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AIBU?

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To not want my mother in law to stay every month

89 replies

Autumnspicecandleleaves · 02/11/2025 10:29

My mother in law stays over every single month without fail, usually towards the end of the month. She arrives Friday morning and leaves Monday sometimes Tuesday morning. She lives an hour away. When she’s here she doesn’t pay for anything, every month when she’s here we go out to eat because that’s her favourite thing to do but it’s started really grating on me that she doesn’t pay for a single thing and I know once a month isn’t a lot for her to visit but it really feels like it. She’s got lots of disposable income. Lives in a nice house and goes on holiday 6+ times a year.

When she’s here we get all the food she likes to making sure she has her favourite breakfast lunch dinner pudding snacks etc. She’s nice to me and is a nice lady but she grates on me. I should look forward to seeing her but I never do.

I feel like a bad person for getting annoyed with her. Does anyone have a similar experience ? Thank you x

OP posts:
FuzzyWolf · 02/11/2025 10:49

Why not change it so that alternate months you visit her except you don’t go up to her for as long, then you can start missing some visits. Take it from there.

Autumnspicecandleleaves · 02/11/2025 10:47

Gassylady · 02/11/2025 10:45

Why on earth do you think anything will change if you dont say anything to him?! Can you mix it up by suggesting you go and stay with her next month as surely the same will apply and she will pick up the bill when you go out 🤔

I know I really do need to talk to him I’m just so apprehensive and know I need to tread carefully. I think I will say something when she leaves tomorrow x

OP posts:
Gassylady · 02/11/2025 10:45

Why on earth do you think anything will change if you dont say anything to him?! Can you mix it up by suggesting you go and stay with her next month as surely the same will apply and she will pick up the bill when you go out 🤔

Autumnspicecandleleaves · 02/11/2025 10:42

thepariscrimefiles · 02/11/2025 10:32

She's a cheeky fucker to expect you to pick up the bill every time you eat out. If I go out with my adult children and my grandchildren, I either pick up the whole bill or certainly pay my share.

What does your husband think? If you raise this, will he defend her?

To be honest he adores his mum and I would never want to bring it up. She has been a really great mother to him and has been with him through all the highs and lows of his life. Because they are so close I feel like I can’t say anything against her. I wouldn’t class him as a mummy’s boy but he just really loves her. I feel like I’m between a rock and a hard place. :(

OP posts:
JDM625 · 02/11/2025 10:42

How long has this being going on? Do you have children? What does your DH think? Why not all bung in and stay with her- and don't pay for a thing!

IsawwhatIsaw · 02/11/2025 10:42

He needs to be the one dealing with this. She’s his mother.
So another DH problem?

PrincessASDaisy · 02/11/2025 10:40

Make her stay less enjoyable, stop going out of your way to get all of the favourite foods in etc

WeaselsRising · 02/11/2025 10:39

Why does she come so often? Has your DH actually invited her?

lemonraspberry · 02/11/2025 10:36

Wow, once a month is a lot of visits. Can you reduce it down to once a quarter at least. Is your DH a bit under his mothers thumb? Is she visiting to see you or just spend time with her son?

The meals out are just ridiculous. It does not sound like she turns up with a bottle of wine and some contribution towards the stay. I would definitely be scaling back on the food situation.

OhDear111 · 02/11/2025 10:35

Just say you are busy!

Tink3rbell30 · 02/11/2025 10:34

What does DH think? No mention of him.

thepariscrimefiles · 02/11/2025 10:32

She's a cheeky fucker to expect you to pick up the bill every time you eat out. If I go out with my adult children and my grandchildren, I either pick up the whole bill or certainly pay my share.

What does your husband think? If you raise this, will he defend her?

GehenSieweiter · 02/11/2025 10:31

How does OH feel?

Sockdays · 02/11/2025 10:31

Why are you tolerating this?
Tell your husband go and visit her, much cheaper.
She is using you as a free weekend.
One hour away?
Not normal.

Put your foot down.
If he pushes back, rethink your marriage because you have made a mistake.
Do not have children with such a man.