Exasperated Sibling Bans His Brother's Girlfriend From A Children's Party After She Hijacked The Planning And Made A Spreadsheet Of Tasks
"Unfortunately, there will be no plus-ones to watch my kids find eggs in the yard."
Generally, you would still tolerate your sibling's significant other when you have to meet during family events. Tolerance and patience should be the motto for these types of forced gatherings.
While most will "choose to be kind" to someone they don't really like, this man didn't bother sugarcoating his feelings. OP's (original poster) brother has been with his girlfriend for four years.
There are no wedding bells in their future, but Harper, the girlfriend, insists on being referred to as a sister-in-law. They have no kids either, and Harper is unemployed.
This has caused significant financial issues, and they had to move in with OP's parents for the time being. Everyone in OP's family thinks that Harper is lazy, but she makes up for it by being the "perfect housewife."
As if she were a society wife, Harper dedicates her energy to party planning. No one in OP's family remembers asking Harper to plan their trips, events, and parties for them, but she does it anyway.
OP says she treats every event, even the tiny ones, as if they are weddings and she is the high-strung party planner. She makes spreadsheets of to-do lists and assigns who will be in charge of every task.
OP's family rolls their eyes in exasperation and tells her that there's no need to plan this much since it's a one-year-old's birthday. After being shut down, Harper pouts and complains during the party about how it could have been better if only they had done it her way.
Here comes the issue: OP's Easter Egg Hunt at his house.
As expected, Harper sent everyone in the family a spreadsheet full of tasks. OP's task was to clean his house "properly."
He had to weed and mulch the flower beds, as well as remove a dead tree on their property. She also took the liberty of adding a section for lawn care tips and tricks to make OP's job easier.
Harper assigned herself as the chef for the children's Easter egg hunt. She wanted a $120 budget, which could increase to $155 if OP wanted a cake.
OP had to shut her down quickly and replied, "Who invited you?" Harper was confused by OP's reply and texted him a bunch of question marks.
He explained that he couldn't have any plus-ones at the event to watch his kids look for eggs. OP said that if he invited her, he would also have to let the other guests bring dates.
He also informed Harper that they had maxed out their budget after buying a store-brand ham. He ended with, "Sorry, I’m sure you understand how these things are. Best wishes!"
Harper has stopped talking to OP, his brother is mad at him, and his dad thinks he's petty, but OP's mom (who hates Harper) is loving the drama. OP's wife thinks he should act his age and stop this, but she's leaving that decision to him since this concerns his family.
Due-Reality9102
Is OP an a**hole for not inviting Harper after she took charge of the planning without being asked? Read the full story below:
Due-Reality9102
"She treats every event like it's a wedding and she is the wedding planner."
Due-Reality9102
"It would be so much more special and memorable."
Due-Reality9102
"There were tips and tricks."
Due-Reality9102
"Best wishes!"
Due-Reality9102
Harper has bigger problems than party planning.
Due-Reality9102
I don't think it mattered to Harper if she bothered other people; she's been doing this "party planning" for a while despite everyone's repeated complaints.
IChooseYouSnorlax
Harper and this person's mother should meet and keep that energy contained between the two of them.
rhinetine
With people like Harper, you have to shut it down quickly, just like OP did.
Swedishpunsch
Don't give in at all.
Swedishpunsch
Turn their controlling ways around to benefit you? Highly impressive!
rhinetine
Efficient and no room for misinterpretation. Boss move from OP.
jazzinitup
Since she's so willing to help and wants things done her way, why not garden for OP as well?
Tiablolu
This is how the spreadsheet war of the new decade began.
greasebandit
Other Redditors had different tasks in mind for Harper.
CumulativeHazard
OP, it's not too late to do this! Unlike her hijacking ways, this would actually help her.
yennyyenyen
Great minds and all that.
Due-Reality9102
She should put her micromanaging ways to good use.
MichaSound
She can plan and execute her own Easter egg hunt for all the children in the neighborhood. Let's see how special that event is then.
MonkeyMagic1968
Literally, no one asked her to be this extra, but she grated on everyone's nerves. Honestly, she was due for a check, and if it wasn't OP, someone else in the family was bound to snap eventually.
mnbvcxz1052
OP feels validated by the comments supporting his response, but he also acknowledges the others saying otherwise.
Due-Reality9102
OP and everyone in the family knows that their brother is a jerk as well for the way he has been treating Harper. They are just tolerating both of them.
Due-Reality9102
Harper desperately wants to be a part of OP's family.
Due-Reality9102
We look forward to these updates!
Due-Reality9102
Just to be clear, OP was not an a**hole for telling Harper no. What she did was rude and uncalled for, and it deserved a quick albeit harsh response from OP.
Despite that, we feel that Harper's relationship with OP's brother is bound to end horribly. Their relationship may be convenient for the two of them right now, but it's too toxic to end happily.