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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I despise my mother in law

87 replies

REM19 · 09/06/2018 10:55

Okay, so I actually joined this group just to post this as I wanted some advice off people who aren't emotionally attached to either myself or my partner. We've been together 4 years this year and are really happy - we get married next April and we are expecting our first baby this December. There's one thing which constantly causes arguments in our relationship: his mum.

I moved to where he was from (60 miles away from my home town and family/friends) as he was worried about his mum being alone. We rented an apartment for a year just under a mile away from her house. She is single - split up from her husband (and partner's dad) for over 25 years now and hasn't been with anyone else since. She has no friends and no social life. My partner moving out would hit her hard which I knew. I invited her round every week for Sunday dinner and she would regularly pop in unannounced - I was fine with this as thought it would stop after a few months. It didn't. We then got a dog a few months later and she asked if she could walk them when she finished work. We gave her a key to our apartment so she could. What a mistake that was! She then used to just let herself in whenever she fancied... even coming in one Saturday afternoon when my partner and I were in bed! There was no apology whatsoever.

After a year we decided to buy a house, again, Just round the corner from her so she wasn't alone. She was given keys to the new house so she could continue seeing the dogs. However, a couple of weeks in, I realised things in my bedroom were being moved. I asked her outright if she goes into our bedroom and she said she does - she also says she goes into the second bedroom to clear the clothes dryer and puts my partners clothes away in OUR wardrobe! I asked her not to go into our bedroom and certainly not into our wardrobe and I got back about how ungrateful I am. My partner stayed quiet and said that his mam was just trying to p. It got to a point where if I was off work, she'd just walk in and sit herself down. Something I would never do to her. When we announced our wedding, her response was "I'm certainly not looking forward to it and I won't be going". She has refused to come to our wedding - she has stuck by this decision for almost 2 years and will not change her mind. I am furious as she has broken my partners heart. She refuses to come to any social event, even if it's with her family... She doesn't bother with anyone but thinks it's acceptable to barge into our home whenever she feels like it. I am currently pregnant with our first baby and her first grandchild and she's not at all bothered. She never asks how I am or how we are doing... She just doesn't care. My partner had a big argument with her recently and essentially told her everything that she has done and how it has affected him. He also said how embarrassing it is that she makes no effort with me. Her response "She doesn't like me because she doesn't get her own way with me". I am so angry!! What the hell does that even mean?! She has keys to my house and has been round my house for dinner most weeks. She's been invited every week but she picks and chooses when she can be bothered!

I despise her and wouldn't miss her if I never saw her again. I've never met a woman who I hate as much as her and it upsets me more that she's in my life for good and less than a mile from my house! I don't want to make things awkward for my partner but I don't want to be anywhere near her right now. What can I do? Has anyone experienced anything similar?

Aaaargh!

OP posts:
FASH84 · 09/06/2018 10:59

That's so weird, she's over involved in that she'll let herself in and go through laundry, you'd expect her to be over the moon (and over involved) in a new baby and wedding. You've been really relaxed about it, moved to support her and DP given her a key, invite her to Sunday lunch each week, she's being horrible. This is when your DP needs to step up and stand up to her, you've done more than enough.

gamerchick · 09/06/2018 10:59

Firstly I would change the locks and get someone else to see to the dogs.

Why you gave her a key to the new place when you knew what she was like is beyond me.

combatbarbie · 09/06/2018 11:01

Well I'd be taking the keys back for a start. She clearly has no boundaries.

anotherangel2 · 09/06/2018 11:03

Yep to getting the key back.

Typically MN response is your have a DH problem as he won’t set boundaries. Both your and DH need to read toxic parent in laws

Melliegrantfirstlady · 09/06/2018 11:03

Change the locks. Send a civil text stating that from now on it’s invitation only!

Or give her the dogs to keep her busy

JohnnyKarate · 09/06/2018 11:07

Change your locks asap.

Its a shame you've moved away from your own family. I've done the same and I feel it is harder because you end up feeling so isolated when you're not accepted into your DPs family. Is there any chance your DP would move?

TittyGolightly · 09/06/2018 11:08

Change the locks, then your partner should tell her why.

In her head you’ve stolen her little boy. Your partner feels she is his responsibility and you’ve facilitated that. He needs to sort this out, if necessary by moving more than a mile away from her.

glitterfarts · 09/06/2018 11:12

Put the house on the market and go live where you want to!
Why would you stay close to such a witch?

Get the keys back. Next time she lets herself in "you have repeatedly ignored our requests to not just let yourself in, so I'd like my keys back please."
She'll be way worse once you have a baby. She'll be over every day. Best get strong boundaries in place now.
I detest my MIL also. At the same time I feel sorry for her as like you, she's really isolated herself.

bastardkitty · 09/06/2018 11:15

Change the locks. Move to wherever you want to live. She sounds like a very difficult person and all of this pandering to her has just reinforced her victim status.

letsdolunch321 · 09/06/2018 11:16

Same here, take the keys back. It is her decision not to have friends

happypoobum · 09/06/2018 11:16

You say you are really happy but also that you are having constant arguments.....

In your shoes I would insist on moving further away from MIL 200 miles should do it

If he won't agree to moving, then you change the locks and pay a dog sitter.

Mirrorwriting · 09/06/2018 11:17

As they say, you don’t have an in law problem, you have a husband problem.

It is his responsibility to manage her crazy behaviour just as it would be your duty to manage your brother if he was causing trouble .

Firm boundaries. Step 1 = change locks. Dog walker if necessary.

bonnyshide · 09/06/2018 11:17

The first thing you need to do is change the locks (don't bother getter by her keys back, she'll have had copies made)

Set some clear boundaries, now before the baby arrives and she completely takes over.

Zaphodsotherhead · 09/06/2018 11:19

I think she sounds deeply depressed, but, saying that, she has absolutely no right to barge into your house.

Change the locks (or move) and let your DP know that he is dealing with her from now on. Is he an only child? Your MIL can't be that old that she's depending on her son for all her social interactions - how old is she?

BewareOfDragons · 09/06/2018 11:21

Get the key back for now.

And start looking to sell up and move farther away.

Enjoy your new married life with your new baby.

ijustwannadance · 09/06/2018 11:28

Yes, change locks. I wouldn't trust her not to have made a copy of keys.
She is using the dog as an excuse to enter your home which she is doing on purpose to piss you off and assert dominance.

Tell DP on no uncertain terms that she is not to enter your house

  1. without an invite/prior notice and only when he is home to deal with her.
  2. never to touch your things or go in rooms you have told her not to.

If this doesn't happen then no way would I marry him and would seriously consider moving nearer my own family and support network.
Not coming to your wedding is so bloody spiteful.

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 09/06/2018 11:31

OP, you really, really need to address the key issue/dogs, before you give birth, or she'll make your life hell, whilst you are vulnerable.
Would your DH consider moving closer to your family ?

StaplesCorner · 09/06/2018 11:32

Taking away what is in effect the key to her control of you is paramount here. You must get the locks changed, or nothing will change. Think now about how you will accommodate the dog(s?) without her input.

I don't think there is any reason to say coming to your house is invitation only because why on earth would you invite her? Would you allow a friend to treat you like this?! You need to enforce a period of low contact - of course your DP can go to visit her as and when he wishes, but that's it for the time being. You need to sort this out before the baby is born.

FTRT · 09/06/2018 11:33

She isn't your MIL.

She is your partners mother.

Change the locks. Simple.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 09/06/2018 11:37

Firstly I would change the locks and get someone else to see to the dogs.

THIs ^

Don't tell her - just do it.

MrsMotherHen · 09/06/2018 11:38

I would move.

auntyflonono · 09/06/2018 11:38

Move away asap!

MarthasGinYard · 09/06/2018 11:41

She isn't your MIL

Was it her suggestion or yours really to walk dogs etc and have a key?

Stop the dog thing
Take back the keys

KittyHawke80 · 09/06/2018 11:41

Got a dogsitter or lose the dog. As long as you need her for this, she’s got some power. She sounds ghastly. Please, do, take her at her word. Plan the wedding without recourse or reference to her.

AdoraBell · 09/06/2018 11:41

YY get the key back and move.

She sounds like my MIL, we moved to Latin America. That might seem a tad extreme but it was the only thing that allowed DH to see how controlling and abusive his parents are.

Well done to your DP for standing up to her, he needs to continue that.

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