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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:
idontwanna10 · 16/12/2025 01:59

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

canuckup · 16/12/2025 02:00

Op, this isn't about you, you don't need to defend yourself saying you're a good wife etc. You obviously are.

Mil is clearly a complete so and so, it says so much more about her than it does about you.

DBD1975 · 16/12/2025 02:00

I am so sorry this is dreadfully hurtful and very upsetting. You have been a kind loving DIL and what was said was unnecessary and unkind.
Your MIL is obviously very shallow to say the least.
My MIL is very rude to me often, commenting on my appearance and just downright obnoxious.
My DH never stands up to her or defends me.
Men just want an easy life and no hassle and they minimise our upset to avoid the confrontation.
It isn't right and it doesn't excuse it but I have given up trying to change things.
I don't think you have anything to gain from confronting your MIL again.
However I would respond to her appropriately in the group chat and as for their next visit, maybe leave your DH to do the cooking and entertaining.
My MIL has demanded to visit us over Christmas. My husband has asked what I will be cooking, it will be f* all. My DH will be doing the cooking whilst I sit down with a glass of wine and relax.
There are numerous ways to get your own back OP, revenge is a dish best served cold.

ForShyBlueFish · 16/12/2025 02:00

canuckup · 16/12/2025 01:58

Absolutely bloody awful. At least you know her true colours now??

The first thing she says too - not, oh we had such a nice time, such good hosts etc.

Really poor form op

I don’t get the woman at all. I honestly don’t . literally 10 minutes before this happened She had given me a hug and said thank you for everything. I mean whaatt…

OP posts:
ThatLilacTiger · 16/12/2025 02:02

MarxistMags · 16/12/2025 01:44

Violated is a strong word to use. You're upset, angry and feel let down . Clearly MIL thinks it's no big deal as she shuts you down when you try to talk about it.
It was very rude of her to criticise you behind your back. And she should apologise to you.
But try not to cause a rift within the family and disregard her comments. Your husband is supportive and loving. That's what truly matters.

Hard disagree. It's not the OP's responsibility to prevent a rift when her MIL is the one causing it. If her family don't want a rift, they shouldn't act like such cunts.

OP, be as hurt as you feel and don't back down. It's your MIL's mess, let her clean it up, if she even can at this point. She'll be counting on you to just roll over and accept what she's done so she doesn't have to deal with the consequences of her actions. Don't fall for it.

DysmalRadius · 16/12/2025 02:07

Such a monstrously cunty attitude towards your relationship. I'd fuck her off if she can't even apologise for being so thoroughly shitty about you. Your husband doesn't come out of it well either - is he not offended?

Blizzardofleaves · 16/12/2025 02:09

I think most things can be repaired with time and enough good will, but I suspect this will entirely shatter your relationship with them.

Not just the comment about your weight, which is bad enough, but the fact you will always know she sees you as a ‘burden’ on her precious son. .

She hasn’t apologised, and your dh isn’t pushing for one because it’s likely she will stand by what she has said op. Otherwise you would have already received a profuse and genuine apology. This IS the way she sees you. It’s not true, but that is her view deep down. She thinks her son is too good for you.

Sadly, she has a low opinion of you, and clearly is a very vacuous and superficial woman.

You are not close, and only see her a few times a year, I’d reduce it to zero and distance myself completely. No more contact all. Dh can visit them alone if he wishes to see the witch. She knows where you are if she wishes to make amends. Hell would freeze over before I allowed her in my home again.

I am sorry op. What an upsetting time. Try not to let it affect your confidence and self esteem. You are more than just a number on the scales.

Blizzardofleaves · 16/12/2025 02:12

ForShyBlueFish · 16/12/2025 02:00

I don’t get the woman at all. I honestly don’t . literally 10 minutes before this happened She had given me a hug and said thank you for everything. I mean whaatt…

She is fake and a phoney, and always has been.

Evaka · 16/12/2025 02:14

Handhold OP. What a horrible, cruel and judgmental way to see the world around her.

ForShyBlueFish · 16/12/2025 02:15

Blizzardofleaves · 16/12/2025 02:12

She is fake and a phoney, and always has been.

Yes :( I am truley shocked as to how someone can hide their feelings so well to your face,

OP posts:
Icecreamisthebest · 16/12/2025 02:20

OP you are absolutely right to be upset, not just with her message but how she and DH have handled it.

I would tell DH (write it down if that's easier) that you would like to clarify that he is prioritising not falling out with his mother over defending you. He needs to understand that this is what he is doing and that the likely outcome of his actions is that you will realise that he cannot be relied on to have your back and this will impact your marriage. Ask him if that is what he wants.

he has a clear choice to make here. There is no need to fall out with his mother. the choice is defending you or not defending you.

Of course he cannot make her apologise but he can state very clearly that he does not see you as a burden, that he is disappointed that she would choose to focus on your weight and gossip about you and that no invitations to your home (your safe space) will be extended until she has apologised properly (assuming that this is what you want).

Onthemaintrunkline · 16/12/2025 02:21

She’s nothing but a two-faced wagon! It will be interesting if she extends an olive branch in the next wee while to try and right the wrong.

And as for yr husband saying something like “we don’t want to fall out with them”. Well that’s already happened, but not by you, they’ve done it all on their own. Going forward, I don’t think I could host her again, if she brass necks this one with no apology I don’t think I’d want anything to do with her. Only you will know what her apology is worth tho. This is a pity after 13 years of reasonably good relations albeit maybe false ones open her part.

Im sorry she has hurt you in this way, especially after your kindness to her. Your wet husband needs to know who his first priority is in all this….and it’s NOT his nasty two-faced mother.

SandyY2K · 16/12/2025 02:21

It's not your DH's fault and his mum clearly didn't let him get a word in when he called, because she's knows she was so wrong. Don't let it affect your marriage.. but I wouldn't be having the inlaws over any time soon.

It would be good if he called her on his own and made it clear he wasn't happy with that comment and she needed to apologise properly to you..or he's not comfortable having them over.

This is what I'd do if that was said about my husband.

DrivingMrDaisy · 16/12/2025 02:22

Jesus Fucking Christ!
That's as bad as anything I've read on here.

You have a big decision to make, which do you divorce first, your cuntish MIL or your spineless, lily livered, cunt of a husband.

Absolutely raging on your behalf.

Blizzardofleaves · 16/12/2025 02:26

ForShyBlueFish · 16/12/2025 02:15

Yes :( I am truley shocked as to how someone can hide their feelings so well to your face,

It is a reflection of her, not you.

She measures everyone’s worth by the way they look, she has always been like this, which is why I suspect your dh is reluctant to bother calling her out, it’s futile. She sees the world like this, and that isn’t going to change.

You might receive a half baked apology in a few days, apologising for ‘hurting your feelings’ not for what she has said. She will stand by her opinion.

Let her think what she wants to, you know you are worth so much more than this. I don’t see how you can ever look at her again in the same way. You now know who she is.

If you were a size 0 she would say you were too thin, and your poor dh must be miserable with a wife that looks like a boy, you can’t win with people like this op, and it’s best not to try.

It sounds like the relationship has always been surface level only, probably to avoid any real feelings or thoughts to filter through.

How was she when you first started dating?

StabbyCat · 16/12/2025 02:27

DrivingMrDaisy · 16/12/2025 02:22

Jesus Fucking Christ!
That's as bad as anything I've read on here.

You have a big decision to make, which do you divorce first, your cuntish MIL or your spineless, lily livered, cunt of a husband.

Absolutely raging on your behalf.

Agree. She’s a bitch and he’s a spineless twat.

CatsKoalasBunnies123 · 16/12/2025 02:30

I have an elderly aunt who sat me down and very seriously told me I need to lose the baby weight ASAP if I want to keep my DH, how he will have no choice but to look elsewhere....I was 3 weeks post c section and I wasn't even that fat, I could still fit in size 12 clothes.

Some women have this thing about weight drilled into them so hard, they can't think past it. I feel sorry for them, what a miserable life it must be to think that way.

Thirdtimeunlucky2025 · 16/12/2025 02:30

Awful. Words cannot be taken back in my opinion.

she wouldn’t be welcome in my home again. Sorry OP not sure where that’s leaves you.

you can I suppose choose to forget but I doubt forgive. Sometimes you have to be the better person but it’s likely to be difficult xxxx

Blizzardofleaves · 16/12/2025 02:38

What is extremely telling is her decision to not immediately and profusely apologise on the phone when your dh called her. She styled it out, annd side stepped instead making it even more awkward.

Anyone else would rush to fix this, and be devastated to have hurt their dil like fhis, but she hasn’t reacted like that at all. She will secretly think she is doing her son a favour.

Op, I have friends that think being super slim is all that matters in life.. Their self worth is anchored by this belief. They think gaining weight is the worst thing ever, most have low level eating disorders and see food as the devils work. You won’t change her opinion, and you don’t have to.

holachicatita · 16/12/2025 02:39

I would seriously reconsider my relationship with her after this OP. What a horrible, nasty thing to say. Your weight does not define you, I'd give your husband another chance to put things right. If she won't talk to him he needs to send her a very strongly worded message telling her that she was out of order. At least you can lose the weight, she'll struggle to lose that nasty streak she's been hiding!

honeyrider · 16/12/2025 02:41

She showed her true colours and what she really thinks of you. Even the wording shows she's so comfortable commenting negatively about you to the dog sitter that she's probably done so before.

I'd feel very let down by your DH in your position, what a spineless man.

Hell would freeze over before I'd ever bother with her again.

ttcat37 · 16/12/2025 02:44

Perhaps we can help you compose a message to ‘accidentally’ send to the group chat?
“John, has your mother always been an insufferable cunt about me behind my back or is that new? You were right about her anyway I suppose! Lol! Your poor dad!”

Then see if people suddenly want to discuss it.

Practically, I think John needs to pack a bag and go and stay with Mummy for a bit whilst you consider if you want to be with someone who doesn’t have your back. And it goes without saying that she doesn’t darken your doorstep ever again.

Bigcat25 · 16/12/2025 02:45

You sound like a wonderful, generous, straightforward person and she sounds like a massive shallow asshole. I could care less what size people are and don't understand why people do. People come in all shapes and sizes and that's ok.

Please don't think everyone is so judgemental about weight, she's just a loser. She's from a generation where it was perhaps a bit more accepted to comment on people's bodies.

whimbrelcalling · 16/12/2025 03:09

I would never speak to her again! What an utter bitch she is.

Francestein · 16/12/2025 03:11

I’d be answering everything to them from “The Burden”….
If you phone and leave a message, “Hi, it’s the burden here… John and I would….. etc.”
Cards “Merry Xmas from The Burden and John.”
She is assuming that by not acknowledging the damage then you will suck it up. Make her uncomfortable and feel guilty until it is dealt with.