MIL rant

[Mariesthename]

More of a WWYD

On hols with DH, kids and MIL. Went to bed early(ish) as knackered but overheard DH and DS discussing a few things with MIL. She got a few facts wrong and they laughed. I think she felt humiliated by DS (12) and when he later mentioned that being on the autistic spectrum made life difficult for him she took him to task screaming that he needed to stop feeling sorry for himself and start behaving normally. She also told DH that we're basically terrible parents as he should have grown out of it by now. It kind of confirmed what I'd always suspected (i.e. she has no time for his condition). DH was great arguing back, being very fair, but now I feel my previously good relationship with MIL will never be as it was.

Your husband should not have been poking fun at his mum, that's a terrible example to set.

Was she really screaming at your son later? She sounds really upset by earlier events.

You're right to be affronted by her opinion about autism and how it affects your child.

YANBU whatever the rights and wrongs of what went on earlier, telling your DS to behave "normally" is grossly offensive on several levels.

In your position I wouldn't be able or inclined to just drop it. But if her comments (vile though they were) came from a lack of understanding, might it be possible to help her improve her understanding?

I agree - he actually has a very good relationship with his mum. I think it happened because she was so adamant she was correct.

Yes she was screaming at him. DS was quite rude back but eventually backed down and apologised but she wasn't interested.