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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

It's another MIL one...

99 replies

fullofhormones11 · 05/01/2018 08:41

I've namechanged for this as it's probably fairly outing.

Just to clarify I love my MIL. We have an incredibly close relationship and we get on great. That being said she DOES do/say things that grate on me occasionally but I guess everyone does. However,

In order to not drip feed, back when my DS was born in September we were both very poorly after labor. He had a bad infection (they think meningitis) so was on IV antibiotics for week and had to have a couple of lumbar punctures. I also had a bad infection and lost a LOT of blood and needed 2 blood transfusions. The week post birth was a bit of a blur! Baby was born on the Friday. MIL met DS as soon as visitor times were allowed on Saturday. She was due to come again on Sunday afternoon but due to me being poorly and PND (they had yet realised how poorly I was) I had a slight breakdown on DH and DM about being stuck in hospital, wanting to go home, the stress of DS being poorly etc etc. DM rang MIL and said to not come to visit and I was unwell and not fit for visitors. MIL told my mum I needed to 'get a grip' as being a Mum meant no time out.

Let it slide. I was upset DH never defended me against MIL but whatever. That week DH had to say with me in private room as I was struggling and DS needed taking for regular antibiotics. I never once was told I was doing a good job. Never once asked how I was. Instead was shoved down my throat about 'DH is so Lovely staying with you. I bet he's so tired. He's amazing' etc etc. I was too poorly to notice it at the time (and use to it 🙄)

Now whenever any of us is poorly (as small as a cold) it's 'suck it up fullofhormones, no rest when you're a Mum'. If DH gets it, it's 'oh poor DH. Having to go to work. And then come back to baby. Do you need this? I got you some tablets' etc etc. You see where I'm going. I get he is her son so she is bound to care more but sometimes I'm a bit  because more than likely I gave him the cold he's now suffering so much with.

Small things, like DS needing gaviscon upping for his reflux. She told me he didn't. Rang the drs (she works closely with them and if she rings we get it quicker) to order new script and didn't order higher dose even though I asked her too. I asked her why and she said he 'doesn't need it'

He needed his formula changing. I told her and she said 'no he doesnt'. Told her I was going to change it and she brought me 2 tubs of the normal stuff because 'he doesn't need it changing'.

These are just examples, I'll stop now as this post is already massive. However we recently had to move back in with PILs to save for a deposit, which I am soooo grateful for. They've helped us out no end. However I knew this would be hard but otherwise we would have been stuck renting. DS was in a right tizz last night after having vaccinations and he was crying a lot. We have our own lounge so we get our own space but she barged in asking what was wrong with him. I just said over DS screaming in my arms whilst swaying him round the room he was unwell. She then stood there at the door watching me trying to ask questions. FIL then appeared and they both just stood watching me trying to soothe distressed son. It really stressed me out.

I can't explain it. Writing it out now seems really silly. I know they were worried about their grandson as he normally is so quiet but something about them both staring at me trying to soothe DS really bothered me. Myself and DH eventually got him bathed and into bed but it upset me so much I cried when I got into bed 

AIBU and it's still my hormones that haven't settled or would that have annoyed anyone else? I can't understand why she's said and done a lot worse and I've let it slide because I do care a lot for her but something this small tipped me over the edge! Thanks for reading if you got this far. Sorry it's massive 

OP posts:
fullofhormones11 · 05/01/2018 10:11

@BerylStreep MIL isn't medically trained, no. I'm not sure if that's because I feel like she does know better than me? I'm a new Mum and I'm sure many of you can empathise I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing and I'm learning every day, and I think sometimes she does make me feel like she could do it better, if that makes sense! I don't think it's intentional (but who knows)

I think (and I gathered as much when we were planning the wedding) she has a controlling nature in the sense she likes things done her way. Knowing her personality I can respect it has probably been hard and I can almost guarantee she had to keep her mouth shut more than she's wanted but sometimes she just oversteps the mark IMO! I'm going to speak to DH tonight and see how he feels about going to my parents for a bit! Thank you!

OP posts:
jitterbug5 · 05/01/2018 10:14

@LizzieSiddal I think if MIL offered her opinion (and many people do - I'm fine with that, in fact I appreciate it!) that would be absolutely fine. But you're right, it's the overruling me that's the issue here!

She's said a few times how being a Nannie is different and she has a stronger love to DS than that she had of her own children. I can imagine she has to remind herself often that DS is in fact, not hers!

LizzieSiddal · 05/01/2018 10:16

You sound a lovely person but a bit too compliant. Yes, speak to dh tonight about going to your parents but it should be more about what you think, not what he thinks.

If it would benefit you to go to your parents, then tell your H that’s what you need to do.

diddl · 05/01/2018 10:18

Sounds as if she reads stuff as you asking her what to do.

Stop involving her.

" Rang the drs (she works closely with them and if she rings we get it quicker)"

Sorry, but how does that work?
Is it something she has told you?

Sounds like a crock of shit to me.

fullofhormones11 · 05/01/2018 10:20

@LizzieSiddal hit the nail on the head there I think! I need to be more firm, you are right. I'll tell DH tonight what I plan on doing and let him decide whatever suits him.

OP posts:
Kentnurse2015 · 05/01/2018 10:22

You need to step away from your MIL having anything to do with your GP appointments. Your child isn’t your responsibility not hers and if your child needs an urgently appointment they would get it regardless of who they know

BerylStreep · 05/01/2018 10:22

If you do go to your Mum's, it would probably be politic for you both to say to your PILs that you are so grateful for their support, but you recognise you are in their home and you want to give them a bit of space for a couple of days.

In fairness to them, it isn't easy having people staying in your house, no matter how big it is.

fullofhormones11 · 05/01/2018 10:26

@BerylStreep that's a good idea, I'll say that.

If I was an outsider I would also say it's hard having someone else in your house, but I don't think that's the case here! She's said many times that she's so glad to have us back (she had to buy a radio when we left before as she said it was too quiet!) and that when we leave next time is going to be even harder as we have DS. She even spoke about how it would make sense for us to have our next DC whilst still living here (Shock absolutely not! Ha!)

She would keep us here forever if she could, I think Grin

OP posts:
whiskyowl · 05/01/2018 10:28

I think your DH needs to explain to his mother than we no longer live in the 1950s where childcare and the domestic sphere are assumed to be a solely female responsibility, with waged work a male affair, and that in the modern world men are expected to pull their weight in the domestic sphere. It needs to be spelt out in no uncertain terms that her attitudes and expectations are old-fashioned and unacceptable in this day and age.

Super123 · 05/01/2018 10:30

You do sound lovely, but you are making far too many excuses for your MIL.

You don't want to rock the boat and I totally get that, but things change when you have a child and your MIL hasn't realised this.

This first year is precious and you need to assert yourself. DH needs to understand this too.

They're very kind letting you live with them, but your rooms are your personal space and boundaries need to be established.

Go and stay with your Mum and have a break and a good think. Maybe write to your MIL while you're away and explain how you feel.

MorrisZapp · 05/01/2018 10:31

Op you sound kind and reasonable. It's the legions of mil haters that provoked my comment.

You have an otherwise great relationship with them, your dh has a fantastic relationship with them, and you're living in your own suite of rooms in their lovely home.

Yet posters are calling her a narc etc for overstepping invisible boundaries in her own home. It's ridiculous.

pictish · 05/01/2018 10:44

OP I too was referring to the usual parade of 'fuck your mil, she's nobody' posters that you always get on these threads, not you. x

fullofhormones11 · 05/01/2018 11:09

I think I'll start by showing DH this thread! I think he will understand. He's a fantastic husband and would usually do everything he can for me!

(Please don't hate me DHGrin)

OP posts:
MotherCupboard · 05/01/2018 11:14

Move out and stand on your own two feet if you don't like it.

Piffle11 · 05/01/2018 11:19

It always irks me when people say their DH 'doesn't want to upset his DM' but seems ok with DM upsetting his DW!! If he tells her to back off in a firm but nice way, then if she gets upset it's her own doing: he will never be in control of how she reacts to anything he says. Letting her get away with basically putting you down and riding roughshod over your views/wants/needs is not on. No matter how close you are or what a help she is, you are in charge of caring for DS and what you say goes. I've had my share of MIL interference over the years, and believe me, it gets worse. I let it go, hoping to keep the peace: things got very bad as MIL and her OH (not FIL) were not used to me saying no. Nip this in the bud now, and please try and move out. They will always be interfering whilst you are under their roof - being a new mum is stressful enough without having PIL breathing down your neck.

Heartoffire · 05/01/2018 11:25

Hi love I am a mil and gran and I see exactly your side here.

Your mil is treating you both like her children, she probably doesn’t realise this but she is. I suspect she doesn’t work or have much of a social life?

I totally get you need a deposit so stick it out if you can but set boundaries. Could you ask her to help in certain ways? Maybe ask her to watch your baby so you can have a bath? Hair done? Give her little responsibilities to keep her busy?

She’s a silly idiot keep fawning around her ds. She sees him as s child too.

You and your dh need to stand firm but nice together, you can stick this out for s house. Clearly you are s fantastic mum and these early years are bloody hard but get much much easier. Flowers

PurpleMinionMummy · 05/01/2018 11:48

Why is she ordering your childs prescription meds? Do they let any random order prescriptions? Confused

RestingGrinchFace · 05/01/2018 11:58

Honestly, that would have set me off too. She clearly doesn't respect you (and I don't mean anymore than the average good manners type of respect that you would show to everyone). Quite frankly she's just been a bit of a cow and you have snapped. Straw on the camel's back and all that.

jitterbug5 · 05/01/2018 12:20

@PurpleMinionMummy it was a repeat so in theory anyone can reorder it

grannytomine · 05/01/2018 12:30

Well I wouldn't ask her to order prescriptions, it might seem easier but it isn't in the long run if she doesn't do what you want. I wouldn't use the formula, go and buy the one you want.

If the baby was really screaming and distressed she was probably worried, if you were in another room and heard a baby screaming would you go and investigate? Say if it was your niece or nephew?

She sounds like she is over protective of her son but it wouldn't be an issue if you weren't living with her. I think if you want to save for the deposit you need to let it go over your head with somethings and smile and do you own thing with other stuff (like formula and prescription.)

diddl · 05/01/2018 12:42

If it was a repeat prescription, how did she manage to change what was on it??

diddl · 05/01/2018 12:44

Oops, got that the wrong way round!

She didn't change it!

But how could she have done?

jitterbug5 · 05/01/2018 12:45

@diddl because of her job. It's very hard to explain without saying what her job is haha

jitterbug5 · 05/01/2018 12:46

Apparently I've given up with the name change! 🤦🏻‍♀️

diddl · 05/01/2018 12:52

If she's not the medical professional who sees your son & writes prescriptions then she needs to butt out!

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