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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Psycho MIL - take 2

167 replies

LolaL · 11/06/2018 18:04

Hi everyone, I posted this --

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3249894-MIL-from-hell-bring-popcorn-wtf-do-I-do-with-her?pg=14

-- a few weeks ago. Since then, things have been quite good. We've had a few issues (her slagging me off to my mum, she's super super manipulative and it sparked a massive argument between my mum and I). I had a text from her re the hairdresser for the wedding and I text her on the morning of a hospital scan to wish her good luck - but otherwise had absolutely no contact at all.

DP has been the happiest he's been. He has had an occasional phone call with her and popped into the house to ask his dad for some help with the car, but aside from that, that's it.

Weekend just gone was his stag. A really lovely weekend was organised for him (just what he needed!) and he came home yesterday pm bouncing, despite his hangover lol. Showing me photos/videos, telling me what they got up to etc. Really happy.

I met up with SIL over the weekend and she told me that she too has had no contact, bar one phonecall to discuss seeing grandkids (initiated by SIL). Throughout the whole phonecall, MIL repeatedly slagged off the whole family, mainly me. SIL sounded like she did a great job in trying to keep on topic and discuss the kids however it eventually ended with SIL saying that she would not tolerate listening to this and put the phone down. SIL told me about this conversation and I decided not to share with DP, not to upset him.

This morning, DP called MIL on his way into work, just to check in. I think the child in him wanted to share what a lovely weekend he'd had. She told him that she was so glad that he'd had a lovely weekend because she was now on anti-d's and wanted to kill herself all weekend, how lonely she was.... (FIL didn't go on stag so she wasn't alone...) and how upset she was that I didn't reach out to her over the weekend and plan something with her.

Aside from seeing SIL, I had a lovely, very busy weekend spent with my friends and hobby.

DP then called me, really upset, saying how he felt so sorry for her and that he was sad that I'd not reached out to her this weekend. I pointed out that I didn't understand why this weekend was an exception, how was I to know she was feeling lonely, she had FIL, absolutely no difference to any other weekend and even if I wanted to, I had hobby commitments so would have struggled for time.

He ended up getting angry saying how he can't cope that I hate his mum, I started crying, completely out of the blue, I was sat on the sofa catching up with work emails. Ended the call. 10 mins later he text saying he loved me and was sorry, I didn't reply, was upset.

I replied half an hour later saying I loved him but this is really getting me down, our wedding is 4 weeks away and he cannot let his mum manipulate him, or interfere in our relationship. He said she isn't and loves me like a daughter?? I said very hard to believe when she's said some v nasty stuff about me to SIL and told him what was said. Maybe I'm expecting too much, but if I had heard someone talk about DP like that, I would be straight on the phone, asking why they'd said this. Anyway, his response was "take it with a pinch of salt."

I then got v v angry that he couldn't back me and was again letting her control and interfere. I completely saw red and did call her a "psycho controlling bitch" which was probably the most PG thing I had in my head!!!

Anyway, this has continued back and forth all day, him saying he feels unsupportive me hating his mum, me thinking wtf he is letting her control and ruin our relationship. BIL has had a chat with him and agreed that he thinks she's trying to ruin the wedding.

Absolute mess. I don't know what to do. My head is saying run, my heart is staying stick with him.

This sounds pathetic and that I'm overreacting but I really do feel like this is the final nail in the coffin.

OP posts:
Plainlycrackers · 11/06/2018 18:59

My BIL didn’t take his DW’s side when MIL was horrid to her but DH stood by me when she was horrid to me... guess which couple is now divorced? And TBH my MIL is a complete pussycat in comparison with your future MIL... but we have stood our ground and things have improved over the years but BIL’s lack of loyalty to his wife when she was under attack undermined their relationship, I know because she told me and how she wished her DH had had her back like my DH has had mine... they were married long before us so the damage had already been done by that point. Your DP needs to realise that he is choosing to marry you and so he has to have your back (& frankly grow a pair) or follow the apron string back to mummy and accept that she will be the only woman in his life. Sorry to be blunt but he needs to wake up and smell the coffee.

bluebeck · 11/06/2018 18:59

I couldn't face a lifetime of this.

Either he backs you or you will have to reconsider your options. What a shame Flowers

fuzzyfozzy · 11/06/2018 19:02

Could dp have a good discussion with fil to see how much of this he sees.
Hopefully he'll be completely bemused which will reassure your dp

Notevilstepmother · 11/06/2018 19:02

Sorry, but this isn’t going to get better, it’s only going to get worse once you marry him. He already kicked off twice when you were away with your friends, now he’s had a weekend with his friends and he is happy to blame you (you should have reached out) for his mothers batshit behaviour.

He doesn’t have your back now, what’s it going to be like once you are trapped?

Run away.

Notevilstepmother · 11/06/2018 19:03

It’s not just his mother, it’s him too.

FiveGoMadInDorset · 11/06/2018 19:04

Take your horses and move back home, he isn't going to change

Quartz2208 · 11/06/2018 19:04

In both posts your DH does not come across well at all

DiddimusStench · 11/06/2018 19:07

From someone that has been in a spookily similar situation, you really only have 2 options if your DP won’t step up now.

A) elope (probably not even an option if DP is siding with her to be honest)
B) call it off

The problem is the law needs to be laid down and stuck to, to stop her and if your DP isn’t on board with that, you’ve only got more trouble to come I’m afraid. And it WILL escalate when you have kids...

AcrossthePond55 · 11/06/2018 19:13

Honestly, you need to face the fact that this will be your life until the day she dies if you marry this man as things stand now. I don't know how old she actually is, but is this what you want for the next 30-40 years?

Is this same manipulation what you want to subject your children to? Because she will expect the same level of 'obeisance' from them.

If it were me, I'd put the wedding on hold and insist on him getting counseling on his own to break the hold his mother has on him, and then couple's counseling when his counselor says the time is right.

AcrossthePond55 · 11/06/2018 19:15

And his 'why didn't you call mum' shit is also an example, not just of her manipulation, but that expects you to 'shoulder that burden' once you are married. After all, isn't that part of 'wifework'? To manage the family issues (his and yours)?

CoraPirbright · 11/06/2018 19:16

Please please enlist your BIL and SIL to talk some sense into your STBDH. Surely they can make him see that this behaviour from your MIL is not normal. Speak to FIL - did he know that his wife was apparently thinking about topping herself this w/e. NO? Thought not. It’s all a ruse!!. If he cant be made to see that then I can see no hope here.

Maelstrop · 11/06/2018 19:18

Why has he regressed? I thought he was on board with you and had your back? Has he discussed his CBT with you? Has the therapist changed his mind on stuff?

I think your BIL is the one to talk to him. He seems to see their not so dm for what she is. Utterly batshit, but also quite a clever manipulative bitch. Look at the situation she’s brought about. God, she’s horrible.

trojanpony · 11/06/2018 19:26

My head is saying run
Listen to this.

I would be seriously considering cancelling the wedding. This woman is a grade A head fuck and he is not “on your team” or supporting you at all. He’s being totally shit actually.

Another poster said I couldn’t face a lifetime of this and I agree wholeheartedly with that statement..
imagine why your life will be like in 5 years? Think how bad it will be when you have children Shock I couldn’t cope with that.

This is a sad situation but the fact remains he is showing you who he is. he does not have your back and he is not dealing with his family or looking after you and your interests - which is not okay.

YouTheCat · 11/06/2018 19:26

I bet she's a right twat around Christmas as well, guilting everyone to gather around her.

Do you think you can stand for things to be like this for years to come?

Spell it out to your dp - he needs to sort his mother out, go low contact, back you up.

Serialweightwatcher · 11/06/2018 19:27

She's obviously winning then, which it seems to me is what she is trying to achieve - nobody would be so rude about someone for no reason unless they felt jealous and/or threatened by them ... as for your DP - sorry to say but I think he will end up just like his mother

FizzyGreenWater · 11/06/2018 19:28

Why has he regressed? I thought he was on board with you and had your back?

  • Because in reality he doesn't. Bald truth is that he isn't like his brother, who has a. the sense of self enough to separate from his mother, b. the sense to see that doing what OP's DF is doing is the quickest way to a lonely fucking life with only MUMMY DEAREST for company, and c. enough character to choose grown-up life and loyalty and love to a partner instead of a warped, good-for-nothing-in-reality 'loyalty' to someone who wants to use him at her expense.

OP you have the duff one.

I'm going to go back on what I said. I don't think you should postpone the wedding. I think you should cancel it. Because your DF will do what he did a couple of weeks ago if you do postpone - be horrified, be contrite, do everything you want. Until the next time. Because he's not feeling it, he's just saying it.

KurriKurri · 11/06/2018 19:29

This woman is going to be in your life for a long time - can you live with this level of drama and emotional manipulation ? I had a very manipulative MIL, but at least I had my (now X) H in my corner, it was still pretty hellish dealing with all her nonsense, and it only got worse when we had kids.

Your DP has made it clear that he and his Mum come as a package, he's going to put her first over and above your needs. Is that what you want for the foreseeable future ?

At some point if he doesn't change his attitude this is going to create problems in your relationship, it is far harder to walk away from a husband and children than from a DP (although obviously I appreciate that is very hard too). Listen to your head - hearts often get it wrong.

MotherofTerriers · 11/06/2018 19:33

I would run.

This is what your life will be like
He spoiled your weekends away and when he went away you should have been "reaching out" to someone who is being so very rude about you
Postpone the wedding if that's less distressing than cancelling altogether.
He is doing just enough to keep you on board, but doesn't really have your back at all. If you have children it will be a million times worse.

JuicySwan · 11/06/2018 19:40

The hills are that way >>>>>>>>>>

Mummyoflittledragon · 11/06/2018 19:42

Oh dear. She really is vile. He just can’t see it. Right now, you’re in a position of strength. Put pregnancy, childbirth and the early years of motherhood in the mix, not so much so.

CAAKE · 11/06/2018 19:46

No advice beyond what's been said here but it's clear that the woman dislikes you. Probably the only reason she has is that you are marrying her baby.

I agree that you're setting yourself up for a lifetime of drama. I have a good MIL but I still feel I have to work at the relationship because it could easily go sour. It's one of the most difficult relationships I've ever had to negotiate, I can't imagine coping if she was as insecure and manipulative as yours is.

fuzzyfozzy · 11/06/2018 19:47

Could you bring forward your plan to move closer to your home town to see if that improves things.
Obviously doesn't help with the wedding though

crispysausagerolls · 11/06/2018 19:49

I would not be able to marry this man. He is utterly brainwashed and it will never change. A relationship with a MIL like this and a DH who reacts this way is doomed to fail, and I am not exaggerating. Sorry.

Ipdipme · 11/06/2018 19:58

Unless your DP can take your side 100% and see what his mother is doing..... you already know how this will end.

Sorry Flowers

Dobby1sAFreeElf · 11/06/2018 20:02

I have some sympathy for you DP as these suicide threats will be massively weighing on him.

BUT, I think you need to listen to your head. Do you really want this for your DC?

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