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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU or is MIL ?!

20 replies

LosingMyMindHere · 03/11/2022 21:06

Long time poster, name changed for this post.

DH and I have been married 10 years. For the first few years, we lived with inlaws. In short, MIL and FIL bullied me the whole time we were there.
For cultural reasons (and because I knew that my time with them was temporary), I essentially shut up and put up with their behaviour of me.

Fast forward 7 years or so of living apart from them, we've seen them weekly ever since. Barely missed a visit.
DH has never been one to call or text his parents in between visits.
They don't have "that" type of relationship.

Equally, because of the difficult relationship between his parents and I over the years,
whilst I am perfectly civil/polite/friendly to his parents when we do see them,
I don't have much contact with them between the weekly visit either.

Recently, MIL had a non life threatening procedure to have an organ removed.
I have had the same organ removed too, so I know exactly what she's been through and what the recovery is like.

I visited her in hospital once (not more than that because I have a young child, so I don't really leave them with others that frequently), sent her a voicenote checking how she was after a few days,
and came to visit her a few days after she was discharged and cooked dinner for the whole family in her home.

As an aside, since she was taken ill a few weeks ago, I have asked DH how his mum is getting on, near enough every day.

I also asked him again last night if he needed me to send any dinner to his mum for today, and have also been sending him links to things to make her recovery a little nicer (nothing major, new supportive pillows, a nice fleecy blanket). He obviously hasn't ordered these yet, but I mention this to show that I do think of MIL and despite everything, still make some effort.

Today, MIL complained to DH that she never hears fom me and that she receives "more texts" from other people such as her other daughter in laws, and all her friends.

MIL also had a conversation with my own mother yesterday, indirectly bashing "some daughter in laws" (aka me?!) and saying how her other DIL was just perfect for bathing her in hospital. So in short, I'm a shit DIL for not texting my MIL more often.

For context, I work 40 hours a week, am studying for a Masters, and also trying to be a parent/wife/individual. I am feeling really sensitive about this because I have had an exceptionally difficult few weeks (I've been unwell for 2 out lf the 3 weeks,
had a sick child in between and had work and uni deadlines to juggle).

Am I being unreasonable for being fucked off beyond words at this woman?
She treated me like absolute SHIT for years,
massively impacted my mental health resulting in PTSD that required therapy, and prior to this health incident of hers,
has never ever ever gone out of her way to text/call me to see how me or her grandchild are, and now she expects daily texts from me?!?!

OP posts:
BakedTattie · 03/11/2022 21:09

Nah. Why is it always expected that the daughter, or daughter in law makes the effort. Why never the son?!

Cw112 · 03/11/2022 21:11

Sounds like her son needs to step up a bit and do the things you're suggesting and make it clear that you were the one who thought of it. He could be doing more to encourage that relationship than what he is.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 03/11/2022 21:15

Why does she expect you to do these things and not her son? Also, why did you cook for everyone/ offer to send food rather than her own son doing it? Or indeed her husband?

canfor · 03/11/2022 21:24

Tell your mum she's a sour old puss and it's a bit rich her mouthing off about imperfect daughter in laws when she is a complete nightmare of an MIL.

And...drop the rope. End it with the popularity contest. You don't need her to like you and you don't need to like her, think about her or do nice things for her.

If you take any flak for this in future...just laugh it off!

CourtAppointedHairdresser · 03/11/2022 21:24

YANBU she's a twat.

WellingtonSquareTree · 03/11/2022 21:25

To be honest I wonder why you would continue a relationship with her at all. What good stuff does she bring to your life? I am going to guess none. I hate it when being family, or married into this or cultural expectations mean you get treated like shit and somehow you are the one to blame. I would just cut them out entirely.

ICanHideButICantRun · 03/11/2022 21:28

Your mum should have said something along the lines of "You get out of a relationship what you put in. You have never treated her like a relative, so you're unreasonable to think she'll treat you like a relative now."

billy1966 · 03/11/2022 21:28

canfor · 03/11/2022 21:24

Tell your mum she's a sour old puss and it's a bit rich her mouthing off about imperfect daughter in laws when she is a complete nightmare of an MIL.

And...drop the rope. End it with the popularity contest. You don't need her to like you and you don't need to like her, think about her or do nice things for her.

If you take any flak for this in future...just laugh it off!

This.

Step away from the poisonous witch and stop making an effort.

Hand it over to your husband.

Do you not value your MH?

Step away.

EternalStench · 03/11/2022 21:29

Just don't give it another thought. You've done what you can. It's not your issue.

Quitelikeit · 03/11/2022 21:31

This woman will never ever change - don’t even think of trying to up your game re her

stay as you have been and keep her at arms length

you are not a disappointment at all

she is a nasty bully and does not deserve your respect, time or any type of consideration

be civil always and know that you are living rent free in her head

Justmuddlingalong · 03/11/2022 21:35

You tried. She's thrown it back in your face.
Fuck her. You're busy enough without wasting any more headspace or effort on her.
Tell your DH it's all on him now as you're done with her.

LosingMyMindHere · 03/11/2022 21:53

Gosh, you are all bloody brilliant. Thank you for all the reassurance that I'm not an arsehole DIL!

In short, she is a vile human being but it's really difficult to go no contact in our culture. I have offered to cook/send food because, culturally again, that's the 'done' thing to do.

Interestingly, @canfor I think she thinks it is a popularity contest, but what she doesn't realise is that I actually don't give a shit about her! I'm too bloody exhausted from life to be in competition with my sister in laws! 🤣
The minor courtesies that I do extend are simply because I love my DH, she is his mother at the end of the day.

I appreciate everyone's support, and @Quitelikeit you nailed it - I am living rent free in her head so should just sit back and laugh.

OP posts:
Tiani4 · 03/11/2022 21:56

Lol your MIL has just guaranteed you'll be too busy to do weekly visits now to her.
Or text her ever
You have MN permission to change her contact name in your contact list to "PA B*tch "

Also that's carry Blanche big ti give her a moments thought for any more the nice suggestions of links you sent to try to organise your DH for gifts for her comfort

Don't look this gift in the mouth!

Tiani4 · 03/11/2022 21:58

..Cart Blanche not to give her a moments thought... is what I meant to type

Jellybean23 · 03/11/2022 22:24

Speak up for yourself and tell her like it is. Tell her what you've done , what your husband hasn't done (no doubt he can do no wrong) and everything else you want to get off your chest. Because if you don't, she'll carry on with this behaviour - bullying - and you will facilitate her behaviour by meekly submitting to it.
Think about what is the worst thing that can happen if you tell her a few home truths?

Herejustforthisone · 03/11/2022 23:41

Bin the nasty old bitch off. You’ve done more than enough. Grey rock, grey rock, grey rock.

Topseyt123 · 04/11/2022 01:33

Ignore her. Completely. Why does she expect things of you anyway yet nothing of your DH, her son?

Aa for criticising you for not bathing her when she was in hospital (apparently like her other DIL), just bleurgh!! Why on earth would you even consider doing that?

palelavender · 23/03/2023 02:37

Cultural things of this nature tend to boil down to women being gullible enough to believe men that women should be doing more or putting up with more. I come from a culture where it was the done thing for women to have a baby a year and put up with a load of paedophile leaning priests. Most of us don't believe this stuff any more or put up with these things. I suggest you get with the sisterhood.

barmycatmum · 23/03/2023 02:50

Sounds like you did a lot for her.

I think with this type of person, no matter what you did, it would not be enough.

yuck!

Karatequeen · 23/03/2023 03:16

I’m sure your mum and DH see her for who she is, a right old bully

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