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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Should my MIL grow up or am I insensitive?

451 replies

birthdayboyy · 19/04/2024 08:40

NC for this. My DS is going to be 1 in July and we’re planning a little party for him. DP’s parents are divorced and his father re-married his ‘other woman.’ They have been married for 15 years and together for 20.
My MIL refuses to be around her ex husband’s new wife (understandably, it was all quite acrimonious at the time). For example if my FIL wants to visit to see our DS he will not come on a day he knows my MIL will be here as the two women being in the same room together, and this has never happened.
It’s been like this for years but now we have a child it’s all a bit awkward. I want to invite my DP’s stepmother to our child’s little birthday party. It seems unkind not to as she is a presence in his life.
I don’t want to upset my MIL or make her feel uncomfortable, but since having a child my outlook on various things has changed/I’m willing to stand up for myself a bit more and part of my thinks - this isn’t about you, suck it up. However I don’t want any bad atmosphere to ruin my little boy’s day.
MIL isn’t one to bite her tongue which won’t help things.
DP says he’d rather his step mother didn’t come so I think I should respect his feelings on this and choose my battles, but it all seems unfair to me.
I understand that he doesn’t want to upset his mum and I don’t either, we have a good relationship and I wouldn’t want her to feel upset.
For context it would be a small party as my entire family live on the other side of the country, so we’re planning on doing something separate with them.

Am I being unfair?

OP posts:
AWOL66 · 20/04/2024 20:36

SleepyCrow · 20/04/2024 19:18

It sounds like you’re thinking very carefully and sensitively about everyone’s feelings, not easy with so much swirling around and unspoken, by the sounds of it.
Your MIL seems to blame the OW for everything concerning the breakdown of her marriage, but that’s simplistic and unrealistic. It takes two. It’s like she has split them in her mind into the OW being all bad and her ex-husband as being the good one, and herself as the victim (I don’t mean that nastily, just that it’s as if it happened TO her and she had nothing to do with it, but apparently their relationship wasn’t doing that well in fact).
I wondered if when the birthday party has passed you could have a chat with your MIL about how this situation is for you and how difficult it’s probably going to be for all concerned as your son gets older? Coming from a place of acknowledgment of how painful it is, but gently letting her know that her stance does impact on everyone. Might she consider therapy? Or family therapy?
She clearly hasn’t got over the hurt and it must be colouring her life. A bit of a miserable way to live really, so many years later. While she is focusing on and blaming the OW she doesn’t have to take responsibility for her own part in her relationship with her then husband breaking down.

Realistically can anyone stop feeling sadness and anger from being betrayed. There's no on off switch for emotion. You see them and you stop feeling relaxed even if you try to.
Can anyone fight their instinct and chat with someone they have zero trust with. Therapy's not needed she's not unwell mentally. It's natural to feel like that.

It's not the MIL's fault - it's her ex husband's and the other woman's fault. I don't think it does always take two for a marriage to fail. More often than not one is to blame. He sounds like a deadbeat dad so I can only imagine he was a deadbeat husband.
This is her grandson's first birthday and it's her time to treasure not a woman who went about things dishonestly.
The MIL's past is not even Op's business in a way (no offence) it's more her husband's business. I don't get why not inviting someone to a few family gatherings is that bigger inconvenience (I'm referring to other people commenting not the Op). I'd just be thankful the MIL who sounds like an excellent mother and grandmother was there and want her to enjoy it as much as possible. I wouldn't care less about the stepmum. It's not like these events where they have to be in close proximity come up very often.

EnglishBluebell · 20/04/2024 20:37

This woman is not your DC's grandmother anyway. Like your MIL's DH isn't his grandfather. Just keep it family only

Lovely13 · 20/04/2024 20:40

Do two separate parties?

Mirable · 20/04/2024 20:42

OP i would go with whatever DP decides, it's his family. Or maybe you can invite SM to the party when your family come?

On a side note, why is MIL ok with FIL but completely blames StepM? Does she think FIL was an innocent naive man and SM stole him? He decided to leave MIL and get with SM.

uneffingbelievable · 20/04/2024 20:51

Sleepycrow- sorry if my newish daughter in law sat me down and told me what you suggest - she would get short shrift. OP has no cue what has gone on.

These women are not equals in this extended family.

Sorry, sleepy crow your comments are so patronising. She gets on with her EX - so has moved on. Like I said you have no clue what vitriol or not the OW has subjected her to. 24 years after the event and watching my friends DM be subjected to abuse at HER DGCs first birthday party - I would respect MIL point of view until you have a better understanding of what went on

Jumpers4goalposts · 20/04/2024 21:07

I think you should just get in the habit now of having separate celebrations with MIL and FIL/partner.

I grew up with separated grandparents and in my Nan’s mind my Grandad didn’t exist and visa versa. Great for me I’d get extra celebrations.

OldPerson · 20/04/2024 21:18

Wait a minute!

Just a small informal gathering planned? The baby is 1 years old. The baby won't care or remember it. Although your baby might be affected by angry stressed adults.

You're doing something separate with your parents?

For heavens sake do something separate with all 3 groups!!!

Just wait until your son's 16th, 18th, 21st, graduation or wedding - before investing a lot of money and demanding all factions call peace.

If you MIL is single and on her own - make her the lone grandparent presence for the date of birthday. Whatever day of the week that is. If she does not have partner support.

Of if she does have partner support, choose the faction you most enjoy having around with baby for the informal party you're planning.

But for heavens sake, you have a baby! Who likes to gurgle and enjoy relaxed 1:1 attention. Not angry tension-filled events.

Danielle9891 · 20/04/2024 21:26

I'd invite the 3 of them and if they argue I'd ask them all to leave as I wouldn't want my child exposed to the arguing and animosity.
It's a 1 year olds birthday party for god's sake and they should act civil. You don't have to like people to be in the same room as them. And it's been quite a while since it happened.

Itislate · 20/04/2024 21:45

Babies don't care about parties.
Go away for a nice weekend with your baby and DP and avoid the stress 😊

IvorTheEngineDriver · 20/04/2024 22:09

Don't. Do. It.

This could cause issues that would last for years.

Face it OP it's one or the other of them. It's simply can't be both.

Moro93 · 20/04/2024 22:26

I do agree that it’s quite unfair but I voted YABU. It’s your DH’s parents so he should get the final say. You’d expect the same if it was your side of the family.

Moro93 · 20/04/2024 22:27

It’s also likely if you invite all 3 and things kick off that you’ll end up getting the blame. They may all turn on you for ‘stirring’. Don’t get involved.

Outofhoursabc · 20/04/2024 22:40

Namechange for this because I find it quite triggering.

It's fascinating that this thread has run to 7 pages since it opened yesterday morning. It calls out to just one issue: the OW and "get over it"/"I can't get over it."

Is it too hard to understand that when a woman has children and her partner leaves her for someone else, whatever sorrow, betrayal, rage, or increasing sense of freedom she may feel, at some level she often intuits that she has been usurped by another, better, more attractive and exciting (often younger) version of womanhood.

She loses her husband/partner to this usurper.

She may try to be rational/sane/her better and bigger self and encourage her children to have a good relationship with this OW as their SM, but at some level she often fears that she will be usurped by another, better, more attractive and exciting (often younger) version of motherhood.

Unto the last generation - grandchildren, great grandchildren. Shoved into a smaller and smaller corner, because her hopes and aspirations were dashed when she was young and she is increasingly diminished by her failure to match up to the usurper (to whom none of this matters a damn, because apart from her relationship with her DH, the SM has no skin the game: it's just a popularity contest for her).

And, yes the first wife/the first mother may cut off her nose to spite her face and refuse to attend a grandchild's birthday party. She already knows her face doesn't fit.

And of course all the stepmothers/OW/people who have never had to consider how this sort of shit fucks with your head, all of them buy into the idea that the first wife/mother is a bit bleugh. That fits their agenda very well.

So, OP, think ont. A step-grandmother is not a grandmother. To confuse the competing rights of these two parties would be to undermine your own role as a mother. You have skin. And it's not a game.

JoyousPinkPeer · 20/04/2024 22:42

I would let your DH handle it, its not your battle. He might consider asking her to let bygones be bygones for the sake of her grandson. There will be too many times when they should all be there to enjoy grandparent times.

Picklelily99 · 20/04/2024 22:51

If you give in to the m.i.l. now, how many times will she 'pull rank' in the future??? You're making a rod for your own back. I can understand your partner not wanting the 'grief' but he's pandering to his mother's whim. * can they do 'shifts'??? Have the party for a particular time and have father in law and wife do the first shift, then they leave and m.i.l. arrives for 2nd shift, complete with cake etc so she can't complain that she's getting 2nd best. Surely that's a win-win for everyone? Really not fair, after 20 YEARS, for 2nd wife to be completely sidelined.

AngeloMysterioso · 20/04/2024 22:54

I personally think it’s just fine if shitty cheating husbands and the shitty women they cheat with spend the rest of their lives dealing with the consequences of their shitty behaviour.

AnnieSnap · 20/04/2024 22:55

I agree with another poster. This is not your call, it’s your partner’s and he doesn’t want her there. It would be nice if everyone could get along, but in many, many families, they don’t. You are in one of those families. All you can do is be nice to the woman when you do see her. She will know this isn’t your call.

AnnieSnap · 20/04/2024 23:00

Just to add, there is nothing at all wrong with you sharing your view on this with your partner.

AnnieSnap · 20/04/2024 23:03

EnglishBluebell · 20/04/2024 20:37

This woman is not your DC's grandmother anyway. Like your MIL's DH isn't his grandfather. Just keep it family only

Step Grandparents can become important in a child’s life. My DH has only been in one of my Grandsons since he was 8-years-old. A couple of years after this, he told my daughter that my DH was “his favourite Grandad”!

BlueFlowers5 · 20/04/2024 23:41

Personally I wouldn't want to hurt either woman. Maybe have SM over for first hour, then MIL after that. MIL is your DH mother and is the DGM to your DC.

HMW1906 · 20/04/2024 23:44

Although I think you’re right and she really needs to get over it as this is going to be an issue every birthday and Christmas and what if you and DP get married, can step mum not come to the wedding??

But it’s your partners family so if he wants to just go along with what his mum wants then I’d do that. But I think you need to have a frank conversation with your DP about whether this is something that you want to happen every year… what about when your child is older and asks for stepmum to be at his party, what will you tell him?

78Summer · 20/04/2024 23:47

If it is an intimate event I think follow the lead from your partner. Life has enough drama and pain without creating more ourselves.

FictionalCharacter · 20/04/2024 23:51

birthdayboyy · 19/04/2024 09:09

Thank you I do see this viewpoint. She is absolutely entitled to still be hurt by it. I just feel for my DP as I know it’s awkward for him. MIL was upset around 5 years ago as we had lunch with my FIL and his wife on Boxing Day after spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with her.. I realise I haven’t experienced what she has and shouldn’t judge as I dont know how I’d react in this situation. It just seems such a long time to hold onto upset and bitterness.

If she wants to eat herself up with bitterness that’s her choice. What she doesn’t have the right to do IMO is punish you and your husband, who are not to blame in any way for how she feels.
You had lunch on one day of the Christmas holiday with FIL and wife after spending two days with her and she had a sulk?!

Golaz · 21/04/2024 00:02

YABU, I would never put my dad in a situation where he had to be around my mums partner, and I would be incredulous if my own partner tried to overrule me on this. And no they are not equal relatives to my child- one is granddad the other is not.

ChellyT · 21/04/2024 00:07

birthdayboyy · 19/04/2024 08:40

NC for this. My DS is going to be 1 in July and we’re planning a little party for him. DP’s parents are divorced and his father re-married his ‘other woman.’ They have been married for 15 years and together for 20.
My MIL refuses to be around her ex husband’s new wife (understandably, it was all quite acrimonious at the time). For example if my FIL wants to visit to see our DS he will not come on a day he knows my MIL will be here as the two women being in the same room together, and this has never happened.
It’s been like this for years but now we have a child it’s all a bit awkward. I want to invite my DP’s stepmother to our child’s little birthday party. It seems unkind not to as she is a presence in his life.
I don’t want to upset my MIL or make her feel uncomfortable, but since having a child my outlook on various things has changed/I’m willing to stand up for myself a bit more and part of my thinks - this isn’t about you, suck it up. However I don’t want any bad atmosphere to ruin my little boy’s day.
MIL isn’t one to bite her tongue which won’t help things.
DP says he’d rather his step mother didn’t come so I think I should respect his feelings on this and choose my battles, but it all seems unfair to me.
I understand that he doesn’t want to upset his mum and I don’t either, we have a good relationship and I wouldn’t want her to feel upset.
For context it would be a small party as my entire family live on the other side of the country, so we’re planning on doing something separate with them.

Am I being unfair?

As long as your DP lets his step mum know that she isn't welcome I really don't know what the problem is... It's hard to be stuck in the middle, I honestly can't see it being your call. I do hope DS has a wonderful party though 🌸