Italian mother in law

[shipsinthenight]

Sooooo,

My italian mother in law is complaining that I do not write in italian when I post an update on facebook... I do not feel as this is unreasonable but it is now causing friction with my husband and I.

We lived in Italy for the last 4 years and have 2 DCs. We moved back to the UK because my MIL was stereotypical in the extreme and often turned up shuoting the odds. My husband works away most of the time and I did not need that additional stress from her whilst alone. I learnt italian while there but on a speaking level, no formal schooling and no writing. I don't feel confident writing in italian and do not see why I should write bi-lingual posts. If it is a photo of the kids they can see that anyway.

Should I give in and write something in italian or just block her from my posts?!?

ships

Thinking about it tho, not many families here in the UK live so near their parents/grandparents, tho some still do. I can't get my head round the fact that 3 generations just haven't moved away from a small radius of thieir birth place and there's this matriarchy.. I know a lady, tho friends with me, who must be an absolute bloody interfering nightmare to her grands who live a few roads away. She irons her non-iron stuff too, cos that's what she's always done and therefore decrees that this is the Only and RIght thing to do? We're friends but no way would I like or survive being a rel.

You're kidding right? I have the same problem, French MIL who emails me ridiculous news articles in French and ask for my response, which she wants in French. If I do reply, it's in English. Life is complicated enough!

BTW, MIL speaks no English

I actually think that if you are committed to someone then you should learn to be fluent in their native language for the sake of your partner and their extended friends and family - it is a mark of respect

When I met my DP I started learning Spanish because I wanted to meet and talk to the whole family

As for Facebook, it isn't so important but the MIL probably feels that you should make more of an effort and is wondering what will happen to her grand kids if you don't take Italian seriously. It is a horrible feeling for grandparents to think that they have lost their children and grandchildren to another language and culture

I am Italian and hope I'll never turn into a stereotypical italian MIL!
Do not give in to her ridiculous request, it's a slippery rope towards MIL controlling you.

toffee good for you
mijas I salute your commitment
Mumsy I can tell you completely understand. I do speak italian with her and the extended family. I am not comfortable writing it and after 4 years within her grasp I feel free, she unfortunately is a psychological bully. I do not say all Italian MIL's are like that. My husband agrees which is why he was also keen to move!!