to not expect MIL to make comments on my underwear if she helps with the laundry?

[nevergoogle]

"ooh, very fancy" etc etc.

i should have told her that her DS bloody loves them

cheeky mare.

Oh please do next time

You should offer to help out with MIL's laundry.

Don't let her help with the laundry

she wanted a job, she was supposed to be pairing socks.

missed opportunity really, all the things i could've said...

oh i don't get to keep those ones on for long

If my MIL was to help with anything, I would give her a free pass to say whatever she likes about anything.

You are lucky to get help.

Maybe she was embarrassed re your smalls, or envious?

My MIL once told me that she envied the sex side of the relationship I had with her son. Queue massive blushing all over for me! I spluttered 'pardon'? And she said that she would have loved to have bought 'fancy' underwear, but would have felt too embarrassed. We had a lovely convo about how I buy that stuff primarily for me, liking the feel, colour, etc. I did add that her son likes me to wear that stuff too (queue her blushes), but it was ok.

I am a great believer in turning situations around to the positive, if possible.

You should have said theyre not mine they are your ds he wears them at weekends ......

She is only visiting, and lives far far away.
Because she has a tendency to overdo it and end up exhausted I am trying to keep on top of all the jobs so she doesn't have to do much.
Of course i'm grateful for any help, but she needs to rest up.

We have a good relationship.

I just don't want to talk about my pants.

ooh good one nickschick.

As humanoctopus pointed out, she may be just a little bit envious.

Probably thinking back to when she wore 'fancy' knickers. You never know, you may have inspired her to go out and get herself trussed up in some Ann Summers gear for her hubby. You may have reignited the passion in her lovelife!!!!

oh FFS,

Why not let her get exhausted, and then pamper her while she recovers?

Maybe she loves to feel useful? If so, then find suitable genuine jobs, appreciate her for those?

truth is, she well and truly got me didn't she.

i didn't know what to say and she must have been loving it.

gah!

The fun of being the next generation!

she fainted the last time we visited. it's really important she stops feeling the need to run around and cook and clean for us, something she does even when she visits us!

good idea, to think of jobs that she can do that are properly useful without being tiring.

You definitely should have said "Oh i don't get to keep those ones on for long!"

My MIL sorts my pants without a word. I was v. embarrassed when I had seen she had done it the first time, but figured there was little to get het up about with M&S black briefs.

I think, really with these 'helping' threads, it should be welcome. MIL irons for us, does the odd bit of laundry and will help clear up after tea. She knows this is a big help though. She wouldn't dream of getting the hoover out, but I'm sure she would if we asked her to do it. She would also back off if we asked her not to do something.

Ironing is a great job to get the GPs on. Inoffensive and bloody useful.

Although, my mother scrubbing my bathroom with bleach after we all got norovirus (apart from her, probably due to said bleaching) was pretty useful as well.

Do you have a child who would be interested in her life when she was little? One of mine absolutely loves tales of teachers slapping, etc.

Or maybe a child who isn't reading too well/ speaking too clearly and maybe she could just sit and read, and this could be a great thing?

My MIL could teach old style elocution lessons, such is her diction, and I have learned that this is what floats her boat (from a comfy sitting positon).
So, badly performing toddler, gets old style elocution lesson from granny who loves him. (While I have long luxurious bath iron dh's shirts, ).
Bottom line for me, having no living parents, is that its just great to have an interested one around, so involve her. Set your boundaries, I'm sure she has hers, and be positive.

I'm sure it will be ok.

She's pruning in the garden.

And just as i typed that DH has come to tell me she's fallen in the garden.

She's fine. Time for a cuppa and an ice pack.

crikey. nevermind, i'm going to beat her at scrabble too.

My MIL did this to me once - after I hung them on the line she commented on how I shouldn't have in case FIL got all excited by them. FFS.