I love my in laws but....

[OhMyArsingGodInABox]

They flap about things. They offered us a manky old wardrobe that had been in their spare room since 1974 to clean up and use for dd.

We said we'd have it, and then they spent the next week phoning us every single evening asking when we were coming to get it.

Dh borrowed their spare watering can a week ago (we've bought one now) and they have again been flapping asking for it back. Dh said, 'sorry, I didn't realise you needed it' and mil said 'we don't, but you've finished with it'.

They call most days and it's usually to remind us to do something, like water our grass as the suns been out (hence the offer of a watering can ) or change out eBay passwords because it was on the news or to tell us they've saved a coupon for 25p off butter for us that we need to collect from them.

They mean well and I do adore them but they are driving me batshit at the moment. It's stifling. Mil called this morning to ask dh when he's picking up the spare lawn mower blades they've found for him. We don't need them, but she thinks our grass needs a better cut.

Can we have a 'my pils drive me completely banaynay because...' thread to lighten my mood?

Mine are a little like this but not as bad as yours so am going to be a little more thankful!

Sounds like mine, retired and not much going on in their lives so they obsess about very minor things that don't even register with us.

Mine are fab but increasingly eccentric.

FIL collects elastic bands and makes them into giant balls of elastic bands. Why?

They love DH and SIL and have done a fantastic job with them- both are well-balanced, kind, considerate, funny adults.

Since we told them I am pregnant, MIL has been emailing me articles about parenting and babies. One last week was about overcoming problems with breastfeeding and how it is the best thing for babies- she knows I am not going to breastfeed but thinks I should.

FIL told DH he has bought us a pile of second hand baby gros at a church sale. It's our first baby and we can afford new ones. He has also bought us a 'baby bouncer' - not even sure what it is but he got it at the same church sale. I have said about is getting new ones but he said 'You'll find you go through a lot'. Has also bought us some knitted baby clothes from the Knitting Circle at church.

DH just says 'Great Dad. Thanks Mum', and I feel mean but I don't want the things and I am not going to be pressured into breastfeeding.

They are lovely and we get on really well- at a distance of 130 miles- but I am feeling there could be conflict ahead!

My current gripe with MIL is her absolute inability to eat a meal at home. Every meal - including breakfast - must be eaten in a cafe or restaurant. She stayed for four days recently just before I gave birth and it cost us about £250 - would have been more but she paid for some herself (though we paid for most).

She's coming back in a week to "help" now I've had DS and we're going to have to start saying no, we can't afford it and actually when it's every meal, every day, and you have a toddler and a newborn, it becomes a hassle not a pleasure.

lulu knitted things can be really lovely for babies. I do understand that you don't want second hand things,just smile & nod. Give them to charity once pfb is here.
The breast feeding thing is annoying though.

Mu MIL seems incapable of providing a meal at a normal time. I am in no way strict about timings but with DDs both small sitting there at 6pm stating aim is for 6.30 tea - we're having cottage pie but the potatoes haven't been peeled yet so 6.30 is NOT going to happen. Then 3 year old DD did very well lasting till 8.30 but seriously! And apparently 2.00 is an 'early' lunch. I just make sure I have snacks with us now as the combo of hungry, tired and their small house can make for very cranky girls. Thing is she isn't stupid - she is genuinely very caring and lovely but has no concept of how long things take. Then she blames the oven! Infuriating.

Yadnbu, op.

My dad got like this, I loved him and like your PILs he was at heart a lovely, lovely person, but as you say it can be stifling and it stops you in a sense having an adult relationship as the sub text is they see you as naughty children.

Are you my BIL's wife Pobble?

Ha! No!

I have no idea why in laws don't seem to trust that you can run your own household.

My mum is like this. It's annoying but I think they just want to be useful and maybe they are a bit lonely?

Be kind .

I do know what you mean though! I make a joke of it and she gets the message but my poor Sil is very polite and ends up bearing the brunt of it. Hehehe