Sometimes, it’s just impossible to get through to some people that you don’t want them in your life.
You can’t choose your family – and sadly, there are those who have relatives they’d rather not interact with. Ideally, our families would always be there for us, but some people don’t have this privilege and are compelled to sever ties with parents or siblings for various reasons.
However, one woman and her fiancé are discovering that their family members aren’t quite getting the message. She detailed how she and her soon-to-be husband cut off his mother and the “rest of the in-laws” this week by blocking their numbers to prevent contact. But this didn’t deter her future mother-in-law, who resorted to a more traditional method – she sent them a letter.
To add insult to injury, the letter included a list of demands for Christmas gifts, as though the couple were still expected to splurge on someone they don’t even wish to communicate with.
The letter, addressed to the woman’s partner, read: “I think your phone is broken. I’ve been trying to call you but it goes to voicemail. Have you and [your fiancée] started your Christmas shopping yet? I’m happy with whatever, but if you haven’t gotten me anything (or are feeling generous), any of the following would be appreciated.”
The woman further elaborated: “And then a list of about 10 things she’d like to be gifted, each one over $100 [£79]. The audacity of this woman after what she’s done the past few weeks and she not only thinks we’re celebrating Christmas with her, but she has the balls to basically say, ‘If you bought me a present, you can buy me more’.”
In a previous post, she detailed their decision to cut ties with her fiancé’s family after a Thanksgiving exclusion last month. She recounted how her mother-in-law excused herself from hosting by suggesting she wanted a “quiet day at home” instead of joining them for the US holiday, only to find out that the parents had hosted a feast for his sister’s family without them.
Commenters rallied behind the couple, advising them to dispose of the presumptuous letter, pointing out that the mum had forfeited any right to expect presents with her holiday antics.
One commenter advised: “Just toss it in the trash. She’ll be waiting on Christmas day for her gifts and will receive nothing.”
Another shared personal experience, saying: “My mum tried this a few times, but we just have no response at all, and it stopped, thankfully. Don’t engage, if you’re communicating back you’re only feeding the flames.”