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Elderly parents

Struggling with MIL assumptions

57 replies

sunintheeast · 03/03/2026 06:12

My lovely FIL died 18 months ago. MiL struggled hugely after caring for him for 2 years with no family nearby. After he died she asked if she could move nearer to us.. he had wanted her to so that was a big part in it..200 miles from where she had lived her whole life.. we gladly said yes. I get on with her and we have similar values hobbies etc.. we wanted to give her the support but with some worries about moving her away from her friends. To make it work financially we had to go in with our savings to make up the difference on a new place and also do it up as our area is more expensive than hers. In spite of her really trying it has been hard so much harder than i thought.. I think she thinks we are much better off than we are and DH is so generous hes just got in the habit of paying for her everywhere we go and taking her on holiday with us. Its getting to me.. the house has been hard work for a woman in her 80s so even though we are spending a fortune she is missing her old home, friends, town and is emotionally flat alot of the time. I have very little time with DH now hes either doing DIY or she's with us because shes lonely. To be fair she has joined a couple of groups so she is trying. I dont want to feel resentful... she lost her husband and dealing with a massive change but im starting to fester about the time, our massively depleting savings (everything has to be done ASAP! ) and general assumption that its her son's role now to do what her husband did and looking after her .. we didnt realise how much he did ! how do I manage it and move on ??

OP posts:
Freya1542 · 03/03/2026 06:26

the resolution to this lies solely on what your husband thinks wrt to financing his Mum and the level of support he wants to give @sunintheeast

Unless he is completely on the same page as you, it may well be something you just have to accept?

There's a well know saying "no good deed goes unpunished" 🙈

sunintheeast · 03/03/2026 06:33

Yes agree but he is very giving of "our" money even though im the main earner.. he works pt due to health issues.. he would be the same if it was the other way round he is unflinching kind but I always have to be the one with boundaries

OP posts:
EvangelineTheNightStar · 03/03/2026 06:38

what so he and she just get to decide your family money has to fund her now?
why on earth was a bug project house purchased? Why not a 1 bed?

Freya1542 · 03/03/2026 06:40

"he is very giving of "our" money even though im the main earner.. he works pt"

Then you are not unreasonable in having a chat with him @sunintheeast

Lay out your boundaries before the justifiable resentment becomes a problem for both your marriage and your family.

sunintheeast · 03/03/2026 06:43

EvangelineTheNightStar · 03/03/2026 06:38

what so he and she just get to decide your family money has to fund her now?
why on earth was a bug project house purchased? Why not a 1 bed?

It's a two bed so she can have guests. It had been a rental and once we moved in we realised the owner had really let it go.. loads of things didn't work so things that we thought could wait couldn't..

OP posts:
HygerTyger · 03/03/2026 06:43

EvangelineTheNightStar · 03/03/2026 06:38

what so he and she just get to decide your family money has to fund her now?
why on earth was a bug project house purchased? Why not a 1 bed?

Agree. I wouldn't like this at all. you need to communicate with him and he needs to be more respectful of family money

sunintheeast · 03/03/2026 06:44

Also she wasnt eligible for the limited sheltered housing which would have been our first choice

OP posts:
sunintheeast · 03/03/2026 06:44

HygerTyger · 03/03/2026 06:43

Agree. I wouldn't like this at all. you need to communicate with him and he needs to be more respectful of family money

Also she wasnt eligible for the limited sheltered housing which would have been our first choice

OP posts:
sunintheeast · 03/03/2026 06:46

sunintheeast · 03/03/2026 06:44

Also she wasnt eligible for the limited sheltered housing which would have been our first choice

Sorry meant to say I agree we needed to discuss more.. I've told him this is it now.. everything else needs to wait.. our own house needs things doing to it !

OP posts:
olympicsrock · 03/03/2026 06:48

Time for a conversation with you about how much financial support you provide her with.

butterfly990 · 03/03/2026 06:49

Whose name is the house in? If she needs to go into care the house will be sold to find it.

Have a look at the Safeguarding Futures Health and Social Care Support Facebook group. It is run by a couple who give Financial planning advise but is also giving general practical advise.

TheGPThatWearsShorts · 03/03/2026 06:53

He works part time due to health reasons but spends most of his time doing DIY for this mum?

sunintheeast · 03/03/2026 06:55

He has a chronic condition which means he works flexibly for himself

OP posts:
sunintheeast · 03/03/2026 06:56

butterfly990 · 03/03/2026 06:49

Whose name is the house in? If she needs to go into care the house will be sold to find it.

Have a look at the Safeguarding Futures Health and Social Care Support Facebook group. It is run by a couple who give Financial planning advise but is also giving general practical advise.

House in their joint names

OP posts:
TheGPThatWearsShorts · 03/03/2026 06:57

sunintheeast · 03/03/2026 06:55

He has a chronic condition which means he works flexibly for himself

Okay but if he's well enough to spend most of his time doing DIY..

Youre being taken advantage of here OP. Massively so.

BetteDavisChin · 03/03/2026 07:05

It's reasonable enough that she has moved to be closer to you and DH. Also reasonable that he is helping out with diy to make her home comfortable.

I would definitely be reigning in/stopping the spending of your family money on improvements.

It's great that she is joining groups and hopefully making new friends so that she won't be totally reliant on you and DH for companionship.

My DF moved in to our annexe aged 72 - he's now 90, so 18 years. It has just about broken mine and DH relationship that it has gone on for so long.

You could be in for the long haul.

BetteDavisChin · 03/03/2026 07:05

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

somanychristmaslights · 03/03/2026 07:22

sunintheeast · 03/03/2026 06:56

House in their joint names

As in you DH and mil? So what protects you then as it’s your money too????

simpledeer · 03/03/2026 07:28

Is DH an only child?

TreatyPie · 03/03/2026 07:29

How have you allowed two non working people to purchase a house in their names woth your money?

Dearg · 03/03/2026 07:29

It’s nice that you have been so kind to your MIL, but tge draining of your finances needs to stop.

DH & I were on a similar path when FIL died. I explained that if that was his wish, we had to reorganise our own finances so that he, and only he , was supporting her, while he also paid his share of our expenses. No way was I working all hours while MIL enjoyed the fruits ( although I really did not like her)

Anyway, you get my point. Do the sums. Lay it out for him. He is massively taking advantage of you.

ForAmusedHazelQuoter · 03/03/2026 07:32

I would stop all family money being spent on the MIL, I would also look into her selling the flat and getting the money you put in out and her renting.
How much did you put into the new home and why is it in their names?
You also need clear boundaries so you get time for yourself and with your DH and also no more paying for her holidays.
Your DH can help her during the week
but you want weekends together or whatever works for you.
No more DH being generous with family money.
You need to firm up and tell him this.

Carriemac · 03/03/2026 07:34

This is an insane set up OP

EvangelineTheNightStar · 03/03/2026 07:34

sunintheeast · 03/03/2026 06:56

House in their joint names

Yet you provided the majority of funds? Whose idea was that?

Passingthrough123 · 03/03/2026 07:36

sunintheeast · 03/03/2026 06:56

House in their joint names

Their names?! Not yours as well?

You're the main earner financing most of this and you've let them take ownership of the new house?

Why on earth would you agree to this?

Please tell me there's not a sibling in the background too ready to claim half as their inheritance.

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