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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

So upset with inlaws and DH

494 replies

ForShyBlueFish · 16/12/2025 01:31

Honestly, not sure what I’m posting for. I am so so upset I feel very let diwn by my DH and what inlaws have said. I would have expected my DH to have stood up for me more but he hasn’t and I suppose I want to know if I am BU.

I (“Amy”) have been married to “John” for 13 years. All these years I feel I’ve had a good relationship with my in-laws. I’m not hugely close to them but always got on well . so I thought. We only see them maybe three times a year due to living very far apart. But its a relaxed good time when we do meet up.

They have just been to visit us for Christmas. I feel I alomg with my DH made our usual quite a lot of effort for them, cooked nice meals inc full roast one eve and full cooked breakfast one of the mornings, got spare room set up lovely & cosy for the 3 nights they stayed over. Basically tried our upmost to make them welcome. As we always do. While they were here, we all visited my parents, who are local to us. Everything fine. I have never exchange any cross words with my inlaws all the years I have known them and im shattered to now learn they (well my MIL at least) feel this way about me, sorry to ramble, let me now explain,

While they were staying with us, my inlaws had a close friend of hers looking after her dog. As they were leaving to go home yesterday morning, MIL said something about the fact she was going to message the dog sitter / friend once they were on the road, to let her know when theyd be home.

well. What happened was, she accidentally sent the message to our family group chat which contains me, DH, MIL and FIL. This is what the message said,

“On road now, satnav saying arrival home at.. oclock. All fine here except Amy seems to gain even more weight every time we see her. Such a burden on John. What’s that they say though - love is blind, right”.

It is true I am overweight, I have had a very sad year and it has been about just getting through it rather than focussing on life style changes. My DH is very supportive and loves me anyway however he knows I want to make the changes and is promised to support me on whatever way I choose to loose weight next year when I do want to concentrate on myself again.

to say I was shocked . Well. A very big understatement. In a rush decision, I actually phoned up my MIL (FIL does the driving). I said, did you know you sent that to the group chat and I can see it? She said “ohhh my mistake you know I’m not very techy like you, must go speak soon”. And that was that…..!!!???

i burst into tears. DH comes in, having just seen the message in group chat. He says when he knows they are home again he will call her and talk about it. So he does, later that day. He has the phone on the hands-free this is at my own request when making the call. But she wont let him speak, just says. a half hearted sorry that she sent it to the wrong chat screen. And then brushes him off saying it is has been a long journey home and she is tired and got to go.

I wanted him to try and say more I wanted him to try and defend me and tell her what she said is completely disgusting and unacceptable but he said what’s the point, she won’t listen, what’s the point in falling out with them? I mean really I am his wife!!

I feel so violated, I have them in my home as I do when they visit even though it is not very often we both make a lot of effort to make them welcome. They sat around the table, our table, ate our food, sat in my own parents home, and all along they feel that way about me.?

am i being over sensitive here?

OP posts:
BerriesPineCones · 16/12/2025 11:59

Hopefully this will be a wake up call to the MIL that she's been spiteful, two faced and ungrateful and she's risked causing a family rift. It's out in the open now and is something she needs to work on.

NearlyMonday · 16/12/2025 11:59

Mangelwurzelfortea · 16/12/2025 09:25

I think I'd stick a message on the group chat 'Showing your true colours there, Jane. We won't be hosting Christmas for you again. HNY, The Burden.'

YES!!!!

Topseyt123 · 16/12/2025 12:02

I'd message MIL myself if I were in your shoes. Tell her that this has shown her in her true colours and that you are very hurt to be referred to as a burden.

You aren't a burden. I'm overweight too and doing everything possible to address the issues. It's slow progress, but it is progress and I am not a burden either. I know what it is like to have comments from others.

She probably brushed it off because she was embarrassed but is determined to style it out! Ignorant woman. Keep her at arm's length for a long while now. You can't unsee the message and won't trust her again.

Bloozie · 16/12/2025 12:02

dobbylan · 16/12/2025 10:44

Only issue I see here is her saying you are a burden! How ?

You don't think that her mother-in-law going out of her way to tell a friend that doesn't even know and has never met the OP, that she has put on weight, says something about her mother-in-law's character that is deeply unpleasant?

It's the first thing she said on leaving the house. A normal message would be - 'Just leaving John & Jo's - will be back to pick Fido up at about 5pm if that suits? Let me know'.

Or - 'Had a great time at John & Jo's - setting off now and should be at yours to collect the dog at 5ish if that works? Let me know!'

Or even - 'Just setting off - will be glad to see Fido and get back in my own bed! Does 5ish work for pick up?'

All of those things are what a normal person leaving her daughter in law's would say to someone who had never met the daughter in law and should therefore have no idea how big or small said daughter in law is at any given time.

The fact that she had barely pulled off the drive before sending a message to her friend about her daughter in law's weight, isn't normal.

BerriesPineCones · 16/12/2025 12:03

It's bizarre that she sees being fat as worse than being nasty and ungrateful.

Peclet · 16/12/2025 12:06

Newyearawaits · 16/12/2025 11:44

Thanks for this common sense response

Yes. I agree with this.

there has been some pretty intense replies on here op and i hope you can take a more measured view.

you’ve had a bad year maybe your mil feels like it has been hard on her son. Maybe she’s concerned about him. That’s ok. She is allowed to express concerns

Thats how I read the text. She could have said something much nastier.

Stephy1886 · 16/12/2025 12:12

Classic old school bommer doubling down and not admitting a real mistake.
Imagine if you had sent a message about her

But you are expected to brush it off and get on with it

ProseccoPie · 16/12/2025 12:12

@ForShyBlueFish
Shes said it for all to see, she can’t take it back.
All she can do is apologise. Whether her apology is genuine or just to keep the peace…….!
All you can do is decide how you are going to react to this, because ultimately this is all you have. Your reaction going forward.
Personally, I would keep a larger distance between us.
I believe in reciprocating energy, but don’t let it eat you up. She’s shown you she’s not worth your time or investment

Nevereatcardboard · 16/12/2025 12:18

Personally, I’d tell DH that your way of dealing with this behaviour is that you are putting a firm boundary in place to protect yourself, which is that his parents will not be welcome to visit your home again and he will see them on his own away from the house in future. You will also be removing yourself from the chat group and not speaking to them on the phone. In other words no or very little contact.

RetirementTimes · 16/12/2025 12:25

Topseyt123 · 16/12/2025 12:02

I'd message MIL myself if I were in your shoes. Tell her that this has shown her in her true colours and that you are very hurt to be referred to as a burden.

You aren't a burden. I'm overweight too and doing everything possible to address the issues. It's slow progress, but it is progress and I am not a burden either. I know what it is like to have comments from others.

She probably brushed it off because she was embarrassed but is determined to style it out! Ignorant woman. Keep her at arm's length for a long while now. You can't unsee the message and won't trust her again.

Do this @ForShyBlueFish

stand up for yourself and directly call her out on it. Don’t be a doormat

InMyOodie · 16/12/2025 12:35

She's a nasty cow. So rude to slag off someone you've just stayed with.

Is there a chance she intended you to see her comment but wanted to pretend it was a mistake? So wanted you to know what she thought of you but not take responsibility for the comment.

HazelMember · 16/12/2025 12:37

I would be more upset with DH than MIL.

Francestein · 16/12/2025 12:38

I wouldn’t admit that you are hurt. Let her know that you now know exactly where you stand with her and that she can think again if she thinks she will ever be in a position to enjoy your hospitality again.

MintDog · 16/12/2025 12:38

Well, at least you now know what she actually thinks of you! That's a plus. You now have to ask yourself, does her opinion matter to you? If it does, because you value her as a person and thinks she has good morals etc etc, have to get her to elaborate. Forget the overweight comment, it\s the rest of it that would make me wince. You need examples and need to know WHY she thinks that.

However, if you don't care about her opinion, just move on. You can't sadly undo having seen this. It's quite harsh the first time you realise not everyone likes you, especially if you think you're a really nice person. Just don't let it ruin your relationship. It's not DH who said it, it's his Mum.

Rattai · 16/12/2025 12:38

I guess your MIL had better hope she never becomes a 'burden' on you and her son in her old age

Theseventhmagpie · 16/12/2025 12:40

Vaxtable · 16/12/2025 01:46

I would be having a long talk with h your dh and tell him e a toy how you feel. Including how his actions have made you feel

I would also be telling him that if they come again it’s up to him to do everything and you will be going to stay with friends/ family whatever and would not have anything to do with her again

And from now on he will be responsible for anything to do with them

This is exactly what I would do. They would be getting zero effort from me from now on and an arctic freeze should I ever be forced to interact with them again.

PinkArt · 16/12/2025 12:42

Imagine how bitter and twisted you have to be for that to be the type of message you send to someone about a visit. Not a low level moan like the heating was too high or low, or there was too much or too little food, but my DIL is larger than I think she should be and that made it a shit visit.
As others have said mentally thank her for the gift of clarity. You now know exactly who she is and how little she thinks of you. And now you need have nothing to do with her again. 'No Linda we won't be having you over for Easter. I'm still a big fat fattie so I'm sure you understand'.
I'm not saying LTB but I'd make it clear to your husband that he's on very thin ice for not supporting and defending you against such nastiness and that it's now on him to fix that.

BashfulClam · 16/12/2025 12:42

Your weight is non of her bloody business unless you are sitting on her face ffs! You know yourself what you weigh and that was truly cruel and malicious. I would take a massive step back from her. She can contact her son but she does not cross your doorway!

Irritatediron · 16/12/2025 12:42

Has anyone else in the family chat responded or read this message ? Id be intrigued to know everyone elses thoughts or if anyone else stood up for you or if its radio silence.

ALittleDropOfRain · 16/12/2025 12:44

Sounds like MiL is extremely embarrassed - as well she should be. You‘ve seen her true colours. I‘d hazard a guess that a lot is swept under the carpet in that family, something else you‘ve also seen here.

You‘ve done nothing wrong.

Ideally, DH would phone again - or write in the group chat - saying how hurtful such a vile comment was, particularly after you had made them so welcome in your home. It’s possible DH has had years of acquiescing to his mother as a learned behaviour and will need to deal with that before he can react to her.

BashfulClam · 16/12/2025 12:46

PinkArt · 16/12/2025 12:42

Imagine how bitter and twisted you have to be for that to be the type of message you send to someone about a visit. Not a low level moan like the heating was too high or low, or there was too much or too little food, but my DIL is larger than I think she should be and that made it a shit visit.
As others have said mentally thank her for the gift of clarity. You now know exactly who she is and how little she thinks of you. And now you need have nothing to do with her again. 'No Linda we won't be having you over for Easter. I'm still a big fat fattie so I'm sure you understand'.
I'm not saying LTB but I'd make it clear to your husband that he's on very thin ice for not supporting and defending you against such nastiness and that it's now on him to fix that.

Exactly, her message was cruel and catty!

TessSaysYes · 16/12/2025 12:47

Yes she's a bitch, but you know your situation yourself, re your weight. I can't see the point in having a go at your hubby very much more over it, as, family dynamics permitting, he has defended you. Some people are crude, and mil is one, so be thankful you didn't marry her instead of your much nicer DH. I think I'd drop it now, whilst acknowledging she needlessly hurt you...but you may as well move forward from it.

BerriesPineCones · 16/12/2025 12:50

I wonder if FIL is annoyed at her behaviour after they were hosted. My late dh was lovely but he'd have been annoyed if I'd done that and he'd have been right to be.

fiorentina · 16/12/2025 12:51

Is she skinny, beautiful and a huge asset to her husband and family? Even if all that is true, she’s still a massive bitch.

Ignore her, don’t welcome her into your home again. Your DH can visit if he wishes but hopefully sees her for what she really is.

BerriesPineCones · 16/12/2025 12:52

At least you now know she's a bitch and not the sweetie she was pretending to be

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