Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Dealing with in-laws in a mature way

12 replies

Namechage1 · 22/06/2020 19:15

Apologies if this turns out long I’m really trying to summarise it but give enough of a context. MIL is a highly critical, rude, no filter type of woman. She conveniently forgets things she has said or done in the past and accuses me of lying and making stories up.

Her family have drifted from her, they all live very close like within 15 minutes of each other, but we only see them every few years.

Her other kids don’t bother with her but she obviously denies all this and portrays an image where everyone loves her and I’m the only person she has issues with! Husband is kind of stuck with her as her other kids don’t bother.

She has caused countless problems in my marriage. She feels very entitled to everything e.g. she forced her self in delivery room minutes after I gave birth and was doing my first ever feed with baby. She used to come into my home any time of day using her spare key, she called me fat days after I gave birth and made numerous remarks about my physical appearance. I have over the years just put up with her and ignored her, sometimes I have questioned her and very occasionally I have erupted at her verbally.

She says the most stupidest things and plays on my mind. Such as I shouldn’t be taking the pram out in the street as it doesn’t look “respectable” to be walking around pushing a buggy! This made me really paranoid until I joined baby groups and realised other women were taking their kids out and about too in buggy’s. I also asked a few of them as I thought it was maybe a cultural thing that I was unaware of and they laughed and said your mil sounds crazy and of course there’s nothing wrong with taking baby out for a walk.

There are so many things I could write that she has said that would sound unbelievable but they are all true.

I know I probably sound like a 12 year old but I absolutely hate her, I cannot stand being around her. My blood boils thinking of her. One positive thing about lockdown was I didn’t have to see her. She makes me feel like I was the incubator and my kids are hers not mine. She flew into a rage when we were choosing names for my eldest, she had 3 names picked and told me I must choose only one of these. She also got down on her knees crying and put her hands together begging me to listen to her and please choose one of her names. I can’t get some of the things out of my head they keep playing over and over and sometimes I feel I am really going crazy.

If you’re still with me and reading this! then my question is how do I deal with her maturely? How do I get over when she denies the crap she has said and emotionally detach from her and stop getting sucked into her craziness? Life is so short and I don’t want to waste my kids childhood being angry at her.

OP posts:
JustC · 22/06/2020 19:26

You don't, you tell your husband to deal with her, because she's bonkers and you want noyhing to do with her. He can take the child to visit her and listen to her crap himself. Not your problem.

Cherrysoup · 22/06/2020 19:30

Tell your dh to sort her out and don’t allow her to come to your house. If your dh wants to see her, he can go round with the dc. I have fuck all time or sympathy for the histrionics and drama she sounds like she’s creating.

Aquamarine1029 · 22/06/2020 19:30

You don't deal with her on any level. You never see or speak to her again. That's how you "deal" with people this toxic. You cut them out of your life like a cancer. If your husband still wants contact, so be it, he can go to her home. As for your home, she doesn't cross the threshold. If your husband doesn't support you in this after so much abuse, you have far bigger problems than your MIL.

EL8888 · 22/06/2020 19:31

She’s crackers lm afraid plus abusive, controlling, rude, interfering, manipulative and annoying. I vote no contact, l don’t see why you need to be mature -it sounds like she never is! Let your husband deal with her, never think about her or talk about her

hellojim · 22/06/2020 19:34

She sounds horrendous. Do you actually think that your child will benefit from spending time with her? I would let your DH sort out any contact if that's what he wants. Keep your distance and choose lovely, positive people to be around you and your baby.

flamingochill · 22/06/2020 19:34

The first answer is spot on. Get the key back or change the locks too.

You need your h to manage her.

SpilltheTea · 22/06/2020 19:35

You don't need to see her or speak to her. Tell DH he can deal with her because you're done with her shit.

Mulhollandmagoo · 22/06/2020 20:03

Out of interest did you choose one of her names?

Also, yes you leave her to your husband and change your locks. Calmly explain to your husband how you feel and tell him everything you've said to us about how she makes you feel, and that going forward he will be managing the children's relationship with his mother and enjoy an hour's peace per week while he takes them to see her Brew

CalmdownJanet · 22/06/2020 20:11

Genuine question- why do you want to deal with it maturely? Honestly? She's batshit, you know it, everyone else knows it, your husband knows it so deal with it by saying "Oh do fuck off Rita", safe in the knowledge that she is the only one falling for her lies/denials, sometimes maturity is over rated

Namechage1 · 22/06/2020 20:15

Thank you for replies! No I didn’t choose one of her names in the end we stuck with the original one we decided.

I did take key off her but it was a process that took over a year! She has calmed down with the baby number 2 and didn’t even suggest a name this time!

Things are okay sometimes but she has her moments every so often. I get sucked into seeing her more as she starts being nice but then shows her true colours and I step back. It’s emotionally draining.

OP posts:
Lynda07 · 22/06/2020 20:18

I don't understand why you told her when you went into hospital to have your baby or why she has a key to your house. However what's done is done. Do change the locks.

Be a little more direct with the woman and try to get father in law on your side, subtly. Your husband needs to man up.

The woman will end up with no one if she carries on as she does. There is obviously something wrong with her psychological make up (I don't exactly mean mental health problems), that she cannot work out why she is so rejected. I suppose she is someone who always has to be right and has never said, "Sorry". It's sad but she is her own worst enemy.

I've never heard of a grandmother objecting to a baby being taken out in a pram. I used to get told off by my mum for not doing it enough!

Blimey, girl, you do have my sympathy and you have your work cut out but you can do it.

Sparticuscaticus · 22/06/2020 20:37

@JustC

You don't, you tell your husband to deal with her, because she's bonkers and you want noyhing to do with her. He can take the child to visit her and listen to her crap himself. Not your problem.
OP

I read your update and still think this is apt

You're making a rod for your own back and letting your DC see her bully you. Worse, you're letting her start to get in there to manipulate your DC

LC for you, no visits from her to your house

Aim to see her twice- three times a year when you can leave if and when you have enough . If she starts on you, say 'Rightio Time to Go' and pack up/ grab DCs and leave. Leave your DH there if he wants to stay

Let her son (your DH) deal with her. He can visit and take the DC sometimes

New posts on this thread. Refresh page