AIBU?
Controlling MiL
junkfoodforever · 12/06/2017 15:03
I'm stressed out by my MIL & my OH's response to her & need some advice.
Background: When my OH was little my MIL stabbed my FIL in front of my OH. She was controlling to him during their relationship (tho he was no victim) & when he left her after that she stopped him seeing my OH for a year. She's married again & is controlling & verbally abusive to her husband. My OH's sibling has a kid who MIL has all the time & demonstrates the same controlling & abusive behaviour (not physical) to the kid, which my partner has acknowledged.
When we had our kids it was clear she thought she was having them all the time, trying to go on trips abroad without our baby, going on a guilt trip when someone else looks after the baby. She is also the biggest hypochondriac ever-callled 999 recently for heart attack & nothing wrong, constantly got crutches/splints/bandages from injuries. The two times she did have kids she manipulated the situation so that she had to have them overnight at last minute then took 4 hours to do a 2 hour journey the second time. It's weird AF.
My OH agreed she shouldn't have the kids but now has changed his mind. I know it's really difficult cos even tho she's been horrible to him too he still lives her. But I work with troubled children & don't want my kids exposed to toxic behaviour, & not only that I am in a constant battle with her to feed the kids what I want etc. When she comes over she completely takes over telling the kids off for stuff I wouldn't, bossing them about etc.
I know it sounds stupid but she makes me feel sick & anxious & I have a lot of stress at the mo & the fact my partner wants her to have the children is really stressing me.
Sorry for the rant!
AIBU?
junkfoodforever · 12/06/2017 15:18
Thanks everyone.
My 2 are too young to express an opinion & are the most fickle kids ever-would go with Jack the Ripper!!
Even with my work experience I don't think she'd hurt the kids, but what if she hurts her husband in front of my kids? Or they're just witnessing verbal abuse?
And the battle over food, what they wear/do gets to me.
She's so nice to me it's ridiculous too-she knows I'm the key to the kids & bad mouthes my husband (her son!) to me when he's not around.
I'm shit at confrontations/communicating so think I'm making it worse.
FizzyGreenWater · 12/06/2017 16:43
Good God, what?! Your MIL stabbed a member of the family and you are seriously asking whether she should be allowed to look after your kids?
Given that and her general behaviour, I would not really even want them in contact with her at all.
Tell your OH this isn't negotiable, and if he persists you'll be going to SS for advice. She shouldn't be allowed near them.
junkfoodforever · 12/06/2017 16:49
Yes now I've written it I realise how bonkers I sound for doubting myself! Suppose that's what manipulative people do to u.
Sadly I know thru work that SS wouldn't get necessarily get involved if the stabbing was recent let alone historic.
She comes over every week & I dread it. Don't want to stop that as I do believe it's beneficial to the kids but I wonder if I need to be firmer about what is or isn't ok?
Inertia · 12/06/2017 16:51
Sorry, afraid I'm stunned that your MIL stabbed someone and she has any contact whatsoever with your children! What the FUCK are you thinking in letting her have them alone? If they are too young to express an opinion, they are too young to tell you about any abuse they may suffer at her hands!
Inertia · 12/06/2017 16:55
SS don't need to be involved- she isn't the parent, you are.
I'm flabbergasted that you believe it's beneficial to your children to allow them to spend time with someone who you acknowledge is abusive to her other grandchild,is controlling and abusive to her husband, and has stabbed a family member. I'm never one to call troll, but the thought that this could be true and that there is a parent out there so willing to sacrifice her children's safety to avoid a row horrifies me.
FizzyGreenWater · 12/06/2017 16:55
'My OH's sibling has a kid who MIL has all the time & demonstrates the same controlling & abusive behaviour (not physical) to the kid'
'I am in a constant battle with her to feed the kids what I want etc. When she comes over she completely takes over telling the kids off for stuff I wouldn't, bossing them about etc.'
You can be damn sure that their contact isn't beneficial to your child. Not a bit. Extremely damaging I would think. be prepared for MIL to undermine your parenting, abuse the child, use the child to get at you - all sorts.
No SS might not get involved but you say that to show you mean business. If you have any sense you will throw a complete wobbler and refuse to let her near them.
Woobeedoo · 12/06/2017 17:02
My child detests visiting his nanny as "Nanny is sad and angry" (my MIL is of the overbearing shouty, opinionated, bullying kind). He's just 3 years old yet he's already worked out exactly what she's like and doesn't want to be around her. He first told me "Nanny angry" when he was two. She has asked to babysit, OH and I are in full agreement that it's never ever going to happen. Please keep your MIL away from your children.
ThumbWitchesAbroad · 12/06/2017 17:27
Did you say your OH is living with your MIL? Why is that? That's crazy!
But no, YANBU - I wouldn't let her within a mile of my kids without constant supervision. I don't suppose she'd stab anyone again, but I wouldn't want to take the risk, since she didn't have sufficient self-control NOT to do it in front of her kids before, why would she the next time?
No no no. Keep her away from your DC - she doesn't sound like a decent person for them to know at all, never mind that she's their grandmother! Blood isn't everything - abusive wankers should be kept far away from small children, whoever they are.
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