Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

MIL destroying my marriage

165 replies

amberlabamba · 28/03/2017 00:35

Very long story short. MIL had been living with us 90% of the time since we got married 5 years ago - from the day we got back from honeymoon...Plan was to have her accommodation renovated but has not happened due to not working and not getting planning permission. I expressly said that I did not want to live with her and wanted a family. I am now at the end of my tether. My house is not my own and I do not feel comfortable there - nothing is mine down to fixtures and fittings! I am 'greeted' when I get home from my new stressful job and then 'watched' while I cook!. The money that was there to renovate the house has disappeared - used because DH did not have a job for 3 years... I don't even want to be there anymore and our relationship has been seriously affected. Yet, no matter what I say - cry, beg, encourage and plea, get angry - nothing ever changes. I even left 2 years ago to no avail. I offered to pay for the renovation from money I was left from my dad and still nothing has happened. Am I being a mug? I am now 38 with no children of my own and no prospect of change :( :( ;(

OP posts:
amberlabamba · 28/03/2017 01:18

Thank you so much - I don't want the equity - I just want to be happy!

OP posts:
Jemimapiddleduck · 28/03/2017 01:21

I think you need to look out for you. You have time to be happy - go for it!

user1489677782 · 28/03/2017 01:24

Take care of yourself. I am not asking details but with the inheritance and your income would you be financially secure if you walked away from the equity in the house?

Happiness is to be desired but being skint is not so happy. It would be good for your own life to get rid of the burden of H and Mil.

Tartyflette · 28/03/2017 01:26

So am I right in thinking the house has a possible 'granny annexe' or similiar that was originslly planned for your MIL, which is why she helped with the deposit? But permission for the alterations was refused/money was tight?
I don't think that necessarily has any bearing on whether you stay or go, if you just want to get out. But It may do if you feel you have some equity in the property, ( you could well be entitled to something if you leave anyway). They can help you explore your options. Best of luck.
So don't let it stop you going -- but it looks like you do need to see a solicitor and explain the whole thing to them.

amberlabamba · 28/03/2017 01:27

I have my own money .. it's really not about money .. I have a good job and money saved. Money is not an issue at all. It's about wanting the dreams ... and happiness.

OP posts:
Tartyflette · 28/03/2017 01:28

Sorry, should say a solicitor could explain your options

amberlabamba · 28/03/2017 01:29

The 'annexe' needs planning permission which I have paid for but has not been done despite my input and much encouragement.

OP posts:
KittyWindbag · 28/03/2017 01:29

They won't change. Your dreams have fallen by the wayside and they don't care. Get out now if you still want a chance at those dreams.

amberlabamba · 28/03/2017 01:32

My MIL sold her property to buy with us 5 years ago leaving plenty of money for the renovations - the money was then spent because DH did not have a job for 3 years.

OP posts:
amberlabamba · 28/03/2017 01:34

Now the expectation is that I pay for the renovations with my inheritance...

OP posts:
Tartyflette · 28/03/2017 01:35

I can't see anything to keep you there, then, if your DH is saying he no longer wants what you both wanted - a family and your own home.
It sounds as if your marriage is effectively over. Sad

Lynnm63 · 28/03/2017 02:01

If it were me I'd put the house on the market, sell, take the half that you're entitled to and let your husband live with his mummy. 38 isn't old, time to get out and find someone else.

Good luck. First stop solicitor to get good legal advice but do not spend your inheritance on this house.

Neverknowing · 28/03/2017 02:10

I really doubt any things going to change op. I would leave, sounds awful!! You're wasting your life and money on them both. Good luck.

HerRoyalNotness · 28/03/2017 02:34

They can expect all they like, doesn't mean a thing!
Take your inheritance, savings and good job and set yourself up alone. Leave your H and his mum to it.

Atenco · 28/03/2017 02:38

If you want happiness, get out now. The happiness won't be instant of course, but it is the only way you are likely to get it.

What woman in her right mind moves in with a newly-wed couple?

Rainbunny · 28/03/2017 02:54

OP, here's a stranger's view of your situation.

  1. You have been in this miserable situation asking your DH to meet you halfway to make things better for years and he refuses. It's done OP, the only option is to leave or accept that things will NEVER change. Sorry.

  2. You had an open marriage apparently and you became involved with the outside person who was invited into your marriage, even if it was just for sex reasons this was always a potential risk. Your DH had a right to feel betrayed but he doesn't get to hold that over you into perpetuity. If he accepted you back he actually had a duty to try and make it work and work through it with you. Stop beating yourself up about that.

  3. You don't sound too concerned about the finances, that's good... and bad. See a solicitor and gather as much financial information as you can to give the solicitor an idea of how a divorce will shake out financially. Start making preparations to leave or to ask your you DH and MIL to leave (honestly I think I'd be the one out the door given you have two of them to deal with).

  4. I'm very sorry that you feel sad about not having had children yet. Yes, 38 is older for trying to conceive but certainly not impossible. The sooner you move on the sooner you can meet someone who will be better for you. Speaking from experience, I will never stop being glad that I resisted having children with my ex-dh, it was almost a subconscious concern about having children with him but I just didn't want to despite wanting children. I've been able to move on in my life, remarry and completely let go of any connection with my horrible ex - trust me, you don't want to be stuck dealing with an awful ex for years and years because you have children. I remarried at 37 fwiw and I'm very happy!

I realised I wanted a divorce 4 years before I finally became brave enough to do it - my only regret is that I waited 4 years for what turned out to be silly reasons (fear of other's judgement, feeling like I failed at something and irrationally hating the fact that I would technically become a "divorcee!" Awful word!)

If you want a shot at trying for children don't delay.

WhereYouLeftIt · 28/03/2017 02:57

"Now the expectation is that I pay for the renovations with my inheritance..."
Ah, now we're getting to it!

amberlabamba, you've been played, girl. Your husband and his mother are a pair of con artists. They make your life intolerable until you get to the point where you'll do anything to escape the madness, including handing over all your money.

"Bit of back story - which may change your opinion.. I was so unhappy about this 2 years ago that I had a relationship with someone when I left...someone that we had an extra marital relations with - mutually.. who I then left to try and make it work. .. now of course everything is my fault even though it was after we split up and I met this person through DH wanting extra marital relations!"
Not entirely following this - did your husband want a threesome, set it up, then you had an affair with this third person? Not that it changes my opinion one whit. I'd even say it's part of your husband's plan to destabilise you.

Get out. Get out ASAP. Get on to a solicitor and divorce these fuckers just as soon as you can. Your dreams are unachievable with him, it's never going to happen. But there is still time to find someone else and have the children you want and the life you want. But it won't involve your current batshit husband and his accomplice mother.

And remember - it s not your MIL who is destroying your marriage - it is your husband.

Helbelle75 · 28/03/2017 04:27

I was 37 when I left a long term relationship. The relief I felt when I left was almost instantaneous. I did fight for the equity in the house as my ex was a mean bastard, and I got it.
I met now DH at 38, we got married at 40 and i'm expecting our first child ( any minute!) at 41. Just to highlight that 38 isn't too late, you have plenty of time.
I personally wouldn't stick around in your situation. It's admirable that you've tried to make it work, but give up now and find your happiness. But get your money as well - out of principle if nothing else.

FairytalesAreBullshit · 28/03/2017 04:48

I think you've pretty much said what you want to do, I think in your heart you know that things aren't going to change. Hope I don't sound ignorant, but is it a cultural thing why she stays? I know I haven't RTFt, but you sound depleted emotionally and physically. Is DH working now? 3 years is a long time to be out of work. I'd expect a really good excuse why you're having to work & be a housewife.

I know there's the argument that we should look after our elderly. I always thought this was if they were infirm. Also I'd be onto SS for DP so that someone can help out care wise & with chores etc. You can't be expected to do it all.

My best advice would be, take a break, so short term move out, see how you feel, see if anything changes. Not promises but actual changes. Then reconsider your position,

I understand it's going to be really hard, but in the other hand, can you honestly cope with this for say a decade or more longer? You don't sound like you can.

Flowers
SoulAccount · 28/03/2017 04:54

Good grief, OP, what on earth is stopping you?
See a solicitor, get all your rights and responsibilities established and get the hell out!

Your dreams won't come to you, you have to go after them.

You aren't trapped except by.... what? You have a job, money, share in property.....your DH is a dead weight. Do not throw your father's money away on this man!

Don't waste another day.

DailyMailFuckRightOff · 28/03/2017 04:58

Get out. You married him yet his mum is now part of the deal and you have to finance her inability to control her spending? If he can't or won't stand up to her now he never will and the resentment will just keep rising. See a solicitor this week - you may not be bothered about the money but do consider that MIL's aim all along could have been to grind you down so you give up your share without a fight. Don't give her the satisfaction.

FairytalesAreBullshit · 28/03/2017 05:03

Don't use your inheritance to pay for the renovations. It's a money pit essentially, I don't think you'll see the money back. The money could be used to start you up again, to start with a clean sheet.

Regardless of what happened when you had the break, it has no bearing on anything.

Does DH have a job comparable to yours? Does he contribute as much as you? Or is he one of these types who sees himself cutting back work to PM the renovations? You see it on property shows, that the wife is busting her gut, DH is there looking busy.

I think from RTFP, from what you've said, you're best off cutting your losses and starting afresh. Even with an annex or renovations, she's still going to be a big part of your lives. You want 2 people in your marriage not 3.

If you leave the house, leave your name on the deeds, but remove all financial responsibility for the property from your name. If they decide to sell in the future, you do deserve what's yours. I look back at everything I paid into a property, sometimes I think I was daft to just say don't worry about it. On separating I wanted an easy life, but many people split with their names still on the deeds, so if they sell 10 years down the line, you get your half of what you paid in.

As I said previously, maybe rent somewhere for 6 months, during that time, if nothing changes, close the book on your relationship, which I understand isn't what you wanted or want, but you've got to put yourself first. I think that's only fair.

Feeling like a stranger in your own house, where you're meant to relax and unwind after a day at work. It really can't be easy.

Also as you separate make clear this is a separation, you don't want DH coming after your savings or inheritance. If he pursues that route, consider more seriously getting your half of the house, it's only fair. During the separation be strict on the fact that he is responsible for the property, any issues are his to deal with.

Justanothernameonthepage · 28/03/2017 05:15

Go see a solicitor. If you stay nothing will change except you'll be even more unlikely to have kids. And why are you cooking when your DH isn't working? If he's staying at home, I'd expect him to do cooking and cleaning weekdays. So stop both working and babying him. Maybe look at IVF with inheritance?

pollyglot · 28/03/2017 05:16

I'm a bit confused here - MIL sold her house to move in with you and DH, but she then spent the money providing for her unemployed son? Who was responsible for the planning permission? I can only imagine how scared she must be that her equity has disappeared and her living arrangements so uncertain. Frankly, the DH sounds a total tosser.

Mummyoflittledragon · 28/03/2017 05:25

She sounds horrible and has a terrible hold over your husband. Your husband sounds horrible too. He sounds as if he's married to his mother, not you. You cannot have children with a man like this, it would be a disaster for you and cruel for your children. You are not getting any younger and if you understand what I'm saying about not having children with him, the longer you stay in the relationship, the less likely you are to have children. Please for your sanity get out of this relationship. Don't sink money you could use as a deposit on your own home to pay for an annexe for this woman. And take every penny out of the house you can to set yourself up. Your husband chose to live off you and his mother for 3 years and you shouldn't give them everything when they've been so vicious to you. Use any fight you have left to fight them once you've extricated yourself from them. And remember, you can always use sperm donation to have a child. This may not be how you envisaged your life but it would be preferable to have a child alone than under the same roof as these two people. Odds on they'd completely brainwash your child against you as has been done to so many women and their children before. And the child would go along with it for their own sanity. Please please save yourself and a future child this incredible burden and pain.

Swipe left for the next trending thread