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Jenna
Beginner May 2024

My future brother in law hates me and is upset he isn't invited to the wedding

Jenna, on September 22, 2023 at 1:15 AM Posted in Community Conversations 0 9
Hello all so there is definitely some family drama with this one so I will try to explain as easily as I can since this whole situation has been very stressful for me and my future husband.


Upon meeting my brother in law the first time who isy future husbands brother I introduced myself and was very kind and he didn't acknowledge as a person and looked at my future husband and said which one is this? ( I was informed his brother was diagnosed with PTSD from war, bi polar disorder, amongst other mental disorders and has a drinking problem). The second time I encountered spending time with my brother in law their dad was visiting and we all spent time together at a condo he was renting. Instead of getting to know me he made horrible jokes and proceeded to tell me that I age like sour milk. My future husband and I had a get together at my mother in laws house and he threatened to shoot up the place and kill everyone. When we got engaged all he could say was well s#$t no congrats of any kind. Most recently he told my future husband due to his military training he gets a bad feeling about me and if I'm the person he thinks I am he will kill me. That being said after long conversations with my future husband we have decided not to invite his brother to the wedding considering how vile and evil he is when drinks and the things he says to others. We don't want to have to worry about fights and babysitting anyone. We gave his brother the news as kind as we possibly could he said F you, F her, and F the whole family down there. Initially mother in law supported our decision and understood considering she has had issues with him in the past as well. After she talked with my brother in law she now says she sees both sides and doesn't know how my future husband would go forward with his brother after not inviting his brother to the wedding. I was then told by my future husbands step father that after talking to my brother in law there is something about me that triggers him and reminds him of someone in his past but for me not to take it personal. My future mother in law asked me my thoughts and what I thought of everything and I explained how I was feeling and she had no response or sense of comfort of any kind.
Given this dynamic I feel like I am in the wrong and I'm being made to be a bad person. My future husband has made it clear to his family regardless of an apology from his brother he will not be invited. Should we just invite his brother to avoid any further manipulation or problems or should we stand our ground and not invite him? Personally I am genuinely afraid of him and I'm trying to think of all of our guests as a whole. My family also prefers that I'm not around him given his mental problems because they want to make sure I'm safe.

9 Comments

Latest activity by Jenna, on September 22, 2023 at 1:23 PM
  • Jacks
    Rockstar November 2054
    Jacks ·
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    You're not obligated to invite someone who makes you feel unsafe, family or not. I'm sorry, it sounds like your FBIL has issues. I think boundaries are a good thing right now. I wouldn't expect FMIL to align with you against her son, because that would be unusual. I'm glad your FH has your back!

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  • V
    Rockstar July 2019
    Veronica ·
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    Absolutely not. He sounds like he is very mentally unwell and there poses a risk to not only you but everyone else. Add in a wedding with alcohol and I think you'd just be ask for trouble. Do not allow anyone to force you to invite him. My advice would be for you and your fiance to go no contact with his brother until he gets serious help.
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  • Jenna
    Beginner May 2024
    Jenna ·
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    My FH feels horrible about this situation and blames himself that I am hurting in this way which I hate for him to be so hard on himself and he said he will be addressing his parents on enabling his brother. I feel if I back down this behavior is going to continue in the future and I have more respect for myself than that.
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  • C
    CM ·
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    There are no “two sides” to this and it shouldn’t be framed as being primarily about the wedding. Until and unless your future brother-in-law seeks help, puts in the effort to get treatment and gets better, there can be no relationship. That should have happened after the second time you met him and goes for your enabling future MIL, as well. Does FBIL live with her?


    FI himself was too slow to reach this conclusion. After threatening to shoot up FMIL’s place there should have been no further visits, engagement announcements, or contact. Though he seems supportive now, I would slow down the wedding plans and seek some premarital counseling as well.

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  • Cece
    Rockstar October 2023
    Cece ·
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    I'm so sorry you have been put in such a difficult and unfair situation. I know this has to be difficult for all parties involved. Mental illness is a heartbreaking situation. Unfortunately, it sounds like the family, as good-intentioned as it may be, is enabling FBIL's behavior; which is actually hurting him in the long run. FH and his family (sans brother) need to get together and have a real discussion about FBIL's behavior/mental health and devise a plan to get him the help he needs. The aggressive tendencies and threats of violence/murder is NOT ok, and is a warning sign of what could come without professional intervention. This man desperately needs on-going therapy and medication. And the family needs to seriously contemplate how they would feel if they continue to ignore/enable him, and he ends up killing somebody. An intervention (hopefully with the guidance of a professional) needs to happen asap. They will help lay out the expectations and consequences if they aren't met. Your FH can express at that time his desire to have his brother at his wedding, but that it's contingent upon him getting the help he needs.

    Good luck, girl! I hope FBIL gets help and you can build a positive relationship with him in the future!

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  • Jenna
    Beginner May 2024
    Jenna ·
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    He does not live with her he lives in another state however it seems like the enabling has been going on for a long time and the family does not engage when he makes these kinds of statements to avoid further conflict or disaster. Which the unfortunate part is my father in law and mother in law are chaplains and both have degrees in psychology and are licensed but yet this behavior is tolerated.
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  • Jenna
    Beginner May 2024
    Jenna ·
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    I have made it clear I will not have any kind of relationship with my FBIL as long as this behavior continues. Unfortunately he goes to therapy and is on medication but abuses medication and alcohol and claims he is better than what he was before. My FH has made it clear to me, my family, and his family that he does not want his brother to be any part of this wedding regardless of an apology or proper treatment. I would love to have a relationship with his brother but my self worth is more important.
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  • Cece
    Rockstar October 2023
    Cece ·
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    Unfortunately, you cannot control someone else's behavior or desire to receive help. It sounds like your FH is incredibly supportive and the two of you are on the same page when it comes to his brother's participation in the wedding. At this point, all you can do is stand firm on your decision. I would definitely not address the in-laws directly about this - I would let FH handle it. This is their family matter, and I would let "blood handle blood".

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  • Jenna
    Beginner May 2024
    Jenna ·
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    Thank you this really helped me a lot so at this point I am going to drop out of the situation and ify mother in law brings it up to him I will let him handle it. I took mental health day for myself today because it's been so stressful and I'm glad that I have received confirmation from others that I'm doing the right thing and to continue standing my ground.
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