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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Mother in law says she's my responsibility

222 replies

RedoneP · 08/10/2023 19:32

My husband has 3 siblings. A few years ago their father (my father in law) had a terrible accident and almost died. One sibling still hasn't been back to see the family, even when his father died and his mother got cancer.

My sister in law hates me and has since she met me over 20 years ago. She's excluded me from family events, been nasty, made false allegations etc. She snubbed our child's christening and our wedding.

My mother in law has always sided with her daughter and even made allegations I've said things I know, and my husband know, I haven't.

For the 3 years preceeding my father in laws death, I always ended up being the most practical care giver when present probably due to my experience in healthcare. I even got palliative care for my father in law as he lay dying as they didn't want medical intervention and were in denial. I fed him. I got him water. I sat with him. When I explained why I called an ambulance to get him palliative care involved so they'd avoid a coronors inquest, a post mortem, him dying in pain and them being questioned for not getting him medical attention etc, my sister in law just stormed off in a huff. She never thanked me. She's never been kind to me.0

Now my mother in law is alone. She has a myriad of health issues. She requires lifts to hospital appointments and things doing around the house from time to time. Her mean daughter who lives 10 minutes away with adult children never answers the phone, is too busy, always has plans etc. The sibling abroad does nothing - still not been back even for his fathers funeral. The other sibling does what she can but lives 2 hours away and doesn't drive. She does come to stay with her mum for a few days when her mum has operations etc.

However, all this running around seems to land on me and my husband and we have young children. Also, I have my own widowed mother nearby. I only resent it because my sister in law and brother in law have always been nasty and rude. I'm at a stage when mowing lawns, dinner invites, driving to medical appointments etc is annoying because I'm not her daughter, it's not my responsibility and it's not thanked and it's expected. Why should my husband (who is a busy shift worker) use his annual leave to do things for her or me use my own time when I get nothing but sneers and abuse from his family. They enjoy their holidays, day trips, lots of money from working. I'm too busy running around after everyone else to even consider working. I am fortunate to be a housewife but we've obviously made sacrifices to do so. My child also has high functioning neurodiversity but needs routine so I'm delighted I can be around for them.

My Mother in law voiced that I am her responsibility and my children are her Grandchildren so that make her even more my responsibility. She thinks I owe her because her son married me. She says she is my responsibility. Whilst I agree in being a decent person, am I being unreasonable to resent doing things when 2 of her children are absolved from responsibility yet she makes excuses for their selfish behaviour and thinks they're wonderful. This makes me feel angry and I feel that despite her generosity financially many years ago when we married etc and to ALL her children, I am the only in law she feels owes her for some reason. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful, but I don't believe she is solely my responsibility. I am not her child. AIBU?

OP posts:
RedToothBrush · 11/10/2023 13:36

"Stop emotionally blackmailing me. You are not MY responsibility. At best you are my husband's responsibility, and my relationship with my husband is relevant. However if my husband TELLS me its MY responsibility rather than his he can fuck off. Are you trying to put your son in that position? I will give help when and where I want and feel able but I will not be coerced, and the more you push the more I'll push back."

OP. Tell your husband he needs to deal with her disrespect too.

Ramalangadingdong · 11/10/2023 13:43

Nope. Not your responsibility. She has kids. They should be ashamed of themselves. If you are an empath try to harden your heart and if you start to falter and feel sorry for her read the good sense on this thread and turn your phone off.

I am an empath and am always taking on caring responsibilities. It will make you I’ll in the end. Enough is enough. It is good to be kind but your kindness can kill you.

Birch101 · 11/10/2023 13:52

Sorry this needs to stop.
There are 4 siblings (my brain is thinking maybe one moved abroad because of them..)
So 3 who are nearby if they chose to help then great, if not its their call but i would make it clear you and your partner together will be available to help a max of 2 days a week all additional care will need to be done by other siblings or funded by them if they refuse to do that then the mother will need to sell her home and pay for care.

That is the reality of the world and why should someone who is so rude and entitled benefit from your sacrifices for your own child. Please do not sign yourself up for possible years of misery. I would also refuse and block your rude SIL you do not to deal with that, your husband should be their point of contact you are not his PA and if he he can't cope with her then he needs to cut her off as well.

BetterCallBarry · 11/10/2023 14:18

You reap what you sew, did I spell sew that right?

Anyway, I remember my MIL looking after me after I gave birth, she didnt have to but she really cared for me. She cooked, cleaned, gave me advice and gave me space. She did it without being asked and we aren't even that close. She doesn't know how dear I hold that in my heart as my own mum came to visit me for a few hours and expected to be hosted.

Even now I can rely on her if I needed emergency childcare.

When her time comes I will help her with pleasure.

Your MIL didn't put in and treated you like shit and now she sees your time as less and that ypu must carry her burden. Fuck that shit.

WeHaveChocIcesInTheFreezer · 11/10/2023 18:07

Meowandthen · 08/10/2023 20:01

Why isn’t your husband speaking to his mother and siblings about the situation? It’s his mother, his family, his responsibility.

Kindness stops when people are rude or totally unappreciative.

This OP!

SequinsandStiIettos · 12/10/2023 02:23

you reap what you sew, did I spell sew that right?

sow Smile

BetterCallBarry · 12/10/2023 07:23

Ah thank you

6Claire · 12/10/2023 09:49

YANBU AT ALL! Tell her to Fk off, taking pure pi. I’d also ring / txt the siblings and tell them about there business, what’s it matter anyway they seem to hate you for no apparent reason! Your DH should side with you if he can see the treatment and disrespect they show you! Be done with them/her she will soon realise what side her breads buttered when none of her actual children help!

Krneki · 12/10/2023 11:08

Stop doing stuff wor her, if she can't take care for herself, and her children can't help her, she can go to nursing home, where she can get professional help/care.

You should use your time to look after your own family and I know how much energy/care neurodiverse child needs/requires

RhannionKPSS · 12/10/2023 14:57

Stop, just stop running around after her. Does she live with you? I certainly hope not.
Put a rocket up the backside of her children, and get your husband on your side in this.

WorkSmarter · 12/10/2023 19:38

InspectorGidget · 08/10/2023 20:18

Your Dh should set a what's app group with his siblings and say 'just setting this up to organise any help re caring for mum / lifts etc. we're probably going to need to be a bit more organised between us all'.

He doesn't even need to mention you.

If mum needs a lift and you can do it it becomes a 'we can do the hospital drop off / collection on the 10th but not the 20th' etc.

Brilliant plan!
She had 3 kids so her 3 kids should divide the work between them! End of.
This has nothing to do with you so give yourself a big cheer as it's not your problem!
You've taken enough and you are not Cinderella.
If she wanted your help she should have been decent to you, not a horrible cow.
Xxxxx

LookItsMeAgain · 13/10/2023 08:15

@RedoneP - how are things going now for you? Have you stepped back from doing all of the running around? Has your DH set up that WhatsApp group for his siblings so that they can organise to pick up the slack around caring for their own mother?

NoThanksymm · 13/10/2023 08:45

Oie!! Lol. I get this. And I’m guessing you do a lot for your husband ( in the realm of MIL care), so he doesn’t have to take leave.

set up some boundaries.

I.e - hey I’m busy s/s/m/w/f and since your daughter doesn’t answer phone I suggest you arrange anything you need with her in advance, but I (we) can help you on Tuesday and Thursday.

because you are a good person, and your husband does need that help.

And next time something snarky is said my MIL bring it up! Or next time SIL excludes you, bring it up to MIL - ‘clearly I’m not part of this family’ and she should be defending you.

anyway. Good luck.

RedoneP · 13/10/2023 10:06

Thanks for asking. I have told my husband enough is enough. He agrees that she's been unfair. Oddly, MIL has gone quiet last few days and I wonder if my husband has said something but he denies this. I've told him that because his sister and his mother make up stories about me, I cannot be responsible for her and she is never able to live with us as if something happens to her, I.e. she falls etc, I don't trust she or her daughter won't make up false allegations, therefore it's too dangerous for me. My husband agrees with this.

Moving forward, i will be screening calls. If it's important she can leave a message. I've also reiterated to my husband that she is never to live here which he agrees. He adores his mum but did say she has been dreadful to me and also that she's a very self entitled person. At least he agrees she's awful to me and is ok with me stepping back. He and his mean sister nearby are taking her to her next few hospital appointments so I'm not.

OP posts:
LookItsMeAgain · 13/10/2023 10:26

That's definitely a start.

I'd be cautious around your DH in case he is agreeing with you about her staying just so you're hearing what you want to hear but he may not mean it when push comes to shove.

I'd make all available rooms in your home unavailable for guests.

I am pleased that the others in the family are stepping up bringing her to hospital. While they are doing this for the next few appointments, I'd be laying the groundwork to ensure that it just isn't possible or feasible for you to resume bringing her here there and everywhere when they realise just how much of the heavy lifting you were doing for them.

Phoenixfire1988 · 13/10/2023 10:43

2 words the first begins with F and the 2nd word is off !!
I'd just be blunt and tell her she's been nothing but a nasty bitch to you for the last 20 years and your done you won't be helping her anymore and she might want to take a long hard look in the mirror and ask herself why 1 child moved country's and won't come back and the others cba to help her either

1mabon · 13/10/2023 13:02

Hear hear.

Tryingmybestadhd · 13/10/2023 17:09

Stop answering the phone , sorry but she has a daughter and 2 sons . She is not even thankful

toobusymummy · 15/10/2023 00:22

What a lovely person you are and well done for raising above the in-laws nastiness, it genuinely restores my faith that there are still genuinely nice people out there and not just entitled, selfish ones....speaking of......your in laws need a reality check. As has been mentioned, make yourself less available, if it isn't something that you've agreed to at least a week in advance just don't answer the phone! Your MIL will then HAVE to turn to her OWN daughter(s?) to help out - and let me tell you, if she finds you're not as available as you currently are she WILL start making sure her daughter answers the phone to her!

Homegrown11 · 15/10/2023 10:47

You need to send what you posted here to the 4 siblings and her. Then block her number and go visit your own mother. Her kids can fight it out amongst themselves. Not your problem. Be strong.

T1Dmama · 16/10/2023 20:29

Well done @RedoneP

billy1966 · 16/10/2023 21:57

Well done OP.

I agree with @LookItsMeAgain to be wary that you are not being told what you want to hear.

You are absolutely correct that when people despise you and lie about you, goodness knows what grief she and her daughter could bring to your door.

I wouldn't risk mine and my childrens peace by having anything to do with either of them.

Screening your calls is an excellent idea.
Forward any texts to your husband directly, unanswered by you.

Hand it all over to him and his siblings.

Brace yourself for blowback from him though.

Many men invariably do not like being bothered and inconvenienced by caring duties.

Several of my friends needed to be very ruthless with their husbands on this point over the years.

They had run around and juggled children and jobs unaided as they helped their own parents, and had absolutely no intention of becoming in any way involved when their inlaws needed help.

Each of those nice husbands had just ASSUMED their wives would do the doctor/hospital appointments, organising etc.

Did not happen.

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