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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU regarding PILs, cos everyone else seems to think so - long

86 replies

kirsty1980 · 12/11/2008 13:58

name changer here.

DH and I have separated, a large reason for this is due to his parents (mainly his mother?s) behaviour. We say we love each other but I cannot stand his mother?s behaviour and he says he is fed up with MY behaviour towards his parents. He is a mummy?s boy. This is going to be long, but please tell me if I am unreasonable because everyone including my own parents seem to think I am 

I have been with DH for 11 years, married for 3 and we have an 8 month old baby. PILs never showed much of an interest in me. They would look at me as if I had 3 heads if I chatted away to them, I would get one word replies and I?d think they were really weird but that was really all. I would stay over at their?s no problems, go up for tea etc.

When I fell pregnant with dd, that?s when it began to change. She nagged me to go into hospital when I wanted a home birth (I did go into hospital but only due to complications during pregnancy), she criticised my decision to BF, turning to other DIL and saying ?good for you? when other DIL mentioned she hadn?t, making me feel like less of a mum or something and when I was in hospital due to placenta prevaria and lots of bleeding plus SPD, she visited only to spend the entire time talking about how tired and stressed my DH was!

Once dd was born, she was never away from here. She turned up at 10pm unnannounced, dd was in the mist of a colic episode, I was stressed and she proceeded to follow me around the house giving instructions when I just wanted her to FO. She would ask us to come up to hers all day Sunday and sulk if I did not want to, or if I wanted to leave after an hour or so. If dd was getting cranky and I wanted to go, she would ignore me and so would DH, because he wanted to keep his mum happy. DH works 6 days a week and sometimes Sunday overtime, so any spare time we have, I want it to be us three. So I stopped Sunday visits all together.

Now that has led to her moaning she never sees dd. When she does, it?s as if I don?t exist. She completely takes over and if I try to take dd, she turns away from me, or walks away, even if dd is crying for me. She says everything I do with dd is ?nonsense?, she says its my fault dd doesn?t sleep well because her boys were in their own room from birth plus if they woke, she would just leave them, which I don?t want to do with dd.

I tried to be nice though, at DH?s pleading, and invited her to visit us and to help bathe dd etc. She moaned to DH afterwards that she felt she was being supervised. She started turning up unannounced again 3 times that same week. Finally I told her to FO the third time and things have been strained since. Apparently, I am unsociable and queer.

She keeps asking for dd to stay overnight. I refuse, I don?t want dd to be away from me, especially if MIL won?t do things the way dd is used to. Plus MIL works full time, so it?s not realistic.

She encourages DH to leave me, hence the current separation, and apply for full custody of dd as that will allow them to see dd more, plus I apparently can?t cope with her! I?m very upset and scared I will lose dd. She encourages DH to have lads nights out, lads weekends away and never mind me left alone with the baby. She also keeps talking about a girl DH was ?close? to before we met (we were 16 when we met ffs!)

Anyway, my parents have been told the full story but they seem to think I?m exaggerating  They say they are the grandparents, I am being unreasonable and I need to let PILs see dd. Its not the ?seeing? her that matters, its their behaviour when they DO see her, plus the amount of time they want to see her. I don?t think MIL will be happy unless dd was living with her or something!

I?m sick of feeling like the bad guy, and feeling guilty. I?m sick of DH promising to take my side but it only lasting a few weeks before he returns to being a mummy?s boy.

Please be honest, AIBU?

OP posts:
wotulookinat · 12/11/2008 14:03

God, they sound worse than my in-laws.

Your daughter is YOUR child, not theirs. If your DH works six days a week, how on earht does he think he can look after a baby as well?

Callisto · 12/11/2008 14:07

Gawd, poor you. It sounds like a nightmarish situation. Can you tell your partner that you will happily live with him again but on the understanding that you get some physical distance between you and your PIL? It sounds like you all live quite close together so a drive of 3 hours or more will put paid to MIL turning up unannounced.

You also need much more support from your DH. He needs to start standing up for you. He sounds like a complete child tbh. I would make some very strict rules on visiting if I had your MIL. It is highly unlikely that your DH would get custody, but some legal advice now might help you to feel more secure. You have my sympathy.

ilovetochat · 12/11/2008 14:08

yanbu, i think they do need to see your dd as they are her grandparents but if they turn up without ringing and it is not convenient just tell them that they will have to come back another time and you specify the time. i would visit them sunday for a short time and explain it is your only family day so you need some time alone.
my dp works mon-sat so we tend to ask people to visit early evenings and see dd before she goes to bed.
you will not lose your dd so dont worry.
if your ils do something you object to with your dd just say i will take her back now as i do it this way.

bumpybecky · 12/11/2008 14:13

They sound terrible

from what you've said YANBU wanting to limit the time you (and your dd) have with PIL. She's still a very young baby. PIL do not need overnight stays at that age.

leonifay · 12/11/2008 14:13

yanbu she sound like a horrid bitch. shes your daughter, you say how she is raised and what happands to her. i agree with wotulookinat, how does he expect to look after her if he's working 6 days a week.
if you and your dh still love eachother and want to eventually get back together, my advice would be to move away from the pil, not so far they cant see your family, but far enough for them to butt out.

almummy · 12/11/2008 14:16

She sounds like my MIL would have been if I had allowed it. I am labelled as "difficult", "moody", "a nag" and "a moaner" by my inlaws and I couldnt care less. Let them say what they like, just keep doing things they way you want to.

wotulookinat · 12/11/2008 14:16

Moving away is a great idea, if it's possible. I have had massive problems with my im-laws, which made my PND so much worse - or maybe caused it! I couldn't bear to hold my son after FIL had held him. Anyway, we moved over 200 miles away when my son was 9 months old. He's now 2 and we see in the in-laws only very rarely - which suits me big-time!!!
They say they can't visit us because the dog makes FIL ill. Strange, because they were able to visit regularly when we only lived an hour away from then
Is moving a possibility?

Wigglesworth · 12/11/2008 14:18

YANBU Oh jesus she sounds horrendous. How awful for you. I think first thing you need to do is speak to your DH and ask him what he wants. You need to make it clear that his MIL behavior is unacceptable and if he wants to make a go of it and be a family then he needs to cut the apron strings tell her to butt out or it is the end of things for good. You are your DD Mum and you are her main carer, no court in the land would over look you for what a stupid old hag of a GM says.
It also wouldn't be a bad idea to speak to a solicitor (just in case) for a bit of advice.
Whatever happens she is your DD not your MIL and you are doing what you think is best for her. You are bringing her up and if you don't want to let her cry etc it is your perogative.
My parents are alittle like this with the whole we don't see DGS enough, they see him twice a week and I too think they wouldn't be happy unless he lived with them. There is no pleasing someone like this and she won't change. The only thing you can hope for is to have a good heart to heart with your DH and try to work it out and explain to him how hurt she makes you feel and him sticking up for her isn't helping. Good luck, sounds like you need it.

Ineedmorechocolatenow · 12/11/2008 14:19

Bloody hell... YANBU, AT ALL! She sounds like a freaking nightmare. It's a shame that DH is willing to jeopardise your relationship for the sake of his mother.

I'd stick to your guns. Leave the door open for DH to come back (for as long as you think you can) for him to come round, but DO NOT cave in. She can see DD on YOUR terms, not hers.

And as for your parents not sticking up for you. I haven't even got words for that.

Big hug x

J2O · 12/11/2008 14:25

OMG from what you have said you are certainly not being unreasonable, and i feel bad for you that you don't have the support of your own parents.

Could you show dh this thread so he can realise what you actually feel you are up against? I imagine he feels as though you go on about it and he has lost sight of the bigger picture iyswim

pingping · 12/11/2008 14:30

YANBU your DH needs to stand up for you and your MIL needs to back off.

AstroPup · 12/11/2008 14:30

Oh, thats awful - you sound like you are doing a fantastic job. So sorry you have to put up with this terrible behaviour from your mil and DH.

Tortington · 12/11/2008 14:33

iwould move too. i would also grow a huge pair of hairy balls - although you sound like you have a pair telling MIL to FO good for you! if she is advocating full custody - fucker and fuck teh horse she rode in on.

fuck this being nice person and being the amiable one shit

fuck them
fuck that
fuck it

dont let her see your dd.

you need to move

sameagain · 12/11/2008 14:36

We had all these exact same issues.

In the end, it was DH who said his parents weren't going to treat his wife like that and we haven't seen them for 5 years now.

I'm sad that my Ds's don't know their other grandparents, but TBH that is far out weighed by the improvement in their parents' marriage. Almost all our rows before could be traced back to me feeling that DH didn't support me in something to do with them.

In the end he decided enough was enough and that his children are his family now, but it obviously caused him a lot of heartache. Perhaps realising what he could lose will bring your DH to his senses. ATM his mother might have him convinced that he could get custody, but I am sure he won't.

MelT76 · 12/11/2008 14:38

YANBU

MIL says you can't cope, but then actively encourages DH to go out and leave you on your own more than the 6 days he is already away?? Mad woman.

And what makes her think she can raise YOUR baby better than you? She didn't do such a great job with her own did she? He's a mummy's boy and leaves you and his baby on your own because she says so. If she turns up unannounced, don't let her take DD off you, say no, you have every right to. Take DD upstairs, say she is asleep and you don't want her waking up.

Your DH needs to be sticking up for you and DD, you are his family now. After all, he CHOSE to be with you, unfortunately by the sounds of it, he didnt chose his mother. She needs to realise this.

Be strong, tell her when she does something that p's you off, she doesn't have a problem telling you. You can do it!

EBenes · 12/11/2008 14:59

I honestly think I will never want an overnight stay from my very young grandchild without my daughter there (or son). Maybe it all becomes different when you become a grandchild. But my pils are always asking for me to leave dd with them for a night or more. She would not like it at all. God, I hope I remember this feeling if I become a grandparent.

Your mother in law sounds aggressive and unkind. It is your dh's responsibility to speak for you, but I know how hard it is for men to do that. Poor both of you.

Salleroo · 12/11/2008 15:15

Holy baby jesus. what is it with MILs this week. They are a bunch of complete witches and this one takes the biscuit. How effing dare she criticise you. She has the gall to then think you would leave an 8 month baby with her.

Good for you telling her to FO. Bitch.

Sorry but your husband needs a good thump. How dare he go against you and your dd (his family) for mummy dearest. You know what, they are welcome to eachother.

There is no way on earth that he would get custody so dont even worry your head. Just keep note of how she acts and what she says.

Your parents need to see her in action if that's what it takes to make them believe you.

Poor, poor you

wittyusername · 12/11/2008 15:57

If I ever have a son, I pray that I won't raise him to be irresponsible and unsupportive to his wife. That's just not on! I hope your husband will wake up and see how foolish he's being

kirsty1980 · 12/11/2008 18:38

thank you all for your support, I feel much better knowing I'm not BU. Spoke to DH tonight and he said his mum wants to sit down with me and sort things out I agreed but I think she'll just bash me so I have asked my mum to be there for support and hopefully once my mum sees for herself maybe she will see I'm not exaggerating although MIL will probably deny everything and do the whole wounded just wanting to help act but when it's just me and her... as for moving away, I can't do this as DH would refuse and due to work etc, I have to stay local, I love my job too. Believe me, I have thought of moving away, would love to, maybe when dd is older, we will move to the next town or something, not too far, but far enough perhaps!
Not sure if I will be able to stay calm and controlled at this meeting or just get upset

OP posts:
posieflump · 12/11/2008 18:43

when will this meeting take place?

Uriel · 12/11/2008 18:44

Sounds like another of these mils who didn't have a dd of their own and wants to pretend their gd is their dd. Weird.

kirsty1980 · 12/11/2008 18:46

not sure, DH will let me know. He says he loves me and wants this to work...

OP posts:
LilRedWG · 12/11/2008 18:47

for you. Good plan to have your mum with you for support.

Upwind · 12/11/2008 18:52

Your MIL sounds like a bitch

But she is really not the problem here, your DH is. Is there any chance of something like Relate for you and your DH? HE needs to be a supportive husband and deal with his mother when she is being intrusive and undermining you.

I am worried that your meeting with MIL and your DM will result on them ganging up on you. Is there any other neutral person who could come along instead? Get legal advice re custody for reassurance.

kirsty1980 · 12/11/2008 19:56

My mum is usually great actually, she just thinks I'm exaggerating because she has never seen it for herself. She has spoken to MIL who denies everything and says I just don't like her etc. I'm hurt that my mum won't believe me MIL is a very good liar, most of what she does and says is in private although when it's not, DH doesn't stick up for me. My mum promises to be on the alert at the meeting, I guess we'll see. Still waiting to find out when it is. I worry about what to say though, I am okay typing it all here but I'm actually quite shy and not that good at standing up for myself. I get upset easily As for the relate idea, I have suggested it, DH refuses

OP posts: