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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

MIL and being obese TWO

252 replies

YellowBlinds · 24/01/2017 10:16

original thread

Hi, I know a few people didn't like the title before and I'm sorry for repeating it but I figured it would be the best marker, as its what I used before Confused. Honestly, no offence intended.

OP posts:
girlelephant · 25/01/2017 23:36

Thinking of you Yellow. Flowers

Oddsockspissmeoff · 26/01/2017 01:26

I appreciate it's complex, but I would be very very cross at him taking her out to dinner and having friendly chats.

Clutterbugsmum · 26/01/2017 08:19

They tried the coming down hard approach all that happen is MIL faked a heart attach and insulted Yellow. So now they are trying a different approach.

Yellow and her DH need to find an approach that works for them, they can't just go NC they live a few doors apart. Do you not think if they did that Yellow would have to cope with MIL following her around shouting at her every time she leaves the house. Because lets face it if MIL prepared to sit and eat her dinner on Yellow doorstep she is capable of doing anything.

YellowBlinds · 26/01/2017 09:12

So DH took MIL out to a local pub for dinner last night - the premise being that it was "neutral ground".

He explained that he was deeply upset by her behaviour towards me and in general. He explained that I was working and shouldn't be disturbed unless in an emergency. He went at great lengths to define emergency to her. He told her that if her behaviour continued, we would move. He told her that she was welcome to prearrange meet ups with her, but she was no longer welcome to pop around at her convenience. Her key would not be returned to her. (Unbeknownst to her, FIL now has a key, which he keeps in his wallet). DH also told her that if she ever insulted me again, we would move - he said that it was unacceptable to speak to or about anyone like that, least of all his wife. He told her how incredibly angry and disappointed that made him feel and he couldn't imagine how I had felt.
He said he loved her, and enjoyed spending time with her like on Saturday, where there was no drama.

She interrupted him a LOT apparently, and cried. At one point she got hysterical so DH simply stood up, and turned to leave and she immediately calmed down. He said that if she caused drama, he would simply leave. That seemed to get her to listen better.

They got back about 9ish last night and, after asking DH, MIL actually came to the door and apologised for calling me a bitch. She said it "all got a bit much" and that shed been "very wound up" so Im not sure she fully took responsibility but still.

Hopefully she won't disturb me today, DH has given me strict instructions to ignore her if she does.

DH has a very quiet yet forceful manner, tbh I'd have probably cried if he had told me I'd disappointed him.

Let's see how it goes.

I hope I've explained it properly.

OP posts:
YellowBlinds · 26/01/2017 09:14

I've just reread that and its appallingly written. Sorry, my sleep is all out of whack and I'm a bit zombie like.

OP posts:
Kadena127 · 26/01/2017 09:19

Been lurking on your threads since the outset and i have to say you are much more patient than I would have been with her. Glad your DH has given her a good talking to, hope she stays away Flowers

BeautyGoesToBenidorm · 26/01/2017 09:23

Was it really wise to give FIL a key? Does she ever have access to his wallet? My concern would be her finding it!

I really feel for you OP Flowers What an awful, exhausting situation.

PickAChew · 26/01/2017 09:24

Don't worry, yellow, what you've written makes sense.

And fwiw, I think you're taking the right approach. Feeding her need for drama isn't going to solve anything.

HelenRose1111 · 26/01/2017 09:25

Yellow -both you and DH deserve a medal.
I really hope this works out for you & you have a peaceful remainder of the week -life-

YellowBlinds · 26/01/2017 09:25

i have to say you are much more patient than I would have been with her

Its DH. I wouldn't have handled it that way. He's a very calm, measured person who...works at his own pace. Drives me insane sometimes. But that's why he's best at a job with people and I prefer to be antisocial and work in my own little space.
In some ways its lucky I've been so busy recently as I've not had time to dwell on it

OP posts:
YellowBlinds · 26/01/2017 09:27

Was it really wise to give FIL a key? not sure, but we feel more comfortable with one being nearby. He has a little zip pocket inside his wallet, its quite unlikely that she'll find it. She doesn't really engage with him much anyway.

OP posts:
MrDacresEUSubsidy · 26/01/2017 09:28

Well done - sounds like a bit of progress. FIL having the key is the acid test; if she turns up uninvited then you need to change the locks and tell FIL that he won't be having a key back because he can't be trusted with it.

Let's hope that this is the start of better behaviour. I'd keep Rightmove open on a tab in your browser window though Grin

LaContessaDiPlump · 26/01/2017 09:29

Top marks to your DH - he clearly has your back! I think that he - and you - are handling this superbly. I hope your MIL doesn't disappoint you both by behaving poorly again.

Definitely not dementia as I may have suggested earlier on in the thread if she can accept feedback and regulate herself like that! Grin

SecretSix · 26/01/2017 09:33

Oh yellow what a nightmare, I wondered how you were doing. Hope MIL has the message now. You're making perfect sense, don't worry about that.

Flowers
girlelephant · 26/01/2017 09:44

Hopefully this will trigger the change you & DH desperately need! Really hope it works out and if it doesn't you are united as a couple in needing to move

Blondeshavemorefun · 26/01/2017 09:50

I'm glad dh has had a chat and in controlled circumstances

Clearly mil has never been told no and seems to behave like a toddler stropping - but can obv calm down quickly if pulled on it

Least she apologised (kind of)

Guess time will be the test

If she appears at your door at all week days while working then you know you need to move

Hopefully she will behave and not appear today or tomorrow and you can meet up Saturday /Sunday for lunch and have a nice time

Toomuchginger · 26/01/2017 09:59

Wow! Top marks to your husband! Tell me, how did his mother attempt to justtify such behaviour? I would love to know what goes on in the minds of people who do this?

ASDismynormality · 26/01/2017 10:00

What a stressful situation. I really hope your MIL 'behaves' from now on but I would still keep an eye on properties that are at least not within walking distance.

Mummyoflittledragon · 26/01/2017 10:06

This sounds like a very positive outcome. I think you should also give yourself a lot of credit for dealing with the situation calmly and in a measured way. Even before your dh intervened, you didn't blow up at her. You sound like a great team. Long may the situation continue.

MadameCholetsDirtySecret · 26/01/2017 10:08

Your DH has responded very well. That said I would still be calling and estate agent to get a valuation now. This kind of crazy doesn't just disappear.

August1984 · 26/01/2017 10:09

It sounds like DH did well and in a calm and mature manner that i could never have managed, and it sounds like you love him a lot, which is lovely. Smile

Though if she does come round again uninvited now after that chat, for any reason, (as she did on the Sunday after he saw her on the Saturday) it means that she will literally never change her behaviour. Scary thought.

FurryLittleTwerp · 26/01/2017 10:18

Time will tell, I suppose!

Twopeapods · 26/01/2017 10:29

Well done mryellow
Hopefully now things will be a lot less stressful going forward and she has got the message. Just watch that it doesn't start sliding gradually back into the way things were as she might just give it a cooling off period before trying to start the nonsense up again.

justilou · 26/01/2017 10:44

Actually Yellow - I think you and your DP are being very, very clever in the way that you are handling her. Toddler training techniques will probably work with her. It sounds like the worst thing for her is being ignored, so rewarding "positive" behavior with your attention, and withdrawing it when she's not toeing the line will probably make a massive difference to her behavior. I think if you were to go off like a frog in a sock any time she was intrusive/insensitive/rude, etc would continue the cycle, as negative attention is still attention, and she would love to portray herself as an innocent victim. Well done to both you and your DP!!!

August1984 · 26/01/2017 10:47

This from justilou ^^ Star