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Fr
Francisca
1y ago

Need to ask my sister-in-law to leave my house. Please how do I deal with this situation?

Everything inside me screams from helplessness and injustice of it all! I don’t hate my sister-in-law, as a woman, I want to support her, I really do. And I know she's been through a lot. It's been three long years since she moved in with us, seeking refuge from her abusive ex-husband. Three years of watching her struggle being a young mother, and three years of feeling the walls of my own life closing in on me. As much as I want to help her, I can't take it anymore. It's not just about her not contributing to the household or being oblivious to the impact of her presence; it's about feeling like I'm suffocating under the weight of her problems.

Our relationship has taken a turn for the worst the last three months. Ever since she smacked me on the mouth for trying to help her with her baby. She apologized, and we both act as if we’re fine. But I’m not. I can’t stand it anymore hearing her say she regrets having her baby, all the while I’m trying so hard to get pregnant. I can’t stand her being so controlling and anxious about everything, having to go on tiptoes in my own house because loud noises make my sister-in-law jump and lash out. I would call her passive-aggressive if she didn’t have so many issues. I know she's been through hell and back, and I can't imagine the pain she must have endured with her ex. Because of this, I don’t dare to share my feelings with my husband. I can’t use the word “abuse”, it was my sister-in-law who was abused by her husband. If I only hint that her behavior is domestic abuse in my eyes, I’ll be called a heartless bitch and I probably will be a bitch in our friends’ opinion. But I feel that she is being mentally and verbally abusive towards me every single day, and I can’t excuse it for her depression or her temper tantrums anymore. When she hit me, my patience with her ran out. I can't stand domestic violence from anyone, especially not from my own sister-in-law. If she ever raises a hand on me again, I will tell my husband, that’s decided. I regret not telling him three months ago, but I feel that the moment is lost now. And would he even believe me? He'd think I’m exaggerating or making a big deal out of nothing.

I want to tell him how I feel, but I'm afraid. He's always been so selfless in his desire to help others. I married a freaking Robin Hood! Nobody told me his sister would come as a bonus. God, I feel guilty even for writing this… How can I possibly accuse my sister-in-law of being violent, aggressive, selfish, when she’s the victim? But at the same time, I can't keep living like this. I feel like I'm drowning.

I want her out of my house and my life. It feels immoral to think about asking her to leave when she has nowhere to go and with a child. But at the same time, I can't ignore the fact that her presence makes me neurotic. I don't know what to do. I feel torn between my duty and my own need for space and peace. I just wish there was a solution that doesn't make everything my fault.

Specialist answer
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Veena Choudhary
1y
Specialist

Hi,


I understand your love for your sister in law so even after going through so much you feel guilty to write it. But right now what is important is you understand what you need because only if you give attention to your needs will you feel better emotionally. if not emotion would just pile up and burst with you not having control over the consequences and the damages.


Now first thing is for mental sanity just take a break from her. See can you go for few days away from her. Just to help yourself and get a clarity of thoughts. When you feel negative around someone then everything else also starts feeling negative and it becomes difficult to go through it everyday. So If possible can you take a few days break and step out of the house. Taking a break will also help you to start things in clearer way and objectify what is right or wrong and acceptable by you. You need to set clear boundaries like smacking is a clear no. if you cant step out see if you can avoid her for few days by interacting very minimal with her.


Once you are back you need to have clear communication with your husband about what is happening in the house and what you are going through. Its better you speak then be under assumption of what he would think that i am exaggerating. It is better you both unanimously come up with a solution for your betterment. if only decision is taken together he will stand with you for it.


You also need to discuss with your husband of how important it is to consult a therapist for your sister in law to help her out from the trauma she has gone through. There are many therapist who are available online and you can reach them at ease.


You need to talk to your sister in law if something is bothering you as she many not even realise the effect of her action.


You need to stand up for yourself and be firm .

Veena Choudhary
1y
Specialist

As you said i can't take it anymore, i am suffocating under the weight of her problems then you need to decide whether taking a break would be right for your mental state or not. You need to be firm in whatever decision you take for yourself as being confused and thinking about everyone will only complicate your mental well being currently. Taking a few days break is just for you to step out and clear the over piling emotional turmoil in your head and then come back and talk to your husband. This will also help you to analyse the situation and think how you can talk to your husband about it. sign of guilt is not even considered in the picture. You will be stepping out initially on the pretext that you need just two days off.

Ra
RarePanther
1y

Your SIL is making your life difficult, of course you want her out of your house. And of course she acts like a victim, she’s traumatized, she can’t see past her own problems. It even looks like she turned from victim to abuser, repeating the patterns of the behavior that had been applied to her. She needs professional help. Make it an ultimatum: either she goes into therapy and eventually starts contributing to the household, or she may start looking for another home to shelter her. Even though she’s your husband’s family, and thus your family by extension, her presence is impacting your life negatively, and you have the right to put some limits to it. You can show her solidarity and compassion without allowing her to cross your borders.

Sh
ShanChun1964
1y

Even if your sister-in-law went through some rough times in the past, it’s been three years. You can’t babysit her forever. Has she begun making plans on where to live on her own, separating her future from that of her brother and his family? I think you should talk to her first, before talking to your husband and accusing her of anything. Maybe share what you’re expecting from her and give her time to adjust, before asking her to pack her bags.

Je
Jennifer
1y

Realistically, the only “easy” way to do it is to help your sister-in-law find a new place to stay, and also likely a job and childcare. If she has some semblance of stability, there’ll be no reasons to keep this arrangement of living with you.

La
Laura
1y

It’s horrible that your sister-in-law is acting in such a manner. Way too offensive for a victim who needs help. She’s being careless about your feelings, and seemingly she doesn’t care about her baby, why should you feel guilty about hurting her feelings then? It’s all backwards to me. I don’t understand why your husband can’t pay for a hotel room. Now that her child is older (I guess at least 3 years old or older), she can live on her own.

Jo
JoyMary
1y

Tell your husband at once all about the episode when your SIL raised her hand on you, and all those times when you think she was violent or aggressive towards you! How on Earth do you expect your husband to support you in handling this situation, if you’re keeping these important facts from him?

It’s not in your interests to keep a semblance of civility and happiness. You need to complain.

Säde
1y

You and your husband are good people for providing a safe space to her and her baby. However, it’s been three years. She needs to get her life back on track. You should give her some timeline. It will be problematic to ask her just to move out now, without a warning. But if you give her, say, four months and also contact her parents and let them know what’s going on in your house, your actions won’t look unreasonable. Best of luck, and don’t criticize yourself too much!

No
No_way_out
1y

Just from my perspective… you need to be a very pleasant and nice guest to rely on someone’s generosity for so long, even if you’re family. If you’re being mean and lashing out, you should expect consequences. I see you’re in emotional turmoil over it and you want to look good in the eyes of some friends and your husband. I wouldn’t be so kind. I wouldn’t let my SIL or any of my in-laws treat me like this...

Fa
Faizan
1y

Can your sister-in-law take care of her child when she’s in such mental state and says she is regretting giving life to it? She can be a danger to herself and her baby. I think you must discuss it with your husband. If you let her go and something happens to the baby, you both won’t forgive yourself.

no
noname
1y

Why not rent her an Airbnb or a hotel? Your SIL is an adult and she needs to act like one. I can see of many ways to support her without her living in your house.

Fr
Francisca
1y
Author

@ShanChun1964 I’ve suggested many times that I'll sit with the baby while she can go look for a job or perhaps take some courses to prepare for a new job. Every time I get an answer that I’m incapable, or that she doesn’t feel well today. At the same time, she doesn’t want to apply for any social services. I don’t think she plans to move out any time soon. She’s eyeing the room I had planned for a nursery for my future baby as a room for her own son now. It drives me crazy. Sometimes I wish to leave myself, except I don’t have any other property but this house.

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