Hey, my DH and MIL have had a serious chat about all the things the in-laws find very hard to take. The stuff that really worries them. This includes: the mess in the sideroom, grey underpants that used to be white their grandson is wearing, smelly shirts their grandson is wearing to school and the general disarray of our house. I am absolutely furious. What on earth is she thinking. My DH never does anything in the house, and besides, who cares. My household is up to my standards, and yes, sometimes I see stuff that needs to be done differently but either don't know a better solution (the grey underpants are 2 years old, my DS grabs them from the bottom of the pile as he loves them so much, and I have been meaning to throw them away, and yes the smelly shirts sounds awful, but sometimes the room they are drying in is a tad too cold and it takes too long for them to dry and then they have a slight smell, no idea what to do about that really). Anyway, so I don't know a better solution, or, frankly it hasn't been my priority (the mess in the sideroom has been on my to do list for a year, but there's always a leaky tap or a lawn to be mown first). But what on earth is she doing even thinking about this, then commenting on it and discussing it with my DH. And why on earth do I even bother defending myself in my own mind??? Surely this is none of her business. Or should I be grateful someone cares? Should I be grateful someone bothers to let me know? Should I enlist her for advice on what detergent to use and how to hang my laundry??
AIBU?
To be furious with my MIL when she tells my husband my laundry skills are lacking??
MadWinter · 02/12/2012 22:18
Hey everyone, it's lovely to be defended by so many of you. I am actually not that bad (I think anyway), just really in the eyes of my MIL. And the smelly shirts has only been occasionally. And glad you have told me (almost unanimously) that it's not on.
Just to re-assure all the worried posters, my son isn't bullied at school at all. I actually checked with him today, just to be sure here. I heard all kinds of useful stuff, including that his sports short is too long, covering most of his shorts, and they make fun of him for that. Not that he minded, he thought they were perfect and told them so too.
He then launched into a story about the ridiculous, ill-fitting and weird underwear of his classmates, which I am afraid would be too embarrassing for the parents to add here 
and ill-fitting sports trousers and so on. It might be worth checking this with your DC's, as the stories you get might be just as hilarious.
Anyway, clearly most of the parents in our school aren't perfect either. Quite a relief.
I have to say, I agree with pictish. I'm a slattern but think it's possible to protest a bit TOO much with the "I'm just to busy and important and above cleaning" schtick. At least I admit I'm lazy and have a 14 month old clinging to my legs all day long
it only takes a few seconds to wipe your husband's arse after he's done a dump, so why aren't you doing that, you lazy neglectful wife?
love it
Your MIL had some very valid points.
Now you are sorting them out. I am sure your family would feel
Much more cosy and comfortable in a clean house? It's not a wasted life 
Can't quite believe this thread is still going, but as it is, it has just reminded me of the Smelly Family at a school my DS once attended. They were famous throughout the village for being spectacularly, unutterably minging, from Mum and Dad, through all six kids down to the baby in the pram. The poor girl (about 13) didn't seem to go to school much, the parents didn't seem to have LDs or anything, but they were known to SS I think. The children always stank of piss, shit and that familiar, yet unidentifiable 'smelly kid' smell, that comes from living in an environment where nothing is ever washed, cleaned or aired, ever. My friend was a teacher there and she said it was not unheard of for one of the boys to sleep in his school uniform, wet himself, and then turn up the following day in the same clothes. The boys always had thick, black, crusty muck around their ears and necks.
My teacher friend told me that loads of people had tried to intervene to help them though school etc., that they did have a washing machine, regular hot water etc, neither parent worked so time was not a factor - they just were not prepared to make an effort. Those children were absolute pariahs. 
On eof them was very very naught - not surprising really. He probably had so much pent up frustration and hurt at being rejected all the time.
Of course that is a very extreme case, and I am not suggesting that the OP's little boy is anywhere near in danger of being neglected like that, but honestly, if someone is pointing out to you that your casual and slightly slovenly attitudes are making your children a bit smelly then you should really listen. Even if it is the dreaded MIL.
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