Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Parents of adult children

Wondering how to stop worrying about your grown child? Speak to others in our Parents of Adult Children forum.

Mums of adult men.

3 replies

sal96 · 05/07/2024 12:23

Hi all, I need a little insight into what’s normal for the adult man/mother relationship.

I am the mother of a 1 year old boy and can’t imagine doing some of the things my MIL finds quite regular when my baby grows up. Now, granted, we are from two different cultures so maybe that’s the confusion?

My husband has a great relationship with his mum which I am very thankful for, I think good family ties are amazing especially when raising a child in said family. Never thought nothing weird about it, especially on my husbands side, he always prioritises our little family wherever he can.

We are currently visiting my in laws for the summer and my MIL has asked my husband for a massage which they proceeded to take part in right in front of me which I found quite uncomfortable if I’m honest. She also has other sons she could have asked, she had a sore back it was nothing inappropriate, but just uncomfortable. Anyway, days later we’re going shopping, I was desperate for some new clothes after pregnancy and still breastfeeding a year later my wardrobe has been a shambles. Anyway she wanted to come with us last min and jumped in the car. No problems, of course you can, let’s go. We get to the shop and she starts picking up and trying on items and then giving them to my husband to pay for with my items 😂. He’s happy to do it and we always buy gifts for his mum, both of us love to do it. But the timing was just abit off for me. Finally, we’ve been spending a lot of time with them but yday we spend all morning outside, she called him telling him she needed some food bits for lunch immediately and then proceeded to call him repeatedly asking how long he will be, she’s waiting and why is he not outside yet 😅 Are all of these things just coincidence or am I dealing with a MIL who’s not quite ready to let go of her son?

Then there’s the usual parenting advice that she likes to give me non stop and my husband thinks she’s being nice. In the nicest possible way, my husband and I live abroad far away from both of our families. I got my baby to a year old completely alone and he’s perfect and healthy, I don’t need anyone to judge my parenting (but I can overlook this of course since we’re only visiting).

OP posts:
Littleorangemouse · 04/08/2024 15:07

My relationship with my married son is not like this. We live in different countries too. I think there is much to me said for letting sons go and live their lives. All adult children really, but it does seem that some mothers feel in competition with their sons' wives.
I would not like what you are describing at all!

HeySummerWhereAreYou · 04/08/2024 15:09

Very odd and not at all normal! She's acting like she's his wife. I'd be interested to know what cultures you both are. You say you are from different cultures.

Littleorangemouse · 04/08/2024 15:09

I di have a good relationship with my son and his wife. Speak regularly and visit a couple of times a year. I stay in a hotel when I go, and they stay with us here as we still have the family home and we have room.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page