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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

MIL says I'm excluding her

54 replies

Imtheproblemitsmeapparently · 22/07/2024 11:19

I invited MIL round for dinner a few months ago. She'd been having a tough time so I felt it was a nice thing to do. She was rude as hell all evening, snappy, standoffish, judgemental etc but I ignored it thinking she's just in a bad place and that was likely it. The evening ended when she snapped at my 3 year old and I pulled her up on it. I was polite but firm. She burst into tears, i apologised for upsetting her but she immediately left without saying a word to us.

Since then, I've messaged her to apologise again and explained why i was cross at the time. She sent a pithy, childish response along the lines of 'it's ok I just won't speak to him anymore then', so i've not responded.

She's since called DH in tears and said it's not about this incident, but that she feels like I don't invite her to places, I don't contact her etc etc. She then apologised to DH. She has not contacted me since her pithy message.

I work 5 days a week. DH works one day at the weekend and sometimes two so we have exactly 1 day a week as a family about twice a month. On those days, we like to go out to places together and this appears to be what she wants to be invited to. She's also upset we see more of my parents than her - baring in mind my parents ask all the time to see DS, come over to help us out regularly etc. She has never once in 2 years offered proactively to have DS, we always ask her to see him.

Anyway, since then I've stopped reminding DH to contact her and stopped contact with her myself. I've made it clear to DH that his relationship with his mother is now his responsibility, and if he'd like to invite her round that's absolutely fine, I'll cook, I'll be completely polite and act like nothing has ever happened but I absolutely won't be organising it or taking responsibility for her relationship with our DS.

Predictably, DH has not invited her round, asked her how she is, contacted her or asked to take DS to see her a single time without me prompting him. She has now told the entire family I'm 'keeping her DS and DGS from her' because all contact has stopped. SHe still hasnt apologised to me for not accepting my apology, and also has not proactively contacted DH or myself.

WIBU to continue putting the responsibility for the relationship in DH's hands and not accept that this is in any way my doing? If MIL wants to see her DS and DGS she just has to ask - equally DH isnt reaching out to her because he never does without me asking him to. I don't see how that's me 'keeping them away from her'.

Answers on a postcard, I'm more than happy to be told I'm wrong here and I need to pick the reigns back up, but I'm genuinely not sure I am.

OP posts:
TomatoSandwiches · 22/07/2024 11:22

Just keep doing what you're doing, she isn't your responsibility and she still owes you and apology.

Therealjudgejudy · 22/07/2024 11:25

Exactly, keep doing what you are doing!

AdoraBell · 22/07/2024 11:30

YANBU. She is DH’s mother, he can deal with her.

MummyJ36 · 22/07/2024 11:32

Keeping what you are doing. I may not have read properly but is FIL on the scene at all?

FuzzyStripes · 22/07/2024 11:36

YANBU. Just carry on as you are.

Purplecatshopaholic · 22/07/2024 11:39

Why on earth is the relationship with his mother frequently the wife’s problem?! It isn’t, and well done you. Keep doing what you are doing, this is your DHs issue to sort.

Tandora · 22/07/2024 11:40

Well your Dh is a selfish arse who can’t be bothered to care about his mother- this would bother me personally. But you are right, this is not on you and YANBU to carry on as you are.

BobandRobertaSmith · 22/07/2024 11:42

She isn’t your responsibility but your DS is and what is best for your DS? If snapping at him was a one off and there is no back story, it is better for him to have a relationship with his DGM than not. I would try to smooth things over and invite her over, tell her it was a misunderstanding. Then put the ball in her court and tell her to make arrangements with your DH if she would like to visit or spend time with your DS.

NorthernSpirit · 22/07/2024 11:46

She’s sounds very emotionally immature.

Remember when you last had her over and she was a guest in YOUR home - she was rude snappy, standoffish, judgemental and she snapped at a 3 year old child. The tears she turned on when you pulled her up on her poor behaviour were to deflect and manipulate you.

She isn’t your responsibility and contacting her isn’t ‘wife work’ - it’s your husband’s responsibility to contact his own mother. If he doesn’t bother - it’s not your problem. It’s a reflection of how she bought her son up.

Let her slag you off - remember you can’t control her behaviour but you can control how you react. These people no doubt know what she is like.

You’ve done absolutely nothing wrong. Personally I would be enjoying the time off from her.

Runsyd · 22/07/2024 11:49

Dear MIL, I'm just messaging to let you know that DH and I have agreed that we'll both take responsibility for our own families. So I arrange visits for my mum and dad, and I've left it to your son to arrange visits with you. The fact that he has failed to do so is not my fault, and I'd be grateful if you would stop framing it that way. Love, DIL x

cupcaske123 · 22/07/2024 11:52

Can you send her a text:

I hear that you're not happy with the amount of contact you have with the family. I'm obviously delighted that you want a relationship with grandson and have spoken to husband who is more than happy to facilitate it. Please contact him regarding meeting up, as you know I'm busy at work and with the family but husband will of course be happy to speak to you about get togethers. Hope you are well, take care.

TemuSpecialBuy · 22/07/2024 11:52

Carry on as you are

my mil wants to be “hosted” too and is also very childish / emotionally immature
and elaborate charming day out planned both pre and post kids etc
it’s exhausting i have stopped and she is equally annoyed and confused / baffled 😅

there is nothing to stop her saying there a village fete/ funny fair / new soft play shall we all go ill get tickets…
There is nothing stopping your DH stepping up
there is nothing to stop her messaging or calling you to apologise and be an adult

TemuSpecialBuy · 22/07/2024 11:53

Runsyd · 22/07/2024 11:49

Dear MIL, I'm just messaging to let you know that DH and I have agreed that we'll both take responsibility for our own families. So I arrange visits for my mum and dad, and I've left it to your son to arrange visits with you. The fact that he has failed to do so is not my fault, and I'd be grateful if you would stop framing it that way. Love, DIL x

This is good but remove the love dil and kisses

Northernparent68 · 22/07/2024 11:54

Tandora · 22/07/2024 11:40

Well your Dh is a selfish arse who can’t be bothered to care about his mother- this would bother me personally. But you are right, this is not on you and YANBU to carry on as you are.

He’s not necessarily selfish, perhaps after his mother’s behaviour the last time they met he doesn’t want to see her. You could argue he’s supporting his wife.

coconutpie · 22/07/2024 11:55

YABU for apologising to MIL multiple times. She did not deserve an apology. She was rude and judgemental, then snapped at your 3yo but when pulled up on it, she bursts into tears (a manipulative tactic that narcissists do) but then you apologise twice? She should have been apologising to YOU and DS, not the other way around.

Anyway, that is the only bit of YABU here, everything else YANBU. Continue as you are, don't make any effort - she is DH's problem, not yours. I wouldn't be bothering with her either. Especially since she's now blaming you for the lack of effort from her own son. So just totally disengage. No more reminders to DH to contact her, just do your own thing.

Summerpigeon · 22/07/2024 12:10

This is my worry for the future
I've 3 boys ,I've tried so hard to be a good mum ..but this situation,where the dh cant be bothered to contact his mum ,is something I've read about on Mumsnet a lot .
It worries me especially as I know the relationships were strong as children and teenagers .
I don't at all think the op in this situation is responsible for the relationship between DH and his mother .
This op has done plenty to smooth things over
Maybe the bar is set to low for men in society these days

FreeRider · 22/07/2024 12:15

Very few things get my back up as much regarding families as does this - the expectation that a grown man, once he has a wife/girlfriend/partner, gets to leave all the 'life admin' connected with his own family to said woman.

It's immature, misogynistic and sexist. Apologists say 'Oh but men are shit at that sort of thing'...well men need to fucking get good at it then! In this day and age, with all the communication methods now available, there's no fucking excuse for it.

You are doing the right thing, keep doing it.

EllenLRipley · 22/07/2024 12:16

This is what happened in our family. When FIL eventually confronted me about it I acted like I didn't understand and said "I totally agree, I'd be devastated if my son behaved this way, I speak to my parents every week, I am sorry he is like this" he said "well you could remind him" and I said "Yes, I used to and I used to do most of the organising but you made it clear that I was going about it all incorrectly so now I leave it to him". Not much they can say to that is there.

coolkatt · 22/07/2024 13:05

NorthernSpirit · 22/07/2024 11:46

She’s sounds very emotionally immature.

Remember when you last had her over and she was a guest in YOUR home - she was rude snappy, standoffish, judgemental and she snapped at a 3 year old child. The tears she turned on when you pulled her up on her poor behaviour were to deflect and manipulate you.

She isn’t your responsibility and contacting her isn’t ‘wife work’ - it’s your husband’s responsibility to contact his own mother. If he doesn’t bother - it’s not your problem. It’s a reflection of how she bought her son up.

Let her slag you off - remember you can’t control her behaviour but you can control how you react. These people no doubt know what she is like.

You’ve done absolutely nothing wrong. Personally I would be enjoying the time off from her.

Exactly this

Hoppinggreen · 22/07/2024 13:07

I did similar when MIL pissed me off once too often.
I am pleasant and polite but all enquiries are directed to DH. If he asks for my help to choose Mothers Day flowers or a Birthday present for her I will but beyond that I have no relationship with her any more.
The kids are old enough to make their own mind up, she tried manipulating DD by text just once and I told her if she did it again she would be blocked. We have a WA group with MIL, DH, me and the DC on (I told DH he didn't need to include me but he wanted to and I was ok with it) but she behaves on there so its fine. Any requests for visits etc and I just say "ask DH"

PickAChew · 22/07/2024 13:08

Tandora · 22/07/2024 11:40

Well your Dh is a selfish arse who can’t be bothered to care about his mother- this would bother me personally. But you are right, this is not on you and YANBU to carry on as you are.

More like the DH knows his mother all too well and is happy to keep her at arm's length.

Hoppinggreen · 22/07/2024 13:08

Runsyd · 22/07/2024 11:49

Dear MIL, I'm just messaging to let you know that DH and I have agreed that we'll both take responsibility for our own families. So I arrange visits for my mum and dad, and I've left it to your son to arrange visits with you. The fact that he has failed to do so is not my fault, and I'd be grateful if you would stop framing it that way. Love, DIL x

Why?
There is no need at all for this, just drop the rope

WickedWitchOfTheEast87 · 22/07/2024 13:08

@Imtheproblemitsmeapparently YANBU continue as you have been and if any of your DH family complain to you refer them to your DH. Your mil is being manipulative she expects you to make all the effort but she has made none with you however she is contacting your DH to further manipulate him so she can make the effort when it suits her it seems.

Don't make any effort with her OP if she is able enough to contact your DH and her family to complain about you then she's able to contact you to see her grandson but she'd rather all 100% effort comes from you.

It says a lot that your DH hasn't made any effort with her I wonder if he's had enough of her manipulative behaviour and just doesn't want to bother and I can't say I blame him its exhausting dealing with manipulative people sometimes.

cookiebee · 22/07/2024 13:10

EllenLRipley · 22/07/2024 12:16

This is what happened in our family. When FIL eventually confronted me about it I acted like I didn't understand and said "I totally agree, I'd be devastated if my son behaved this way, I speak to my parents every week, I am sorry he is like this" he said "well you could remind him" and I said "Yes, I used to and I used to do most of the organising but you made it clear that I was going about it all incorrectly so now I leave it to him". Not much they can say to that is there.

@Imtheproblemitsmeapparently you are handling it beautifully, though wind back on the apologies next time, I think you possibly made her feel like she was in the right, once is enough. Also @EllenLRipley, this is absolutely perfect, I think I might keep this in my canon if it’s ever needed, OP definitely say this to your mil

Outlookmainlyfair · 22/07/2024 13:12

EllenLRipley · 22/07/2024 12:16

This is what happened in our family. When FIL eventually confronted me about it I acted like I didn't understand and said "I totally agree, I'd be devastated if my son behaved this way, I speak to my parents every week, I am sorry he is like this" he said "well you could remind him" and I said "Yes, I used to and I used to do most of the organising but you made it clear that I was going about it all incorrectly so now I leave it to him". Not much they can say to that is there.

Love this!

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