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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU? Cutting off MIL.....advice please.

24 replies

Rainbowconverser23 · 15/07/2019 12:45

I know it seems a bit much to cut her off completely but Jesus, I can't hack her!

Long post, please bear with me!!!

So I have been with my DH, her pride and joy, for 5 years. I had two kids before I met him but he treats them just like they're his own. We've gone on to get married and have two more kids. I used to get on really well with MIL and used to look forward to seeing her. She lives about 6 hours away. She always made herself useful when she was here, taking the kids so we could have a break, cooking meals etc. First few visits went great, then the sly digs became more and more. At first I shrugged them off until it was starting to make me feel like she didn't think I was good enough for her amazing son!

DH has a great job and I am a SAHM. The decision for me to stay at home was mutually decided by two of us as childcare costs are huge for four kids and then the added stress of housework and chores to do after work....and besides, I love being home with them and it's what works best for our family. MIL has several times, "reminded" me that DH is the one who works and I shouldn't be spending his money. The first time she said this I was shopping in Aldi and saw a cushion I knew he would like for €4, four fucking Euro. When she said it I was dumbfounded. I actually had no response. Then it was like she became obsessed with showing me how to save her sons money. The woman used to save all the scraps from the kids plates after dinner and put them into sandwich bags and freeze them. Don't get me wrong, I hate to see food wasted but this is surely taking the piss.
After I had 4th baby she came down to help! Or so I thought....DH was quickly informed by myself that I was working around the baby's schedule. If there happened to be a dinner ready when he got home, great! If not, he better make it. MIL was horrified by this. Could not understand why I wouldn't have a dinner ready. Bear in mind I had a new born, three other kids, school runs and I was also sleeping on the couch for two weeks as she was in the bed I was planning on taking. I wanted to give DH bed to himself as he is the breadwinner and we needed to keep the job. She couldn't see the problem with me sleeping(and basically recovering) on the couch.
She also always said snide remarks to DH about weather or not he was worried I would get back with ex, father of oldest two. She told him that it does happen and he should just be careful. All the while I don't have energy to shave my legs she has DH believing I'm I could go back with ex! She caused huge fights in marriage and eventually I had to cut contact. As I said she lives few hours away but face times regularly with DH to see kids. She has face timed me before, while my DH was there and hung up before I could answer and went on to tell DH that she tried to reach out but I'm ignoring her. She has also sent parcels with birthday presents for the youngest two(her natural grandchildren) but ignore my DS. This not only hurt me but also my husband who has been rearing him for five years!!

Sorry for such the long post but pleeeeease I need to know AIBU to completely cut her off?? Should I make the effort for my husbands sake to rekindle some kids of relationship? Really don't know what to do!!!

OP posts:
buttertoasty · 15/07/2019 12:51

She lives 6 hours away so there is no need for her to have this much involvement. Your husband needs to tell her to mind her own

Thehop · 15/07/2019 12:52

Go vlc

Just be civil. Polite.

JustHereWithPopcorn · 15/07/2019 12:56

I would go very low contact, don't make an effort with her but be civil to keep the peace for your husbands sake

NoSauce · 15/07/2019 12:57

She sounds very interfering, I’m not surprised you’re at your wits end. Did she leave out one of your dcs from your first marriage but sent the other one something?

Celticrose · 15/07/2019 12:58

I am a bit Shock at this

The woman used to save all the scraps from the kids plates after dinner and put them into sandwich bags and freeze them

BarbariansMum · 15/07/2019 12:59

If she lives 6 hours away how would no contact work? Would she be banned from your home? Would you leave if she comes to visit? What does your dh think?

How about you go vlc as pp suggests? Explain to your older children that she's not their grandma and get them to address her by name? Dont contact her yourself, let her communicate with your dh?

Hoppinggreen · 15/07/2019 13:00

I used to get on well with my mil until about 18 months ago
Now I just leave everything to DH. If she contacts me about seeing us/the DC I just tell her to speak to DH. If she comes to visit ( rare) I’m perfectly friendly but I just make no effort arrange anything at all and I won’t go and visit her, although obviously DH and the dc could if they wanted to

Whosorrynow · 15/07/2019 13:01

Burn the witch
Metaphorically of course 🙂

Angech74 · 15/07/2019 13:02

She's bloody vile and in your position, yes, I'd cut her off. However, you shouldn't have to - that's your DH's place. I'm lucky, my MIL lives in another country and my PILs never want to see us anyway. However, if either of them were like this, my DP wouldn't hesitate to give them what for.

MyOpinionIsValid · 15/07/2019 13:02

You let him deal with his mother.

You give her way too much head space!

With the niccest will in the world, your older children have their own paternal families - she is not, and will never be, their grandmother. I would be nice if she treated them the same, but they are not her relatives, and there really shouldnt be any expectation that they are. I think life would be easier all round if all parents of second families realised this.

OKBobble · 15/07/2019 13:06

Sounds exactly like my MIL down to ignoring other stepgk (which she didn't before ours together came along).

We just vlc now. She also lives 5 hours away. We have seen her twice in 3 years once at a funeral and once at DBILs for a christmas do.

Her sister however is lovely and more like a friend!

AmIRightOrAMeringue · 15/07/2019 13:07

What does your husband say to her? What does he want to do? Any dogs st you gor decisions you've made as a couple eg to bea SAHP, he should be defending you and saying it was a joint choice so but out.

Yellowweatherwarning · 15/07/2019 13:08

We cut mil off. Can def recommend it. Would your dh follow suit?
After mil commiserated us on conceiving ds, then telling me on the sly that his ex wanted his babies, favouring my dc over the new addition, she made it impossible to have in our lives.
We moved away after uninviting her from our wedding. Haven't seen her for 4 years..
Bliss op

Dh says he has never been happier as she was quite emotionally abusive.

Rainbowconverser23 · 15/07/2019 13:24

Yeah she did! Now don't get me wrong, I understand they are not her natural grandchildren but from the start she has always been very adamant that she would treat them just the same as her natural grandchildren (their brother and sister)
This is the first year she left one out and I feel like shaking her and telling her she's acting like a child!

OP posts:
MarieIVanArkleStinks · 15/07/2019 13:28

Seems she's internalized the assumption that maintaining contact with the in-laws is 'wife-work', OP. It might be time to divest her of that antiquated little illusion.

You can't stop your DH having a relationship with his mother, and shouldn't try. But you're not obligated to have one yourself, and shouldn't be compelled to suck up any unpleasant conduct she cares to mete out. Drop the rope. Let DH deal with her, and refer her to him to arrange any contact with the DGC.

It won't be necessary to do any more than that; other than sit back and see how long it takes the situation to revert to LC or VLC ...

Rainbowconverser23 · 15/07/2019 13:29

@Celticrose at the start my DH and I found it hilarious and thought she was taking the piss.....turned out she was 100% serious about me saving DH money.

OP posts:
FudgeBrownie2019 · 15/07/2019 13:29

Cut her out. Anyone who treats your children differently because of biology is an arsehole. Let her have contact with your DH and live peacefully in the knowledge that your DC are all being treated well by you and your DH.

Yellowweatherwarning · 15/07/2019 13:30

Save ££££ not travelling /hosting won't you??

Rainbowconverser23 · 15/07/2019 13:34

@BarbariansMum for he last few months I've just let DH deal with her. At the start he thought I was being a bit exaggerative but he's slowly staring to see how bitter she is that I'm not her idea of an ideal housewife for her son! Her daughter doesn't speak to her and hasn't for years(starting to see why) and her other son ignores her for months at a time. I think my husband took pity on her because of this but it's starting to run out. He now understands that I'm not being rude I'm just not letting myself get caught up in her judgement. He now face times when I'm out running errands so a small tomboy put me in an awkward position.

OP posts:
LannieDuck · 15/07/2019 13:39

What did your DH say to her about missing one of the kids' birthdays?

Sindragosan · 15/07/2019 13:40

Is she concerned about finances with one income and 4 children? I've seen several struggle on one wage and she may have her own issues from having been there and done that.

I don't contact MIL at all. DH does, and arranges any visits. While we're there or she's here I am polite and ignore the occasional dig. 'Times have changed' and 'things are different now' are useful for comments about how she used to do stuff.

Sicario · 15/07/2019 13:46

I don't bother with mine. She has a very nasty streak. I got her number a long time ago. DH visits and gets the usual, "Oh, I don't suppose we'll be seeing Sicario, will we?" With an attitude like that, no love, you won't.

beyoncessweatband · 15/07/2019 14:01

She's totally in the wrong but as his mother its natural that she wants to look out to her son. No none wants to think their son might be taken for a ride.

That said, she needs to keep her opinions to herself

Rainbowconverser23 · 15/07/2019 14:23

@Sindragosan she prob is worried about finances but myself and my husband never live beyond our means. Some weeks are good others are tight. to be honest, as long as our bills are paid and there's food in the fridge we're good! We are in a fortunate situation with DH job. He is very well paid and has allowed us a fairly comfortable life.

OP posts:
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