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AIBU?

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AIBU MiL want to move closer

155 replies

Carebear2000 · 21/10/2024 09:08

I fully expect to get flamed for this and probably it's for the best so I know I am the one BU but I'm feeling really annoyed by MIL plans to move closer to us.

I get on OK with MIL but we don't have much contact. We don't have much in common but can get on fine when it comes to chat about DCs and DH. I find her quite frustrating as she can be very passive and wants everyone to help her out with everything (looking up train times, directions etc). She needs constant handholding with everything and complains a lot about getting 'old' - she is actually still very young (think under retirement age). She lives a couple of hours away from us which works out well as it means we see her every other month.

Recently however she has started talking more about wanting to move closer to us. She never talks to me about it but only DH. She has an eye on a place about 5 minutes from us. This proposed move is co-inciding with her also deciding she is 'too old' to drive but the area we live in is one which is not very practical to live in without a car. I've spoken to DH about it and said my misgivings but he doesn't seem to see it. Apparently she thinks she will take taxis everywhere (she doesn't have huge amounts of money so I don't think this is realistic in practicality).

AIBU to not be keen on this? I'm really worried that we'll end up running around after her constantly. DH and I both have busy FT jobs and our weekends are often taken up with DC activities and I am worried that we will now have to make time for MIL too. I'm also annoyed that at no point she has thought to ask my opinion about it either.

OP posts:
JovLane · 21/10/2024 09:17

You can't control where anyone chooses to live.

You can choose how you manage this if she moves, as can your DH.

Manyshelves · 21/10/2024 09:17

What @ExcludedatfiveFML said.

Set these boundaries now

IamnotSethRogan · 21/10/2024 09:16

Well it's a tricky one. You can't stop her moving if she wants to. Similarly, if she has decided on getting old before her time, her not living close might just make things more difficult for you. If she's decided she doesn't want to do much for herself, better she's up the road than expecting DH to drop everything and travel to her.

ExcludedatfiveFML · 21/10/2024 09:16

You can't control what other people do but you can make it crystal clear what you will and won't do, and what your expectations are of your husband.

You won't be available to be her taxi.

You won't accept her being around all the time at weekends.

You won't accept your husband abandoning you all to be her personal servant.

Scalloplight · 21/10/2024 09:09

I’d be trying to nip this in the bud ASAP. Sorry you’re in this situation!

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