Hi
I would like some advice on how best to handle my MIL please.
She is very opinionated, strong minded, straight to the point kind of woman. I on the other hand feel weak in her presence, I don't want to upset her in any way, I was brought up to respect elders and this still sticks with me. Hence why I've never challenged her on anything.
Anyway, we only see her roughly twice a year for three or so days at a time as we live so far apart. I have just recently spent a two days with her and now we are all going on a week long family holiday next week, which I'm dreading even though we will be in different lodges.
When my kids ask if they can do something, I draw breath to speak but she will speak for me, giving them permission to do various things. She did it so much on the last visit that they stopped asking me things and went straight to her instead. This hurts me so much.
Another thing she does is, when on the occasion I do get chance to answer them, she will go against what I say and do what I said no to, it might only be minor but I feel she doesn't respect me.
I feel anxious in her presence because of this, she drains me. It's been going on for years and there's more annoying things she did when they were babies too. I don't know how to handle her, I just want her to stop treading on my mummy toes, what do I do?
Many Thanks