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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To rip MIL a new one?

237 replies

Someadvice · 16/12/2024 16:17

For some context I’m late 20’s, engaged to be married next year to DP. MIL is a difficult woman. She is interfering and struggled to cut the cord with DP.

We now have strong boundaries with her as if we didn’t she would attempt to interfere in every inch of our lives. I don’t dislike her but do struggle (as does my DP) with her in more than short doses.

My relationship with my own Mother is strained at best. She is a narcissist and I grew up in a volatile household. I was placed on the child protection register as a teenager due to neglect and I almost ended up in care. I am low contact with her and would prefer it if it was no contact but familial relationships make this impossible as she controls them all. She can be fine for a while and then she will do something that causes me extreme upset so it is better if I just do not communicate with her unless necessary.

MIL has taken it upon herself to try and forge a relationship with my Mother despite having never met her and despite being told not to. She found her on Facebook and will constantly message her with details of our lives. Telling her what we’re up to and that we’re going to see her and do things with her. This has been led to abusive messages from my own Mum asking why we never go and see her.

My DP has told his Mum time and time again to leave my Mother alone. I’ve heard him on the phone, I’ve seen messages, he’s even gone to her house and sat her down for a chat. Told her I don’t really get along with my own Mum and it’s difficult and she shouldn’t get involved. She listens for a bit and then it starts again. The straw has broke the camels back today and I’ve found out MIL has invited my Mum over for a Christmas trip out and my Mum has accepted. I am fuming. I have done so well and been through years of therapy to help work through my childhood and keep my Mother at arms length and MIL is ruining all of my progress.

She clearly is not listening to DP. We are due to visit her for our annual Xmas visit in a few days and I want to rip her head off. I genuinely do not want to fall out with her but I’m not sure how else to get through to her here?

OP posts:
saltysandysea · 16/12/2024 16:29

We are due to visit her for our annual Xmas visit in a few days

don’t go. Cancel and ignore, information now on a need to know basis. Mil is likely doing this as a power trip - leave her to it and drop her like a stone. You actually hold the power here, she’ll get the message.

Nordione1 · 16/12/2024 16:29

That's awful. What is going through her head? Agree with PP that you need to reduce contact with your MIL. Ask her to chose you and your DH or your mother.

Someadvice · 16/12/2024 16:28

I have already cut contact right down with MIL, I last saw her over 6 months ago for BILs birthday. DP and I usually have an annual tradition of seeing her on a certain date before Christmas for a mini celebration and I was going to go but I think you are all right. Actions speak louder than words here.

OP posts:
Mrsttcno1 · 16/12/2024 16:27

Agree with others, neither of you go to see her, cut it off. You kicking off at her is only going to validate her and you know that will be passed straight back to your own mum, it’s not going to change her or make her feel bad, it will only make her feel more justified in behaving the way she does. I’m sorry OP this must be really difficult.

Comtesse · 16/12/2024 16:27

Shocking behaviour on her part, very very bad.

Dollshousedolly · 16/12/2024 16:26

Don’t visit, your DP can go by himself. only give her minimal information about your life. You don’t need to engage with her. Actions will speak louder than words here.

Vaxtable · 16/12/2024 16:25

So I would not visit her, and hope that your DP doesn’t as well. When she complains simply say that she has brought this about by her own actions and she may want to reflect on that

WhatIDoIsEnough · 16/12/2024 16:25

I agree cut contact. Hide her from anything you put on fb. Tell her nothing or feed her some bullshit . Then what she passes on is all lies and your own mother thinks she's getting info but it's all incorrect.

Maddy70 · 16/12/2024 16:25

You and Dh need to speak to her together. Be very cjear that if she has anything to do with your mum you will be no contact with her too

I can understand she contacted her with an upcoming wedding and its good for the mums to get along but to go against your wishes is not on

ThatEllie · 16/12/2024 16:24

It sounds like low/no contact with both of them is the way forward here. Cancel the visit and let your fiancé tell her why.

You and your partner were probably partly drawn to one another because you both have dealt with toxic mothers while growing up, and thus have similar traits and experiences from it.

MultilingualMummy · 16/12/2024 16:22

rather than ripping her head off, just don’t visit her and cut contact all the way down. that will be way more effective. You screaming at her, however justified will simply validate her that you’re unreasonable. Leave her to enjoy Christmas with your mother.

Stormyweatheroutthere · 16/12/2024 16:22

Well you don't go to see her for starters.. Then mil won't have any information to pass on to your dm. Of dp wants to see wjr that's fine. Remind him where hso loyalties should lie first though....
FYI neither of our dm's were at our wedding.. We had a lovely day.. Which we wouldn't have had with either of them there... I definitely recommend that..

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