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MIL says I “hijacked” her son because I helped my parents

308 replies

leonorrr · 15/09/2026 13:27

Me and my husband are both 35. We've been married for 6 years and have two children, and I'm currently pregnant with our third.

Around a year ago, my dad suddenly became very ill and was hospitalised for about a month. His insurance covered roughly 45% of the costs, but the remaining amount was still quite large.

I have an older brother and a younger sister. They're both married with children and have decent jobs, but me and my husband are higher earners, so we were in a position to contribute more. My siblings did contribute as well, but I paid the biggest share of the remaining hospital bills.

Thankfully, my dad recovered. After he left hospital, my mum and dad stayed with us for around 6 months because my dad needed regular hospital visits and support. Again, I covered most of the expenses, although my brother and sister also contributed.

For the last 4–5 months, though, I've noticed my MIL becoming quite cold towards me. Sometimes she seems to start arguments with me over things that don't really make sense. My SIL, who is my husband's younger sister, has also been distant. In June, she hosted a party and didn't invite either me or my husband.

About three weeks ago, we all stayed at my in-laws' house for 2–3 days. My MIL was clearly angry and eventually told me that I had "hijacked" her son and that we weren't really family anymore. She said I didn't consider them family and asked whether we ever thought about her health or what she wanted, because apparently we've spent so much money taking care of my family instead.

Honestly, that really hurt me.

She also said that my husband only has one sister, yet despite us earning well, we have never really helped her. I don't think that's entirely fair. My SIL and her husband both earn enough to live comfortably, and we do care about them. We regularly take her children shopping with ours, usually around once a month, and we send them gifts too. If they ever genuinely had a financial problem, of course we would help.

My MIL was crying and very angry when she said all this. My SIL was sitting there as well but didn't say anything.

The thing is, we were actually planning to tell them that I'm pregnant. The next day, we told them.

Nobody really reacted. Nobody congratulated us or even seemed happy. Me and my husband were both really upset.

Now it's been three weeks and neither my MIL nor SIL has called or messaged us. I invited my SIL and her family over this weekend, but she didn't answer my calls and didn't come.

My husband is really sad about the whole situation, and honestly, so am I. I don't understand what we've done that is so terrible. Yes, I helped my parents when my dad was seriously ill, and yes, I contributed more because I was able to. But does that mean I'm supposed to ignore my parents because my husband has a family too?

OP posts:
Rhaidimiddim · 15/09/2026 20:06

leonorrr · 15/09/2026 17:40

So from now on, My husband wants to share X% of his money with his mother, which comes to 20% of his monthly salary.

He will also take over all of his mom’s monthly bills and medical expenses.

This would be a marriage-ender for me.

He is supposed to be building a family and a future with you. If his mum or sister were in dire financial straits, of course you'd help. But he is allowing himself to be extorted.

When they start asking for cost-of-living increases, insist that you match every penny spent on your parents with expenditure on them, bitch because you're on your second holiday this year and poor SIL hasn't had one yet...

He is opening your family up to exploitation by these entitled individuals, and I could not live with knowing that e.g. any bonuses or overtime payments I earn are, from now on, fair game for greedy in-laws.

cornflakecrunchie · 15/09/2026 19:49

WTAF?
Why DO people live in their own heads & not just ASK when they are thinking such insane thoughts? No, they'd rather let it all build up until they're at slapping point & not even capable of listening any more. Tell them to feck off.

Llamallamafruitpyjama · 15/09/2026 19:49

Nofeckingway · 15/09/2026 19:42

How do they know so much about your finances and what you paid . Unless you want an opinion don't share any information like this . Do they not like your parents ? Allowing your parents to stay while he recuperates should have nothing to do with them . It didn't effect them in any way did it ?

Guessing the son probably mentioned it and it’s now been weaponised.

Llamallamafruitpyjama · 15/09/2026 19:48

I’m a boy Mum myself op. She is rude, jealous and a weirdo. Why has she not spoken to her son? She sounds like the first to have her hand out expecting you and your husband to pay for HER. She’s actually jealous your poor dad got financial support from you, has she forgotten it’s because he was very unwell?

I will never understand mother in laws that treat their daughter in laws hideously when that’s the mother of the grandchildren!!

Huge congratulations on your new baby OP and I hope your Dad stays in good health.
Treat them how they treat you. No more invites over, no more reaching out to them. If they want to see your husband or children (not the new baby) then they can call and arrange that. You definitely don’t have to be around these awful people.

Nofeckingway · 15/09/2026 19:42

How do they know so much about your finances and what you paid . Unless you want an opinion don't share any information like this . Do they not like your parents ? Allowing your parents to stay while he recuperates should have nothing to do with them . It didn't effect them in any way did it ?

FairKoala · 15/09/2026 19:39

what happens when she gets ill and needs care. If she has already had and spent the money that would have been spent on her what care is she expecting.

I wouldn’t care what she thought.

If you divorced he would have to be realistic with his money. After 20% to his mother, child support, (based on his total salary) rent or mortgage for his own place etc
He isn’t going to have anything left.
I wouldn’t care what she says. Just knowing the financial and emotional strife she has caused her DS is one day going to come home to roost.

You could play your dh at his own game. If everything is joint. I would only be bringing 80% of your income to the table. If you can’t afford things then so be it.
You are going to be giving 20% of your salary to your parents (who can put it in a bank account for you.)

Presumably this 20% is going to be for life and could end up being a huge lot more than your father had

Is she expecting at some stage to move in with you and be cared for by you.

Henhipster · 15/09/2026 19:34

leonorrr · 15/09/2026 13:27

Me and my husband are both 35. We've been married for 6 years and have two children, and I'm currently pregnant with our third.

Around a year ago, my dad suddenly became very ill and was hospitalised for about a month. His insurance covered roughly 45% of the costs, but the remaining amount was still quite large.

I have an older brother and a younger sister. They're both married with children and have decent jobs, but me and my husband are higher earners, so we were in a position to contribute more. My siblings did contribute as well, but I paid the biggest share of the remaining hospital bills.

Thankfully, my dad recovered. After he left hospital, my mum and dad stayed with us for around 6 months because my dad needed regular hospital visits and support. Again, I covered most of the expenses, although my brother and sister also contributed.

For the last 4–5 months, though, I've noticed my MIL becoming quite cold towards me. Sometimes she seems to start arguments with me over things that don't really make sense. My SIL, who is my husband's younger sister, has also been distant. In June, she hosted a party and didn't invite either me or my husband.

About three weeks ago, we all stayed at my in-laws' house for 2–3 days. My MIL was clearly angry and eventually told me that I had "hijacked" her son and that we weren't really family anymore. She said I didn't consider them family and asked whether we ever thought about her health or what she wanted, because apparently we've spent so much money taking care of my family instead.

Honestly, that really hurt me.

She also said that my husband only has one sister, yet despite us earning well, we have never really helped her. I don't think that's entirely fair. My SIL and her husband both earn enough to live comfortably, and we do care about them. We regularly take her children shopping with ours, usually around once a month, and we send them gifts too. If they ever genuinely had a financial problem, of course we would help.

My MIL was crying and very angry when she said all this. My SIL was sitting there as well but didn't say anything.

The thing is, we were actually planning to tell them that I'm pregnant. The next day, we told them.

Nobody really reacted. Nobody congratulated us or even seemed happy. Me and my husband were both really upset.

Now it's been three weeks and neither my MIL nor SIL has called or messaged us. I invited my SIL and her family over this weekend, but she didn't answer my calls and didn't come.

My husband is really sad about the whole situation, and honestly, so am I. I don't understand what we've done that is so terrible. Yes, I helped my parents when my dad was seriously ill, and yes, I contributed more because I was able to. But does that mean I'm supposed to ignore my parents because my husband has a family too?

Poor you and your family, that all sounds very stressful and worrying.
How awful that your MIL and SIL didn’t seem to recognise that you are a couple who support family who are in need and have used it to have a fight about money.
They sound as though they have a huge issue with inadequacy.
You need to look after yourselves,, especially as you are pregnant. I would state your case then back off, they don’t sound as though they have anything to offer you at the moment apart from negative energy, good luck. You sound as though you deserve better.

1coconut2coconut3coconut4 · 15/09/2026 19:28

I would speak to him again about this. Does MIL need this help? If she does need help for a specific reason could he not give her one-off support? Does insurance not cover her medical bills either?

Not giving them money doesn't mean she's right. Don't be led down that path. If she has the means to pay and doesn't have major expenses she can get on with it. How do you know that it won't be you give the 20% and then she says 'you gave her parents more' or why dont you give your sister 20% too? Selfish people are never going to be satisfied with what they get. They are trying to blackmail him. Don't do it.

I would though tell MIL that you will be there and do the same for her if she has a large emergency bill, or SIL, and that you paid because it was an emergency. If you are paying ongoing bills, maybe DH could pay a bit towards those, but certainly not all the money he's proposing. That is taking money away from your children.

CheeryOP · 15/09/2026 19:26

leonorrr · 15/09/2026 17:58

I don’t feel good about it, especially since we’re going to have our third child in a few months.

But if I stop him, it might prove my MIL’s accusation that I only want to help my family and not his. Also, if he doesn’t do anything for his mom, their relationship could be permanently damaged.

Can she not afford her own bills and medical costs?

TwinklesToes · 15/09/2026 19:23

Tell your husband to grow a pair. What happens if your finances change? Will he carry on paying his tyrant of a mother? The next thing will be “he ought to pay something to his sister” I’m sorry but I wouldn’t put up with it.

Rosesandthorns66 · 15/09/2026 19:23

leonorrr · 15/09/2026 17:58

I don’t feel good about it, especially since we’re going to have our third child in a few months.

But if I stop him, it might prove my MIL’s accusation that I only want to help my family and not his. Also, if he doesn’t do anything for his mom, their relationship could be permanently damaged.

But the point is you helped in an emergency and I'm sure if your MIL ever needed financial support with health issues you would do the same and more.
Its not the same as handing money over just because she's throwing a tantrum.

Who's to say she will carry on taking this sum of money and then if there was any health problem in the future,she will still expect financial help.
I wouldn't be happy with this set-up.
You should be having a long and serious conversation with your DH, I hope he respects your feelings and why has he decided to give 20% out of his earnings.
If your husband doesn't listen then I would at least try to bring that figure down.

If your MIL gets her way now, next she will think of something else, just to show, she is the one who will control her son and to belittle you.
This narrow minded thinking runs in certain cultures.

MMUmum · 15/09/2026 19:22

leonorrr · 15/09/2026 13:27

Me and my husband are both 35. We've been married for 6 years and have two children, and I'm currently pregnant with our third.

Around a year ago, my dad suddenly became very ill and was hospitalised for about a month. His insurance covered roughly 45% of the costs, but the remaining amount was still quite large.

I have an older brother and a younger sister. They're both married with children and have decent jobs, but me and my husband are higher earners, so we were in a position to contribute more. My siblings did contribute as well, but I paid the biggest share of the remaining hospital bills.

Thankfully, my dad recovered. After he left hospital, my mum and dad stayed with us for around 6 months because my dad needed regular hospital visits and support. Again, I covered most of the expenses, although my brother and sister also contributed.

For the last 4–5 months, though, I've noticed my MIL becoming quite cold towards me. Sometimes she seems to start arguments with me over things that don't really make sense. My SIL, who is my husband's younger sister, has also been distant. In June, she hosted a party and didn't invite either me or my husband.

About three weeks ago, we all stayed at my in-laws' house for 2–3 days. My MIL was clearly angry and eventually told me that I had "hijacked" her son and that we weren't really family anymore. She said I didn't consider them family and asked whether we ever thought about her health or what she wanted, because apparently we've spent so much money taking care of my family instead.

Honestly, that really hurt me.

She also said that my husband only has one sister, yet despite us earning well, we have never really helped her. I don't think that's entirely fair. My SIL and her husband both earn enough to live comfortably, and we do care about them. We regularly take her children shopping with ours, usually around once a month, and we send them gifts too. If they ever genuinely had a financial problem, of course we would help.

My MIL was crying and very angry when she said all this. My SIL was sitting there as well but didn't say anything.

The thing is, we were actually planning to tell them that I'm pregnant. The next day, we told them.

Nobody really reacted. Nobody congratulated us or even seemed happy. Me and my husband were both really upset.

Now it's been three weeks and neither my MIL nor SIL has called or messaged us. I invited my SIL and her family over this weekend, but she didn't answer my calls and didn't come.

My husband is really sad about the whole situation, and honestly, so am I. I don't understand what we've done that is so terrible. Yes, I helped my parents when my dad was seriously ill, and yes, I contributed more because I was able to. But does that mean I'm supposed to ignore my parents because my husband has a family too?

The old green eyed monster, I bet your life if mil was offered the chance to change places with your father she'd run a mile. You owe them nothing Op, let them stew for now

muggart · 15/09/2026 19:19

You have been put in such an awkward position, because you are right - if you object it does sound like you are complaining about giving his family money when you were happy to give money to your own family.

I think you have to be very clever about how you discuss it with your DH. You need to make it very clear that you love him and support him. But also you want to make sure that he really truly wants this, and that he doesn’t feel like he is being blackmailed into redirecting family funds to his mum to retain their love (which he obviously is being!). Hopefully he realises that paying his mother a retainer to remain in his life is different to paying for a one time medical emergency.

MeridianB · 15/09/2026 19:14

She sounds totally over-invested in who is getting what. Stop telling her your business because she’s clearly developing expectations about your money.

The lack of congratulations underlines her immature attitude. Avoid them both as much as you can.

lottiegarbanzo · 15/09/2026 19:13

Surely you’d spend the same on her if she became seriously ill - but you didn’t subsidise your parents when they weren’t unwell.

But how very sad that she’d rather take money than have a good relationship with her grandchildren.

Loooper · 15/09/2026 19:10

Sorry, this is mad. So many things I don’t understand. Your MIL is being completely unreasonable, there’s no way anyone would ever think otherwise. Why on earth would your DH go along with that. Apart from that, Spain has free public health care, even better than the UK. Why did your dad need insurance that only covered half of his treatment in the first place?

Rosesandthorns66 · 15/09/2026 19:07

I bet the money your MIL takes from your DH will be shared with SIL.

Namechangewegovyjune26 · 15/09/2026 19:07

leonorrr · 15/09/2026 17:58

I don’t feel good about it, especially since we’re going to have our third child in a few months.

But if I stop him, it might prove my MIL’s accusation that I only want to help my family and not his. Also, if he doesn’t do anything for his mom, their relationship could be permanently damaged.

Can’t you just tell her that of course if she becomes seriously ill you will help in the same way.

I would not wish to just give them money because they are shouting at you. Please talk to your husband as he is just being guilt tripped!

lottiegarbanzo · 15/09/2026 19:05

Sounds like it’s all about money for them. How base. Is she a massive sexist who sees the men in the family as her providers?

Rosesandthorns66 · 15/09/2026 19:04

5dollah · 15/09/2026 18:58

Youe MIL is a rubbish mother if she's demanding money from your husband. Decent parents would never do that. You're absolute mugs if you give her any money.

Totally agree with this.
Why is your DH agreeing to this.

Rosesandthorns66 · 15/09/2026 19:03

Having seen your MIL's and SIL's narcissistic behaviour, you need to be careful in the future about what else they will come up with.
Your husband can't just carry on handing money over.
If MIL thinks she's controlled this situation she'll gradually start controlling other matters.
Your DH should have spoken up and told them, your father's situation was a health related emergency and if they were in a similar situation, he would do the same and more.
Your MIL is an extremely jealous person and has found the perfect excuse to manipulate your DH and to meddle in your affairs.

5dollah · 15/09/2026 18:58

Youe MIL is a rubbish mother if she's demanding money from your husband. Decent parents would never do that. You're absolute mugs if you give her any money.

Queenofhell · 15/09/2026 18:58

This is insane. Blackmail is what it is.
The entitlement and audacity is unreal, but this is a husband problem for you unfortunately. You and him need an honest conversation and she needs to be told no. Why would he jeopardise his children over their greedy grandmother.

Gwenna · 15/09/2026 18:56

leonorrr · 15/09/2026 13:27

Me and my husband are both 35. We've been married for 6 years and have two children, and I'm currently pregnant with our third.

Around a year ago, my dad suddenly became very ill and was hospitalised for about a month. His insurance covered roughly 45% of the costs, but the remaining amount was still quite large.

I have an older brother and a younger sister. They're both married with children and have decent jobs, but me and my husband are higher earners, so we were in a position to contribute more. My siblings did contribute as well, but I paid the biggest share of the remaining hospital bills.

Thankfully, my dad recovered. After he left hospital, my mum and dad stayed with us for around 6 months because my dad needed regular hospital visits and support. Again, I covered most of the expenses, although my brother and sister also contributed.

For the last 4–5 months, though, I've noticed my MIL becoming quite cold towards me. Sometimes she seems to start arguments with me over things that don't really make sense. My SIL, who is my husband's younger sister, has also been distant. In June, she hosted a party and didn't invite either me or my husband.

About three weeks ago, we all stayed at my in-laws' house for 2–3 days. My MIL was clearly angry and eventually told me that I had "hijacked" her son and that we weren't really family anymore. She said I didn't consider them family and asked whether we ever thought about her health or what she wanted, because apparently we've spent so much money taking care of my family instead.

Honestly, that really hurt me.

She also said that my husband only has one sister, yet despite us earning well, we have never really helped her. I don't think that's entirely fair. My SIL and her husband both earn enough to live comfortably, and we do care about them. We regularly take her children shopping with ours, usually around once a month, and we send them gifts too. If they ever genuinely had a financial problem, of course we would help.

My MIL was crying and very angry when she said all this. My SIL was sitting there as well but didn't say anything.

The thing is, we were actually planning to tell them that I'm pregnant. The next day, we told them.

Nobody really reacted. Nobody congratulated us or even seemed happy. Me and my husband were both really upset.

Now it's been three weeks and neither my MIL nor SIL has called or messaged us. I invited my SIL and her family over this weekend, but she didn't answer my calls and didn't come.

My husband is really sad about the whole situation, and honestly, so am I. I don't understand what we've done that is so terrible. Yes, I helped my parents when my dad was seriously ill, and yes, I contributed more because I was able to. But does that mean I'm supposed to ignore my parents because my husband has a family too?

She sounds like a jealous petulant child, and should be grateful she has her health. YANBU OP, and don’t let this situation stress out your good pregnant self 💖

Vivi0 · 15/09/2026 18:53

leonorrr · 15/09/2026 17:40

So from now on, My husband wants to share X% of his money with his mother, which comes to 20% of his monthly salary.

He will also take over all of his mom’s monthly bills and medical expenses.

This is completely unacceptable.

Personally, if he goes through with this, I would never speak to my or SIL again for putting him in this situation.

Ultimately though, this is on him. It would be enough to make me reconsider my marriage.

If you aren’t willing to go there, I would arrange for marriage counselling and separate finances. Have him pay for his percentage of the bills and child costs, and you pay your share. He can give his mum and sister money from whatever he has left over.

I’m sorry you are in this situation. I would be absolutely furious.