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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to resent my mother-in-law staying four weeks after my C-section?

294 replies

Dougiesmaw · 18/04/2026 05:53

FTM 4 weeks post C-section

MIL has came to visit from South of England for a week to stay in our marital home. She is 92 (had DH when she was older). As her only Son, he has adopted a caring role for her when he goes home to visit. She is very good for her age but obviously frail. Their relationship appears codependent and very, very odd. He is 50.

AIBU to feel this was too soon for her to come?, I feel terrible being angry about it and feeling they have both been selfish. I have not been able to establish breast feeding, walking about in my underwear at home with post partum night sweats. I have barely slept obviously. She does nothing except make comments about me over feeding him, he is too cold, are you sure his breathing is OK. Hysterical at everything. (She has a lifelong history of being a drama queen). I am thankful I have some medical background as if I was an anxious FTM she would have had me completely wound up. She continually asks if he is medically OK, she somehow thinks at 4 weeks old he has no signs of autism.

She asked if he ‘actually has any clothes that fit him’ - I explained he is 4 weeks old so is quite small still. She seems utterly bamboozled when he stirs or cries. I asked if she remembered her own Son when he was a newborn to put his presentation into context; to which she says she does not recall - she just put his pram out in the porch and let him cry.

It explains why my husband only got married in his late 40’s, had a strange attachment pattern and never had a girlfriend before me in all honesty.

She was crying the other morning saying ‘she should not have come’, to which I obviously said it was OK - her tears dried up immediately following this - I felt her immediately transformation from sad vulnerable old woman to smiling broadly was quite manipulative. Her tears were the last thing I needed post partum. Post C section, still bleeding and still needing regular analgesia.

Yesterday I was making cups of tea for her whilst she was sitting on the sofa. My husband and her both slept in until 10 whilst I was up with baby.

I am absolutely furious with them both for putting me in this situation, I feel this is not a fucking holiday home for entertainment - it is a recovery from childbirth and establishing a routine. My question is AIBU?

She has form for this; when we got married she stayed in our new marital home for a week after the wedding making it exceptionally awkward for me to come and visit and move in from my own home. She was apparently crying to my new husband about how she was going to lose him as a Son. I did have patience and empathy then but my post partum expierence has resulted in this wearing thin. I think they are both selfish morons.

OP posts:
Tuesdayschild50 · 19/04/2026 19:21

Big hugs and congratulations on your new baby ... its difficult in the early months and emotions are so up and down its no wonder you feel this way.
Husband sounds like a wet wipe and a big baby himself .
Could you not of put your foot down and said no its too soon to stay tell your husband his place is with you and his newborn baby right now.
I guess from his point of view he has an elderly parent and a newborn child did you not think you would run into some difficult times with his mum being elderly and having a child later in life did you discuss any of this before having a baby .

NotThisShitAgain121 · 19/04/2026 19:22

She needs to go home now and you need to have a serious life affirming discussion with your husband

Tuesdayschild50 · 19/04/2026 19:25

I was thinking in my earlier post ... if you can do this alone now you can do this alone forever ... him sleeping in until 10pm I'd kick both their arses back to his mums house and leave you and baby in peace .

Daisyhon · 19/04/2026 19:36

I would have absolutely no problem with her coming to stay if she had been kind , sweet & supportive but it sounds like she’s been a manipulative old bat . My MIL is a blessing , she’s just so lovely & supportive ( I know I’m v lucky ! ) she stayed with us for a while after I had my first , I was extremely unwell & was very grateful for her help as she looked after both me & the baby . Your MIL is 92 so it’s extremely unlikely that she’s going to be around for a long time . It’s up to you whether you ask her to leave again & tell hubby to get a grip & do it for u or whether you just hang on till the inevitable happens . PS , my MIL also has the most beautiful, soft , singing voice & when she sang lullaby’s to the baby I could feel myself drifting off too. ! 😂

Mumoftwoandcats · 19/04/2026 19:38

Congratulations on your little one. Totally not being unreasonable, your DH and his darling mother are! What a position to put you in. Tell DH to take her home!

Nicewoman · 19/04/2026 19:41

Dougiesmaw · 18/04/2026 06:12

PIt is a sinking reality that this could be my life several times a year from now on.

I doubt it. If she’s 90 she’ll probably be dead in a year. Then you get an inheritance for your trouble.

Theslummymummy · 19/04/2026 19:48

Dougiesmaw · 18/04/2026 06:12

PIt is a sinking reality that this could be my life several times a year from now on.

Nah, she can't live forever

TheAmusedQuail · 19/04/2026 19:52

I think you've chosen badly. You've settled for a mummy's boy. Firmly tied apron strings to his mother. He is the age I am now and he's a first time dad.

The whole situation is a fiasco and to be honest, I'm surprised this is the first time the wheels have come off. Why did you think it was a good idea to have a baby with a man who is grandfather age? If you're as knowing and sharp as you imply you are, surely you could have seen this was a terrible choice?

However, the baby is here now. Lay the law down to him. Either his mum goes home and from now on he prioritises his new family, or he's heading for divorce and being a distant father. He needs to know you're serious, so yes, maybe leave and go somewhere else with the baby until he's sorted the home situation out. At least that way he'll take you seriously.

ALLgo · 19/04/2026 19:57

Send her packing..this time should be about you and baby with your husband helping you manage. Jeez OP you've the patience of a bloody saint. At this early stage you need to be able to walk around your own home half naked with boob's hanging out if necessary with cups of tea being made for you! Come on, speak up to him.

Lyraloo · 19/04/2026 19:57

Maybe go and visit her instead of her coming to you in the future, that way you can leave when your ready not when she wants to go! It’s not unreasonable for her to want to see her son several times a year, but it needs to be at a time and place that suits you all. Congrats on the baby and good luck.

joolshou · 19/04/2026 20:13

N0 no no no and no!! This is sooooo not on. When I had my first child in-laws came up to stay from their home 4 hours away. Why the hell did I let them??? After 8 days I told my husband they either go or I'm going to my dad's. They went. FIL not happy at being thrown out. Never again. You need to be alone with husband and baby. Feel quite panicky for you!! x

ScartlettSole · 19/04/2026 20:32

PollyBell · 18/04/2026 06:37

But she has always been like this and he has been like this before you conceived and I presume married so it cant be a surprise

All you can do is communicate with him

This. If he's do odd etc why marry him and have a child with him?
The MIL issue should have been addressed after she moved in after the wedding, again very odd!

Pyjamatimenow · 19/04/2026 20:53

Surely you expected this when you married him? When you marry older men with parents who are still alive especially if it’s one on their own you have to expect there’s going to be some kind of care involved. You’re lucky she’s not living with you yet. Dh’s parents were in their eighties when we married and I fully expected that one or both would end up living with us at some point. Why did you marry him out of interest?

Doubledenim305 · 19/04/2026 21:09

Dougiesmaw · 18/04/2026 06:43

My instincts ranges from grin and bear it, to staying in a hotel, to getting a divorce 🤣 husbands been as hopeless as her. Its given me a huge insight into the reality of who I have married, and I would never have another child with him.

If he doesn't listen to your words, let him feel your actions.
Go to a family member or friends house if that is an option.
He's drawing a line in the sand about how things are going to be in your marriage without consulting or considering you. Nip this in the bud. I'm learning my lessons way too late because it's hard to recognise what is going on when you are in the middle of it.

Kirstk · 19/04/2026 21:25

Dougiesmaw · 18/04/2026 06:12

PIt is a sinking reality that this could be my life several times a year from now on.

At 97 not sure she has much longer sorry not being mean.. you are definitely NOT being unreasonable theyre both out of order here. Your husband should have given her her marching orders, as soon as she arrived unannounced

RogueFemale · 19/04/2026 21:32

Glowingup · 18/04/2026 06:20

Realistically it won’t be as she’s unlikely to live for more than about another three years or so and probably won’t be in a state to travel independently soon. For the sake of avoiding an argument I’d grin and bear it and say you’re not feeling well and leave your DH to it. He sounds odd by the way but as above, the mum problem will soon be over.

She might go on forever like the Queen Mother.

TheAmusedQuail · 19/04/2026 21:53

Pyjamatimenow · 19/04/2026 20:53

Surely you expected this when you married him? When you marry older men with parents who are still alive especially if it’s one on their own you have to expect there’s going to be some kind of care involved. You’re lucky she’s not living with you yet. Dh’s parents were in their eighties when we married and I fully expected that one or both would end up living with us at some point. Why did you marry him out of interest?

I suspect money was involved. Mainly his but possibly also family money.

You never get something for nothing.

angelfacecuti75 · 19/04/2026 21:54

Dear OP
You do have a choice. It's not an easy one , but you do have one. Tell him , tell her , directly but firmly that she needs to go.

Katrin1747 · 19/04/2026 22:07

That sounds awful what was your husband thinking inviting her. In thst situation I would honestly take baby and go stay with my parent until she was gone. How much long is she planning in staying 🙄

ImImmortalNowBabyDoll · 19/04/2026 22:20

Dougiesmaw · 18/04/2026 06:12

PIt is a sinking reality that this could be my life several times a year from now on.

YANBU at all and I'd also be furious about it but it can't really be for that many years realistically.

Sickdissapointed · 19/04/2026 22:40

Just No. Take her home. I’d be beyond furious.

Pyjamatimenow · 19/04/2026 23:11

@TheAmusedQuail my thoughts exactly. Man in his fifties, with no children of his own, only child so probably inline for a good inheritance… as a 42 year old woman
looking to have her first child there are a lot worse options.

Wooky073 · 20/04/2026 00:16

Do you have family or friend you can go stay with for a bit? It makes the point without an argument. It draws the line and your boundary. Your baby needs you and you need support not to be waiting on your OH and his mum. Say you will return once she has gone and he is willing to focus on supporting you and baby

Smithwinkle · 20/04/2026 00:17

YANBU I really feel for you and think your DH needs to put you first. Having a baby is a wonderful and difficult time. You have the pain from the c-Section ( which is a major op), tiredness from recovery and seeing to a new baby as well as hormone fluctuations. DH should be easing the load for you, helping you to recover and giving you both precious time to adjust and bond with baby. If you feel strong enough tell him to take MIL home because you and baby need him. Good luck hun and I hope you recover soon and enjoy being a mum

Doubledenim305 · 20/04/2026 01:07

Wooky073 · 20/04/2026 00:16

Do you have family or friend you can go stay with for a bit? It makes the point without an argument. It draws the line and your boundary. Your baby needs you and you need support not to be waiting on your OH and his mum. Say you will return once she has gone and he is willing to focus on supporting you and baby

This.
You "waiting on DH and his mum" in your current state is absolutely unacceptable.
That sums whole situation up in a few words.