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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:
McNewPants2013 · 18/08/2013 12:24

I wouldnt even allow my DC to be around a toxic women like your Partner mum ( she don't deserve the MIL title)

How fucking dare she shout louder after making her grandchild scream in the first place.

Famzilla · 18/08/2013 12:24

Mintyy it's not just that one incident though. It is literally being shouted at every time I see her, like a naughty child.

OP posts:
80sMum · 18/08/2013 12:27

You are under no obligation to allow this woman access to your home or your daughter. She sounds awful. Is she like that with everyone, or does she reserve her particularly nasty comments just for you?
I wonder whether her behaviour stems from jealousy. You have her precious DS's attention more than she does and she doesn't like not being his number one?

My advice is to marry your DP as soon as possible, to make it absolutely clear to his mother where his priorities lie.

Nanny0gg · 18/08/2013 12:31

I guess because I come from such a toxic background it's hard to see what's forgivable and what isn't.

It's simple, it really is. None of it is forgivable.

McNewPants2013 · 18/08/2013 12:32

Even if the fad dieting was something she felt passionate about, then there are ways to make your point.

Like famzilla I tried that diet and I lost 6lb in a week maybe have a go and see what it's like.

holidaysarenice · 18/08/2013 12:35

I remember the santander account - how did it get sorted?

SaucyJack · 18/08/2013 12:55

Oh YANBU. You don't need to tolerate treatment like that from anyone.

Try to understand your partner's responses tho. I cannot imagine how awful and confusing for him to see his previously sane and lovely ol' mum turn into some sort of raving psycho. No wonder he wants to bury his head in the sand and hope it'll just go away.

At least when your parents have always been toxic, it's no great shock when they pull yet another stunt.

Famzilla · 18/08/2013 13:09

Mcnewpants - yeah I would get that if she actually wanted to have a normal discussion about it! When it comes to diets though (mine especially is always brought up as I have lost 4 stone of 'baby weight' recently) she takes great pleasure in telling everyone she can eat what she wants and has never been on a diet. apparently forgetting the fact that she's battled anorexia her entire life and has never been above 8stone

OP posts:
PeriodFeatures · 18/08/2013 13:21

Gosh Famzilla. I think you need to stick to your guns. Choosing no contact is a healthy step sometimes and you will know in yourself when and how you are ready to re establish contact. If it's not now, it's not now. Your DH needs to support you.

This woman's behavior is completely out of order. you don't need me or anyone else to tell you that though.

diddl · 18/08/2013 14:15

" 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."

Then he needs to stick to it.

She doesn't (imo) care about OP or her GD.

Why he thinks his daughter should be subjected to them is quite beyond me.

He's not capable himself of dealing with them!

Famzilla · 18/08/2013 14:40

Well DP has just got back.

Apparently he told her she needs to stop being so blunt & keep her opinions to herself. Blunt! Understatement of the century.

Apparently she feels like she needs to tread on eggshells with me because I never argue back or shout and this is my problem not hers! I refuse to believe that she genuinely believes the things she disagrees with me on are right and when I challenged DP on this he actually agreed she was just being argumentative so wtf??

Apparently she was very understanding though and thinks I need to recover from the upset with my own family. She even offered to babysit DD for us this weekend as its my birthday.

Urghhh. I actually feel worse now, like it's all twisted into me being sensitive and people not being allowed to express an opinion in my presence. Not that she shouts and condescends and upsets my DD.

OP posts:
Famzilla · 18/08/2013 14:41

Also, DP told me he was going to talk to her about the way she talks to everyone. Now it feels like they just sat around and discussed me.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 18/08/2013 14:51

The thing is mintyy that the bank pretty well had no option but to accept formal responsibility because their official procedures meant that the PILs should not have been able to do what they did. The fact remains that the PILs did it in the first place.

I wouldn't go anywhere near her, OP.

Famzilla · 18/08/2013 14:56

According to the bank, the member of staff was being lazy and just put it through in the first surname that came up. It's a very unusual surname.

Still have no idea how they obtained DP's personal details but they are accepting full liability so we can't actually blame PIL's as much as I still think it is their fault

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 18/08/2013 14:59

Oh I would most certainly blame them. Maybe not formally or in writing - but I'd blame them. They are quite poisonous, particularly your MIL.

GailTheGoldfish · 18/08/2013 15:02

The bank account thing was a real shocker. IMO cutting people off if an absolute last resort but I think you had reason enough to do it after that. I hope your DH can find the strength to see what nasty pieces of work your ILs are. And I wouldn't allow my child to be out of my sight visiting someone who doesn't believe in car seats because it won't be long until MIL wants to take her on a little trip...... I'm sure you've considered all the possible consequences. Good luck with it all OP.

diddl · 18/08/2013 15:06

Of course you can blame them-they didn't bother to correct the bank, did they??

SoWorriedPleaseHelp · 18/08/2013 15:25

I find the Santander thing rather "odd". I can not see how an account can be opened in someone elses name even by being "lazy".

I am with Natwest and they have changed the access on their savings accounts. I have had the same savings account for many many years but as I can not use the card to pay from them they do not suit my needs. I wanted to open a basic currant account to use instead and I have had to make an appointment to do this for them to go through all my information.

I really really do not believe it was the cashiers fault and Santander are looking for a quick resolution on it.

Famzilla · 18/08/2013 16:11

I really don't mean to sound rude to anyone but I've explained the Santander thing in as much detail as I want to go into and this thread isn't about that!

I could give the whole sorry story but I would be here til Christmas typing it out on my iPhone.

I just wanted some reassurance that I'm not in the wrong, and after their conversation about me earlier I feel like its all been turned on me.

OP posts:
WhereYouLeftIt · 18/08/2013 16:17

You are absolutely, definitely, categorically NOT in the wrong, OP! What is your DP's history of caving to his mother? She presumably trained him from birth to do so?

Pozzled · 18/08/2013 16:32

Famzilla, I would also be quite concerned hearing your DP's report of their conversation. It sounds like she managed to turn it round to you being oversensitive, stressed out due to the stuff with your family and therefore not able to fight your own battles. It seems as though they were talking about you like a child needing special treatment, not an adult who deserves to be treated with respect.

I don't know whether I'm reading too much into what your DP said though. And if not, I don't know what you could do about it.

Famzilla · 18/08/2013 16:51

Pozzled. That is exactly how I feel, I just couldn't articulate it properly.

OP posts:
Mintyy · 18/08/2013 16:53

Well you seem to have made your mind up Famzilla.

Doha · 18/08/2013 17:19

But she still hasn't offered an apology has she. She can't see that she did anything wrong shouting at you or making DD cry. She is either very very clever and manipulative or so bloody thick she doesn't get it.

I would be more concerned at the apparent U turn of your DP. She now appears to be backtracking about no contact for you and DD.

Stick to your guns, it is YOUR decision if there is contact or not, if DP can't see that or sides with his DM then send him back to her for good. He needs to man up and grow a pair.

EagleRiderDirk · 18/08/2013 17:30

If you wish to placate your dp, but also gave a get out of jail free card then make clear to dp that until she acknowledges her behaviour, apologises for the upset she's causing Dd and makes assurances that there will be no repeat of it again then you will have nothing further to do with her. and you will have to think about Dd, as mil obviously cares little for her the away she acts.

your mil either won't accept that (then tough) or will quickly fail at it (then you can say you've given her another chance for dp but that's it)