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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:
HermioneWeasley · 31/03/2015 21:35

This has to be a reverse or a wind up?! OP hasn't said anything any sane person would think of as unreasonable!

LifeAndThymes · 31/03/2015 21:35

DILs family don't mind doing Christmas on another day but we can't because of so much family around to fit in with

OP posts:
WestEast · 31/03/2015 21:35

This isn't going to end well for you OP

fourteen · 31/03/2015 21:35

When did they move? How do you know DIL can't be bothered ?

confusedandemployed · 31/03/2015 21:35

Says who, OP? Only you, so far. Your DP is happy apparently, so I'm afraid this is where you have to suck it up.
In some circumstances people would advise making sure your DS knows you are there for him, if he really is in an abusive / controlling relationship. Only thing is, I'm pretty sure your DS knows you're there for him all the bloody time and has no concerns that he is being controlled.

silverstreak · 31/03/2015 21:35

DiL possibly laughs at your concern as she may feel you're being unnecessarily over protective of your adult son...?! And of course she wants to do things her/their way - who's way would toy think she would want to do it - yours?! All natural and normal... You are waaay over invested in what is actually not your business anymore.... Tbh of your views and wants were more important to your adult son than his future wife's it would be weird! Be nice, be interested, but back off or regardless whose "fault" it is you Will lose your son....

pootlebug · 31/03/2015 21:36

Do you go and visit them?

Mrsfluff · 31/03/2015 21:36

It seems to me that you didn't mind him looking an easy life when you were making the decisions for him/advising him. I imagine your DIL finds you quite controlling and is asserting herself so that together they can draw up some boundaries.

Or perhaps he is weak and is looking to marry a woman just like his Mum!?!? Wink

Fairylea · 31/03/2015 21:36

I wouldn't be surprised if your dds dh isn't exactly thrilled at the idea of spending every single christmas with you either to be honest.. I don't mean to sound rude but it's incredibly odd and he probably just puts up with it to keep the peace. Most married families enjoy having the day to themselves or alternating lunch etc with each family. I think you need to make it clear to all your dc including your dd and your ds (not sure if there's more) that it's okay for them to have their own lives and spend Christmas as they wish.

ilovesooty · 31/03/2015 21:36

if DS wants to visit but DIL can't be bothered they won't come

You don't actually know where any reluctance is coming from.

fourteen · 31/03/2015 21:36

If you don't want to be flexible about Christmas OP, then by all means continue as you are.

But don't expect your son and DIL to fall into line with you. If you can't be arsed accommodating them then why would they come at all?

TheLastMan · 31/03/2015 21:37

That's why you need to kake her feel at ease and included.
That's why she needs to feel like she is part of the family.
And that's why you need to accept that it's still his decision not to come on his own if his fiance doesn't want to.

Now tbh, if I go back in time, at that stage of the relatinship, I woud have gone along with my partner/DH. But as time went, we found that some things were better done on our own. And visiting family coud be one of those.

LifeAndThymes · 31/03/2015 21:37

We've visited once yes, but can't often as we're not well off and don't drive, so its a pricey 7 hour coach ride.

OP posts:
soontobemumofthree · 31/03/2015 21:37

I moved much further from my family but we didn't "break apart" we set up our own life together. Just after I got married if I started talking to my Mum about a serious decision (like applying for a job) she'd say "well what does DH say - and if I hadn't talked it through with him she'd gently steer me to deciding with him, not her! She also talked positively or neutrally about lots of decisions we have made which I know she wouldnt have (or I might not have in the past) as she knows we have made the decision. If you looked at the broad outline of my life it would appear I have made lots of decisions to conform to DHs life - and in a way I have, but we have decided together and made a life we chose.

If you have done years of worrying for him and looking after/out for him then I can see the adjustment will be harder. She may be a domineering person but not from the info you have given. Maybe he does like an easy life, or maybe he doesn't mind. Maybe she is actually helping him make the choices he wants to? Maybe it will be all too much her decisions and at a certain point he will want to make more decisions? All of this is not really your business any more.
I hope you can try and be happy for them and accept this is their decision. I can only say I would have been very sad and conflicted if my parents hadn't "let go", only really seeing how much when typing this out!

fourteen · 31/03/2015 21:38

When did they move?

TheLastMan · 31/03/2015 21:38

I would expect your ds to want to spend some time together as a family (his family, fiance and dd) together anyway.

You'll have to ket go of the 'coming on christams day every year' stance. Seriously.

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 31/03/2015 21:39

Mother of 3 ds's here. I feel your pain but you aren't coming over well and it's all 'poor me', you have to back off and accept how things are.

LifeAndThymes · 31/03/2015 21:39

They moved last October

OP posts:
confusedandemployed · 31/03/2015 21:39

But their young family can afford to visit at your say-so?

CrapBag · 31/03/2015 21:39

You really don't get it OP.

Your son is his own person. Not for you to control and have around you like he is a little boy. Sounds to me his partner has got the measure of you.

Nothing in your OP makes me think what you are saying about her is true. Loads of people move away from their families even when they are close. My brother is very close to his mum but he is moving to another country and can't wait. He has his own life that doesn't revolve around his family.

A family that lives together, ie parents and children are a little family. I call DH and my children family as that's what they are so you are being completelying U about that.

Do they always ask for your advice? I am guessing it's not always asked for or wanted but you give it anyway, it's what it sounds like.

Not one person agrees with you. The problem is not your son's partner.

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 31/03/2015 21:39

So they've visited twice, including Christmas, and you've visited once. And they only moved 6 months ago.

I've only seen my mum twice since Christmas and she only lives 20 miles away...

duckbilled · 31/03/2015 21:39

Yabu, you sound like a caring (but overbearing mother) but a awful mil! Your son has started a new family with his fiance and soon to be step daughter, unfortunately you are not his top priority anymore. Please step back and leave them to it or you will push then further away.

youmakemydreams · 31/03/2015 21:40

If I was marrying my exh now I would think you were my ex mil and she was very unreasonable, still is.
Sorry but you news to let go. Exmil says I was always the one in charge. Treats exh like and idiot and was very used to getting her own way. Not true. All I did was give exh a voice and the courage to finally say what he used to fizz about behind her back. She is still so bloody adamant she is right.
The first christmas I didn't host her whole family after hosting every birthday and Christmas for years I was ripped to shreds. We made a decision that she didn't agree with I was the one bitched about. Honestly I think she believes her son isn't capable of wiping his own backside.
The truth? He struggles a bit with thinking for himself because she has always told him what to think but he's learning. She is a part of the reason we are no longer married. She is part of the reason he still calls me up to think for him. He's a great man and father but boy has his mother screwed him up.

Your ds has his own family now. And you really don't seem to think much of him if you believe he is so easily swayed. As for never getting married. I said I wouldn't so did dp but we are this year. Things change. You can meet someone that blows away all the pain that went before.
Your his mum he loves you but he loves his partner too and if you keep competing you will drive a bitter wedge between you and you will lose. I'm sorry but you will.

TheLastMan · 31/03/2015 21:40

Fully garee with mumofthree

LittleBairn · 31/03/2015 21:40

lifeandthyme what age is your DS?