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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

battle of the MILs, help!!!

62 replies

letmeeatcrisps · 23/11/2021 12:18

Ok so I’m 6m pregnant, with a DD2, in a new town, new country, no family around as DPs mum moved to the other side of the country when his dad died, a few months ago. She has visited us max once every 3 weeks but more like every 6 weeks, if she’s in the area, and she’ll arrive without fail at the precise time I ask her not to (ie nap time).
I see my own mum every few months as it’s a flight away, but now I am six months pregnant with HG and vomiting 4 times a day, so my mum has come to stay for 10 days to help us out. It has been HEAVENLY.
MIL has now suddenly decided - after 6 months of (publically) telling DP to “stop moaning and get over it” (his dads death) - that her grief is so overwhelming she has to come and stay with us , right now on my mums last couple of days …. 🙄 🤔
My mum goes home early 2m morning and is enjoying every precious minute with her (only) grandchild, as we dont know when we will see each other next. MIL has decided she is not only staying with us indefinitely now, but she wants to take DD out this afternoon, on my mums last full day here 🤔🤔🤔

AIBU to say she can take her out tomorrow but I want my mum and DD to have one more afternoon together??? Or should I make the effort to encourage my mum to “share” her last day with MIL, even tho they are very different and don’t really get on, esp as MIL is forever commenting quite snarkily on my mums weight, health, hair, job, retirement prospects etc

Just for context, I’ve invited MIL to stay over with us MANY times as I am aware she’s lonely and grieving, and I am desperate for help with toddler - i have no childcare, no car, no friends, and DP working 6 days a week - but she AlWAYS says no (with something of a sneer), and expects us to drive 2 hours to stay with her instead. Since arriving yesterday she has been making snide comments like “oh DGD why are you making that angry frowny face, you look like your mother”, and “my daughter never lets anything go with the housework when she’s sick” (we’ve all had a flu and DP has not lifted a finger in 2 weeks, despite being off work, because man flu is even worse than flu while pregnant and still bf a toddler 😭) etc etc. Saying how lethargic I am, I’m not ~that pregnant etc. She’s been grabbing my stomach to tell me im showing since 6 weeks (I wasn’t). Then after I’ve had 3 months of vomiting every 4 hours saying “you don’t look that sick, you’ve put on a good bit of weight” (I take medication to eat one mega high calorie meal every day and it is a struggle every night to keep it down ).
I feel so bad for her losing her husband (who was a lovely kind gentle soul and the complete opposite of her) but she is utterly draining to be around, and I am too pregnant and exhausted to be polite anymore. My mum just wants to enjoy one more day with her daughter and grand daughter. I have an hour midwife appt later and MIL “offered” to drive me there, and she and DD can “wait in the car” and my mum “have the afternoon off” 🙄There are plenty more unnecessary comments but you get the picture!!!

What should I do mumsnet?
YABU - me, mum, MIL and daughter should have a day of awkwardly hanging out together and “just be grateful” for what little family we do have
YANBU - MIL should be patient and take DD out tomorow and let me, my mum and my daughter spend one last “relaxing” day together

OP posts:
BackBackBack · 23/11/2021 14:54

Oh and ask her very bluntly when she is planning to leave. If she's vague or open-ended then shut it down and tell her she needs to go home by X date at the latest. Set boundaries and be firm.

Megan2018 · 23/11/2021 14:58

I'd be leaving with my mum and DC tomorrow and leaving your useless "D"H and her to it.

ChubbyMorticia · 23/11/2021 14:59

Why is she being allowed to stay? The LAST thing you need, on top of everything else, is a snarky, insulting, do nothing, nasty person sitting around your house!

And she wants to stay in your office b/c it's YOUR office.

Loudestcat14 · 23/11/2021 15:10

Why on earth did you say yes to her coming to stay while your mum is still there? I'd have said no, you can come on xx date, after she's gone.

Rosemaryandlemon · 23/11/2021 15:21

OP my MIL is like this. She wants it her own way and the only way to deal with it is very clear boundaries. More importantly your DH needs to be the one to insist on those. It can be very difficult as they have grown up with this emotionally manipulative behaviour and so get use to it/allow it for an easier life.

RobertsRadio · 23/11/2021 15:32

@PussyCatEatingPigsInBlankets

I'd pack some bags and go home with my mum.
You got there before me 😀. That was my immediate reaction on reading Op's too. Life's too short for that shit.
RobertsRadio · 23/11/2021 15:43

Also, if possible can you learn to drive ASAP and get yourself a car? There is no way I'd have moved to a new country leaving my friends and family and completely dependent on a partner who works 6 days a week who lets his bloody mother ride roughshod and bully you and if that is not bad enough you don't even your own transport. Go home and stay with your Mum at least until you have had your baby, then sort driving lessons and your own transport.

LittleMG · 23/11/2021 15:44

I’d get a flight home with my mum! So long losers!

Chocolatewheatos · 23/11/2021 15:47

There should be a 3rd option called "MIL should fuck off home and stop trying to spite me and my mum" because I'd have clicked that.

LookItsMeAgain · 23/11/2021 15:51

@dustandfluf

I'd be telling (not asking) your husband to step the fuck up and tell him mother to back off and leave.
THIS

She doesn't get to dictate when she visits. An invitation is extended to her. Did you or your DH invite her? No??? Shocker! She can stay in a hotel for the next few days and can pop in during the next few days, once your own mother has left.

LookItsMeAgain · 23/11/2021 15:58

@FairFuming

Pack your bags and you and DD go stay with your mother indefinitely.

Your MIL is a nasty cow bag and your DH is a shitty partner who would rather leave his ill and pregnant wife ti deal with everything then have to pick up a hoover or tell his shit bag mother to leave.

This is also another option open to you @letmeeatcrisps

You do not have to put up with it (the situation) or him (your DH) or her (your MiL).

She's fucking rude and needs to be told she is.

Fight fire with fire.
she has been making snide comments like “oh DGD why are you making that angry frowny face, you look like your mother”
Respond with "At least she won't look old and haggard like her paternal grandmother"

“my daughter never lets anything go with the housework when she’s sick”
Respond with "That's nice. Does her husband do nothing around the house too?"

She’s been grabbing my stomach to tell me im showing since 6 weeks
Respond by grabbing her breasts - if it's good enough for her to touch you without permission, then return in kind.

“you don’t look that sick, you’ve put on a good bit of weight”
Respond with "Well, I can lose the weight when I'm done being pregnant but you will always remain a bitch it seems"

thing47 · 23/11/2021 16:07

Nobody who is rude to me in my own house would be welcome for very long. Perfectly reasonable to either reply in kind or tell her not to be so bloody rude – whichever you think would have a greater impact.

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