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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think it is too late and refuse contact (warning: a MIL thread)

129 replies

Bearfrills · 04/01/2014 18:19

There's a long history with MIL which I've posted about before. To cut the long story short: DH had a shitty, bordering on neglect, childhood where his sisters were very obviously favoured and he very obviously was not. Throughout our relationship/marriage there have been MIL issues. I can't post them all or this will be miles long. A few stand-outs are her going table to table at our wedding telling everyone what a bitch I am (because we put the buffet table in the 'wrong' place and let FIL, her ex, bring his DP to the wedding), making highly inappropriate comments about our fertility issues and miscarriages (making a to do about 'finally' getting a GC when SIL became pregnant, reminding me on Christmas Day "wouldn't you have been due around about now if you'd kept it?", telling everyone at a birthday party about my 15wk miscarriage and asking them all to talk to me about it so I could 'address my feelings', etc), threatening to kick my head in when I was 14wks pregnant because she was jealous of DB taking DS out for an hour, lots more things I can't even list.

When the DCs came along the relationship got even worse. SIL has DCs the exact same age and gender and MIL favours them greatly, that's her decision and we weren't bothered so long as she spent at least some time with our DCs too as they are also her grandchildren. The reality of it is that she rarely sees them, despite living just down the road (15 minute walk away).

We stopped taking them to her house when she and BIL started making snide comments about then-2yo DS along the lines of "quick, here's DS, hide the toys!" - she has lots of toys at her house but they're specifically for her other GC. Then she would fix the other GC snacks and deliberately exclude DS and DD so they'd have to watch the others eat. She still came to our house to see them, though sporadically. While here she would tell DS all about trips she's taken with the other GC, once she went on and on about how she was taking them to the railway museum. DS excitedly told her "I like trains!" She told him "oh ... Well ... We might take you too ... " but never did despite him asking her several more times. Then she started cancelling visits or saying she was going to visit but not turning up, always because her DP was "ill" yet it would then come back to us that they'd been out with her other GC.

She made plans to come see DS the weekend before his birthday and didn't arrive. I tried ringing, texting and nothing. I was worried something had happened then around 5pm she got in touch to say her DP was really ill and they'd been at the walk-in centre all day. Twenty minutes later she had pictures on Facebook of her day out with the other GC and her very healthy looking DP ...

On DS 4th birthday a few months ago she sent her DP to the house ten minutes after bedtime with a card with £5 in it. On DDs 2nd birthday a few weeks later she arrived at the door all smiles with cards, balloons and a vtech tablet. That's when we decided enough was enough. We told her we couldn't accept the tablet when DS got £5 just three weeks before and that while we already know that she plays favourites between her grandchildren, she will not play favourites with our children, she either treats them equally (or as equally as possible) or not at all.

She massively kicked off, we were ungrateful and spiteful and were depriving DD and so on. Her DP made some really nasty remarks about me being a "grabby bitch". We've never heard from her since and she hasn't returned any attempts to contact her. In November FIL (her ex) asked DH if he would "allow" MIL to have contact with the DCs and offered to pick them up from ours, drop them at MiLs and then return them afterwards. DH pointed out that we have never refused contact, she was the one who stopped contact, he also pointed out that they are children not parcels to be shunted from one house to the other and that we are their parents not FIL - if she wants to see them she needs to contact us. He very much left it in her court, she knows where we live, etc.

Since then there have been two family parties where we were all in attendance and she blanked us and the children. She's made no effort to get in touch and for all FIL claims that she is heartbroken and pining for the children, her behaviour would suggest otherwise.

Now FiL wants to see DH tomorrow, specifically without me or the DCs there, to discuss "access arrangements" for MiL Hmm

DH has told me he doesn't want MIL to have any contact with them as its too late, she's had chance after chance and clearly couldn't give two shits about them. FIL thinks its time that we said sorry (!) for cutting her out and that we should let her back in because she's family. He thinks that its me who has decided to cut her out.

AIBU to agree with DH that its too late and we don't want her in our DCs lives?

OP posts:
BarbarianMum · 04/01/2014 18:40

I honestly cannot imagine how you tolerated her presence in your lives so long. Please do not give her even one more chance to damage your husband and children again.

Even if your dc love her I wouldn't let them within a million miles of her. Lots of children/people love those that abuse them. Your job is to protect them and if your FiL thinks differently then he can take a walk too.

Andanotherthing123 · 04/01/2014 18:41

Just cut her out of your lives - she adds nothing except heart ache and grief. Being someone's mum takes a bit more than the physical act of conceiving them and giving birth. MIL doesn't appear to have added anything to her mothering role other than those two things so you both owe her nothing. And you shouldn't have to put up with her bullying. YANBU.

KingRollo · 04/01/2014 18:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FunkyBoldRibena · 04/01/2014 18:42

Surely you are family too and hence, have a right to say 'no', even if it wasn't your husband saying 'no' as well. How does she get to be family, whereas you don't?

Anyway, he is going to go and say 'actually dad, it's me that said enough is enough, so you are flogging a dead horse here' isn't he?

toastedteacake · 04/01/2014 18:44

YANBU

Your MIL is a very manipulative lady and by the sound of it is used to getting her own way on her own terms.

She has found that her usual bullying tactics are not working so is rallying the troops (FIL) to help her get what she wants. If that does not work she will escalate further. She will enlist further members of the family and denigrate your characters to all who will listen.

You are far better off without contact and your children will thank you for protecting them from her abusive behaviour one day.

NakedTigarCub · 04/01/2014 18:54

Ask your dh how he truly feels and then ask him to put it in writing and give to fil and mil.

Put exsamples dates and how this has affected your family and then at the bottom state how you want to go foreward so we want no contact with mil and her dp or these are our conditions of contact only. I would not let this women have unsupervised contact with my children and if she is late for contact or hurts or messes with them that would be her last chance.

You say no to fil or your dh shows a united front with you so he listens then tells him he will discuss it with his family and let them know. Or I cant answer as its a family desission I will let you know. Show them you will not be divided or back track or down.

Its your dh place to explaine the above to fil and tell him to keep out of it.

Upyourbumscum · 04/01/2014 19:01

The woman is a cunt and you don't want the kids to see her. Best off just telling fIL that really. Why would you knowingly put your kids in a position where they will be treated so badly? Watching others eat with nothing for them??? I don't have the words.

greenfolder · 04/01/2014 19:04

Manipulative drama llamas do not improve lives.

NigellasDealer · 04/01/2014 19:04

she sounds like a poisonous old trout who will do your children no good.
actually i do not know why you are even contemplating it.
your fil needs putting right too.

Bearfrills · 04/01/2014 19:13

Thanks everyone, it's actually reassuring to see I'm not being unreasonable!

DH is adamant it's a no go, we're going to have a proper chat about it when then DCs go to bed but he's already given me the gist of his opinion. He also says he's also going to be having a chat with his dad about what is and isn't his business and reminding him that its actually unfair on him (FIlL) for MIL to put him in the middle like this.

DD is only 2yo so doesn't have much of an opinion either way but last time MIL did see her she did the shy toddler thing (clinging to me, hiding her face) and it took her ages to actually get down and play. DS is 4yo and always used to be excited to see MIL but his excitement has tapered off and he didn't even seem bothered about her behaviour at the parties but when we saw her car a few days later he told me "that's grandma's car", I replied that it was, "I don't like grandma cos she doesn't like me". I was Sad that he thinks like that but it's become a factor in our decision as we don't want him to feel unliked (obviously its a fact of life that not everyone will like him and he'll have to learn that eventually but is rather he didn't learn it this way) and we don't want DD being given ideas that she's worth more than her brother just because she's a girl.

I'm due DC3 in a few weeks and I think that's why she suddenly wants contact, squishy new baby to enjoy and all that.

OP posts:
NewtRipley · 04/01/2014 19:16

Good luck. Stay strong.

GinSoakedMisery · 04/01/2014 19:21

Hello matey pie

You already know my opinion on this, you're doing the right thing and about time. She doesn't deserve yours or your gorgeous children's attention, she is not worth the air space.

She is a poisonous toad and best to stay away from her and her and her nasty ways.

DamnBamboo · 04/01/2014 19:22

YADNBU.
She sounds like a horrid, horrid person.
Your poor boy!

Cut her off, completely - your children deserve better.

blahe · 04/01/2014 19:24

sounds like FIL is still enabling MIL.

It sounds like you have a solid stable family base with your DH and DC - something that is rare in these circumstances.

I wouldn't want to risk anyone rocking that and as it is your DH mother and HE is the one who is wanting to go no contact then I really think you should continue to stand solidly together and refuse to entertain having anything to do with her.

NewtRipley · 04/01/2014 19:29

Yy blahe. That sums it up perfectly.

StrangeGlue · 04/01/2014 19:31

Fil needs to back off. If mil wants access she can apologise, come to your house and be pleasant. The ball is in her court though I agree she'd have to do a total 180 and it's likely to be too little too late.

There is no way I would allow my kids to be taken without me or dp to her.

CinnamonPorridge · 04/01/2014 19:31

Your ds already picked up her negative vibes from her, it's time to cut contact I think.

I can relate to the favourite gc scenario and it doesn't do your dc any good, especially when so young. We also had the £5 birthday card thing and then a £100 birthday present for favourite gc.

Your dh is right. You don't need those people in your life.

RubyGoat · 04/01/2014 19:33

Tell your FIL what your DS said about not liking his GM because she doesn't like him. Ask FIL, how come a four year old can see it, but FIL can't?

sykadelic15 · 04/01/2014 19:34

Id be really interested to see how tomorrow's conversation goes.

I too would have cut her off after the wedding thing but ESPECIALLY after the miscarriage comments. Wow.

I also agree needs to be told EXACTLY what the go is, including DH's memories of his sad childhood. I get so sick of hearing "that's just how she is, you get used to it". It is NEVER okay to "get used to" bad behaviour and if she wasn't family you'd have cut her off long ago and everyone would have supported it. Family doesn't have special rules.

LunaticFringe · 04/01/2014 19:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HissyNewYear · 04/01/2014 19:37

No no no no no!

She treats your DC like second class citizens. And furthermore treats one child less than the other!

The railway museum thing is awful! The making them watch the other DC eat is diabolically cruel. For that reason alone you need to keep her at as large a distance as poss from everyone you care about. Trust your H, and let him refuse to go to the meeting, and refuse to entertain any contact.

Mellowandfruitful · 04/01/2014 19:38

Cheering your DH on. It's good that he is prepared to have this out withg your interfering FIL. No contact anymore is the right decision. You will only get more awful treatment from her, why put yourselves and your DC through it? It's not like she hasn't had enough chances!

WooWooOwl · 04/01/2014 19:38

What has life been like since you haven't had to have conte with her? I'm guessing it must have been horrible at the family parties, but what about the rest of the time?

If your DH hasn't missed her and you haven't had to stress about her, then there is absolutely no reason why you should see her again.

I think your DH needs to write a list of all the reasons he doesn't want contact and of everything she has done to make him feel that way. Then he won't forget anything when he has the conversation with his Dad.

RedToothBrush · 04/01/2014 19:45

This phrase is the killer for me - "access arrangements"

She has no rights to your children. By phrasing it like this, she is trying to a) make out she has b) make it into a 'custody' issue in which she has power c) gain sympathy from others and use them to bargain on her behalf (because she now knows you won't take any more shit from her) d) basically manipulate you into feeling guilty.

The use of other family members is another tactic to aid the above.

Its up to HER to make the effort. Your DH should point blank refuse to discuss it with anyone else BUT her. The FIL should be told in no uncertain terms that you are happy to discuss, but she needs to make the effort and stick to it.

DisgraceToTheYChromosome · 04/01/2014 19:48

Just a thought: if DH writes to her at any point, he should address her as Mrs XXX, make no reference to their relationship, warn her that civil action for harassment is being contemplated and sign off purely by name.