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AIBU?

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My MIL turned up with her friends on Boxing Day unannounced and expected to be entertained

139 replies

Dopeychicken · 26/12/2025 19:01

I have a very strained relationship with my MIL but won't go into the full backstory here. We had her over for Christmas Day yesterday. Today she called and asked if she could walk my baby in the pram for his afternoon nap. I said it wasn't very convenient and we wanted a quiet Boxing Day as we were tired from Christmas and are also hosting my parents again tomorrow. She persuaded my husband (her son) and said she wouldn't be a bother. I can't remember a time when she hasn't disregarded my wishes as a parent. Today I said, if you are going to walk him, please stick to the park to avoid the busy and polluted roads.

Anyway, she turns up, agrees to this and says she'll be back in an hour. 45mins later she shows up on the doorstep with a few of her friends! She says, he didn't sleep, he found all the shops (on the busy polluted road) too exciting. I bumped into my friends and they wanted to come over to see you (which definitely didn't happen as they don't go out. She had obviously planned this)

They barge in, saying we couldn't have tea could we? Totally shocked, I make them tea. She then eyes up the cake I've made for tomorrow and asks for some. I explained it was for my parents. She says, don't be silly there is plenty, walks over and starts cutting slices for her friends!

They stayed until I said, we need to make dinner for our kids now otherwise they will be late to bed. My husband noted that it was odd but said, "oh it was quite nice to see them" and "once on the polluted road isn't going to harm". In my opinion, that's not the point at all - as his parent I said what my stipulations were are she utterly ignored them.

AIBU to say that she can't take him out again. Btw, this isn't the first time. Without fail she ignores our wishes, is rude to us or pushes the boundaries whenever we see her

OP posts:
hannonle · 26/12/2025 19:19

You should've embarrassed her in front of her friends.

'We agreed to avoid the busy road and for you take him to the park so he sleeps, like we normally do at nap time. If he has a late nap, then he won't sleep well tonight. You remember what it's like with a tired baby?'

'Nice to see you XZY, but as I said to MIL, were having a bit of quiet family time this afternoon. Maybe we can meet up in the new year.'

'MIL please don't help yourself to cake when I've made it especially for tomorrow. Have a biscuit instead'

Etc

carly2803 · 26/12/2025 19:16

you have a husband problem -he does NOT have your back

2thumbs · 26/12/2025 19:16

Have you no agency? Sounds like you’re something of a pushover.

Boododedoop · 26/12/2025 19:13

I couldn’t imagine not giving someone a slice of cake even if I was peed off with them and the cake had been made for a visit by other people. But I’d have really struggled not to cut someone’s hand off with any knife they’d used to help themself the way your MIL did.

pinkyredrose · 26/12/2025 19:10

Your Mil is a cunt and your husband isn't on your side

ShesTheAlbatross · 26/12/2025 19:10

I really don’t understand. Why didn’t you take the knife out of her hand, remove the cake, and say “what are you doing? This isn’t for now.”

MumChp · 26/12/2025 19:08

If you had said no.... you knew what would happen didn't you.

TwooooDoooozenRoses · 26/12/2025 19:07

So you said no, but your husband overruled you. You WANTED to say no but allowed MIL and pals to ride roughshod over you. I think the issue really is that you aren’t assertive enough, sorry.

HipHopDontYouStop · 26/12/2025 19:07

And your wet blanket husband can’t be relied upon to back you up. You’ll have to stand alone and bark at the mil until she gets it. She’s bullying you. Bullies are usually cowards and back down once you snap.

HipHopDontYouStop · 26/12/2025 19:06

Say no. Keep saying no until she understands what no means. Then you can begin again with her.

Eenameenadeeka · 26/12/2025 19:06

She sounds like a nightmare. Your husband really needs to step up and stand up to her, it should come from him more than you. With women like this they've often bossed their family around forever and your husband doesn't yet realize how it's not right. He needs to understand that he has to set boundaries.

AnneLovesGilbert · 26/12/2025 19:05

She takes the piss because you let her.

ChristmasChroniclesBookFairie · 26/12/2025 19:05

Ultimately this all stems from your husband. You said no - he overruled this.

I would be having a full and franķ conversation with him about how this needs to be managed in future to prevent reoccurance.

FeedingPidgeons · 26/12/2025 19:04

You're unreasonable because you rolled over and made them tea after they utterly took the piss.

Until you properly stand up for yourself you are going to keep having this happen.

Start with your wetwipe of a husband.