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Mother & Sister In-Law HELP

22 replies

jusstjaee · 21/04/2024 21:17

I just need to vent as the M&SIL (Mother & sister in law) are just too much ever since I had DS!
Before he was born I used to love going over there and we all got on so well but then everything changed when DS was born. It wasn't the most straightforward of births for starts and we were in hospital for coming on a week. The day he was born and we finally shared his name family, the MIL and SIL video called us and was like what a boring name. The day we got home was around 4pm and the first and only person I wanted to see was my mum. She come over we literally had dinner and she left as she could see I was knackered, could hardly sit down or walk but like me just wanted to give me a hug. She must of left around 8 by 9pm the OH mum, sister niece and nephew come over. And my gosh they just took over. Wanted to start giving him a wash down, clip his nails you name it. The first thing his sister said to me 'you look gaunt, you been eating' then as more time passed her and the MIL see that my milk had literally just started to come in and then decided to grilling me about I should breast feed. Cut a long story short they have just been over stepping ever since. The first few months of being a new mum was honestly ruined because of them. They was demanding to see him ALL the time and still do now (will come to this) they have continually done things that have rubbed me up the wrong way such as I remember when DS was literally a few months old and SIL would pick him up by his arms (he cried both times) the second time she done it I said can you not do that even the 12yr old niece said 'mummy why you pick him up like that' they constantly would just pick him straight up as soon as we got in the house regardless whether he was sleeping or not, I remember the day we was on our way to register DS and SIL called me and I mentioned where we were going, she didn't say anything tbf and off the phone she goes, by the time we had come out of the registry office, OH had a long message from his mum saying how she wants us to give DS a middle name (OH Dad who passed away, although they were never close and hadn't seen each other in over 10th years) then come the time when he was 4 months old and they tried to feed him on more than one occasion baring in mind I made it clear I wasn't going to start weaning until 6 months. When I tried to speak to the MIL about how they were making me feel, she seemed to of taken it well on the phone.... until at 3am I had a long message sent to me from the MIL saying how I am cheeky for saying the things I said and how her decades of experience is more than my few months!! After this it was safe to say I stopped going round there and so did DS. The SIL then called my OH basically cussing him out for the fact that they hardly see DS, so he then proceeded to tell them why. Until this day MIL has never apologised the sister just sent a text apologising if her actions caused any offence and that was that. I still feel exactly the same way yet I am still the only one who seems to be giving, like they see him every day over Christmas (Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day) yet they moaned when we wasn't going there for New Years!! Now they're demanding they see him every other Monday as well as weekends! They honestly want to see him every weekend and when they don't they are on the phone to OH. The reason why I am venting is because I really thought we may have been getting somewhere (they seemed to off backed off) I really made an effort for MIL 60th. I went there straight after work and after picking DS up from nursery we were both knackered but still went, then come the party on the weekend again we was there until like midnight after getting there from 3pm and then went again on the Sunday. And this week I had the MIL on the phone expressing her dissatisfaction at the fact DS no longer has a dummy & telling me the reason why his probably always getting sick is because his his going through major changes such as going nursery, going on to full fat cows milk and now no longer having a dummy!! DS was never that fussed about his dummy it was the likes of them that forced it upon him as soon as he cried so I decided rather than wait for him to become attached to it take it away and honestly he never missed it it's been 5 weeks! All kids pick up colds from nursery like seriously. They're acting as if DS is theirs. They've already asked when they can have him over night and I shut that down. I don't feel like respect me as his mother and I have had enough. His 13 months and it just doesn't seem like things will ever change well at least until DS can decide for himself.

Is it just me because I feel like I'm losing my mind trying to explain myself to OH about them and trying to get them to understand??

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Farmwifefarmlife · 21/04/2024 21:51

Gosh they sound unbelievably overbearing, what does your OH say?
I couldn’t cope with that to be honest it’s far too much every weekend? Where is family time for just you OH and DS?
I’d be having a frank conversation and say that every other Monday is fine ( if this suits you?) but the weekends are for your family time, you could say your happy to do every other Sunday or something to suit you, work out what you want and just tell them. Your OH can deal with them being ridiculous.

crumblingschools · 21/04/2024 21:53

I’d move

jusstjaee · 21/04/2024 21:57

@Farmwifefarmlife OH is muted when it comes to them. They are a lot so his way of dealing with it is just basically saying yeah yeah yeah and tuning them out but I feel like this is why they are the way are because nothing is being said. I am contemplating the every other Mondays as long as they come and pick him up don't see why I always have to drop him off or pick him up when want to see him. I will have to speak with them if this is going to be the case as they don't respect the routine we have for DS. Whenever we have been there he never has his naps when he should and there's times when anyone else would take one look at him and know his tired yet they continue to just over stimulate him. I remember the MIL making a comment about when we chose to have a baby we chose to give up our nights too! I'm like DS has a routine that works for him and us so why would I not continue to follow it just because!

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jusstjaee · 21/04/2024 21:58

@crumblingschools well we will soon be looking to buy and I have already said I want to move out of London. OH isn't so keen as he wants to be near his family -__-

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Charlie2121 · 21/04/2024 22:00

There’s no way I’d put up with any of that crap. I’d tell them in no uncertain terms that they’re not welcome in your house until they learn to behave more appropriately.

I wouldn’t have any contact with them until they come and apologise and then I’d reset everything on my own terms.

If it ends up NC with them long term then I suspect that’s a win for you anyway.

Pumpkindoodles · 21/04/2024 22:05

They sound super overbearing id have lost my mind ages ago so fair play to you for trying to make it work, but also I don’t know why you’re entertaining so much nonsense!! You can’t win. It’s never enough, so stop giving them everything
You need to have some stock phrases.
‘M/SIL if I want your opinion I’ll ask for it’
‘M/SIL sorry you feel that way, but we’re going to do what’s best for us’
‘sorry that doesn’t work for us’
and that’s it! Leave them to it. Tell them to speak to dh. I’m hoping you have his support or that’s a whole other issue

jusstjaee · 21/04/2024 22:10

@Pumpkindoodles I 100% agree with you, the thing is 1. They never come to me anymore because all the times they used to call me and ask to him I would either say no or that we was busy. The go to OH as they know they can get to him. But yes you're right that is a whole other issue as in the first few months we never stopped arguing about it to the point I thought it would end us as he didn't and I still feel like he doesn't get where I am coming from.

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Struggle1 · 21/04/2024 22:21

I wish I had kept my old account so I could show you my posts! I’m sure I could find if I tried, i know exactly how you feel. My MIL would walk into our home with the spare key we have her for emergencies all hours of the day. Once we were sleeping and took my 8 week old daughter out of Moses basket. I woke up to find her gone and screamed as DH was next to me, I was hysterical and came downstairs to her holding her. My mental health deteriorated so much because of both MIL and my 2 bitch SILs. My advice is don’t be too nice, My DH never backed me and told me I was hysterical and crazy for screaming, but I woke up to my baby being gone so many times. We live in London and many homes are broken into in our old street so my mind would go to that she’s been taken by someone.

stop thinking of them and act like they don’t exist. So what if they text and call to complain? It will never be enough, my DD was born in 2015, and things have not changed in their mind difference is I don’t care anymore. It definitely affected my mental health.

jusstjaee · 21/04/2024 22:36

@Struggle1 OMG I would have reacted the exact same way too!! Glad you can relate to what I'm dealing with because your right it really did affect me mentally still does now but no where near where it did at the beginning although I still dread every weekend as I know what OH will say... My mum & sis have asked to see DS rolls eyes

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MermaidMummy06 · 21/04/2024 22:36

My MIL & SIL were overbearing & nasty. I've never had an apology & everything is always my fault. Now MIL's gone I'm seeing it from FIL too, and his new wife. SIL is worse.

Honestly, I just stay away & refuse to engage. I don't try to placate them & I've stopped rearranging or cancelling my plans to accommodate them or do anything to make them happy. I'm much happier & feel I'm taking my power back.

It took many years, but DH understands now & is seeing it for himself.

In fact, you've just reminded me to make plans for Saturday as they're having a yard sale to clear FIL's rubbish as he's moving & SIL is coming too. I'm not spending my day helping them!

Struggle1 · 21/04/2024 22:40

@jusstjaee when your DS is a little older how do you feel about your OH taking him to Inlaws for a couple of hours whilst you have a rest? That’s what we do now. I do a duty visit every 4/5 months and he goes every Sunday. I only see her a handful of times a year now even though they live 20 mins away. It’s so much better but my kids are much older now.

jusstjaee · 21/04/2024 22:43

@MermaidMummy06 When you decided to stay away how did OH react to this? Was he supportive? My OH seems to side with them and just says well I want DS to have a relationship with my family and he will basically.

This is exactly what I have found myself starting to do but sometimes come the weekends I am so knackered I just want to chill but I know when we don't have plans the OH will say about going to his mums

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jusstjaee · 21/04/2024 22:48

@Struggle1 so I was letting OH take him when I decided to stop going there for a while but even that become an issue because it either wasn't long enough for them or then I found that they weren't keeping to his schedule so that soon stopped and then I started going again but do think this is something I will have to start doing again as I just want to pull away from them

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MermaidMummy06 · 21/04/2024 23:09

@jusstjaee It took years for DH step up, tbh. Eventually, MIL overstepped so badly DH couldn't ignore it. I had to put myself first as everyone, including DH, was sacrificing me, to keep everyone else happy. I didn't care if DH accepted it. It wasn't his choice. It took me far too long to realise that.

I stated that untill DH backed ME up & stopped making excuses for them he was treating me like I didn't matter and I wasn't putting up with it. He took DC to see them & I had a lovely break. He wasn't happy but didn't push it.

He eventually did tell them off & say no more after MIL went too far. It did help but it was too far gone.

Ironically now MIL is gone FIL is super selfish & demanding & DH has had enough now too!

Pumpkindoodles · 21/04/2024 23:12

He can’t be bothered to argue with them, so it’s easier for him if you shut up about it. He’s being very selfish.
them picking DS up whilst he’s sleeping, them criticising his mother constantly and seeing him several times a week are not the only ways for them to have a relationship with him. I’d bet they’d have a much better relationship with him in fact if his mothers MH wasn’t being negatively effected by them

it’s not how it is now, or ds having no relationship with his family, so that is a nonsense argument to shut you up and imply you’re the unreasonable one. There is a middle ground. Seeing him once a week and not being rude and giving your opinion where it wasn’t requested for example.

even that become an issue because it either wasn't long enough for them or then I found that they weren't keeping to his schedule so that soon stopped and then I started going again
if DH was there then it’s dh not sticking to the schedule. And if they’re only contacting dh to complain about it not being long enough who cares, that’s his problem.

you just really have to put your foot down here, enough is enough. I do sympathise, I’ve not had quite as bad but definitely elements of this situation and it’s stressful to have that confrontation. you have a dh problem as much as anything though.

Farmwifefarmlife · 22/04/2024 08:05

I really feel your OH needs to be backing you up more as you say they are going to him and not you now as they know that he will enable their behaviour. I’d definitely find a routine you want for example every other Monday and just say to OH and them that this is it! He definitely needs to be on your side more. I understand it’s hard for him but over ruling you and dictating things is just not on at all.

jusstjaee · 22/04/2024 08:28

Thank you all so much, you don't understand what a relief it is reading your comments. I have questioned myself for so long, thinking is it me, am I being the unreasonable one, am I just overreacting etc. I do feel another conversation or should I say argument is on the way regarding M&SIL as they haven't seen DS in two weeks as we both haven't been well, so I know this weekend they will be expecting to see him so will deffo do what @MermaidMummy06 said:

"I stated that untill DH backed ME up & stopped making excuses for them he was treating me like I didn't matter and I wasn't putting up with it. He took DC to see them & I had a lovely break. He wasn't happy but didn't push it."

And I know it shouldn't bother me that they call and complain to OH but I think what annoys me with this is that I know for a fact he doesn't dare say anything back, he just lets them think they have a right to be so entitled when it comes to OUR son. But I will find a way to just not care and not feel guilty about it as they honestly couldn't care for how I feel.

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jusstjaee · 22/04/2024 20:37

Dilemma.... So DS was throwing up all of Friday then from Saturday has had diarrhea, then today started throwing up again. I won't be sending him nursery and was going to take emergency leave at work tomorrow but then OH come in from work and said MIL has offered to have him. I am having a lot of trouble at work at the moment as I have returned to work PT which my manager was not happy about and only agreed to trial it for 3 months which is up in 2 weeks when she will decide if it is working or not, so I know taking time off will no doubt go against me so do I just take emergency leave or bite the bullet and let MIL have him whilst I work, although this could well be for Wednesday & Thursday if DS has not got better by then

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Pumpkindoodles · 23/04/2024 00:15

Offering to have him seems fine
shes not insisted or just told you so that’s all good
but everything else is bad so it’s up to you to decide.

is it really you or MIL though? Is there anyone else? If I was at risk of losing my job, my dh would take the day off, before expecting me to do it. Is this another dh problem…

jusstjaee · 23/04/2024 09:26

@Pumpkindoodles he said it was too short notice to move his meetings around to be able to take today off although I gladly pointed out that his job has not once had to be affected since having DS as I have been here but now I have returned to work it has to be split now because I can't just always take time off especially as I am already being monitored due to my trial.

I have just had to bite the bullet and let MIL have him and did message her with his nap times etc not that she responded but will just have to see how today goes. No unfortunately all my side of the family work full time so I literally had no one else

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Pumpkindoodles · 23/04/2024 11:29

he said it was too short notice to move his meetings around to be able to take today off
will your dc being sick ever not be short notice? I presume you’re expected to move everything around just fine.

if dc hasn’t had any naps and is a nightmare later, leave it to dh.
currently dh has zero consequences to his choices.
his mums happy and you will shut up and deal with the consequences of a tired, overstimulated dc and facing warnings at work. You are the one dealing with his consequences and he is happy to let you do so.

jusstjaee · 23/04/2024 17:54

@Pumpkindoodles well we just had yet another argument over the in laws as the sister called and TOLD me she has bought a car seat as she is seeing more of her nephew! And he words were 'I think that's a lovely idea' So I told her she wasted her money because she won't be seeing him anymore than she already does. Sometimes I feel like it would just be easier if me and DH was not together!! The whole lot of them really p**s me off. They've called me non stop today telling how skinny DS looks, how I should have taken him A&E when she said! I'm sick to death of them!'

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