My younger brother was married last year. Not too long ago my siblings and I threw a party for our parents' anniversary. An oversight on our part we forgot to invite his mother in law. Now they are upset with us for not inviting her. Are we obliged to invite her to family celebrations? If I decided to throw a birthday party for my dad for example do I have to invite her? I know it would be a nice thing to do but is it obligatory?
2007-10-01 17:45:14 · 7 answers · asked by r2sue2 3 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
I wouldn't think inviting your brothers MIL would be an obligation at all. After all, she is not technically part of your family, he is part of hers. If he felt the need for her to be invited he should have addressed the issue to you prior to the party. And I'm sure you would have invited her knowing that he felt the need to have her there. I think you might just need to explain that you had a lot on your mind planning the party and all, and that it was not intentional, and that for future celebrations if he wants her invited, he needs to clearly state that.
2007-10-01 18:01:13 · answer #1 · answered by peyton31602 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she doesn't live with them I don't see why she would automatically be included. Since you know how they feel now you might let them know in advance if it will be a large party with lots of friends and relatives, or just a intimate family gathering with spouses and children. If you haven't apollogized for the oversight at your parent's anniversary do so now. If they stay mad then it's not your problem.
2007-10-02 00:56:57 · answer #2 · answered by teleduster 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just apologize to the in-laws, saying you just didn't realize it was important to them. Mea culpa!
Make sure you have their phone and address written down and make sure they have an invite to every little thing... and get a confirmation whether they will come or not.
Hopefully they aren't a pain in the rump.
You do this just to make things better for your brother.
2007-10-02 00:54:24 · answer #3 · answered by revsuzanne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell your brother and your sister in law that you did not know that he wanted his mother in law at the party and apologize. Say jokingly "Oh man, I wish I was psychic so I can read minds". Then get your brother's mother in law's address from him and write a letter to his mother in law apologizing to her saying that you did not know that they (your brother and sister in law) haven't mentioned her (mother in law) and since they have a good relationship with mother in law, then she will get invited to future family gatherings.
2007-10-02 01:01:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
All good answers above and I agree.
One other point though. Your brother could have called before the party and asked if it was OK to bring the mother in law. They should only be upset with themselves.
2007-10-02 08:19:57 · answer #5 · answered by nevit 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually no, it is not required that you invite your brother's MIL to your parents anniversary party.
2007-10-02 01:00:00 · answer #6 · answered by Poppet 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you are not obliged to do it, it is really up to you to invite them... but since that your brother is part of their family then... for them not to think that you are going to upset them, it is better to invite them and treaT them as apart of the family...
if your brother would like to invite them then good! it would be better if your bother will be the one to invite them...
2007-10-02 00:58:34 · answer #7 · answered by hazelle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋