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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To say I still don't want to see MIL?

76 replies

Famzilla · 18/08/2013 11:32

DD (PFB and first GC) is 5 mo.

Before DD was born we didn't see much of IL's, we lived with them briefly when my own DM kicked us out years ago (a whole other thread or 10) but otherwise only at family gatherings or when I have dog-sitted for them etc. Everything was pretty civilised, I've always thought IL's were a bit weird but I'm sure they thought the same of me.

Obviously since DD has been born we have seen a lot more of them and I have come to the conclusion MIL is a bitch.

I struggled with PND, probably not helped by the fact alone with a baby post EMCS with no support from my own family. MIL turned up on my first day back from the hospital, at 9pm demanding tea and letting us know that she would not be having DD at all to lend a hand as she had "raised her kids". Fair enough, but I never asked or even mentioned it.

That was just the start. Since then it seems she has made a point of shouting at me, disagreeing with me and putting me down every time she visits.

Examples such as taking the piss out of me for being "sucked into advertising" because DD has a carseat. Butting into my conversations with SIL to shout at me that I'm wrong (according to her cheating isn't a bad thing and it's perfectly fine to trick your partner into having a baby), basically it seems like she would argue that black is white. She looked in my cupboards and called me a gannet!

I don't know if anyone remembers my previous thread under a different nickname (Dandelion) about the Santander bank account, can't be bothered to explain it but that looms over my head too.

It all came to a head about a month ago when we visited DH's great aunt with DD. PIL's turned up, I expressed an opinion about some faddy diet and MIL let rip at me. She was shouting so loud it upset DD, and then she had to shout louder to be heard over DD's screams instead of stopping. We left, obviously. I told Dh that was the final straw and that I would not put DD or myself in her line of fire again, he agreed.

Now obviously a month has passed, MIL text DH saying that they've been keeping their distance as they've upset us. But we were disrespectful and they weren't the bad guys. She doesn't see an issue in anything she does. They text again asking if we were still angry because they want to come round and see us ( condescending IMO).

DH wants me to just forgive & forget because they miss DD, I've told him that he and DD are free to continue seeing them but I won't. I don't see why I should sacrifice my own mental well being for his parents when I won't even do it for my own.

DH says it puts him in an awful position and it's not fair. AIBU?

Sorry for the essay!

OP posts:
diddl · 18/08/2013 11:38

TBH, I'd feel like telling him to piss off back to them.

They treat you like shit iirc-no way does your daughter deserve to be exposed to them.

CoolaSchmoola · 18/08/2013 11:38

YANBU. It is unfair for your DH to expect you to put yourself in the firing line of his mother's verbal abuse just so he doesn't feel uncomfortable.

Letsadmitit · 18/08/2013 11:38

"I've told him that he and DD are free to continue seeing them but I won't."

Stick to your guns on that, if they can't behave well towards you there's no need for you to expose yourself to this.

If your cowardly husband thinks that puts him into an awkward position, sod it. It is HIS family, he is the only one who can step in to stop HIS mum being so awful towards you. He chose not to do it, let him live with the consequences of his own actions (or lack of)

Iamsparklyknickers · 18/08/2013 11:38

Nope YANBU and quite simply it's an awful position for your DH to put you in as well and it also isn't fair to expect you to put up with it. That's just the fact of the matter isn't it.

You've given your blessing on the compromise of him and DD continuing their relationship without you and your DH can either take it or leave it. His parents so up to him to make the effort without you if that's how they'll be behaving around you.

I know some people will say that your DH should back you up 100%, but I struggle with that as family relationships can sometimes be so difficult to untangle yourself from even when you know they're not right and takes a lot of balls to do. Especially if all he wants is a happy family unit and isn't ready to face up to reality.

I think bowing out is the best solution all round - he can put up with what he wants to as long as he doesn't expect you to as well.

onetiredmummy · 18/08/2013 11:40

Your dh should be supporting you, not his mother.

cushtie335 · 18/08/2013 11:42

You're his family now and he needs to support you. This woman will never change, stay away from her, she sounds toxic.

cozietoesie · 18/08/2013 11:42

Dear Goodness - it was you with the 'mistakes' on the bank account? (Was that ever satisfactorily resolved?)

I wouldn't allow them past the bollard at the end of the road, let alone over my front door step - and if DH feels in an awkward position, he'll have to learn to live with it. He can still see them with DD after all (although I would keep DD's position under advisement when she gets just a little older.)

Pawprint · 18/08/2013 11:43

YANBU she sounds awful. Aggressive and ignorant - not a great combination. The car seat comment makes my blood boil - stupid, stupid woman.

Personally, I would avoid her totally. It sounds like she will never change and just continue to say rude comments and try and belittle you and your choices.

MortifiedAdams · 18/08/2013 11:43

"DH they are nasty and abusive towards me. Do you really want me to.be in that situation? Do you want to see them.shouting and belittling me?"

FannyFifer · 18/08/2013 11:43

Was this the parents in law that opened a dodgy bank account in your DH name & said they didn't know how it had happened? They are in loads of debt?

If so, did your partner ever get it sorted? ie contact the police?

I would have nothing more to do with them, your DP sounds pathetic as well.

MortifiedAdams · 18/08/2013 11:44

Oh, and if they think a car seat is unecessary then do.NOT let ILs have her alone!

myroomisatip · 18/08/2013 11:44

She would not be seeing my DD. No way.

You are most definitely NBU

Famzilla · 18/08/2013 11:45

Sorry just realised I put DH, we're not actually married yet just feels like it.

He has been incredibly supportive up until now, it just seems like he has forgotten everything. He keeps saying that she never used to be such a bitch and she really isn't the woman she is acting like. Like thats going to make me feel better somehow that she's reserved her awful attitude for me and me only?

OP posts:
mmmuffins · 18/08/2013 11:46

I'm amazed you still see them after the bank account incident - that was shocking. How was that resolved???

They sound like a nightmare.

Nanny0gg · 18/08/2013 11:47

Whys should they see DD?

The way they have treated her (all that screaming).

No!

And I don't accept the arguement that as they are your DH's parents he should have a say about it. He needs to keep her safe and exposing her to such dreadful people just because they happen to be her grandparents isn't the way to do it.

Stand firm.

Ledkr · 18/08/2013 11:47

Whatever happened about the bank account? I started a thread to ask this last week?

My dh has just gone off to visit pils alone since I drew the line.
I refuse to spend time with people who disrespect my daughter, treat us like second class citizens by booking us into substandard holiday accommodation while they have luxury and who eat like greedy bastards here then let us go hungry at theirs.
YANBU

glossyflower · 18/08/2013 11:47

YANBU. In fact I think you are being too generous by still allowing them contact with DD.
We are estranged from my in laws, started out with something quite petty but in the end we felt enough was enough. They haven't met my DD yet.
DH sounds like he's torn. He knows how they behave is wrong but they are still his parents.
Be supportive to him. One day he will see enough is enough and stand his ground but he had to see for himself.
Good luck. Xxx

Nanny0gg · 18/08/2013 11:48

Are these the people that were potentially committing fraud? What happened, and what on earth is wrong with your DP?

Write a list of all they have done and make him justify each one - as if he could!

BlehPukeVomit · 18/08/2013 11:48

You sound perfectly reasonable. Don't stop him taking your DD but don't see them yourself.

Ledkr · 18/08/2013 11:48

And I didn't let him take dd2 as its not fair fir her to sit in a car for 4 hrs in one day.
Fuck em

Famzilla · 18/08/2013 11:49

Yeah it's currently going through the ombudsman but it looks like Santander have taken full responsibility.

DP thinks that has clouded my judgement, because it has been proved its not their fault that I should just let it go. The fact of the matter is that they were still selfish and corrupt enough to ask us to do it in the first place.

OP posts:
glossyflower · 18/08/2013 11:49

After reading your last post, just a thought is MIL depressed and taking out her anger on you? Xxx

WafflyVersatile · 18/08/2013 11:51

How does it put him in an awful position? He can take DC round on a Saturday morning or summat. You don't need to be there?

I remember the santander thing. What happened with that in the end?

WafflyVersatile · 18/08/2013 11:51

oops xpost.

ArkadyRose · 18/08/2013 11:52

If he's feeling uncomfortable then it's their behaviour he needs to address, not yours.

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