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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think MIL is being an idiot?

35 replies

Artmumcreative · 29/11/2025 20:03

Eighteen month history of MIL blocking and scapegoating me, then when she unblocked me I didn't make contact (she didn't say anything, just unblocked me). I've posted about it before, the outcome was I wasn't being unreasonable.

MIL has seen me, DH, and our toddler once since he got back in contact because she had told BIL that she'd had "a cancer scare" and he told DH that he wasn't going to split the inheritance if it all got left to him.

Since that meeting (carefully timed for one drink at a gastropub- so I'd planned what I was going to have for dinner- during which she ran off to the toilet crying when I returned to the table after walking around with my DD because my DH had said something to upset her) she's made no effort or suggestion to meet up until she messaged DH to 'ask' (read: state) they she sees our DD for one hour on Christmas Day. Our DD is one year old and it takes a lot of work to get her used to e.g. the people that work at her playgroups. It took my parents eighteen months of trying for her to spend time with them in an adjacent room to the one I was in.

I'm not going to try to stop my DH's family from seeing DD but AIBU to think that MIL should be putting a lot more effort in- especially with me, the SAHM- if she wants to have any sort of functional relationship with my and DH's DD?

(N.b. I had a grandmother who didn't put effort in with me and my siblings (because my dad was her least favourite child). Once we were old enough to advocate for ourselves, we just didn't see her.)

OP posts:
Artmumcreative · 30/11/2025 10:17

TwinklyNight · 29/11/2025 23:17

😐I am just happy that my dil accepts me, warts and all.

I made a huge effort with her, I used to go to her knitting group with her until I was too heavily pregnant to travel each week, we went to art galleries together, she was desperate for me to marry her son (my parents didn't want me to get married).
Then she overstepped the mark by telling me to formula feed for HER benefit- not mine or my DD's- and then DH (who has always had an appalling relationship with her) had a go at her for upsetting me, she said I was hormonal and lying, blocked me and my DH on all forms of digital communication, and hasn't acknowledged me since apart from we've seen her once for an hour (her decision to put a time limit on it, she also brought my BIL with her presumably as her witness??), I asked her how she is, she said "fine".

OP posts:
Artmumcreative · 30/11/2025 10:18

She told me to "get some formula in" and commented that she wanted to feed my baby.

OP posts:
Artmumcreative · 30/11/2025 10:22

I know people who had babies that they formula fed, and only the parents are allowed to do so.

OP posts:
DamsonIcecream · 30/11/2025 10:28

Let it go. Honestly, do the whole family a favour and draw a line, smile and make friends. It won’t be the same as it was but it’ll save you a whole heap of grief. Neither of you come out of your story particularly well. It’s not edifying seeing a younger woman block her husband’s mum out of their lives and continuing on this trajectory will bring you all pain.

My mil isn’t perfect and has said/done highly irritating/eyebrow-raising things. But she’s 90 now and I’m very glad she’s in our lives and we can help out as needed.

I wish you well.

Uricon2 · 30/11/2025 10:41

MIL has seen me, DH, and our toddler once since he got back in contact because she had told BIL that she'd had "a cancer scare" and he told DH that he wasn't going to split the inheritance if it all got left to him.

This reads like the only reason your DH resumed contact with her is fear for his inheritance. Whatever your MILs faults, this is pretty bad. You must see that?

thepariscrimefiles · 30/11/2025 11:11

I wouldn't bother making any arrangements to see her. Your relationship with her is non-existent and she sounds very unpleasant.

If your DH wants her to see his daughter, he can arrange something but obviously not on Christmas Day.

Artmumcreative · 30/11/2025 11:41

Uricon2 · 30/11/2025 10:41

MIL has seen me, DH, and our toddler once since he got back in contact because she had told BIL that she'd had "a cancer scare" and he told DH that he wasn't going to split the inheritance if it all got left to him.

This reads like the only reason your DH resumed contact with her is fear for his inheritance. Whatever your MILs faults, this is pretty bad. You must see that?

Of course I see that. I offered to sell my flat to part-fund a new home if he just wanted money. I've also offered to arrange to meet up with his mother, in the knowledge that if I don't, Christmas is going to be awkward AF. I need him to also make an effort rather than having his mum dictate when and where (last time was a Wetherspoon's) we see her. I'd like to suggest a soft play or something so DD can enjoy it.

OP posts:
Uricon2 · 30/11/2025 12:41

Well OP, it doesn't say much for his character if his only reason for reconciliation is fear of potentially losing out on her money. In your situation I wouldn't be going along with it and I'd leave your DH to sort out any relationship he wants him and your daughter to have with his mother.

TheSmallAssassin · 30/11/2025 12:46

It sounds like your MiL said one thing that you didn't like and you have completely vilified her. You are not coming across well here.

Francestein · 09/01/2026 07:30
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I wouldn’t be able to help myself

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