My in-laws are the most ungrateful people I know
DEAR DEIDRE: My partner’s parents are the meanest people, yet they are millionaires.
We live next door to them in a house they own.
I am a woman of 31 and my partner is 33. I was brought up to be kind.
During lockdown I did their shopping for them every single week as they are in their seventies. I didn’t get any thanks.
We both work full time but only earn the minimum wage and find it hard paying our bills.
When my partner asked his father if he could lend us some money, he suggested we use a food bank.
His mother criticises me often. She constantly rings to check that I’ve cooked a meal for her son, and has accused me of not looking after him properly.
My partner’s father turns 76 soon and I’m expected to chip in for his birthday meal, yet they never send me a card for my birthday.
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DEIDRE SAYS: Loving family relationships work both ways. You’ve been brought up to be kind so continue to do so. Go for the birthday meal and be pleasant – but that’s where the kindness stops.
Your partner is stuck between a rock and a hard place but you’ve gone above and beyond.
If they need anything, your partner can do it. You aren’t responsible for running errands for them.
You’ll find a listening ear through free Family Action (family-action.org.uk, 0808 802 6666) which deals with family relationship issues.
