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AIBU?

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MIL wants to move near us am AIBU for not encouraging her?

57 replies

sarah287 · 03/05/2024 22:44

My MIL lives alone in a remote-ish part (15 minutes drive to nearest village and 30 minutes to nearest city) of West Scotland. It is hard to reach and at the top of a mountain.

Alongside my husband she has two other children (45-58 ages) but neither have children nor anything nearing full time jobs. Her daughter would like her to move into her outbuilding and pay to do it up or to move near her in their village in Wales. It is a lovely village but she doesn’t particularly like her daughter and very much dislikes her daughter’s husband. On family occasions everyone gets on but when they’re not there she cannot be negative enough about them and is extremely judgemental about them both, especially about their size and weight (as her daughter has put on quite a lot of weight in the last decade and is 25 stone plus). Ironically MIL is also a larger lady. She is also someone that passes a lot of judgement on everyone and their situations, and frankly nothing is ever enough. As someone with a relaxed mother who never passed comment I find it quite tricky to deal with but never bite back and just say I’ll bear that in mind when she gives unsolicited advice and opinions.

The other child who is her favourite lives on the Isle of Man which his wife but there has been no mention either side of her moving there. I think because there is no NHS.

Whenever we have last seen her she has suggested moving near to us in Staffordshire. We live in a rural village and I work from home 99% of the time and the children (2 year old boy and 1 year old boy) are with a super local nanny. Husband works away 3-4 days a week around the UK so I am alone a lot of the week although my own mum helps a lot.

I really don’t want her to move nearby as she is a supremely judgemental person and spends all the time negatively opining on others or giving me unsolicited advice. However I feel guilty as she is in her early 80s and struggles to walks far and we have her only grandchildren so although I know she should move somewhere more sensible I don’t want to encourage a move to near us. She would know no one and beyond my very demanding job and children I’d have her to feel guilty about. We also live in a village with hardly any facilities and no public transport.

She can drive and walk short distances with a stick but her health isn’t great so I’m worried her care will quickly fall to me on top of everything else. Even when she has two other children who don’t work full or even part time, as I would be closest! They both own their own homes and have quite a bit of money too.

I should add her and I get on but I find being around her quite stressful due to her constant judging of others.

AIBU to not encourage her to move near us? How would you nicely dissuade her without outright saying please no?

OP posts:
Murdoch1949 · 04/05/2024 02:38

She needs to be close to family, ideally in a retirement flat with support. These are pricey. Her children, not you, are going to be faced with how to deal with an illness, recuperation etc soonish. There needs to be a family summit. You could decide to put a support package in place for where she is, but it doesn't sound ideal. Realistically she hasn't got more than 5/10 years left, so if you did find her living close it won't be for ever.

stardust40 · 04/05/2024 00:25

I would be talking to dh and making it very clear that care would fall to him if she moves closer! Also if she does I would be looking at retirement flats where there is support on hand.

lanthanum · 04/05/2024 00:03

Can you encourage her to look at a retirement complex somewhere vaguely near but not too near. That way she would have a community and the possibility of on-site support if needed, and be near enough for you to visit semi-regularly.

Uncooperativefingers · 03/05/2024 23:38

As an aside, I'm pretty sure Isle of Man does have free healthcare, with a reciprocal relationship with the NHS, for residents and UK visitors. So you absolutely could suggest she moves there!

jackstini · 03/05/2024 23:33

Well it's probably not practical for her to stay where she is going by how you describe it

Nor would I want her on top of me though!

Is there a larger town between Staffordshire and Wales that might suit?

Zonder · 03/05/2024 23:12

What does your DH think? Would he like his mum near by in her old age? And if so would he be willing to support her?

Ellie56 · 03/05/2024 23:07

I wouldn't encourage her at all. Just tell her it won't be practical for all the reasons you've posted.

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