Husband's Siblings

[mom2hannah47]

Not sure if this post belongs in this section, but it is about "Family", so here goes.

My husband and I are travelling to visit my FIL this weekend. The trip is a 9 hour drive, and we want him to meet his granddaughter before she turns 1 (at the end of this month). I love my FIL to bits!! We talk on the phone all the time. We will be staying at his house when we go to visit. My problem is that my husband's siblings do not like me and have never welcomed me in to the "family circle". I haven't seen any of them since our wedding 8 years ago. I know they are coming to FILs house to visit my husband and our daughter. I feel really awkward being around them. Does anybody have any advice on how to avoid being pushed aside on MY family vacation?

[lyndafaye]

Kill them with kindness.
be yourself.
you will not be there long enough for them to get really nasty so smile a lot and pay attention to your FIL. ignore them except to smile when they are being real Shheads.
Don't let them spoil yours or you FIL's time since he is the one you want to introduce your daughter to.
If you need a time out from them use a nap for your daughter. or take her for a walk inviting your FIL to come along.

[InkiePinkie]

I agree lyndafaye
You get much further with kindness than not. Take the high road! You can even go the extra mile, and make it a point to ask about the individual siblings work/hobbies/family... that sort of thing. Go out of your way to act interested in them!
When all else fails, don't let them know you are offended by their behaviour. Take time for yourself and or hubby and his dad, and make the most of the visit!
Good luck, and let us know how it went!

[mom2hannah47]

Well, I survived the trip to introduce Hannah to her grandfather and the rest of the family. All of my husband's siblings and their kids came over at the same time on Saturday afternoon - and stayed about two hours. They spent their time talking amongst themselves and playing with Hannah, and I spent my time talking with my father in law. So it was all good there. The rest of our trip was spent with FIL - shopping, going for walks, carving a pumpkin he bought for Hannah, and watching Hannah play with her grandpa. When we put her into her car seat to start our drive home, Hannah realized grandpa wasn't getting into the van and she started to cry ... and grandpa was standing on the sidewalk waving to her (and shedding tears for her too).

[princess punkin]

Awww that is sweet. Glad they connected.