn't understand them or can't get down on their level or something. Sees them as little dirty destructive monsters, unless they are like her kids always wearing little shirts and vests or dresses when they were little and never allowed to play oitside.

 

[EZLoader]

Re: #$#%^ In laws for xmas and conditional gift.

Maybe she isn't a witch after all...<br /><br />

<br /><br />Come here my little precious...