Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Think future DIL is trying to separate us from our DS

485 replies

LifeAndThymes · 31/03/2015 20:55

DS moved out from our home about 4 years ago, to set up home with his then girlfriend, which we were over the moon about. However she subsequently cheated on him, several times, and, understandably, they split up. Only 5 months later he started dating another young woman and she moved in with him after 8 months together which I thought was fast, especially as she had a daughter, 7 years old at the time, but she seemed very nice and sweet so I was happy for DS. Since then however I've started to see a different side of her and worry she's trying to take over DS's life and stop him being so close to his family, especially as DS is so gentle and will do anything for anyone so might be a 'soft touch' for her to control.

It's difficult to make clear what I mean as it's every day/week things but some major things are;

They moved 170 miles away 6 months ago when DS had always lived in the same town, with all his close family and friends and most of his extended family here, and he'd never before even hinted at wanting to move away.

They got engaged last month when I know DS wasn't at all keen before on marriage after the betrayal of his last girlfriend, so I'm assuming she instigated the idea. They're already talking about dates in a year or so, so it's not a long engagement type thing.

They came to us for Christmas last year but mentioned about having to alternate Christmas Day between our family and her parents as we're now too far away to do both in one day, which left me reeling as we've always spent Christmas together as a family, DD and her now DH have been happy to do the same (SonIL sees his mother in the evening but they live close to us). No idea what Christmas will be like without DS, and DIL-to-be hinted that they might have some Christmases for just the 3 of them so I don't know how many family ones we'll even have.

On a smaller but far more frequent scale I feel DIL constantly tries to control my DS's life and doesn't want any input from me or my DH (DS's father) to interrupt that. Often I'll suggest something to DS or give some (asked for) advice and he'll genuinely agree and then 9 times out of 10 he'll come back later having spoken to DIL and say 'oh we've decided something different' as she seems to run his life for him. She talks for him some times, seems to decide a lot for both of them even if it's something mainly concerning DS, and is very stubborn/strong willed,eg I was harmlessly ribbing DS one day about a silly mistake he'd made and she roundly told me off as if I was a child!

Really feel as though we're being pushed out, DIL regularly refers to DS, her and her daughter as 'our family' and we seem to be more and more like acquaintances. Worried that soon we'll be completely out of his life.

OP posts:
molyholy · 31/03/2015 21:19

Yabvvvvvu. You are basically saying that you don't want dil controlling your ds, as that is your job!!! I hope suspect this is a reverse

fourteen · 31/03/2015 21:20

Chargrilled OP anyone? Smile

biffyboom · 31/03/2015 21:20

Yabu.
You sound controlling. Your son is an adult. He can choose to live where he wants. He can choose to spend his time with whom he wants. They are a family unit. Of course you are still his family, just not his primary family anymore. That's what happens when children grow up.

LifeAndThymes · 31/03/2015 21:21

Absolutely not a reverse, although it looks like I haven't explained well at all! Msgrinch, small world - they moved to Lancashire if that helps narrow it down without identifying anyone?

I completely understand everyone wants to live their own life and I want DS to have his own family but he's not always been strong, he had health issues for years so I'm worried he's easy to influence, not weak willed but rather preferring an easy life. I don't mind at all that DIL already had a dd, I liked DIL to start with but its gone downhill since. It's less the Christmas issue, although that's hard to adjust to, but more feeling like them being a family means we can't be part of their family any more. She'll do things like laugh straight at me when I show concern for DS about anything, insists on doing everything her way etc.

OP posts:
Quitelikely · 31/03/2015 21:21

What is a reverse? I genuinely don't know! Blush

soontobemumofthree · 31/03/2015 21:22

If he is going to make a go of this relationship he and her HAVE to make decisions together. Not make decisions with his mother by phone! His girlfriend and her daughter will be his family. She will be his next of kin.

He wouldn't feel like marriage after his last girlfriend cheated on him, but it is possible he changed his mind because he wants to get married, unless you have other information.

So based on the info you have given YABU. Please try to see what he sees in her.

FrankTurnersGuitar · 31/03/2015 21:23

Yes you are being unreasonable, very.
Just maybe your son is making his own decisions and choices, you are choosing to frame them as all her doing.
It must be hard to let go but holding on so tight is good for nobody.
You sound resentful.

TelephoneEggGnawingMachine · 31/03/2015 21:24

DIL-to-be wants to spend some Christmases with her family, & some with just her partner & child!? I'm discusted & appauled.

honeyroar · 31/03/2015 21:24

Sorry but I agree with the majority. You are being very "set in the past" and not understanding that children grow up and have lives/families of their own. Of course she is going to refer to your DS and her daughter as her family, so is he, they are a family! Of course she is going to want to see her mother and father at Xmas too sometimes, and of course they may well want Christmas at home too. I feel most sorry for your son in law's family in this story, they get the worst deal, yet it hasn't even crossed your mind.

I hope that you can calm down and they and accept your son's choices or you will push yourself out.

AdoraBell · 31/03/2015 21:24

OP you can't assume that your adult son does not want To Get married because of a past Failed relationship. When I met my DH I was sworn off men for Life and had remained resolutley single for 6 years, he was just out of a long marriage where his wife cheated repetadly and was not looking for another relationship. It took us five years together To reach the stage of wanting To Get married, but it did happen.

Your son is an adult and he now has a family of his own which consists of himself, his partner and a child. In just the same way that when you had children it was you, your husband and your child.

And are you sure that your son-in-law and his parents are happy with the Chritsmas arrangements? Is there not the posibility that his mother might feel that his wife is preventiva him from spending Christmas with them To please you?

LittleBairn · 31/03/2015 21:24

What age is your DS?

fourteen · 31/03/2015 21:24

If your son has had health issues do you think you are perhaps more overprotective of him than is usual?

Even with your latest post I can't see what she is doing that is so awful. Do you have any other examples?

LifeAndThymes · 31/03/2015 21:25

Maybe I was wrong to mention Christmas, I meant it more to show what moving away has resulted in, DILs own parents will see her a granddaughter less too now, breaking 2 families apart

OP posts:
LittleBairn · 31/03/2015 21:26

Can you explain why you feel you have more of a right to have them every Christmas Day over you DILs family?

confusedandemployed · 31/03/2015 21:26

Sorry OP I think you explained it very well, but you just don't like the answer. And even if she isn't to your liking - well, unless she is controlling or abusive, that's just tough.
Perhaps his illness has meant that you're a bit to overly involved in his life mollycoddling ?

fourteen · 31/03/2015 21:26

What sort of concern are you showing for DS, that she laughs at?

What you've posted seems all to be about your attitude and reactions, rather than about anything that they're actually doing.

TheLastMan · 31/03/2015 21:26

From what you say, I think there is nothing abnormal there. Actually, I've done exactely the same (bar the moving away. I had already done that) and I'm still very close to my parents.

Whne children move away, they do change and get different ideas. It's nomral and part of becoming an adult in hos own right.

I agree that what seems to be the biggest problem for you is the move 170 miles away. Which is far and not that far away (I move countries!).
The main thing is that your ds is now an adult who is chosing to live his life the way he wants. You really need to let go and enjoy him as an adult and not as the teenager he was 9who was close by, was asking for advice and following it etc...).

Enjoy the fact he has grown up so much and that he is clearly happy with his bf :)

ambientolf · 31/03/2015 21:27

YABU.

fourteen · 31/03/2015 21:27

How is moving away "breaking two families apart"?

You are being very melodramatic.

Jessica2point0 · 31/03/2015 21:27

OP, your DS and DIL do get to do things their way. They are a new family. You and your DH will always be part of their extended family, but it is good and right that your DH has found someone he loves enough to put them first. Please try to accept the new situation and welcome your DIL, otherwise you risk alienating both of them. If you make it a battle, you will (most likely) lose.

LifeAndThymes · 31/03/2015 21:28

My soon in law only has his mother and she used to hit him, his grandparents mostly raised him so there's little love lost there, she seems to get quick duty visits which I'd hate but I can understand why. I've never beaten anyone, never done anything like that so why do I get relegated to duty visits and calls when DIL approves?

OP posts:
Eigg · 31/03/2015 21:29

Where's Hak, this thread seems right up her street?

I'd love to hear her opinion?

CloserToFiftyThanTwenty · 31/03/2015 21:29

Are you my MiL 15 years ago?

TheLastMan · 31/03/2015 21:29

xpost.

You can't stop him having his own family though! Children are SUPPOSED to move away and create their own family. Not stay close to their mum and dad forever and ever.
Well not in our world and our time (It was the case in the 1950 though)

evelynj · 31/03/2015 21:29

Sorry OP. But YABU. You need to realise that it's NONE of your business what he does & get used to being treated as an acquaintance. The more you push, the more you'll push them away. Treat them as a family unit & they'll treat you better.

If he ever asks or hints directly to you about his relationship issues, you could reassure him that you'll always be there if he needs you or if he wants to talk-whatever. Please please please don't make an issue of Christmas. It's hard enough for couples who do t live the same country or even town as both sets of parents. If you want brownie points, offer to have a Christmas substitute day on an alternative date, (a couple of weeks before Christmas works best for me & I actually like Christmas)

And last but not least, please treat her child as though she is your grandchild as far as buying presents eat for. Good luck & hope you struggle through.

Also, it seems like you should adopt the attitude that they are together for life if they are planning on getting married. It sounds as if you expect them to split up at any minute. Fake it til you make it!