In thinking MIL is seriously overstepping

[Fairy1303]

I have posted similar before.

DSD(8) lives with us. Before me DH was a young single parent so MIL helped him a lot. As a result I have been more lenient with her blatant disregard for our family life.

We also have a 9 week old DS.

These things seem small, but she often lets herself into my house. She makes a beeline for DSDs room ( often with a brief you don't mind do you?... Over her shoulder), cleans it up, collects her laundry, makes her bed.

DSD went to stay for a few days over hols. Decided she didn't like a belt on some trousers. MIL "oh DSD says she doesn't like belt, so I have kept it." Why? Why not send it home and let me deal with it??

She 'popped' round today, asked me if she could take the children's washing home. Was visibly surprised and annoyed when I said I'd done it. Just to point up here - I'm not the type to have mountains of laundry piling up, she will literally leap on a few pairs of pants.

She also said "by the way, I'd you know the baby has a drs app on tues? I saw the note in your nappy bag. Who does she think made it????!!!

I may be sleep deprived over sensitive but this is lik, every other day. She is overstepping the mark isn't she??

It is constant. I feel that she thinks I am incapable, which I'm not.

Oh and we have lived together for 4 years now so I'm hardly new on the scene!

You sound like you are coping very well to me.

I know I keep talking about my MIL, but she sounds very much of a type with yours.

I did my best for years to get along with her, to find a compromise, to bite my tongue for the sake of not rocking the boat.

When I finally stopped putting her feelings first while she trampled all over mine, all hell broke loose, much as you have described.

And my big mistake was to try and reason or argue with her. I thought it might help her understand but she didn't want to. It didn't matter to her what I did or said, it was fuel to her fire and that was all good in her eyes.

When I eventually realised that I was not getting though to her, I stopped trying. My actual words were falling on deaf ears and she was just taking them and using them against me rather than listening.

That was when I realised that she would never change her behaviour, which is what I was hoping for, but that I could change mine.

I blocked her number, returned her letters unopened, refused to see her and left DH to deal with her as he chose. And because I had issues with the way she treated DS, I stopped PILs from seeing him too. That was a hard decision but I believe necessary. And I made it clear to everybody that I would not change my mind until she had changed the way she was behaving.

She still hasn't, she still seems to think that pushing and bullying and making people feel guilty and crying and making demands is the best way to force people to want to be with her.

I hope it doesn't get that extreme in your case, but to be honest it sounds like it's well on the way. I hope your DH is being supportive and can continue to be in the face of the onslaught.

But please don't feel ashamed about your PND or believe you are a crap mum. You are not.

Oh dear OP - I'd been hoping DH had had words and she's accepted she needed to step back a bit.

Really sorry to hear that she has turned so nasty. Really sorry also to hear that you have PND

Please don't think you're a bad mum, you sound like a very good mum and stepmum to me.

Take care of yourself, I'm glad DH is being supportive.

This is exactly what I thought your MIL would do...and things will probably get a little worse before they get better...shes like a toddler having a tantrum...be consistent stick with it and things will get better.

As for you you are not a crap mum at all...please dont believe that.

You will make it through this :)

xxx

She won't go to a doc because they don't tend to treat manipulation like an illness

Block her. And make sure your DH stays onside. He sounds great. OP you are clearly a fab Mum, to both your children. They're very lucky to have you. Best of luck as you get through the PND.

Hows things with you Fairy?

Things are ok thanks, the abusive ranting messages have stopped now since DH stepped in and I have welcomed the break. DSD has been asking when we are next seeing granny as she hasn't seen her in so long so I am going to have to contact to arrange some sort of visit soon but I am putting it off at the mo!

Also wanted to say thank you for all your support, you have all been amazing. For a while there I thought I might be going a bit crazy getting so upset with her and you gave me the push needed to make some desperately needed changes x

Ah Fairy.

Well done your DH. My OH still very much panders to his mother - but he has seen the light these last few months and I have put my foot down with the constant calls, guilt trips to go visit every other day etc etc. It is different for us, because OH father passed away some 3 years ago, so she relies on him for the littlest of things. It is important to know that he is one of 4 boys - two of which she see's 4-5 times a year at most and they live closer to her than us?

Anyway! Enjoy your quiet time, and remember that her behaviour is very un natural - and controlling. It will calm down and blow over xx

Sounds like things are looking up. Take you time. Enjoy the feeling of freedom!

Glad to hear your DH has stepped in!

As for DSD seeing Granny why don't you arrange to meet her somewhere other than your home so she has no chance of falling into old habits! Maybe you could say you are going to the park, going for a walk somewhere, going window shopping in town and say she is welcome to join you. Or failing that, can your DH take DSD to see Granny at her house so you can enjoy some peace and quiet at home?

What a relief! Well done Mr Fairy. :)

Perhaps arrange the meet up on neutral territory, tea and cake or something.

Phew, so glad your DH has sorted it out.

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