Fashion

[ROMARY]

CALIFORNIA Mom: Yes! Stay above it all, and remain in good standing with your MIL and family. They are probably always very grateful to have you in their family. You have an almost perfect 99% family situation. Never mind the 1% !! Lots of good luck to you and DH. Walk tall, walk proud, continue to be a nice person.

[occasionalrain]

On 2/23/2015 LipstickDiva said:

On 2/23/2015 californiamomofthree said:

I agree that I don't like the blocking function, unless you can block that ONE number - that's a much handier feature, imo.

But I can relate to you on the family drama issue, unfortunately. I'm an only child, but my husband is the oldest of 4. His youngest sibling (a brother) has randomly begun disrespecting me whenever we are at family gatherings and I have no idea why. I have never done anything to him! And this started out-of-the-blue at the last 2 gatherings! He's smart enough (or lucky enough) that he has done it when my husband was either not around or otherwise distracted and I'm diplomatic enough to not cause a scene - instead I simply remove myself from the situation. That said, my husband hears about it after we leave and now that he's done it twice in less than a month (we typically all gather at my husband's mom's house at least one Saturday a month), my husband is actually irritated at me for not doing anything to stop it. Now my husband wants me to immediately alert him the next time it happens - not to start a fight, but to call out his behavior [as inappropriate] right then and there, so that he doesn't continue. I tell you, it's so bizarre! We've been married for 12 years, together for 15 and I've never had issues with ANY of my in-laws. In fact, I'm always the "Switzerland" whenever there's sibling squabbles, so for him to pick on me for no reason and out of nowhere is really kind of bizarre. You just never know what makes people tick sometimes.

There has to be a reason for this out of the blue behavior. Perhaps something untrue was said to him about you.

I don't know but I'd address his behavior head on. I'd either call him on the phone or talk to him privately at the next family gathering and ask him what the issue is.

I believe that's the answer. You say that family members vent to you and ask your advice which gives family members the opportunity to misquote you to other family members. It seems someone has attributed something you said or they claim you said to this brother. I would find out from the brother why he's suddenly become an enemy so that you can explain or deny whatever is the cause of his hostility.

[occasionalrain]

As to the OP, without knowing what the drama is, it seems you are way overreacting and rather dramatic yourself. I surely wouldn't allow anyone to make me change my phone number, I'd just ignore the messages and sooner or later the caller would give up and go away.

[Allegheny]

OP, I understand your anger. You and DH do not want to get calls from certain people to the point of obtaining an unlisted number, which usually costs an additional fee. Then by some means someone you wish not to hear from gets your number.

I probably would contact my phone provider and ask how your number got released. Yes, I have seen different pay services that people can supposedly get private/unlisted numbers, but how does your phone company justify that unlisted numbers are being released to these services. If they can't answer that question I would demand that they issue you a new private number and as one person suggested have it under another name. You have a right to live your life they way you desire.

[Marienkaefer2]

I've read through most of these replies, but I may have missed this: Has the o/p and husband had a serious sit down with the offending family.member? Just a no.holds barred, "we're sick.of this situation" discussion. If the discussion isn't working, just tell.this person, Look, you can call if you want, but we're not responding so move on. Then just ignore. You said you live 200 miles away, so it's not easy for them to.just show up on your doorstep. I understand your frustration. I'm wondering if you've had a "come to Jesus" meeting with this person. Otherwise , this blocking calls and changing phone numbers is like a game to them.

[stevieb]

Caller ID is about as far as I personally feel I need to go.

[ROMARY]

Re: The O/P's original post/thread: Sounds mighty immature on their (the person calling and finding your changed phone number) part. I'm guessing that I would just only block their calls and phone number. This is an example (in a lower degree) of why the world can never seem to be in peace. There's always somebody 'out to up one' and/or irritate somebody else.