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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

MIL winding me up!!

44 replies

Breakdownimpending321 · 18/05/2021 18:50

Has anyone's mother in-law kind of turned on them over time?
Mine used to be so nice to me and now since I've had my dd she's just... Changed.

Or maybe she hasn't and I'm just her next target instead of the ex wife?

Quick backstory. Been with dp 5 years. He has 2 kids to ex wife which are here 3 times a week. There was drama from day 1 of meeting him between the ex wife and his side of the family, they don't like her and made sure that I knew that and thier reasons why.

Fast forward 5 years. I actually sympathise with the ex wife and get on well with her. (well, to the best I can... Its a looong story) but anyway, ever since I've had my own dd who's 1, his family have changed towards me.

So, me and dp don't have a mortgage, we can't get one so we have no choice but to rent. He's bad with money. Before I met him, I had no debt, I had my own place, I paid my own bills etc etc. Ever since I've known him he's always had "the bank of mam" and lends substantial amounts off her and never pays it back. Although, when he's tried she tells him to keep it.

Initially I moved in with him, then we rented a house, now we've moved again. Everything was split 50/50 between us. Rent, bills etc. Bills came out his account as he transfered everything over to the new house in his name. Unbeknown to me, he wasnt paying the council tax, (imagine my horror when I got a letter through the door to go to court) I had to pay it off, I was that close to leaving but in the end I stayed and made sure that I paid it from my account.

Now, I've looked after his kids on my days off, or when he's working late for 5 years now. I'm basically thier childcare to save on costs as he already pays maitnance to ex wife. I didn't mind for a while, but quickly realised when my stress levels were through the roof that I'm making everyone else's lives easier, and mine more difficult by being a stupid yes person.

I've dealt with ex wife drama, financial issues caused by him, his kids, (buying them clothes, beds, toys, birthday and Christmas presents because if I don't, he won't do it) he's an absolute man child to be honest...

Yet, his mother can see no wrong in him. If he asks her to lend him money, she texts ME about our finances, if he's sounding sad to her, she texts ME asking why as if it's my fault. She's told me I have to transfer everything into MY name and pay all the rent and bills, she's told me to ring HIS solicitor about his ex wife drama, she handed me a list once of "things to do in the house" including getting rid of our cats.

She came the other week to our new house, told us to cut the grass, told us she hated the deco (we rent, still waiting on permission to decorate) told us she was going to have a neb around the house, told me "it's a crying shame you have 2 degrees and your not doing anything with them" 3 times in the space of an hour. Told me I need to get back to work and pay for childcare. Told me to go and do another degree. Told me I need a "bit of get up and go about you, girl".
She used to hug me when she came to visit. Now, it's a side glance and a forced smile.

I'm THIS close to packing my shit and leaving. Even my own family aren't this judgemental and pushy. It's like nobody is good enough for her precious son, yet little does she know I had my shit together before I met him.

OP posts:
LookItsMeAgain · 19/05/2021 11:37

Please tell us that this prince amongst men is only a DP and not a DH in disguise? If you have nothing tying you to this man, I'd leave. In fairness, I would have left long ago.

ThewaterlilliesofGiverny · 19/05/2021 12:36

In your situation I’d make plans to get up and go out the door and not come back!

ThewaterlilliesofGiverny · 19/05/2021 12:37

Or get all the bills in your name, as MIL suggested then sling him out!

Notaroadrunner · 19/05/2021 12:44

Find some self respect and leave him. This situation will worsen over time and I bet his ex was in the same position. There is nothing attractive about him, nothing worth staying with him for. Go and set yourself and your child up in a home together and build your own future without this waste of space. I'd block the mother's number now. She has no business texting you about finances etc. Let her take her manchild home and mollycoddle him all she wants.

Justmuddlingalong · 19/05/2021 12:47

DP obviously takes no responsibility and blamed his exW and now you. MIL panders to him and takes his word. You will never win in this situation, so cut your losses and leave them all to it.

Pegsonstrings · 19/05/2021 12:57

Oh my ex did this, down to a T. I left.

Breakdownimpending321 · 26/05/2021 19:42

Hey lovely people,

Sorry, I totally forgot about this thread. I wrote it after a few glasses of wine (oh, no!)
Yeah, I'm kind of trying to be savvy about this. His ex wife bought everything in her name so when they split up, she did literally take him to the cleaners and he didn't have a leg to stand on in terms of the house... The possessions in the house etc.. However, his family have always fought to try and get money from their marital home. It was poisonous words from thier side from day one, I kind of was like "woah this ex wife is a nightmare omg the poor bloke he's just doing his best bla bla" got sucked into it.
Do you know what I've noticed though. Anything I've bought over the 5 year period (beds, coffee tables, etc... Like household stuff) the MIL has replaced over the years. Like the bed I bought broke because the slats weren't hammered in properly. (a lot of sex broke it) I couldn't afford to then replace it so the MIL offered to buy one. Same with a lot of furniture over the years that's needed replacing. Stuff I'd brought from my old flat.
I've just realised that if I leave him, he gets to keep everything because the mother bought it. And I'm like... Omg how did I not click on to this the whole time.

OP posts:
Breakdownimpending321 · 26/05/2021 19:49

I've had a long conversation with my own mum today on the phone and she asked me what I saw for mine and my daughters future. Was I the happiest version of myself for my daughter. Did I want her to grow up with a mum who was sad all the time, frustrated and resentful.
I told her the above and she told me I need to be smart. Start putting money aside, start buying things like beds, everything my my daughter needs and store it at hers, so that when the time came that I'd had enough and found the courage to leave, I could move in with her and everything is already in place. (she said she'd buy what she could but she's a single mum herself scraping by on a low wage) but at least I know I have somewhere to go.

I've saw how vicious his family are about his ex. Saying he needs to get custody of his kids full time, even though she's an amazing mother and does EVERYTHING for her kids. Like, I can't say nothing about her as a mother because she is amazing.
I can't help but think if I leave, they'll turn nasty with me and try to take my daughter off me or something.
I have wine a few times a week and I'm sure they'd use this against me, even though I don't drink around my daughter and its a few glasses of bloody wine in the kitchen or upstairs in the bath.
I might even install security cameras and record everything 24/7 in this house just so I can cover my own back.
Like that's how paranoid I am that his family would start something.

OP posts:
MadMadMadamMim · 26/05/2021 19:51

The problem isn't your MIL. And of course she thinks her son is marvellous. She doesn't want to admit she raised a dickhead.

The problem is your waste of skin, DP. Dump him, and your life will improve immeasurably. He's the one holding you back.

Moonshine11 · 26/05/2021 19:53

Your mum sounds amazing.
I think you know what to do op.

Bluntness100 · 26/05/2021 19:58

I can’t understand why you think she’s the issue. It’s him and your relationship.

On a seperate note how much are you drinking op?

Breakdownimpending321 · 26/05/2021 20:03

... And do you know what it is? They ain't even there. They rarely see my daughter as they live in a different part of the country.

OP posts:
Breakdownimpending321 · 26/05/2021 20:08

No I know, but she doesn't help. I 100% agree he is the problem. He plays everyone like the fiddle. I could never understand why he let his family be so vile about the ex wife and then he'd go and be nicey nicey to her face, doing everything to keep her happy, but now I know. He's got his mum on the back burner for cash inflow, needs to keep the ex wife happy for the kids, and me happy because I'm free childcare.

What am I doing?!

@Bluntness100 honestly, about 3 bottles of wine every week. It started a few months after I'd given birth when I couldn't sleep and had bad anxiety, lockdown didn't help as I had no outlet or release, I drink the same amount now but instead of enjoying it, it's become like a coping mechanism.
I don't get drunk, not even merry, a bottle lasts me all night and like I say I'll go in the bath or I'll have a glass when I'm doing hobbies (artwork and creative stuff) so it's not like I'm pissed and dancing around or anything.

OP posts:
katy1213 · 26/05/2021 20:10

How does a woman with two degrees settle for a loser like this? You need to find that get up and go - and just go!

Bluntness100 · 26/05/2021 20:28

Ok well I’m in the minority and don’t think three bottles is too bad,

But he’s the issue. Why are you with this loser letting him you bring you down to his level?

BathTangle · 26/05/2021 20:49

You do need a "bit of get up and go about you, girl". - get up and go to your mum's. Good for you that you have realised this now and are making plans Smile

AgentJohnson · 27/05/2021 06:09

Three bottles of wine a week is too much and distracts you from your terrible choice of partner. You can’t keep sleepwalking.

MsDogLady · 27/05/2021 07:51

OP, if I’m correct, you wrote several threads last year about this horrible man. He actually cheated on you early in your relationship while you were babysitting his children. Then last year he was inappropriately messaging a female colleague.

He takes you completely for granted, creates financial chaos, hides bills/lies about paying them, uses you for child care, and won’t discipline his 2 older children in your home. He would get angry at your tiny baby when she couldn’t settle and sleep, and you were hesitant to leave him alone with her.

OP, he has mistreated you in a multitude of ways, yet you are still with him. Your bully MIL is but one more thing.

You and your daughter deserve an emotionally safe home, but this loser will never provide that. This is a very toxic relationship model that DD is learning.

FinallyHere · 27/05/2021 18:30

Hope things are going well for you today, @Breakdownimpending321

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