I am in my 40s and when my brother (42m) had his two kids ( both under 10,) I made a conscious choice to play an active role in their lives because we don’t really have anybody else but each other, family-wise. Over the years, I have babysat every time they have asked, including for trips, date nights, you name it. I’ve basically never said no because I absolutely love these kids and I know that I add a lot of value to their lives.
I’ve always gone above and beyond for the family because honestly that’s just my style. I enjoy bringing value to the lives of people in my family and community and this is just how I am with everyone.
Each time my brother and his wife have eagerly requested and accepted any help provided. I came to their house when their water broke with their first kid (their request) and cleaned up the whole house (my offer) so they could have one less thing to worry about. I came over in the middle of the night to stay with their oldest while their youngest was born.
I always make sure the children know that even though I am the fun auntie, their parents still set all the rules. I defer everything to the parents and don’t even spoil the kids.
During this past summer, I went to their house one day each weekend and played with the kids and my brother and his wife used that time to nap, do household chores, or to outside chores like shopping. I would even bring food for the day I was there so that there was one less thing for them to think about.
I don’t do any of this for any reason other than I care about contributing to my community. This world is a terrible place and we could all use a little more village.
A few months ago, a mutual friend told me that my sister-in-law had been complaining about me behind my back. I actually always really appreciate learning things like this because it allows me a chance to become a better person. My worst nightmare is somebody disliking me and me not knowing or having an opportunity to repair the relationship and improve myself.
But as I learned about the details of what seemed like pretty excessive complaining about me, I became really disheartened. My sister-in-law characterized me as intrusive. She said that my visits during the summer prevented them from taking the kids anywhere. The thing is, we live in a very hot climate and this was a brutal summer – leaving the house was borderline dangerous. However, each weekend I had actually checked in and asked if they would rather go somewhere and they always said no.
She complained about a recent time when I spent a long weekend at their house to help my brother watch the kids so that she could go on a girls trip (their request). I had brought house slippers to feel comfortable for all those days, and I had forgotten to take them with me and accidentally left them by the door where they put all their own shoes. She listed that as something intrusive.
She told my friend that she doesn’t wanna say anything to me because my help is beneficial. She has always said thank you anytime I’ve done something for them, and has outlined the ways that it was helpful. She says things like “I’m glad you’re here to play with the kids because I can take a break.”
She’s complained about me making food at her house, that I do it in a way that she doesn’t like, but has said to my face that she appreciates not having to cook for a day.
I’m not perfect in my actions - I have ADHD so sometimes I forget things. We have different personality types – I’m more outgoing and she’s more reserved and I can understand that there would naturally be some messy interactions.
But my whole heart broke when I found out she had been making all these complaints about me and never said anything to my face. Some of them just feel so blatantly unfair. Like after a whole long weekend of giving up my time to watch her kids, for her to notice nothing but an inconvenience of forgetting my slippers just honestly feels cruel.
Or complaining that I prevented them from taking the kids anywhere in the summer when I repeatedly asked and they always said no and it was too hot either way. She could’ve told me to not come over at any time and I would’ve been totally fine with it. I don’t even like being at their house that much. I just come for the kids because they ask about me.
I assume there are probably other things, but I had to stop listening at some point. I absolutely love to get feedback and have the opportunity to work and strengthen important relationships. I don’t even mind that she’s talking about me behind my back because everybody has a right to vent.
But I’m so devastated by the things she’s chosen to complain about, especially in the context of how much she directly has benefited from my labor. Even my poor brother doesn’t benefit from my help as much as she does. I wouldn’t have minded if she said hey I really appreciate your help, but could you do… instead?
I’ve worked for 15 years to build this relationship with her since the day she and my brother met. We’ve done lots of nice things for each each other over the years and we’ve worked hard to build our relationship even despite so many personality differences. We probably wouldn’t be close if we weren’t family, but I’ve never approached her with anything but respect. I would’ve changed any of my behavior in a heartbeat if she ever asked. And I would have ignored all of these complaints if she showed meaningful gratitude for me fulfilling any of the requests they’ve made to be there for the kids. It just seems unfair, considering all the circumstances.
I don’t even wanna share any more examples because I don’t wanna make her out to be a horrible person. I think she’s generally well-intentioned and has done a number of thoughtful things over the years.
The thing is, I can’t look at her in the same way again. I don’t wanna say anything because I don’t want to betray what our friend shared in confidence. And I don’t want her to not trust our friend either. The only reason I still interact is because she’s my brother‘s wife and I do love those kids. I took a short break from seeing them very much for a couple of months, saying I was busy with work. But the kids noticed my absence so much and I don’t wanna punish them for something that isn’t their fault.
Regardless, I have set a lot of boundaries and severely limited my time with them either way since finding out. Most of the time when I’m there, I’m with the kids anyway.
How do I continue to interact, knowing everything I know? Should I confront her and admit how I found this out? Should I do nothing but show humility and accept sole responsibility for the friction, even though I don’t think it’s a fair assessment? I don’t mind being shallow for the rest of our lives for the sake of the kids, but I’m just really heartbroken.
TLDR: My (45F) sister in law (38F) has been complaining about me behind my back for things that seem mean-spirited, considering how much time and labor I’ve dedicated to being there for her family and kids. I would like to experience some repair, but can’t admit how I learned this information because I don’t want to betray our mutual friend’s confidence for telling me. Not sure how to move forward.