MIL took down all my Halloween decorations 😒😒

[Orchid90]

Just that .
We went out, invited her to come out too , she refused .
Got home and she took down all
the decorations, which I wanted to keep up a bit longer as it’s my house and I like them!
I know , there are bigger problems in the world , but I’m annoyed and had to tell someone .
I would never clear up anyone’s house without their permission .
she made it clear she didn’t like them and I guess they triggered her OCD .
I am gonna have a very very dark gothic Xmas this year, I always wanted a black tree anyway.

Why was she just sat in your house whilst you all went out for I presume trick or treating with your children?

She took down your decorations in your house? Jeez, that's not really on, is it?

Ffs how rude of her! Id have hung them all back up again right in front of her.

Not ok. She's weird

What did she say when you said ‘where are all the decorations?’

Or is this one of those ‘only on mumsnet’ stories where someone does something obviously weird and everyone pretends it’s perfectly normal.

I’m with the MIL on this one 😂😂😂

Does she actually have diagnosed OCD, or are you just using it in that really offensive “she’s a bit OCD” to excuse ridiculous or bad behaviour?

If she is diagnosed, then I’d cut her some slack but would have a conversation about this being my home and she needs to use her coping mechanisms rather than interfering with it.

If she does not actually have OCD, then I’d have a proper conversation about how inappropriate it was of her to interfere with my home when she was an invited guest and that, in future, she won’t be trusted alone there.

That's really rude.
Next time you go round to hers, rearrange her furniture as you don't like the way it is.

What did she say when you asked her why?

I think that Halloween these days is skeletons and pumpkins. But people who are much older can often view it as satanic (or along those lines).

Perhaps that’s the problem.

I'd be fuming. She has really overstepped by taking your Halloween decorations down. Did you tell her that she shouldn't have done that as you liked the decorations and wanted to keep them up for a bit longer?

Does she normally cross boundaries in this way?

Id be furious too! Absolutely not her place to do this.

Many people with OCD are undiagnosed because they think their behaviour is fine. People can have OCD and not be diagnosed.

OP that would annoy the hell out of me, I wouldn't be leaving her alone at your house again.

@Orchid90 I feel like you have forgotten a crucial part of this story? Like, she lives with you?

Why was she in your house when you were out otherwise?

What are her compulsions? Why do they involve removing decor?

What did she do with them? Not chuck them in the bin?

Why was she in your house when you weren't there?

If they triggered her so much then she should've gone to her own home.

I'd have been cross and told her son to speak to her

This 100% this makes a massive difference in how I would react

It doesn’t matter if it IS satanic (which it absolutely isn’t) it’s not her house to do that to!

I'd put them all back up and tell her to leave my stuff alone.
What did you say to her?

Wow, how rude! I would be absolutely furious too.

Did you ask her why?

I have diagnosed OCD and it doesn't entitle me to alter people's homes without permission, however much something gets to me. You leave or you ask.