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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:
Calendulaaria · 17/12/2025 04:58

She sounds incredibly immature and graceless. I'm sorry you had to read that and experience that horrible feeling. The fact that she's talking about you like that to her friends is disrespectful. Your husband should stick up for you.

ohdearmemummy · 17/12/2025 06:03

That’s awful. I’m sorry this happened.

I’d reply to the message, saying that it’s a disappointing message to receive, it says more about you than it does about me. I hope you’ve got home safely and had a chance to reflect on how cruel and unjustified this message was’

Daisywhatsyouranswer · 17/12/2025 06:46

Maddy70 · 17/12/2025 03:53

Maybe your DH has said something to them , why do they think you're a burden? Dies he have to extra things to support you mentally?

You say you've had a tough year , perhaps that's what she meant , many people out on weight when they're in a mentally traumatic state and you almost stop caring.

It wasn't meant for you, she fucked up. I bet she's mortified and doesn't know what to say

That must have been horrible reading for you , but that doesn't mean she doesn't like you. It was a flippent comment to her friend

Of course it means she doesn’t like her, who on earth writes things like that about someone they like.

GotTheBluePeterBadge · 17/12/2025 07:26

ForShyBlueFish · 16/12/2025 02:15

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

Sounds like her mistake has done you an enormous favour! You are now relieved of MIL duties for the foreseeable future - congratulations!

In all seriousness though, unless you are given an apology - one that you don't have to ask for - you don't need to continue to put yourself out for someone who clearly doesn't respect nor appreciate you.

The only saving grace here is that at least (to your face) she was polite and civil. You'll need to work out if that's good enough for you to keep the metaphorical boat steady.

As for your husband - it sounds like he didn't particularly have the opportunity to come storming to your defence. His mother seems to be very good at controlling the conversation on the whole - you had the same experience with her while on the phone as well. I wouldn't necessarily take this out on him - the important part of this is that he supports you in whatever you choose to do regarding his family going forward. If he doesn't do that, then by all means have it out with him!

NamechangeRugby · 17/12/2025 08:33

Two faced and casually mean. I try to think the best of people and their motivations, but she may not be squirming in embarrassment at all - by not apologising immediately, she is sort of owning it.

The MIL/DIL dynamic just is a tricky relationship for many families, so although the comments were very personal, the way to deal with this is to really try to not let it get to you.

MIL has done you a favour. Now you know. Not even worth the effort of calling out or ignoring.

I would continue the relationship for my DH and kids sake. I would always listen and respond with extreme politeness. I would insist your DH prepare the bedroom & do additional shopping, cooking, cleaning for their visits and if he doesn't, that's on him. I would organise as many things as possible to enjoy & look after myself outside the house when they visit or you visit them (even just long walks with friends or a podcast) and let them all get on with it - let her and your DH pull their weight to shop/cook/clean and truly realise how much you do.

The relationship will never be the same, but you are now free of obligation. Carve out time to focus on your own well being, prioritise it and put your health and wellbeing first - no if's, no but's, no maybe's. Chin up & all strength.

Lavender14 · 17/12/2025 08:40

I think she knows fine rightly she's in the wrong but doesn't want to lose face so she's dismissing it instead of taking proper accountability. I'm guessing this is a pattern of behaviour and your dh knows that she won't hold herself properly accountable and his way of dealing with that in the past has been to let things be swept under the carpet.

Personally I'd also let this go, she's showing you exactly who she is and how two faced she is and I wouldn't say a thing more about it. But that would be the end of it for me, no more hosting, no more effort put in on your part they are now 100% your dhs responsibility to keep in touch with independently of you. And I would expect him to back you on that 100% and to shut down any criticism of you. I'm guessing he knew she felt this way and didn't want to hurt you with it so this is coming as less of a shock to him.

Utterly disgusting, nasty behaviour on her part even if you'd never seen the message.

Daisywhatsyouranswer · 17/12/2025 08:47

I also don’t think you can see her again op not until she makes a proper apology. You can’t let yourself be treated like this and you can’t just pretend she didn’t blade you,and in such a horrible way,

Gymnopedie · 17/12/2025 10:03

It seems clear that the MIL wasn't going to listen to her son and perhaps he knows that to try would be a waste of breath. To me the important thing now is how he reacts going forward. Does he support OP in going no/low contact? Does he agree that she doesn't come to the house again? Does he go out of his way to make sure OP knows she is not a burden? Or does he want to ignore it and carry on like it never happened, and expect OP to do the same?

Katflapkit · 17/12/2025 10:54

CatsKoalasBunnies123 · 16/12/2025 01:47

I get that you're upset. You should be upset, that was really nasty of her.

I don't think you should be upset with DH. There really isn't anything he can do.

I would refuse to host them ever again. They can stay in a hotel next time.

What a spiteful, ungrateful woman. I can totally understand that it's now making you question you're whole relationship with her. I know her type, she probably won't apologise and she will avoid it, then switching the blame onto you by saying you are over sensitive and that 'you won't let things go - like a dog with a bone'. So I understand what your DH is saying but he should stand up for you - show her that what she wrote was untrue and unacceptable. She won't listen then he should text her AND the group. Pretends she hasn't read because she's not tech savvy - write her a bloody letter. Has DH spoken to his father to say MIL is out of order?

I would bow out now. Stop the 'wife' work, MIL's cards, gifts up to DH. Photos and children updates - up to DH. He wants to visit his parents, he can take the children. You get a day off. If they want to visit, they stay in hotel.

aLFIESMA · 17/12/2025 11:33

Oh OP, what an awful way to find out her true nature. Pathetic woman, at least you don't have to put up with her any longer if you prefer not to! Insecurity? jealousy maybe? Who knows (or cares), do a little something to make yourself feel nice every day & know that you are a good person x.

Freesiapleaser · 17/12/2025 11:39

Sorry we can't host next time. Maybe we can meet in a hotel halfway for a days catch up instead. Or you go to them for the day only. Don't host anymore .

Daisywhatsyouranswer · 17/12/2025 12:07

Freesiapleaser · 17/12/2025 11:39

Sorry we can't host next time. Maybe we can meet in a hotel halfway for a days catch up instead. Or you go to them for the day only. Don't host anymore .

eh, no. It’s not the hosting, why on earth would you suffer this type of degradrion then go out of your way fi meet them, raise your bar. No apology no contact.

Coalday · 17/12/2025 12:46

Freesiapleaser · 17/12/2025 11:39

Sorry we can't host next time. Maybe we can meet in a hotel halfway for a days catch up instead. Or you go to them for the day only. Don't host anymore .

Not a chance I would be party to any hosting or meeting up.
Husband would be told not to mention her to me again.
The rudeness to speak of you like that, no reference to how nicely she was looked after.
No way would that be happening again.
We teach people how to treat us.

His mother hasn't an ounce of respect for herself to speak of family like that.
It reflects so poorly on her.
I hope OP screenshot it.

Daisywhatsyouranswer · 17/12/2025 14:09

Coalday · 17/12/2025 12:46

Not a chance I would be party to any hosting or meeting up.
Husband would be told not to mention her to me again.
The rudeness to speak of you like that, no reference to how nicely she was looked after.
No way would that be happening again.
We teach people how to treat us.

His mother hasn't an ounce of respect for herself to speak of family like that.
It reflects so poorly on her.
I hope OP screenshot it.

Me neither and I’m agog anyone has such a low bar they’d literally go out their way to meet up and socialise. There is no chance In hell I’d be doing that, or my kids, and I’d hope my husband ghe same, unless a full and genuine apology was forthcoming.

Francestein · 17/12/2025 14:11

More a “You will never step over my threshold as long as I live.”

BlackCatFanClub · 17/12/2025 14:38

My MIL only cared that you were super thin/were on a diet at all times.

It’s exhausting dealing with someone like that who thinks your only value is to be skinny. Thing is when I was young and skinny it wasn’t good enough as I was dieting too.

Leave the WhatsApp and step back. If DH wants to host them and see them, let him. I’d just see them when you need to and grey rock. My view was I can’t make them think well of me so I won’t try.

MrsDoubtingMyself · 17/12/2025 16:49

What are you going to do @ForShyBlueFish

Swash89 · 03/01/2026 09:27

Hope she got you a nice Xmas gift by way of apology!

Youcanbuymeflowers · 03/01/2026 10:09

You are not being sensitive op, that's absolutely horrible from your mil. As some PPs have suggested, I think she has form for this bitchiness and clearly doesn't see anything wrong with it. You've seen her true colours. Sadly, I doubt she feels guilty as she will just think her view is correct. If you have lost respect for her and want to guard yourself against future communications with her then I agree. I'd be tempted to post a reply on the public family WhatsApp, telling her in your own words that comments about your weight and marriage are completely inappropriate / very hurtful. If she does have concerns about your health or marriage she should address them openly. Id also make a comment and elaborate on how she obviously feels that you are a burden to your husband - call her out that if she does think that then that is a very serious statement that is not within her rights to judge, because your husband and your marriage is between yourselves. Chat gpt can probably help write an articulate reply!

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