I know it sounds stupid as I know the situation was toxic but is it normal to feel a sense of ‘loss’ ?
MIL and SIL I thought were ok - we got on fine. We used to take SIL kids out for her lots - it was never reciprocated and her dc grew up whereas we had more
MIL always made it clear she wouldn’t / couldn’t ever help with dc- she said she was either busy or unwell or caring for elderly mother which was fine.
Really regular contact via text but very one sided (us) but we were ok with this situation. We are busy too as dc have SEN so we thought each side understood the other’s commitments and respected that and things were ok.
Till they weren’t ok - it’s been fine for MIL to be busy but we are not allowed to be busy
SIL then had a go that we don’t call or text enough - she NEVER initiated anything - phones work both ways !!!!!!!
we thought this would blow over but MIL then made some terrible comments to us that we can’t forgive or forget (they were awful re the children and SEN) .
it wasn’t the best relationship but it was ok and I feel almost a sense of ‘loss’