North Carolina

MOH advice... (sorry this is long!)

Okay so I am unsure what I should do at this point.  I just got married two weeks ago and I'm starting to debate whether it is worth opening a discussion with my sister (MOH) about some things she did that offended me up until the day of the wedding.  Here are some scenarios and I'd love to know if you think it's worth discussing or just dropping completely.

- My bach party happened in Wilmington and all of my college friends flew down from CT and Chicago for it.  My sister insisted on bringing my 9 month old nephew because she works during the week and didn't want to miss a weekend without him.  Her husband said it was rediculous because a bach party is no place for a baby.  She did anyway.  She then, against my initial wishes, had my mom come to the bach party weekend as well so that my mom could watch my nephew when we went to dinner and dancing.  I was not a fan.  She ended up being very distant half of the time and would make us all wait around for her for about an hour or two before going to the beach adn again before dinner because she was in her seperate room spending time with him getting him ready.  Also because she was so preoccupied with all her responsibilities of motherhood, she ended up dropping the ball on all the things my bridesmaids had originally planned for the weekend for me.  They were not happy.

- Three days before my wedding, she calls me in anger that my mom asked her in confidence to pay the balance of my florist because she did not have the funds at the time to pay it (my mom is a very private person who thinks very traditionally and hated the idea that my husband and I were even paying for parts of the wedding to begin with).  My parents were and are currently going through a messy seperation so she asked my sister for help.  Rather than my sister just paying it for her since she would get reinbursed she calls me three days before the wedding to tell me my mom is in this situation and to complain that she was even asked to do this for me and my mother.  Upset that my mom is in this situation and that my sister didn't just take care of it, I got upset and just told her I woudl take care of it.  I ended up taking it out of the honeymoon savings we had.

- Earlier in the week, since I had so many out of town bridesmaids, i was putting together an itinerary as to when people were landing and when pedis/manis were happening and the rehearsal and whatnot.  My sister said she wanted to get all of that organized and that she would take care of figuring out rides for everyone and for the rehearsal dinner.  The friday of the rehearsal dinner, I came to find out that she dropped the ball.  My phone was flooding with calls about who was doing what and where they had to go and who would be taking them where.  It was a mess and really stressful.  After the rehearsal dinner we were heading to the reception hall to set up some DIY projects I had done and she never even offered to help out. 

- The day of the wedding we all had hair and make-up appointments to go to.  She had promised to come with me to the make-up artist because she does make-up for her friend's weddings in NJ and wanted to see what the artist did so she could touch me up throught the wedding day.  Well she calls me at the last minute to cancel on plans because she wanted to spend time with my nephew at the hotel pool.  From the time the ceremony started until the time the reception ended, I saw her twice and she was the first to leave the party because my nephew was fussy (although she had her two in-laws with her and they had a car so they could have easily taken him to the hotel since they watch him during the week regularly). 

Now you can draw your own conclusions as to what you think about me in regards to this situation, but the reason all of these things are issues for me is because she has always been that time of person who loves weddings and being a part of them.  She is always the go-to girl who will be on top of things and make things happen.  She fell flat from that.  I know that she is a new mother and I cannot even fathom what that experience is like and how difficult it must be to juggle everything on a day to day basis.  But i thought for just a few days, she would be able to be there for me and realize how important it would be for me to have my big sister there for me.  Of course not everything she did was intertwined with motherhood, but I am just unsure what to do. 

We have been super close for most of our lives up until the last six months.  So should I say something? Or do I just get over it and chalk it up to new motherhood?  Is it worth it to say something now that it's over and when you know nothing will change?   ~

Re: MOH advice... (sorry this is long!)

  • pirategal03pirategal03 member
    Knottie Warrior 5000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    She's your sister.  Your day went on.  Get over it. 



    (my views are very biased towards family right now, so take that for what it's worth)
  • NcsuPsychNcsuPsych member
    2500 Comments Fourth Anniversary Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I have to agree. I'd let it be. It happend, you're married. Crap happens and you can't always fix it. 

    My dad left my reception to go get my mom coffee. . .big whoop. He came back in time and the day was nothing short of perfect.

    Sibling issues can VERY quickly spiral out of control so honestly. . .leave it alone.
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  • Beth0882Beth0882 member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    My two cents -- It sounds like either (a) she is very much into being a new mother and doesn't understand/comprehend that not everyone is excited and into it as she is (not that that makes her bad) or (b) maybe she was slightly jealous that you are getting to do the whole new marriage thing and she has been married for a while and has a baby, maybe feeling a bit "old" or "in a rut" and  showed that  a little during your wedding festivities...

    I don't know your sister at all but these are the two things that came to mind.  Either way, I wouldn't take it personally, as I am sure you two will continue to have a close relationship if you had one before.  Because you chose not to bring it up before the wedding (which was probably the right thing to do) I would just leave it alone.   Be a good sister and aunt and hopefully things will go back to how they were before!
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  • edited December 2011
    I am kinda on the opposite end of the spectrum.

    If you are going to hold a grudge ignoring the situation won't help.
    If you can talk to her about it in a calm manner no fussing and no blaming, you might need to. 

    It also depends on the type of relationship your sister and your have as well.  You honestly should have adressed each situation individually, because if you bring all this up at once she is going to be on the defense and shut-out anything you say.

    Another option is to bring up these issue when they happen in the future, as they happen instead of waiting until they come to a head.  Most people don't remember what the did wrong day, weeks, and months later.
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  • edited December 2011
    Ok, well... IMO some of the replies have been a little harsh. Sorry, had to speak my mind on it. There is always a nicer way to let someone know that you think they should move forward and not say anything. :/

    To OP: I think that a lot of what your sister did was incredibly self-centered and downright rude. Your wedding was supposed to be about you, not her. The bachelorette party thing was the most surprising to me, she just should have stayed at home with the baby - what kind of fun can you possibly have on a girls getaway bach party weekend with your baby? Even if there is someone else there to take care of him. Or she could have stayed for one day and then gone home early.

    Anyway, if you guys are really close and it's weighing heavily on you, maybe speak to her gently about it and just let her know you were hurt. Get it out in the open, and work through it. MIL blew up on me 2 days before the wedding and basically told me to reconsider marrying her son, there was never an apology, that was almost 8 months ago and I am still trying to work through the hurt feelings over it, so I can understand where you're coming from.
  • edited December 2011
    Beth0228 - You were right on target with A.  It's kinda how most people in my family are feeling about her lately, esp the ones who see her more frequently than I do (she lives in NJ).  I guess what I thought were just hurtful circumstantial situations were in fact a new way she is going to act as indiciated by my mother and brother who see her more frequently than I do and have begun to notice the attitude change.  So that is why it is effecting me so much because it wasn't just about these moments towards the wedding day but a new change of attitude that is really...lets face it...irritating and I can forsee hurting our relationship.  So next time she does something like this I will go back to my old ways and be honest with her.  It might not change anything, but I'll definitely be able to just let it go and not hoard my resentment.


    Monretta - My sister and I have a very honesty relationship and tell each other everything without holding back (it's kind of our thing) but for some reason during these events I just kept my mouth shut because I didn't want to argue with her and couldn't wrap my head around her new attitude...but I should have said something.  So you're right since I didn't do it individually at the times it happened, I won't.

    KatherineUTC -  I appreciate you being the most sensitive with my point of view and I cannot believe your MIL even said that to you.  That's rough!  Your perspective is that of my bridesmaids as well who have known my sis for a long time and were quite stunned at how selfish she was being and surprised I didn't say anything. 

         And I totally understand what everyone else is saying although these situations were more than just someone running out for some coffee (sorry didn'tt see the parallel since she left and actually didn't come back to the reception).  But nonetheless I really do appreciate the honest advice.  At the end of the day the wedding was wonderful and I had an amazing time with my husband, family, and friends.  I hate the fact that my sister didn't want to be present for the day for either me or for her own memories (since we are extremely close), but you made me realize that my silence made it my fault too.

    As awalys, thanks ladies! ~
  • edited December 2011
    OK I don't have a sister and I thank God or whomever that I have a AWESOME little brother.  I think you have a right to feel the way you do.  If someone gives you their word they will do something you should be able to trust that.  I am afraid that in this day and time a person's word means nothing.  All I can is I'm Sorry!  That totally sucks.
  • edited December 2011
    i had some issues with MIL on my wedding day and the days leading up to....i guess you have to pick and chose your battles and also consider what do you hope to accomplish by raising the issue now and will you even be able to accomplish anything? can you let it go?
    if you think that bringing it up now will go over well without a huge blow up and you just cant move past it then i would say, go ahead and try to talk to your sister.
    if its going to make things worse i would just move forward and let it go.

    i personally chose to let things go....she didn't ruin my day and for us it was still perfect. i am picking and choosing my battles wisely and since MIL didn't ruin our day in any way i am saving the energy for a matter in which it will be worth having it out over......like kids! :)
  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_north-carolina_moh-advice-sorry-this-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:115Discussion:b9a32154-686a-4b78-b20b-3123cefb4de4Post:881ccb25-04b3-4e6a-998f-6e086d4da1d6">Re: MOH advice... (sorry this is long!)</a>:
    [QUOTE]i had some issues with MIL on my wedding day and the days leading up to....i guess you have to pick and chose your battles and also consider what do you hope to accomplish by raising the issue now and will you even be able to accomplish anything? can you let it go? if you think that bringing it up now will go over well without a huge blow up and you just cant move past it then i would say, go ahead and try to talk to your sister. if its going to make things worse i would just move forward and let it go. i personally chose to let things go....she didn't ruin my day and for us it was still perfect. i am picking and choosing my battles wisely and since MIL didn't ruin our day in any way i am saving the energy for a matter in which it will be worth having it out over......like kids! :)
    Posted by manda4paws[/QUOTE]

    This.

    And for some advice coming from myself since I am a mother, when you are a new mom, especially if it's your first child, you do have a hard time going somewhere overnight without the baby, and the child is going to be your main concern. Does that make how she handled things right? No, it doesn't. If she wasn't willing to be there for you like a MOH should be, then she should have stepped down and let someone take over her duties. But, since she is your sister, she probably just wanted to be there for you the best that she can, and unfortunatley she fell short of doing that.

    Me personally, I would just let it go. I've learned to pick and choose my battles with my sister and sometimes it's not worth the drama that comes along with it... even if  you do have a really honest relationship with each other. I really think if you were to go talk to her about all this, she would get defensive (because that's alot of issues to be bringing up at once) and she would also be even more upset because her motherhood is the reason why she wasn't there for you like she should be. People (myself included) get very defensive when something has to deal with their children.

    HTH.
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  • edited December 2011
    Hmm... I don't know what advice to give really.  If she's anything like my sister, trying to talk to her about it will just make things worse.  It's probably best in this situation to live and let live if you don't think she could handle the conversation like a mature adult.
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