Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Regretting letting MIL move in, feel mentally unwell over it. AIBU to ask what to do?

343 replies

Aristocack · 23/10/2026 20:18

I made a thread a couple of weeks ago about the struggles I have been experiencing since having my baby. The struggles have been with my partner and his family. He had various family members from his home country visit for 10 days when my baby was 2 weeks old and I found it incredibly difficult and ended up having to see the peri-natal mental health team.

I had issues with my partner critiquing my parenting in front of his family members. I also was bleeding, recovering from birth and trying to establish breastfeeding and had other people in my house, hovering, grabbing baby off me etc. It was hell. They finally left after 10 days and I felt better (though I've still been dealing with post-natal OCD symptoms and severe anxiety/intrusive thoughts but I've been working with the peri-natal team). I had strong words with my partner about how he had made me feel and he has been much better and much more supportive.

Unfortunately things have gone to shit again. A few months ago back when I was still pregnant, DP's mum (I'll just refer to her as MIL as it's easier) who was living abroad with her partner revealed to my partner (over the phone) that her boyfriend had become emotionally abusive. Me and my partner spoke about it and we agreed that he could tell her that she could come and live with us if things got too bad. She said she'd think about it. I felt sorry for her.

In the past few days she has taken us up on the offer and has flown over and moved in. My partner isn't from the UK originally and his mum does not speak English and I don't speak their language. I was kept updated on the arrangements of her moving here but I haven't directly spoken to her in detail due to the language barrier.

She arrived on the 20th October. By all intents and purposes it seems like it's going to be a permanent move. I'm so regretting saying that she can come. She's in her 60s with a health issue and unlikely to ever work or move out.

I can't natter with her as we don't speak the same language. She keeps grabbing 5 week old DS off me. I can't breastfeed downstairs as I'm uncomfortable with her seeing my breasts. She has taken my spot on the sofa in between where DP sits and DS's moses basket and she will sit and rock the basket when DS cries meanwhile I am on the small sofa where I can't even lie down. She keeps rearranging the kitchen. She comes from a culture that is taboo about mental health and she is always in the living room so I've had to ask my mental health support team to let me come to their office for appointments as I'm uncomfortable them coming to my home - I had to travel to a psychological appointment (that would usually be a home visit) in the storm today with DS on the bus. She stays up until midnight most nights.

I won't go as far as saying I want to kill myself but I feel like I've ruined my motherhood and family life and our new home which we just purchased a few months ago. I hate myself, I should never have offered for her to live with us.

I'm feeling extremely vulnerable as it is with the post-natal OCD. My main comfort and way of distracting myself from the OCD thoughts was by getting myself cosy on our sofa, cuddling/feeding DS, getting a bit blanket over me and having cuddles and chats with DP whilst watching a comfort show. That has gone now, it's been taken away. Even watching TV we have to watch it dubbed in their language with English subtitles as she doesn't speak English and her eyesight is too bad for her to have the subtitles.

Despite exclusively breastfeeding my period has also returned at 5 weeks PP and I am bleeding incredibly heavily. I am essentially living in adult nappies and in terrible pain (I have endometriosis). I keep flooding my pads and through my clothes and I was in A&E yesterday where they had to give me a prescription to slow the flow of blood. Im so physically uncomfortable and I can't even lie down and relax on my sofa and I feel trapped upstairs in the bedroom as I keep leaking blood

I don't know what to do. I have ruined my life. I don't know how I can get rid of MIL now and I feel like a terrible person for even wanting to. Life barely feels worth living. I need to get all of this off my chest and DP is sat downstairs chatting to his mum so I can't talk to him. I genuinely feel lost and like I'm in hell and like there's no way out.

My mum is supportive over text/over the phone but she is a full time carer to my autistic sibling and I can't go and stay with her/live with her due to my autistic sibling having severe mental health issues.

I feel so lonely

OP posts:
Aristocack · 25/10/2026 14:38

It was a pain shopping today. The 4 of us went. Every time I picked up a sweet snack that I wanted she wound tell DP "We don't need that, I'm baking at home" and then he'd pass that on to me. I ignored it and bought what I wanted anyway. She's trying to be nice by baking but it's irritating. She was clearly unhappy with some of the prices of things I was purchasing - I like to get organic eggs and had put them in the trolley. She grabbed caged eggs off the shelf and said "cheaper" and swapped them over. I ignored her and changed them back.

I feel quite possessive over DS and I'm hogging him all of the time, I'm trying to get a message across but she stares when I'm holding him like she's waiting for me to offer. Wherever I go, DS is going.

OP posts:
Treehorns · 25/10/2026 13:50

I believe the OP has been played by this man and his mother.
She is paying for a house, to house his mother.
From her last thread it is very clear that she is being abused, bullied, dominated, outnumbered and overwhelmed, in HER home.

I 100% it is an abusive situation that requires reporting and intervention.

She could not be more vulnerable and they know EXACTLY what they are doing.

I really hope she hasn't put his name on the birth certificate and given the baby his name.

notyetbranded · 25/10/2026 13:37

I’m so sorry you are dealing with all this OP. It’s hard enough having a baby on top of everything else you are dealing with! I think if it’s got to that point in terms of how you’re feeling, you need to have a serious chat with your partner and say she needs to move out, ideally within a certain time frame as this is now impacting your mental health even more. I’m sorry I don’t have better advice but I really feel for you in this situation 🫂

ThatMauveMaker · 25/10/2026 13:28

This isn't your fault. Your circumtances have changed and it's ok to change your mind. MIL is obnoxious, re arranging your kitchen and commanding your space and TV. She should be mindful of you both but instead is taking over.
Please talk to your partner and make arrangements for MIl to move out. Go to the Council if you have to. She can't stay.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 25/10/2026 10:42

Aristocack · 24/10/2026 19:09

I am definitely having second thoughts about the relationship but I'm not yet at the stage where I'm planning to do a midnight runner. I don't feel mentally able to cope with anything like that and physically I'm safe (I know many women in abusive situations say that but I really am okay physically). Yes my mum technically has a bedroom but I'm very uncomfortable at her house, there's an array of reasons for that but that's a whole other thread. I don't drive either leaving would need to be planned and arranged.

I have raised concerns to my partner. We're buying MIL a second hand TV for her room. That's not to say she's not welcome in the living room at all but I think it will be better if we spend some nights together then other nights doing our own thing.

I reclaimed my spot on the sofa. It was quite awkward. I came downstairs with DS asleep in my arms, she was in spot on the sofa next to the moses basket. I politely asked her to budge up on the sofa and she misunderstood me (I'm not sure how as I said "excuse me") and thought I was asking her to hold DS so she took him off me and sat back down. I then sat on the other sofa and asked her to put DS in his basket. As she was doing that I went and took the spot on the sofa. It may seem like a silly thing to be so obsessed with having a particular spot on the sofa but when I'm sat it here it means I can see DS, comfort him with my hand when he cries and pick him up when he cries without having to stand up and walk across the room. I really felt quite stressed when she was sat there, it felt like somebody else's home and somebody else's baby. Its a small social etiquette that she was completely missing

Edited

Funnily enough the sofa thing was what pissed me off most reading your thread!

I was going to say this was something DH could fix by talking to his Mum and if necessary giving up his seat on the nicer sofa to her. Of course you want to sit beside your baby and be comfortable. It’s not petty at all.

A lot of it sounds like a DH problem though - I wish you all the best with getting this sorted out.

KTMeetsTheRsUptown · 25/10/2026 10:31

Aristocack · 24/10/2026 19:09

I am definitely having second thoughts about the relationship but I'm not yet at the stage where I'm planning to do a midnight runner. I don't feel mentally able to cope with anything like that and physically I'm safe (I know many women in abusive situations say that but I really am okay physically). Yes my mum technically has a bedroom but I'm very uncomfortable at her house, there's an array of reasons for that but that's a whole other thread. I don't drive either leaving would need to be planned and arranged.

I have raised concerns to my partner. We're buying MIL a second hand TV for her room. That's not to say she's not welcome in the living room at all but I think it will be better if we spend some nights together then other nights doing our own thing.

I reclaimed my spot on the sofa. It was quite awkward. I came downstairs with DS asleep in my arms, she was in spot on the sofa next to the moses basket. I politely asked her to budge up on the sofa and she misunderstood me (I'm not sure how as I said "excuse me") and thought I was asking her to hold DS so she took him off me and sat back down. I then sat on the other sofa and asked her to put DS in his basket. As she was doing that I went and took the spot on the sofa. It may seem like a silly thing to be so obsessed with having a particular spot on the sofa but when I'm sat it here it means I can see DS, comfort him with my hand when he cries and pick him up when he cries without having to stand up and walk across the room. I really felt quite stressed when she was sat there, it felt like somebody else's home and somebody else's baby. Its a small social etiquette that she was completely missing

Edited

I'm not sure if anyone else has suggested this so apologies if I'm repeating another poster but I would definitely make use of Google translate and show her what it says on your phone and just give her a nice smile or grimace to fit the situation 😀. It's great to hear that you have reclaimed your spot on sofa❤️. Stay strong op, you sound like a great Mum!, sending you hugs 💐

HumbleHun · 24/10/2026 23:34

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Pherian · 24/10/2026 22:42

Aristocack · 23/10/2026 20:18

I made a thread a couple of weeks ago about the struggles I have been experiencing since having my baby. The struggles have been with my partner and his family. He had various family members from his home country visit for 10 days when my baby was 2 weeks old and I found it incredibly difficult and ended up having to see the peri-natal mental health team.

I had issues with my partner critiquing my parenting in front of his family members. I also was bleeding, recovering from birth and trying to establish breastfeeding and had other people in my house, hovering, grabbing baby off me etc. It was hell. They finally left after 10 days and I felt better (though I've still been dealing with post-natal OCD symptoms and severe anxiety/intrusive thoughts but I've been working with the peri-natal team). I had strong words with my partner about how he had made me feel and he has been much better and much more supportive.

Unfortunately things have gone to shit again. A few months ago back when I was still pregnant, DP's mum (I'll just refer to her as MIL as it's easier) who was living abroad with her partner revealed to my partner (over the phone) that her boyfriend had become emotionally abusive. Me and my partner spoke about it and we agreed that he could tell her that she could come and live with us if things got too bad. She said she'd think about it. I felt sorry for her.

In the past few days she has taken us up on the offer and has flown over and moved in. My partner isn't from the UK originally and his mum does not speak English and I don't speak their language. I was kept updated on the arrangements of her moving here but I haven't directly spoken to her in detail due to the language barrier.

She arrived on the 20th October. By all intents and purposes it seems like it's going to be a permanent move. I'm so regretting saying that she can come. She's in her 60s with a health issue and unlikely to ever work or move out.

I can't natter with her as we don't speak the same language. She keeps grabbing 5 week old DS off me. I can't breastfeed downstairs as I'm uncomfortable with her seeing my breasts. She has taken my spot on the sofa in between where DP sits and DS's moses basket and she will sit and rock the basket when DS cries meanwhile I am on the small sofa where I can't even lie down. She keeps rearranging the kitchen. She comes from a culture that is taboo about mental health and she is always in the living room so I've had to ask my mental health support team to let me come to their office for appointments as I'm uncomfortable them coming to my home - I had to travel to a psychological appointment (that would usually be a home visit) in the storm today with DS on the bus. She stays up until midnight most nights.

I won't go as far as saying I want to kill myself but I feel like I've ruined my motherhood and family life and our new home which we just purchased a few months ago. I hate myself, I should never have offered for her to live with us.

I'm feeling extremely vulnerable as it is with the post-natal OCD. My main comfort and way of distracting myself from the OCD thoughts was by getting myself cosy on our sofa, cuddling/feeding DS, getting a bit blanket over me and having cuddles and chats with DP whilst watching a comfort show. That has gone now, it's been taken away. Even watching TV we have to watch it dubbed in their language with English subtitles as she doesn't speak English and her eyesight is too bad for her to have the subtitles.

Despite exclusively breastfeeding my period has also returned at 5 weeks PP and I am bleeding incredibly heavily. I am essentially living in adult nappies and in terrible pain (I have endometriosis). I keep flooding my pads and through my clothes and I was in A&E yesterday where they had to give me a prescription to slow the flow of blood. Im so physically uncomfortable and I can't even lie down and relax on my sofa and I feel trapped upstairs in the bedroom as I keep leaking blood

I don't know what to do. I have ruined my life. I don't know how I can get rid of MIL now and I feel like a terrible person for even wanting to. Life barely feels worth living. I need to get all of this off my chest and DP is sat downstairs chatting to his mum so I can't talk to him. I genuinely feel lost and like I'm in hell and like there's no way out.

My mum is supportive over text/over the phone but she is a full time carer to my autistic sibling and I can't go and stay with her/live with her due to my autistic sibling having severe mental health issues.

I feel so lonely

Tell your partner what you want his mother to do differently. Tell him if she doesn’t do it then they both need to go.

You saying crazy things about your mental state won’t be on your side so do get yourself together and promptly - unless you want him and his mother to be able to commit you. Your mental health is #1 priority.

Gobbledegoo · 24/10/2026 21:49

So pleased to hear you are reclaiming your place. I know it's little steps but they are significant.

abbynabby23 · 24/10/2026 21:41

Aristocack · 23/10/2026 20:18

I made a thread a couple of weeks ago about the struggles I have been experiencing since having my baby. The struggles have been with my partner and his family. He had various family members from his home country visit for 10 days when my baby was 2 weeks old and I found it incredibly difficult and ended up having to see the peri-natal mental health team.

I had issues with my partner critiquing my parenting in front of his family members. I also was bleeding, recovering from birth and trying to establish breastfeeding and had other people in my house, hovering, grabbing baby off me etc. It was hell. They finally left after 10 days and I felt better (though I've still been dealing with post-natal OCD symptoms and severe anxiety/intrusive thoughts but I've been working with the peri-natal team). I had strong words with my partner about how he had made me feel and he has been much better and much more supportive.

Unfortunately things have gone to shit again. A few months ago back when I was still pregnant, DP's mum (I'll just refer to her as MIL as it's easier) who was living abroad with her partner revealed to my partner (over the phone) that her boyfriend had become emotionally abusive. Me and my partner spoke about it and we agreed that he could tell her that she could come and live with us if things got too bad. She said she'd think about it. I felt sorry for her.

In the past few days she has taken us up on the offer and has flown over and moved in. My partner isn't from the UK originally and his mum does not speak English and I don't speak their language. I was kept updated on the arrangements of her moving here but I haven't directly spoken to her in detail due to the language barrier.

She arrived on the 20th October. By all intents and purposes it seems like it's going to be a permanent move. I'm so regretting saying that she can come. She's in her 60s with a health issue and unlikely to ever work or move out.

I can't natter with her as we don't speak the same language. She keeps grabbing 5 week old DS off me. I can't breastfeed downstairs as I'm uncomfortable with her seeing my breasts. She has taken my spot on the sofa in between where DP sits and DS's moses basket and she will sit and rock the basket when DS cries meanwhile I am on the small sofa where I can't even lie down. She keeps rearranging the kitchen. She comes from a culture that is taboo about mental health and she is always in the living room so I've had to ask my mental health support team to let me come to their office for appointments as I'm uncomfortable them coming to my home - I had to travel to a psychological appointment (that would usually be a home visit) in the storm today with DS on the bus. She stays up until midnight most nights.

I won't go as far as saying I want to kill myself but I feel like I've ruined my motherhood and family life and our new home which we just purchased a few months ago. I hate myself, I should never have offered for her to live with us.

I'm feeling extremely vulnerable as it is with the post-natal OCD. My main comfort and way of distracting myself from the OCD thoughts was by getting myself cosy on our sofa, cuddling/feeding DS, getting a bit blanket over me and having cuddles and chats with DP whilst watching a comfort show. That has gone now, it's been taken away. Even watching TV we have to watch it dubbed in their language with English subtitles as she doesn't speak English and her eyesight is too bad for her to have the subtitles.

Despite exclusively breastfeeding my period has also returned at 5 weeks PP and I am bleeding incredibly heavily. I am essentially living in adult nappies and in terrible pain (I have endometriosis). I keep flooding my pads and through my clothes and I was in A&E yesterday where they had to give me a prescription to slow the flow of blood. Im so physically uncomfortable and I can't even lie down and relax on my sofa and I feel trapped upstairs in the bedroom as I keep leaking blood

I don't know what to do. I have ruined my life. I don't know how I can get rid of MIL now and I feel like a terrible person for even wanting to. Life barely feels worth living. I need to get all of this off my chest and DP is sat downstairs chatting to his mum so I can't talk to him. I genuinely feel lost and like I'm in hell and like there's no way out.

My mum is supportive over text/over the phone but she is a full time carer to my autistic sibling and I can't go and stay with her/live with her due to my autistic sibling having severe mental health issues.

I feel so lonely

The way you describe everything, it seems that your relationship with your partner is good, but not with your MIL or extended family. In that case, you can be honest with your partner and say that you thought it would be okay, but you’re struggling. It’s okay to change your mind.
I don’t think you can kick her out tomorrow, as she’ll need some time to make new living arrangements, but she can start working that out now. If it’s difficult for her to go back to her own country, is there any chance you could build a granny flat for her in the garden?

katepilar · 24/10/2026 21:40

Aristocack · 24/10/2026 00:30

MIL has also brought a horrid cold with her (she must've picked it up on the plane) and I know that is just one of those things and not her fault but that has been stressing me the fuck out as well. Her toothbrush was touching mine before in the toothbrush holder and she's been leaving her used handkerchief on the coffee table. I am certain I'm getting ill too. I know these are little things but they all are interfering with my peace. DP brings colds home all the time but it just feels less gross when it's your partner who is ill as you are so intimate with them anyway. When it's someone else ill in your home it feels much more yucky. Even the sound of her blowing her nose has been stressing/irritating me. I know I'm sounding unreasonable here as she has to be allowed to live her life and be comfortable but I just wish I'd thought it through more before offering. I can't get my head around the fact that this is a permanent move, there's no "buggering off" date I can look forward to. The thought makes me feel ill.

Home should be my safe cosy space and it just isn't.

Edited

Its perfectly reasonable to feel this about an ill stranger in your house. How dare she go anywhere near the baby! She should be stuck in her room until she is healthy again.
She is rude in so many ways. Its not a language barrier, you can ask a mum if she want help handing baby over without words.

People are annoyed that you are allowing her to cross your boundaries, I dont think thats fair. With people like this its hard to do even if you are in a good shape which you are far from, understandably. Your partners needs to learn to stand up for his wife and stop being a mummy's little boy.

I cant even imagine how annoying she is, she is in your space, being ill and being rude in the precious time when you are bonding with your first child. I am so sorry this is happening to you.

Miss1983 · 24/10/2026 21:30

I rmbr ur last thread and was very concerned for u and baby. Well done for keeping up with the mental health support. Just trust your gut and also keep all documentstion safe and away from your partner. Over bearing MIL are the worst honest to God.

Just reclaim what you can and if she takes the baby Just ask for him back find your voice because u cant get these first few weeks/months back and u have been going through it. Things will get better but just take it day by day. See what local provisions for children's centres your council has i think they're called "Better Start". I found out about mine and it was life changing. I got a key worker to help me with various issues (housing, benefits, work related thry have drop ins with citizens advice and dept of work and pensions plus they do refferals for PAIRS which is mental health services for mother and baby to help you if ur having issues . I had so much support and I attended baby workshops and courses (baby first aid, weaning, baby massage, parenting and even jewellery making) that provided a creche so it gave me an hour or two just to be me. It was helpful to have a safe space with people I could trust.

HumbleHun · 24/10/2026 21:29

SirenScream · 24/10/2026 17:57

I'm inclined to think that your husbands overarching objective is to move his whole family to the UK.
You and the baby are just things which give him grounds to achieve his objective; aka pawns in his game.

Wow, tell me your a Nigel.Farage disciple without telling me your a Farage disciple.

MalbecMel · 24/10/2026 21:08

Personally I don't think the calls to finish your relationship are helpful. It sounds like you're in a very vulnerable state at the moment. Apologies if you've said already but have you sat down with your partner and made it clear that you are unhappy with your MIL taking baby off you and that you want to sit on the larger sofa by baby's moses basket? I would stick to the most important things you want him support with and I hope he will then communicate this diplomatically with his Mum. Explain to him that you need him to support you and to have a united front, that you understand his mum is wanting to help but that this is a new chapter for you both with your little one and you need to know he is there for you. I wonder whether taking the baby away "to help you" without tuning in to whether that's what you actually want might be a cultural thing, i'm sure they feel they're being helpful and doing their best, have you attempted to communicate that this is not what you want? I hope you're getting the medical support you deserve too - for the bleeding and how you're feeling mentally. Longer term you should absolutely be talking with your partner about how his Mum can find somewhere for herself, but as you did offer her a place to stay it's difficult to immediately push her out of the door. I do think if you try to tackle that as well as the above issues it will just become an insurmountable challenge for your partner to try and navigate whilst maintaining his relationship with his Mum so as an outsider I would try baby steps for now. Hopefully your partner steps up, of course this does have the potential to damage your relationship but at least you'll have been open and honest about your needs and expectations from him.

ThatMintMember · 24/10/2026 21:02

Aristocack · 24/10/2026 19:09

I am definitely having second thoughts about the relationship but I'm not yet at the stage where I'm planning to do a midnight runner. I don't feel mentally able to cope with anything like that and physically I'm safe (I know many women in abusive situations say that but I really am okay physically). Yes my mum technically has a bedroom but I'm very uncomfortable at her house, there's an array of reasons for that but that's a whole other thread. I don't drive either leaving would need to be planned and arranged.

I have raised concerns to my partner. We're buying MIL a second hand TV for her room. That's not to say she's not welcome in the living room at all but I think it will be better if we spend some nights together then other nights doing our own thing.

I reclaimed my spot on the sofa. It was quite awkward. I came downstairs with DS asleep in my arms, she was in spot on the sofa next to the moses basket. I politely asked her to budge up on the sofa and she misunderstood me (I'm not sure how as I said "excuse me") and thought I was asking her to hold DS so she took him off me and sat back down. I then sat on the other sofa and asked her to put DS in his basket. As she was doing that I went and took the spot on the sofa. It may seem like a silly thing to be so obsessed with having a particular spot on the sofa but when I'm sat it here it means I can see DS, comfort him with my hand when he cries and pick him up when he cries without having to stand up and walk across the room. I really felt quite stressed when she was sat there, it felt like somebody else's home and somebody else's baby. Its a small social etiquette that she was completely missing

Edited

Well done for taking your sofa space back and talking to your partner! That's some great first steps, now what else is bugging you? Perhaps tomorrow you get your partner to tell his mother to stop trying to change how baby is dressed as you've got it handled and there's reasons even if you cant explain that to her. Or maybe you want to breastfeed in your newly reclaimed seat? :)

Female123456 · 24/10/2026 20:58

bearinthebigbluespouse · 24/10/2026 17:48

I think there's lots of posters on this thread who haven't seen the first one.

Talking to her partner is not going to work he's abusive and controlling.

OP is 5 weeks postpartum and has had a circus of people through her house at her husband's will - none of whom are there to support her.

At 2 weeks pp she was SLEEPING ON THE SOFA because her DP wanted to sleep in peace and he had guests staying in the spare room.

I actually don't think there's ever been a thread on Mumsnet that's filled me with so much rage.

in that case i don't think she has any choice but to call the police on both of them
or get herself out
she cannot struggle like this 😢

Female123456 · 24/10/2026 20:54

Aristocack · 23/10/2026 20:22

It's not even a case of him moving his mum in under my feet. Back when I was pregnant and we found out that she was in an abusive relationship, we discussed it between us (me and DP) and I felt we should ask her to move in. I'm regretting that so much now. I don't know what the fuck I was thinking

it doesnt matter what you said before she needs to go
and go ASAP
you were being kind then and now you know what she is like. she is bothering you. affecting your life
She sounds like a big problem to your life
the fact you can't even breastfeed and be comfortable in your house, have to adjust yourself and plans.
No.

tell your DP everything you have said here and that you fear your mental health will get even worse if she continues to live there.
Get him to start making arrangements for somewhere else to live for her immediately.

the rearranging would drive me mad

No you should not have to leave your own home for an appointment.
You need to get tough.
You don't feel comfortable.
in the meantime can you address these issues with her directly or he must do this.

You can not go on like this.

Millytante · 24/10/2026 20:42

bearinthebigbluespouse · 24/10/2026 17:48

I think there's lots of posters on this thread who haven't seen the first one.

Talking to her partner is not going to work he's abusive and controlling.

OP is 5 weeks postpartum and has had a circus of people through her house at her husband's will - none of whom are there to support her.

At 2 weeks pp she was SLEEPING ON THE SOFA because her DP wanted to sleep in peace and he had guests staying in the spare room.

I actually don't think there's ever been a thread on Mumsnet that's filled me with so much rage.

The first thread made me weep in fury, which was a weird experience. What a shower.
Well, it certainly seems to be a family tradition to elbow rightful owners out of their own spaces and dig in for themselves.
I would never succeed in remaining civil to anyone like that lot, and most of all the damn husband, glorying in his paternity and his open-handed hospitality, and all the while his weak and bleeding wife is as good as in the dustbin, unregarded by all.
That exactly the same thing should recur so soon, albeit on a smaller scale, defies belief.
Honestly, take away the tv and electricity and we could be reading about some noble spouse in the 15th century, such is the attitude of OP being little more than an incubator, who once that job is accomplished may as well enter a nunnery.
(Actually, that’d be a marvellous solution here, if infants are accepted along with their mothers! Peace, and no more overbearing men)

ProudCat · 24/10/2026 20:26

Hello there

I'm autistic and have severe OCD - currently in recovery. As it goes, I also have a well paid job with a lot of responsibility that I'm good at. The reason that I mention this is to demonstrate that it's entirely possible to have significant MH challenges and also be successful.

I say this with absolute kindness, but I recognise some of what you talk about as being typical of my perspective when my OCD is overwhelming and everything seems out of control. In these scenarios, I can't cope with other people at all. I just want them to fuck right off and leave me the fuck alone. It's like being permanently under attack, and I mean serious attack, as if I have to fight for every inch of space or else I'll go under.

I'm not letting your DP and his family of the hook, more sharing my experience in case it's useful for you.

So things I've done to save myself / keep myself afloat when I'm drowning:

Got into weekly face to face therapy (that I pay for) so I'm in control of that pipeline of support and not at the mercy of whatever services that have been cut to the bone can offer.

Redesigned my bedroom so it's my safe space. I do share a bed with my husband, but the bedroom is mine, and sometimes he has to sleep in his study or the lounge. This safe space is non negotiable. I can stay in there for days if I need to and noone can barge in.

Took up a solo activity - swimming in my case. Cold water is very soothing for OCD.

Kept a daily journal and separately a gratitude album in pictures. These are my things and they're private. I don't have to answer to anyone else.

The thing I find hardest about coping with OCD is letting go. Having spaces just for myself meant I had little windows to let go for a minute and cut myself some slack while acknowledging that I was really struggling.

I hope it gets easier.

Whyherewego · 24/10/2026 20:07

Aristocack · 24/10/2026 19:09

I am definitely having second thoughts about the relationship but I'm not yet at the stage where I'm planning to do a midnight runner. I don't feel mentally able to cope with anything like that and physically I'm safe (I know many women in abusive situations say that but I really am okay physically). Yes my mum technically has a bedroom but I'm very uncomfortable at her house, there's an array of reasons for that but that's a whole other thread. I don't drive either leaving would need to be planned and arranged.

I have raised concerns to my partner. We're buying MIL a second hand TV for her room. That's not to say she's not welcome in the living room at all but I think it will be better if we spend some nights together then other nights doing our own thing.

I reclaimed my spot on the sofa. It was quite awkward. I came downstairs with DS asleep in my arms, she was in spot on the sofa next to the moses basket. I politely asked her to budge up on the sofa and she misunderstood me (I'm not sure how as I said "excuse me") and thought I was asking her to hold DS so she took him off me and sat back down. I then sat on the other sofa and asked her to put DS in his basket. As she was doing that I went and took the spot on the sofa. It may seem like a silly thing to be so obsessed with having a particular spot on the sofa but when I'm sat it here it means I can see DS, comfort him with my hand when he cries and pick him up when he cries without having to stand up and walk across the room. I really felt quite stressed when she was sat there, it felt like somebody else's home and somebody else's baby. Its a small social etiquette that she was completely missing

Edited

Well done on taking these important steps to reclaim your space. This will not be last time so take heart that thus works

Aristocack · 24/10/2026 19:09

I am definitely having second thoughts about the relationship but I'm not yet at the stage where I'm planning to do a midnight runner. I don't feel mentally able to cope with anything like that and physically I'm safe (I know many women in abusive situations say that but I really am okay physically). Yes my mum technically has a bedroom but I'm very uncomfortable at her house, there's an array of reasons for that but that's a whole other thread. I don't drive either leaving would need to be planned and arranged.

I have raised concerns to my partner. We're buying MIL a second hand TV for her room. That's not to say she's not welcome in the living room at all but I think it will be better if we spend some nights together then other nights doing our own thing.

I reclaimed my spot on the sofa. It was quite awkward. I came downstairs with DS asleep in my arms, she was in spot on the sofa next to the moses basket. I politely asked her to budge up on the sofa and she misunderstood me (I'm not sure how as I said "excuse me") and thought I was asking her to hold DS so she took him off me and sat back down. I then sat on the other sofa and asked her to put DS in his basket. As she was doing that I went and took the spot on the sofa. It may seem like a silly thing to be so obsessed with having a particular spot on the sofa but when I'm sat it here it means I can see DS, comfort him with my hand when he cries and pick him up when he cries without having to stand up and walk across the room. I really felt quite stressed when she was sat there, it felt like somebody else's home and somebody else's baby. Its a small social etiquette that she was completely missing

OP posts:
Aristocack · 24/10/2026 19:01

jellyfish798 · 24/10/2026 18:00

Oh sweetheart I'm sorry to hear this. We are all here for you.
Your man needs a very firm reminder of where his priorities lay. You are the mother of his child. He needs to have your back. If he doesn't, start planning your exit to move out with baby to a safe property of your own. You can do this, I promise, and there's help out there.
I would have some honest convos with your perinatal health team about how he and mil make you feel, and be clear that they are not being supportive and taking baby off you, which imo is a hard no - no-one should take baby off you because it's disrespectful.
Build up your support network, ask the perinatal MH team if they have extra support for you like mum and baby groups.
Things will get better, you're not alone xxx

Thank you. The mental health team are going to get me set up on a pram walk and baby massage group which I'm looking forward to. I really need to have people around me other than partner and his family. I need stuff that is just about me and DS. Some people have said that I should have my mental health appointments at home regardless of MIL being around. I know I should be able to do that but I think I actually prefer them out of the house. We've been discharged from midwife but when they would visit and ask me about feeding etc, I would start to answer the question and then DP would jump in and take over the conversation (not in an intentionally controlling way, he had genuine questions about feeding techniques but he would interrupt me). I prefer it just being me and the professionals without him hovering or MIL sat there awkwardly.

OP posts:
SpainToday · 24/10/2026 18:36

She goes or you go.

ilovebrie8 · 24/10/2026 18:32

SirenScream · 24/10/2026 18:31

There is no point discussing anything with your partner, he's as useless as a chocolate teapot. He'll tell you any old shit to shut you up and then carry on letting his family treat you appallingly.
Get rid of him and get proper legal advice re your half of the house.

This with bells on!

SirenScream · 24/10/2026 18:31

There is no point discussing anything with your partner, he's as useless as a chocolate teapot. He'll tell you any old shit to shut you up and then carry on letting his family treat you appallingly.
Get rid of him and get proper legal advice re your half of the house.

Swipe left for the next trending thread