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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

AIBU To not want to visit my MIL who is dying

412 replies

Aisleseat · 29/03/2024 21:40

As background, I’ve been married for 19 years and never had a close relationship with my MIL. She lives a few hours away and my DH would be pretty bad at visiting also. To make up for this he has spent the last number of years just buying her whatever she wants to appease her - and trust me, she’s always looking for something - from tvs to phones to hotel stays, he forks out. My kids would see her a couple of times a year.

Just before Christmas she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer with a poor enough prognosis. My husband has now gone into a complete tailspin and since December is spending a few nights a week staying with them. He’s 54 btw. We work together in our own business so I’m picking up for him while he’s out.
The problem for me is that he seems to want us as a family to be ever present when she’s dying and I quite frankly just don’t want to do it. She was in hospital for mothers day and we went to visit her (because according to him its likely to be the last time she would see us together) with the children and she didn’t say one word to them. It was unbearably awkward and my poor kids didn’t know what to make of it.

So tonight, DH has arrived back from his overnight stay and has told me that we will all go to see her again on Sunday.
Ive just told him no, it’s uncomfortable for the children and for me. He can spend his entire week down with her for all I care but I just don’t want to see her.
If I hear again “this will probably be the last time she sees her grandchildren”
I’m trying not to be a heartless bitch here but it’s hard when he’s now stormed into the other room and is watching her on a monitor that he has set up in her house.

AIBU by refusing to go visit when quite frankly I feel nothing for the woman

OP posts:
THisbackwithavengeance · 29/03/2024 21:42

YABU.

It's his mum. You have made the situation all about you. You should be supporting your DH.

mynameiscalypso · 29/03/2024 21:44

Jeez. I don't have any particular relationship with my MIL but I'd be 100% there for my DH.

Hankunamatata · 29/03/2024 21:44

It's his mum. I'd support him anyway I could. I'd be super careful you don't permanently damage your relationship with your husband

saraclara · 29/03/2024 21:44

How do your children feel about going to see her?

Bryonny84 · 29/03/2024 21:47

I would go along with it even though you don't want to. The woman is dying. Do the children need to go every time? I do think you should support your DH though, it's his mum and disharmony between the family is hardly what he needs.

Aisleseat · 29/03/2024 21:49

saraclara · 29/03/2024 21:44

How do your children feel about going to see her?

Edited

They don’t want to go. He mentioned it to my eldest already and she’s said she’s not comfortable. I know that death is something that everyone has to face in their life but they have no attachment whatsoever to this woman.

OP posts:
SwordToFlamethrower · 29/03/2024 21:49

THisbackwithavengeance · 29/03/2024 21:42

YABU.

It's his mum. You have made the situation all about you. You should be supporting your DH.

Would you say the same of he suggested she moves in with them? How far shoukd this support go?

FictionalCharacter · 29/03/2024 21:49

He's watching her on a monitor he set up in her house? Is she ok with that?
It sounds like he feels guilty and is trying to use you and the kids to salve these feelings of guilt. It sounds like it's for his benefit not hers. If she didn't talk to the kids once she clearly isn't delighted that they were there.

Eyesopenwideawake · 29/03/2024 21:49

It's not for her, or for the children, it's for him. Depends on how you feel about him and whether the consequences of not going are worth it for your ongoing relationship.

InTheShallowTheShalalalalalalalow · 29/03/2024 21:50

Bloody hell, I've seen some heartless shit on here in my time, but this is awful.

Your DH needs support, he wants his kids to see his mum, and his wife to be there, and you don't want yo go because its a bit uncomfortable for you?

If the kids don't know what to make of it then explain that it's the right thing to do to be there for their dad at this time.

Aisleseat · 29/03/2024 21:52

FictionalCharacter · 29/03/2024 21:49

He's watching her on a monitor he set up in her house? Is she ok with that?
It sounds like he feels guilty and is trying to use you and the kids to salve these feelings of guilt. It sounds like it's for his benefit not hers. If she didn't talk to the kids once she clearly isn't delighted that they were there.

Yes she is. She thinks its a great idea

OP posts:
BIossomtoes · 29/03/2024 21:53

Bloody hell, I've seen some heartless shit on here in my time, but this is awful.

Not just me then. Do you even like your bloke @Aisleseat?

RogueFemale · 29/03/2024 21:53

Aisleseat · 29/03/2024 21:49

They don’t want to go. He mentioned it to my eldest already and she’s said she’s not comfortable. I know that death is something that everyone has to face in their life but they have no attachment whatsoever to this woman.

You don't have to go. Your children certainly don't have to go. Don't go.

Femme2804 · 29/03/2024 21:54

The support is going all the way. I will move in with her if its means to help her in the final days. Imagine if its happen to you. Its not all about you. Support your DH and be kind. You are selfish here OP

VivaVivaa · 29/03/2024 21:54

Nowhere have you mentioned what your dying MIL wants. It’s all just what you and your DH don’t or do want to do. Is she keen to see your DC/you? Has your DH even asked her what she wants?

Neverpostagain · 29/03/2024 21:54

What the fuck is wrong with you? How is any of this about what you or the children want?

Hoglet70 · 29/03/2024 21:54

Ugh this monitor is appalling. Morbid!!!!!
I wouldn't want to go either. You dont have to be there for him by sitting holding a vigil with him, you can still be an emotional support in other ways.

hobbitonthehill · 29/03/2024 21:54

This reply has been deleted

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Lemsipper · 29/03/2024 21:54

YANBU OP, ur kids dont need to be around so much doom gloom and death. It can really affect them. I think your husband is being a bit OTT with the visits at your expense but that’s just me!

Maddy70 · 29/03/2024 21:55

Wow....

Do you not care about your husbands feelings? This is his mum who is dying...
Im sure shes sorry she isnt chatty enough with her stage 4 cancer

cheeseandketchupsandwich · 29/03/2024 21:55

How old are your kids? Are they old enough to make the decision for themselves?

If so, maybe you could explain that you're not going for your MIL but for their father.

My mum's stepmum died a few years ago. Horrible horrible woman. But the only mother my mum has ever known and she was distraught. We had no relationship with this so called Nan of ours.

My brother flat out refused to go to the funeral. Until I explained we're attending to be there for our mum, not 'Nan'. He went and my mum hasn't forgotten it.

It sounds like your DH needs some support here and yes, it's going to be annoying and inconvenient for you. But you're doing it for him, not her.

RogueFemale · 29/03/2024 21:56

Eyesopenwideawake · 29/03/2024 21:49

It's not for her, or for the children, it's for him. Depends on how you feel about him and whether the consequences of not going are worth it for your ongoing relationship.

Sounds as if he didn't care much before the terminal diagnosis. Now guilt has kicked on. So what?

EC22 · 29/03/2024 21:56

You do come across really cold and heartless.
she won’t be here much longer.
Your husband sounds like he is trying to make up for lost time. I would support him.

PotatoPudding · 29/03/2024 21:57

I’m with you, OP, but please make sure you are present for your husband. No matter how little fondness you have for MIL, your husband is still losing his mother and will need your support.

RosieCockle · 29/03/2024 21:57

Is that the way you'd like to be treated when you are dying?