SISTER-IN-LAW IS JUST TOO CONTROLLING

Dear Coleen

My husband’s youngest sister is very spoilt and, as a result, she expects everyone to fit in with her and her family.

We’ve been trying to organise a weekend away for my in-laws’ 40th wedding anniversary and she’s turned it into a complete nightmare when it doesn’t have to be complicated at all.

She has come up with a whole list of stuff that suits them without taking the rest of us (including her own parents) into account.

She wants to book somewhere that’s expensive and inconvenient location-wise for everyone else.

It might seem trivial, but this is just the latest incident in a long line of other demands.

I don’t want us to end up rowing, as it’ll upset my husband’s parents, so how do I get round it?

Can you help?

Coleen says I don’t think there’s any reason why it should end up in arguments and bad feeling.

Don’t be afraid to put your point of view across, but don’t do it in an aggressive way. And come up with some ideas and compromises.

If you don’t want to speak to her in case it ends up in a row, send her a note from you and your husband.

There always has to be some compromises when you go away with family or friends – just make sure it’s on both sides. Why not offer to help organise it, so you have 50/50 input.