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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Fallen out with MIL so thinking I might be UR

145 replies

PretendTeaPot · 24/10/2017 11:13

Had a big falling out with my MIL and wonder if I need some perspective.

DD is 2.4, but developmentally closer to 15/16 months, she's speech delayed, has hearing problems, eye sight problems, is asthmatic and has hip problems. She has at least 1 appointment a fortnight for something or other.

DH is flakey at best, a lazy sod at worst. He forgets everything including his own head if it isn't screwed on from what time his shift starts at work to picking DD up from Nursery, and everything in between. He's so unorganized that he never leaves time to have a shower when getting ready for work and is often late anyway, I'm constantly surprised he hasn't been sacked - he must be a good worker in other areas that they can overlook his consistent lateness.

I also work 3 days a week, manage to get myself and DD ready in plenty of time in the mornings, get DD to Nursery in time for breakfast there and get to work usually with 5 minutes or so to spare so I can make myself a cup of tea and start the day relaxed - I've been late once when there was a big accident on the main A road through my town but the two other women who live in my town were also late due to that so no-one got into trouble.

I had got into the habit of reminding, cajoling and even waking DH up to get him to where he needed to be on time. As well as getting myself and DD ready, getting DD to her appointments,shopping for and feeding us all, getting the cat fed, litter changed etc reminding DH to do the two housework jobs he has to do (clean the bathroom once a week (not the toilet as I do that everyday, just the bath and sink) and mop the kitchen floor once a week), reminding him to text his family to see DD. It was like having a teenager and a toddler at the same time.

In June I went to the doctors as I've not been feeling well; my blood pressure is through the roof, my heartrate is consistently high, and I've been suffering with headaches. The doctor has sent me for further testing but is 90% sure I'm doing too much and need to slow down.

So I stopped, stop reminding DH to do anything, told him I'm ask him once a week to text his mum to ask if she wants DD, and if he forgets or doesn't do it and she doesn't ask him then she won't see DD. I stopped getting him up, stopped doing things for him, and would just leave his meal in the microwave to heat up later if he wanted it, of course I still remind about housework as that affects us all. And I actually feel better since doing it.

And MILs shouted at me on Sunday as she hasn't seen DD since before my doctors appointment in June as DH says he'll text her later and forgets. He's been late for work 2-3 times a week since I stopped, and has not attended a single appointment of DDs as I give him the letters but don't remind him anymore so he can rearrange he schedule so he can attend.

MIL says that being married is like this and I need to do more for DH, she says I should of realised that men never grow up. She said it's my job not hers or DHs to make sure DD sees both sets of grandparents she sees my mum a few times a month as my mum will contact me and offer to have DD for a couple of hours for me. I also speak to my mum at least once a week. I also need to remember that DH works and his home life should be as stress free as possible. Apparently if I can't manage everything I should quit work (I work to cover nursery fees plus a tiny bit of spending money that's it - I also work for my own sanity as a life spent ferrying a child back and forth to hospital is boring, time consuming and means I don't have many friends plus her hip condition means we have to be careful what groups I take her too as if she hurts herself she can end up at A+E) and keep DD at home with me.

I'm just wondering whether IABU? And I do need to start doing things for DH again?

OP posts:
Taylor22 · 24/10/2017 11:47

She's now reaping the rewards for failing as a parent.

Tell her that she was a shit mum as he failed to launch and now this is the consequence. None of which is your problem.

knowwhereyourheadis · 24/10/2017 11:47

Er, no, it's not you.

Like doesn't have to be like that and you needed to step back.

Would she rather your "D"H had to cope while you were in hospital, perhaps with a stroke - as that's the path high blood pressure takes you on.

PretendTeaPot · 24/10/2017 11:48

He wouldn't leave if I asked him to go, and I've been told as his name is also on the tenancy it's also his home that was a mistake wasn't it, so I have to play the long game if I want him to go.

OP posts:
Bucketsandspoons · 24/10/2017 11:49

tell him you want to split and point out that there's a comfy bed and washing and food on tap back in the 1950s at his Mum's.

This.

Combined with the question 'do you like having sex?'

Gileswithachainsaw · 24/10/2017 11:50

You must know it's not you being U

Sounds bloody exhausting. Obvious where your dh gets his attitude from. Both seem to require someone else to do the thinking for them.

Flowers
thecatsthecats · 24/10/2017 11:50

I got halfway through your post and thought 'just give up all teh reminding and micro management. Let them share the load or suffer the consequences'. I was cheering when you did, but now you're suffering the consequences a bit anyway!

The daft woman has raised a son too lazy or just not interested in keeping up a relationship with her and the grandkids. Not your problem.

Ttbb · 24/10/2017 11:51

Your MIL is one hell of a CF. in your position I don't think that I could have resisted saying 'No actually, it's not my job, it's yours. You didn't raise him properly so it's your problem, I'm his wife not his mother.' As I am sure you can guess I have similar problems. With my DH, not my MIL but dear god-why couldn't she have taught him to put away his bloody socks? I've now had to do it.

CardinalCat · 24/10/2017 11:51

Oh my goodness, where to start.

I am exhausted reading this, OP. No wonder your BP is high- you must be shattered and so stressed.

it is obvious that your MIL has raised an entitled manbaby who thinks the world owes him a living.

you are never going to change her mind re a woman's place (becaue that woud be denying her own very existence) however it's not too late you get your DH to extract a digit and start behaving like a functioning adult.

I can't see how you can do this without issuing an ultimatum.

My initial advice had been to get MIL on board to assist with childcare, freeing you up for some relaxing activities which will help your health, but she actually sounds like she would rather complain about not seeing DD rather than proactively spend time with her.

pair of gits.

I just can't see how this can continue and think you need to be quite drastic to bring him to his senses.

How close are you to your mum's? Could you take DD there for a bit to give this ridiculous man a fright, even if it means taking some holiday from work? could you move into your mum's and find work closeby, which would enable you to have a roof over your head and afford some childcare too, without rent? Don't forget your DH would have to pay you child maintenance if you left- you may end up better off than you are now.

Do you even love him anymore?

dylanthedragon · 24/10/2017 11:52

Your MIL is completely out of order. It would be a long time before my children and I spent any time with someone who raised their voice at me never mind demanded I serve up my child to them. The only way you are being unreasonable OP is for not kicking the old witch out as soon as she started her ridiculousness.

And as for your waste of space husband... Are only staying because the thought of change is daunting? Yes, initially, there will be a lot of effort sorting stuff out but once you've got your own place, think how much easier your life will be without that lazy streak messing up the place and causing you unnecessary stress. It sounds as if your mum is supportive - could she help?

What positive does he bring to your life? I mean, if you can actually feel any level of love and affection towards this pathetic man-child, the maybe give marriage counselling a go but until he is a functioning adult, I don't see how he can be a husband and father. How would you and your daughter cope if/when he does loose his job?

Jasminedes · 24/10/2017 11:52

She is conditioned to see it this way. But if he was raised by two parents can I suggest it is not 'all her fault'. However, she is currently being unfair to you. And he is allowing his daughter to grow up seeing the repeated cycle of 'capable Mum' and 'incapable Dad'. Just use a broken record technique with her, something like 'I can't do everything, I need him to pull his weight'. Or 'My work is as important as his'. You could also try 'Just let me know when you want to pick her up, I am sure she would love to see you.' The older i get the more depressed I get about the situation and expectations on women in relationships. It is like nothing has changed, ever.

Iwantamarshmallow · 24/10/2017 11:53

I stay because it's easier than adding to my workload to find a house, sort out bills etc. as I know my husband won't go.
I wonder how many woman stay in unhappy marriages for that very reason ... YANBU they both sound awful

Mishappening · 24/10/2017 11:55

Just tell her is she is getting cross with the wrong person - she should be having a go at her own son. Tell her you disagree with her views on men and you expect him to behave like a responsible adult.

DrunkUnicorn · 24/10/2017 11:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

blueskyinmarch · 24/10/2017 11:57

Your MIL hasn't seen your DD since June and she lives a 20 minute walk away? She is having a laugh surely? She expects you to ferry your DD to hers? She obviously isn't bothered about seeing your DD if this is the case.

Your DH is a bone idle man-child and needs to grow the fuck up. Why do you stay with him?

mindutopia · 24/10/2017 11:57

Uh, no. Not your job. I don't remind anyone to see anybody or do anything (unless it affects me, I do remind dh to put the bins out as it's his job but if he forgets then I'm the one suffering with all the piling up rubbish for the next week). Men are adults too. Mine manages just fine not being told what to do. We have no contact with MIL, but when we did, she didn't get any reminding (she saw our dd about 3-4 times a year as a result because she would never have cared enough to plan anything or invite us around either, but she didn't get reminders). My dm doesn't get any reminders either and she remembers just fine (because she cares). Anyone who cares enough about someone will make a point of making sure they spend time with them, end of. It's not your job. Other people manage to do it just fine. You are not being unreasonable.

Sunshinegirl82 · 24/10/2017 11:58

I'd move over to the relationship board OP and get some advice from the posters there. I think you need to start getting your ducks in a row with a view to leaving.

Is the house rented privately or is it council accommodation? CAB can give you some guidance on your entitlement to housing and benefits, you might find you're not that much worse off.

PretendTeaPot · 24/10/2017 11:58

My mum is about 20 minutes drive away, doesn't have a spare room but does have a sofa bed and a travel cot! I drive, but would increase my commute by about 20 minutes which wouldn't work with Nursery hours - my mum works odd shifts so wouldn't be able to help with drop off and pick up all the time.

The Nursery DD is in is part of a small chain, and there is a branch in the town my mum lives in so if I was going to go I could look at moving DD to that Nursery, but as I said I'd have to look at sorting work as the hours still wouldn't work with the commute (Nursery open 8-5 I work 8.30-4 with a 20-25 minute commute).

I love the old him, the premarriage him. I think I hold out for him to come back.

OP posts:
Bekabeech · 24/10/2017 11:59

Simple - you tell him you want to split (as he is a lazy arse).
Then you split: separate rooms if at all possible. You no longer cook or do his washing, shopping etc. And you get legal advice.
You would almost certainly get more than 50% of the house overall as you have a child.

DistanceCall · 24/10/2017 12:02

You don't have a marriage. A marriage is a partnership between equals. Your husband wants you to be his mother, and so does his mother!

If you can't make him leave, I'd stop doing absolutely anything for him, and sleep in separate rooms. Let's see how long it takes him to run back to Mummy.

DistanceCall · 24/10/2017 12:03

Or perhaps, if he wasn't like this before your married, your not doing anything for him anymore (explaining exactly why) will perhaps shock him into behaving like a grownup man again.

Man-children are extremely unattractive.

RhiWrites · 24/10/2017 12:04

Tell his mum she has made a rod for her own back. Instead of bringing up a responsible independent adult she's brought up a manchild who's as lazy as she is. Tell her she's made her bed and she can lie in it.

Then book marriage counselling to see if this relationship is salvageable.

Clandestino · 24/10/2017 12:04

You have a huge DH problem. It won't get sorted out.
Consider this: either you are going to have constant problem with DH and his family.
Or you are going to have a short term problem with sorting out the separation and then it's happy days.

Uberfluffs · 24/10/2017 12:05

I assume you married him for a reason, and despite the frustration with timekeeping etc. it must be worth sticking with the relationship and trying to get him to 'man up' and take his fair share before considering leaving (although your MIL sounds like a bit of a throwback - but you didn't marry her!).

Would it be worth getting your MIL to look after DD for an evening so you can sit and have a meal and a proper talk with him about his part in things and his responsibilities? Maybe talk to MIL darkly about talking about your future as a couple so that she understands the gravity of the situation and shuts up.

CauliflowerSqueeze · 24/10/2017 12:06

You know you can make this happen. It’s going to be short term hassle but you can if you want. Living with him is long term hassle surely

pallisers · 24/10/2017 12:08

Well the apple didn't fall far from the tree.

He is going to lose that job sooner rather than later. How will that affect you OP? That would be my only concern.