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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

It's a MIL one…..

52 replies

cosmobrown · 24/12/2025 12:26

background - I am autistic and pretty set in my ways. Everyone knows this.

MIL likes to "help" when she comes to visit. I find this very difficult and everyone also knows this. Because of where she lives she visits for multiple days at a time. I have said to DH I can only cope for max 5 days!
She arrived yesterday and announced she will be staying until the New Year!!!!!
I said to DH did he know this, and he said yes, but she will go to other relatives for a few days. He hadn't explained this to me before so it was a shock.
Today MIL has "helped" by taking my washing out of the machine for me and leaving it (folded up) wet, in the basket.

AIBU to not want MIL going through my washing - which includes underwear?
I'm already set on edge now and she's only been here a matter of hours.

OP posts:
PandorasBox7 · 28/12/2025 22:21

cosmobrown · 24/12/2025 12:26

background - I am autistic and pretty set in my ways. Everyone knows this.

MIL likes to "help" when she comes to visit. I find this very difficult and everyone also knows this. Because of where she lives she visits for multiple days at a time. I have said to DH I can only cope for max 5 days!
She arrived yesterday and announced she will be staying until the New Year!!!!!
I said to DH did he know this, and he said yes, but she will go to other relatives for a few days. He hadn't explained this to me before so it was a shock.
Today MIL has "helped" by taking my washing out of the machine for me and leaving it (folded up) wet, in the basket.

AIBU to not want MIL going through my washing - which includes underwear?
I'm already set on edge now and she's only been here a matter of hours.

Send her to my house I need all the help I can get. I have never had a MIL to interfere in anything and I would like it. Sorry if this not the reply you would like.

IhadaStripeyDeckchair · 28/12/2025 22:22

cosmobrown · 24/12/2025 12:50

I know she's only trying to help, but it annoys me! I have vented my feelings to DH.

She likes to help with everything to the point where I feel like a visitor in my own home. It's a hard time of the year.
I have explained to MIL many times over the years that I find her "help" difficult as I'm very set in my ways, but she can't help herself.
I do understand that it's me with the problem here, but I need to vent somewhere, and MN is probably the safest place to do it without upsetting people. (which I tend to do when I vent in real life!!)

You've explained multiple times to your MIL that you find her "help" difficult
BUT she still does it

That's not a you problem, that's a MIL / DH problem.

He needs to speak to her & be super clear on where the boundaries are.

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