Critical family

[BlueSeagull]

I know it’s just their way but I would like other’s opinions and how they would deal with this.

When ever in laws come round if husband or mention something in house we intended change/improve they comment (fair enough) but it’s always negative (especially when I suggest things). This could be as simple as me saying to dh I need to remember to pick up new mat for front door they immediately chip in why ? What’s wrong with the one you have. Or when just making conversation and saying we are thinking of have x room decorated they ask what colour and then will inevitably criticise the choice.

the answer we don’t discuss anything along those lines when they are round but it’s so draining to have everything argued with.

Tell her nothing.

My MIL is like this I have told DH and better told him not to discuss where we are going for holidays or what we are thinking of doing to the house etc etc in front of her because she always winds me up and never just says ow that’ll be lovely or that will look really good etc.

If DH says we are getting a new kitchen or decorating a room she will show an interest and say thats nice what colour were you thinking I’ll now just say we are not sure yet (to close it down). Then she’ll go why aren’t you sure then if DH blurts out the colour or shows her it she will say will say something like why have you chosen that colour, I bet that was Limoncellos idea, why don’t you go for this or that colour your brother has just painted his room in this colour and it looks really nice I think that colour would look better etc.

If he says we are going to X place on holiday she’ll say why aren’t you going to Y place your sister went to Y place and she said it was really good, I don’t know why you aren’t going there etc.

Don't give them any ammunition. They can't criticise what they don't know about.

I wouldnt mind if thoughts were valid but it’s literally just disagreeing for the sake of it 🙄

@LimoncelloSpritzplease glad it’s not just me

@Dabberlocks youre right, funny thing is if dont tell them and change something when they come round they will say you never said you were doing that.

Urgh my ils use to tut if we bought anything from anywhere than their favourite shop. The Co-op!! Eye rolls and tutting. Was bloody draining..
When I presented them with a dgd after 6 dgs's she bought me a gift from The Store..
A Tefal frying pan. Apparently I should have been more grateful...my face obviously said I wasn't thrilled...

Exciting.

😂They seem to notice rather a lot, don't they? Perhaps you need to start leaving random 'clues' around the place before they come over, like paint matchpots in vivid and hideous colours, leaflets about hot tubs, or articles in the newspaper about living in Australia...