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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Pressure from mil

29 replies

seatingavailable · 21/05/2023 08:35

We had twins quite young by today's standards (30) and because of childcare costs, I stayed home to care for them. Compounded by the pandemic, it was difficult.

I've recently returned to work only to find myself a victim of undue influence. The situation with work is stressful and I am in the process of sorting it out.

I told mil what had happened and she snapped, saying I should be on more money at my age, that I can't be complaining about work issues and that the kids depend on me for support. She also assumed that the reason I was kicking up a fuss with work was because I wanted another child. She also accused me of not wanting to work (that I was lazy).

How can you be lazy with twins?

We have been dabbling with having another child but we can't afford it and have come up with a unanimous, no. It is none of her business.

The way she spoke to me has really shaken me up though. She needs to understand that I'm really trying my best. Aibu with her?

OP posts:
autienotnaughtym · 21/05/2023 08:51

Very rude. People often assume your experience matches their experience. So if your mil had no issues with parenting/career she may struggle (unreasonably) to see yours. Is she close to her son. Maybe it comes from feeling he has a lot of pressure (without understanding so do you)

bussteward · 21/05/2023 08:50

Does she work? What does she earn? What money was she on at your age? How much is her mortgage? Does she outsource help, eg have a cleaner? How many kids did she have and what age gap? Fire questions and judgement back at her.

LongRoadtoNowhere · 21/05/2023 08:48

I’m not sure what undue influence means but the fact of the matter is that none of it is her business. I’d not speak to her about any of it any more, change the subject if she asks and if she pushes for info, I’d tell her my thoughts on her outburst.

I know this sounds like a typical MIL hating post but honestly I love my MIL (and hope to be one myself one day!) - I’d give this advice for anyone who spoke to someone in that way and stuck their nose in other people’s financial or reproduction business.

Dacadactyl · 21/05/2023 08:44

Do you take any financial support from your in laws, at all?