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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

MIL issues wwyd?

82 replies

blissfullyignorantorinpain · 06/05/2019 22:57

Ok so I don't even know where to start but I'll try to keep it concise otherwise it'll be very boring.

I've been married nearly 3 years, have a baby who's nearly 1. I live with my in laws. From day 1 of getting married, and I mean day 1, I did not feel welcomed by my MIL at all. The rest of the family were ok so I just got on with it and tried to get on and involved with family things when I could. My MIL tried to cause issues between me and my husband early on in the relationship which caused a lot of arguments between me and my DH. Two big arguments we had in the early days because of my MIL saying I did nothing round the house. Which btw isn't true I'm actually constantly doing chores and never really feel relaxed. She is very negative and loves playing a victim. I've never done or said anything negative to her, I don't even stick up for myself when she is horrible because I just don't see the point, I know I'll never win.

When I first got married I found it really odd how she didn't welcome me and I always felt like I wasn't good enough for her or her son. I just bravely still tried to get on with things and made an effort with her. For example coming home from work and making sure I found her in her room and said hi because if I didn't it'd be the end of the world.

Within a few months of being married my SILs also decided to join the club of hating me, again for no good reason and even my DH could see there was no reason for their awful behaviour. They were very rude to me saying comments and also deleted me off al social media.

All this happened and I still didn't say or do anything. Because I knew the SILs would be getting married soon and go which they both did.

Now it's just me my DH my son and my PILs in the house. My FIL is lovely no problems with him and he doesn't get involved with any nastiness.

Anyway when I got pregnant, MIL didn't even congratulate me, she just made it about herself. Fine I didn't care. Throughout my whole pregnancy she never once asked how I was, I was still doing housework throughout and cooking for me and my DH, because eating her food was an issue when I first got married so I knew to cook my own meals. Which is fine.

As soon as my son was born she was over bearing to a crazy degree. Starting off with when I was still in hospital with him and she told me to give him formula milk because he was just suckling and not taking anything in, this was the second day of his life and I was obviously trying to establish a good milk supply. The midwife shouted at her saying its mums choice how she feeds her baby and it's not your place to say he's not getting enough.

That was just the start though. Ever since my sons birth all she has done is say negative things and basically tell me every single thing I do is wrong and I should do it her way.

For example, don't give him that food, don't put mitts on him, don't give him a dummy, do give him a dummy, give him formula milk, don't put him to sleep at that time, don't put him to sleep in his crib, don't feed him that, the list is endless but basically everything I do is wrong.

Anyway now she's gone up a level by saying mean and nasty comments while walking past or under her breath or to other people. I don't know why she's starting doing this, maybe because I never said anything back to her when she says negative things. I always just listened and did as she said because obviously she's always right.

The comments are getting to me so badly and I hate living here and I hate my life. I often think about dying and how happy she would be without me here and I know she has a major part to play in me getting such bad PND.

This has turned out to be much longer than I expected but my question is what am I doing that is so wrong? I've actually been ill and been through so much since the birth of my baby that I'd expect a little help or even god forbid sympathy. But I've had none of that. She's constantly telling me to do things her way and when things seem to be going wrong she gets a lot of pleasure from it. For example if my son isn't settling and won't sleep she'll be saying comments. And tbh the last thing I need is to hear mean comments from her when I'm so depressed and just trying my best to look after my son.

I suppose I've just realised what I'm doing isn't working and I'm looking for help and advice. Sorry this is so waffly.

OP posts:
HomeMadeMadness · 06/05/2019 23:03

Your mil is a nasty, manipulative cow and the only thing you're doing wrong is living in her house. I would get the hell out with my DS (with or without DH).

DoomOnTheBroom · 06/05/2019 23:04

Is moving out an option? Because it would solve a whole host of issues.

LittleCandle · 06/05/2019 23:04

You need to get you and your baby out of that toxic atmosphere. Why are you living with them? Are you saving for your own house? Is it a cultural thing? Either your DH needs to step up and stop this, or you need to get your own place as soon as possible, even if it means the end of your marriage. Do you want your son to grow up to treat you like a second class citizen?

Oh, and call the old bitch out on her behaviour!

dirtystinkyrats · 06/05/2019 23:04

Move out?

Tillygetsit · 06/05/2019 23:05

I really feel for you OP. Is there any way you and DH could move out? If not I would ask DH to have a word with her. Even if all hell breaks loose at least he'll see it's her being unreasonable ⚘

Mumoftwoyoungkids · 06/05/2019 23:06

Why are you living with her? Is it a cultural thing?

ZippyBungleandGeorge · 06/05/2019 23:07

OP that sounds awful. It's there any chance you and DH can move away? Domestic abuse doesn't only take place in intimate partner relationships, and it sounds like she is gaslighting you and psychologically and emotionally abusing you.

You know your child and what he needs, she has no right to try and control how you raise him.

OhDearGodLookAtThisMess · 06/05/2019 23:08

Is it part of your culture that you're expected to live with her? No chance of moving out?
Are you in the UK?

blissfullyignorantorinpain · 06/05/2019 23:09

Oh yeah I forgot to say we decided to live there because I quote "my parents are awesome and they will love you like their own". And like I said from day one she was awful to me and treated me like crap off her shoe. Initially it sounded like I good idea bare in mind me and my DH got married within months of meeting and I think I was looking thru rose tinted windows. He eventually has seen that this is not my fault at all and totally agrees that his mum and sisters treated me very badly.

We are moving out yes and it will hopefully solve a lot of issues but she will be probably be more nasty whenever she does see me.

She cries a lot, to make ppl feel sorry for her. But I've realised her problems are self inflicted and she is just filled with hate and feels sorry for herself.

OP posts:
GreenTulips · 06/05/2019 23:11

Move! Pack a bag and leave.

blissfullyignorantorinpain · 06/05/2019 23:12

Yes I'm in the UK.
My DH has had many words with her but she just doesn't listen because she genuinely thinks she's perfect, even he has got to the point of saying just stick up for yourself, but that's my problem, I don't know how to, Ive been bullied for so long and stayed quiet I don't even know where I'd start.
And this may sound ridiculous but it's as if she thinks my son is her son and I'm just hired help or something.

OP posts:
MarthasGinYard · 06/05/2019 23:13

Have you posted about this before Op?

Get out now for your own sanity

blissfullyignorantorinpain · 06/05/2019 23:15

Nope first time posting about this.

I can't actually wait to get out of here. I'm going insane and have lost all confidence.

My mum gets really upset when she sees me, I'm nothing like the person I was 3 years ago, I've no confidence, I've lost a lot of weight and other health issues. I'm like a totally different person.

OP posts:
Singlenotsingle · 06/05/2019 23:18

Tell dh that you're making arrangements to leave and rent somewhere. He has the choice to come with you or not.

So where are your DPS, OP?

blissfullyignorantorinpain · 06/05/2019 23:21

I don't have contact with my father and my mum lives about half an hour away and I go to her house often for my own sanity. And she has helped me to stay mentally stable.

But even going to my mums house is bad, whenever I come back MILs pissed off.

OP posts:
Mexie · 06/05/2019 23:22

A lot of similarities here with my mother in law. You're torturing yourself asking what you're doing wrong, when the reality is that she is emotionally abusing you, she sees your silence as weakness and will continue to be abusive for as long as you live in her house. Nothing you do will please her because she simply enjoys bullying you. It's nothing you have done, you sound like a kind and tolerant person. I hope you have the means to move out and that your husband supports you in this. Once you are out of her house it will be easier to set boundaries (should you have to see her) because you will not be on her turf. My mother in law also disagrees with everyone I do for my baby; I find a smile and 'oh well, agree to disagree,' soon shuts her up. Her approval doesn't matter, your child is the most important thing and it's really important that they don't see you being treated in this way. Good luck xxxxxxx

StCharlotte · 06/05/2019 23:24

I don't normally advocate out and out rudeness but I think I might bite and tell her to "just shut the fuck up" - might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb.

Acis · 06/05/2019 23:24

When are you moving out? If it isn't within the next few days, you need to get out anyway, even if you have to live in a B and B for a bit.

specterlitt · 06/05/2019 23:25

If you don't mind me asking, are you desi? (Pakistani/Indian/Bangladeshi etc)

blissfullyignorantorinpain · 06/05/2019 23:27

Thank you for your replies 🙂

My DH has eventually been supportive and we will be moving soon hopefully. Her behaviour has actually gotten worse since learning we will be moving.
But I just can't bare the thought of this interaction for the rest of my life. Family events are torture for me, having to be around my SILs and MIL the ppl who have caused so much stress and upset.

OP posts:
Graphista · 06/05/2019 23:27

You are being abused pure and simple.

Pack a bag, take baby & go to your mums

PLEASE DO NOT GO BACK TO THAT HOUSE!

Contact women's aid - they cover all forms of domestic abuse.

You have done NOTHING wrong but you've been gaslit for so long you are now believing your abusers and their enablers.

If someone is told they "are" something often and regularly enough they start to believe it. That's natural.

Fallingirl · 06/05/2019 23:28

Could you stay with your own parents until you and DH get your own place?
Dh also needs a symbolic kick up the arse. Telling you to just stick up for yourself isn’t good enough. It’s always easier said than done. It would do him good if he saw you leave until your own place is sorted.

blissfullyignorantorinpain · 06/05/2019 23:30

Will be moving within the next month all being well. Even that process is filling me with dread, she's going to make our lives so much harder because she's so angry.

She knows she is the only reason we are moving. But rather than look at her actions she just thinks others are always wrong.

I am Asian yes.

I do really want to stick up for myself but genuinely don't know how? I don't want to lose my shit.

OP posts:
blissfullyignorantorinpain · 06/05/2019 23:31

That's actually a really good idea. I've thought about going to my mums a few times. And yes your also right my DH doesn't understand it's not always easy to stick up for yourself when you feel scared or intimidated and there's also a language barrier.

OP posts:
MoreCookiesPlease · 06/05/2019 23:35

Why are you living with DH's parents? Is this a cultural thing? And where is your husband in all of this? Do you tell him what's going on?

Either way, the simple answer to all of your problems is to move, asap.

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