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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not want my in-laws to enjoy my kids.

136 replies

Pancakebreakiii · 16/08/2020 09:51

I know I’m being spiteful and petty and I feel like telling my kids how they really are - but I won’t as they are young and I wouldn’t mess with their heads like that.

But I’m just so fucked off now as I feel like they have ‘won’ especially mil.

When I joined the family Sil was just divorcing Bil. Mil and Sil didn’t speak, Sil accused mil of bullying her. At that point mil was very nice to me although I was always aware that she could turn quite quickly. Every one has to dance to her tune and if not there would be actual slamming doors, shouting ( in my house) tears ect..

Mil actually paid the divorce settlement for bil - she brought the cheque to my house to show me. It was quite hefty but she said it was the price she paid for two grandkids. I’ve been there when she has asked her other grandkids ‘who do you live most, your mum or dad’ which made them really uncomfortable. She’s fucking rotten.

When I was pregnant she really bullied me, to the point I was going to leave dh. She was really unpleasant. Eg. She would let herself in to my house early in the morning whilst I was still in bed, come in to my bedroom and demand ( it was demand because the way she spoke to me was so hostile) to know where dh, Demanding to be at the birth as she was at her other grandkids, dh was so fucking flimsy about it and only stuck up for me when I actually packed a bag to leave. She went apocalyptic and left the country for a month when I was due. She sent me horrible text messages when she got drunk saying i was a ‘fucking cunt‘ I was ‘bullshit’ on the last one I told her to fuck off and never come to my house again. This caused bil to get on the phone and have a go at dh. Dh pretended he didn’t have a clue what was going - even though he was lay beside me when I started getting the messages.

From then we was excluded from family gatherings even though I’d done nothing to the wider family and was always nice and helpful. If dh was invited by himself - he went . I once bumped in to aunty once and whilst having a nice chat she said ‘your the black sheep of the family like me’ . I’d not actually said or done anything to these people for them to view me like this. Dh was quite low contact at this time. Although on occasion he would take the kids to see Mil and Bill and they showered them with gifts and the kids loved it.

Tbh it started to rot our relationship, other stuff happened unrelated and after ten years It called it a day. Since dh has become very close to his family. Seeing them most weekends and taking the kids. Kids talk about them all the time and I feel like I’m on the out side of my own family.

Mil posted a picture last night that my friend sent to me of my two kids sat on her knee with mil smiling smug and it’s give me the rage. Her other grandkids were stood round her too. She’s seen both her Dils off, had her boys back and is now enjoying our kids.

I don’t want them near her but now I feel like the unreasonable one Sad

OP posts:
DowntonCrabby · 16/08/2020 09:55

dh was so fucking flimsy about it and only stuck up for me when I actually packed a bag to leave.

This is your problem.

Pancakebreakiii · 16/08/2020 09:56

@DowntonCrabby

dh was so fucking flimsy about it and only stuck up for me when I actually packed a bag to leave.

This is your problem.

Oh I know that.
OP posts:
JuniperFather · 16/08/2020 09:57

If you know that, then focus on the actual problem.

Pancakebreakiii · 16/08/2020 09:59

@JuniperFather

If you know that, then focus on the actual problem.
What that my mil sent me texts saying I was a fucking cunt and now she gets to enjoy my kids

Dh and I have split up so there is nothing much I can do there.

OP posts:
allfalldown47 · 16/08/2020 09:59

So you & dh aren't together anymore?

Pancakebreakiii · 16/08/2020 10:01

@allfalldown47

So you & dh aren't together anymore?
No. I did put in my OP that I’d called it a day. I should really be putting STBXH really
OP posts:
DowntonCrabby · 16/08/2020 10:01

That’s sad but surely now you don’t have to have anything to do with her?

They can see that side of the family in DH time and you can unfollow all of them on SM.

DowntonCrabby · 16/08/2020 10:01

And block all texts/emails etc from her.

MaggieFS · 16/08/2020 10:01

She's a complete cow but don't give her the satisfaction of rising to anything. Be nicer that nice or say nothing. Your kids will work things out for themselves as they get older.

JuniperFather · 16/08/2020 10:02

Ok @Pancakebreakiii I see your point but what is your strategy here when you've broken up with the father of your kids, and he presumably wouldn't be averse to his kids spending time with his own mum?

Your only way to stop that is to communicate with your ex DH and explain to him the anxiety you feel and how you've been abused verbally etc. He can listen, but from the looks of things above he many not be persuaded. There's nothing much more you can do.

Paintedmaypole · 16/08/2020 10:03

Have I read it wrong or has OP left the childrens' father and they are spending his contact time with the MIL?

Chicchicchicchiclana · 16/08/2020 10:03

Oh that's rotten. A horrible feeling, I'm sure. But at least you are not married into that mess of a family now so that must be a tremendous relief Flowers

Just hold tight op and wait til the children have grown up a bit. They will come to see the bigger picture.

Meanwhile, have faith in karma.

Immigrantsong · 16/08/2020 10:03

How many days/times does your ex have them?

If you have full custody then they will see them less by proxy. That's what I would suggest. They all sound very toxic. Hope it all goes well for you OP.

MatildaTheCat · 16/08/2020 10:04

So he takes the DC to visit his family during his contact time? That would make me sick too but unfortunately I don’t think you can do anything except ignore and rise above.

Eventually no doubt the DC will understand just how awful they are.

Orchidsindoors · 16/08/2020 10:05

Why have you allowed this to happen? At the point she called me rude words, she would not have been seeing my children. We come as a package.

Noneformethanks · 16/08/2020 10:06

That’s the down side of splitting.

I’m sorry xxx

Pancakebreakiii · 16/08/2020 10:06

@MaggieFS

She's a complete cow but don't give her the satisfaction of rising to anything. Be nicer that nice or say nothing. Your kids will work things out for themselves as they get older.
I know. I just feel I’ve been passive for years and she’s been a total bitch and she still gets to enjoy my kids. They play the doting in-laws to my kids and I think it’s pissing me off more my kids are lapping it up
OP posts:
Palavah · 16/08/2020 10:06

Do you have time with your children too?

Pancakebreakiii · 16/08/2020 10:08

@Orchidsindoors

Why have you allowed this to happen? At the point she called me rude words, she would not have been seeing my children. We come as a package.
They didn’t for about a year but slowly STBXH starting to manoeuvre them back in.
OP posts:
Pancakebreakiii · 16/08/2020 10:09

@Palavah

Do you have time with your children too?
Yes lots
OP posts:
Jeremyironsnothing · 16/08/2020 10:09

Given you've seen her diss sil to her kids, you are right to be concerned about what she is saying to yours.

Unfortunately, unless you can get dh on board, you can't dictate where he takes them in his time.

The kids will work out what she's like in time, in the meantime take the high road. Don't make anything an issue that will make it difficult for the kids. Approach it from their perspective.

user1493413286 · 16/08/2020 10:11

I get where you’re coming from but I’d just be grateful not to have to be around her any more

KatherineOfGaunt · 16/08/2020 10:11

I think rather than focus on it being MIL "winning", think of it as your children winning the chance to be a part of their dad's family. Not nice for you that this all happened, definitely not, but at least they spend time with their extended family and are able to know them.

roxfox · 16/08/2020 10:11

Not sure there's much you can do expect don't give it headspace. She has won for now but no doubt in time her grandchildren will see her for who she is.

justanotherneighinparadise · 16/08/2020 10:13

Could you instead just focus on the fact the children are happy. They are getting to see their cousins and enjoying their time with their extended family. I’m not saying you don’t have the right to feel annoyed but at least the children are having a great time when they’re not with you. It would be far more worrying if you though they were in danger when away from you.