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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

Overbearing MIL

106 replies

Bella2255 · 05/02/2023 18:08

Help!!!! I have an overbearing mother in law..... whenever she visits she outstays her welcome and demands on spending the WHOLE day sat on my sofa, and never takes hints it's time to leave. Our takeaway for dinner arrived once at 9pm and she still sat there and just asked to have some.....! She also let herself into my house once when visiting and ran herself a bath while I was out.... I find this behaviour so odd!!!!

She would sleepover if she could but I put a stop to it when our baby arrived as it was too intense.... She as a person is very negative, judgemental and I fundamentally disagree with most things which come out her mouth, and I find her negativity draining. My husband says she is the ONLY family member he wants to maintain a relationship with and I have to get on board..... she wants to see our 8 MO every other weekend.... but I find this too much! What about my family, friends, time together as a family?? There aren't enough weekends as it is. She lives 1.5 hours away so visits are never a quick pop in..... and my husband says we can't expect her to drive all this way and "just stay a couple of hours". My husband has a very stressful job, works long hours and works usually on Saturdays too, so we hardly get any family time as it is.

I am returning to work soon and there is the possible option for her to come and look after our 8MO for a morning each week on a Friday, but the Friday afternoons I'm planning to be off work and have some much needed 1-1 time with me and my baby girl, and I worry I'll be having to make excuses to get her out the door every week! I don't want to seem like I'm dictating to her when she can and can't come over but I am starting to have serious anxiety every time I know she's coming.....☹️.

She is alone and really has no social life, so when she comes here she loves to extend the visit for as long as possible. Most of the time I'm upstairs in the bath getting ready for bed and she's still sat on the sofa - not making any attempt to leave ! It's really becoming an issue between me and my husband.

Any suggestions would be welcome 😢

OP posts:
billy1966 · 07/02/2023 12:45

Good for you.

Reframing it as, by you asserting yourself firmly to your husband, you are doing your best for your family and giving it its best chance.

Many is the woman that divorces selfish men like yours.

It happens all the time.

They often write that they look back and bitterly regret not asserting themselves much earlier when children arrived.

Because they didn't, and their selfish husbands weren't firmly told to shape up or ship out, they fell out of love, grew to loathe them, lost all respect for them, and then got their ducks in a row and divorced them.

I can see that in your future if you don't put your mental health first.

No one is looking after you.
He certainly isn't.

All he does is pile pressure on you.

The fact you have carried him through a breakdown and he still is so selfish is very poor.

I strongly recommend you seek counselling on your own, for support and to deal with your excessive people pleasing.

Your baby needs a mum who values herself and minds herself.
Who knows that her well-being and general health is vitally important.

Living with a man who is so selfish gets old very quickly when you have children.

You may have been prepared to put him first before your baby, but now your baby comes first and when you see him continuing to be so selfish, you will find yourself detaching and rethinking how you feel.

This is how divorce happens every day.
Women simply deciding that actually there is less stress without the selfish manchild living with him.

I realise I am harsh, but the best chance your marriage has is to continue to lay out your expectations clearly to him and to tell him that if he doesn't step up it is likely you will do it alone.

Doing it alone would be easier if it means his PITA mother isn't in your life.

I'm so glad you have a sister and family, reach out and accept their support.

You deserve a good life with a supportive husband that has your back, anything else isn't worth your time.

Make sure your contraception is bullet proof until you see him step up.

You need to spell out your expectations of him now that you are returning to work.

Protect that job of yours.
In the event that he is a disappointment going forward, you will need that job.

Mind your money and make sure he pays his way.

Every woman needs a "other options" account should things not work out.

You are a great woman, value yourself.

Scooby5kids · 07/02/2023 13:05

Why don't you suggest going to visit her some weeks and then you can choose when you leave? You could go over take her out for lunch, spend family time going for a walk and then leave when it's convenient.

ShillyShallySherbet · 07/02/2023 13:12

Could you take up her offer of childcare on a Friday but work all day and take another afternoon off in the week to be with your son? Or could she look after him on another day when you work all day and maybe your husband has the afternoon off to spend with her?

billy1966 · 07/02/2023 13:32

Her husband works 6 days a week and has very little time or interest in his mother, he wants his wife to do it, on top of juggling a baby, work, a home AND now travelling 90 minutes to keep his awful mother happy when she is off work?

Absolutely not.

How about he gets off his own arse and visits his mother?

He doesn't want that, he wants to burden his ppor wife with yet another task.

She has her OWN family that perhaps she wants to see in HER down time.

This is on him to sort out on HIS time.

Not his wife's job to fix this.

SchoolTripDrama · 07/02/2023 17:05

You think every other weekend is too much? WTAF? The poor woman. So what if she was still there at 9pm ONCE!

This woman is your husband's MOTHER and your baby's GRANDMOTHER!

frazzledasarock · 07/02/2023 18:16

SchoolTripDrama · 07/02/2023 17:05

You think every other weekend is too much? WTAF? The poor woman. So what if she was still there at 9pm ONCE!

This woman is your husband's MOTHER and your baby's GRANDMOTHER!

Every other weekend is far far too much to have someone sat around expecting to be waited on hand and foot and talking at you constantly.

weekends in our house are spent catching up on life admin, cleaning, food shopping, running errands and prepping for the next week.

I wouldn’t tolerate anyone coming around mine that often, they’d find they’d have to fend for themselves, as I also don’t cook on the weekend, we eat leftovers and whatever’s in the freezer.

hallodarknessmyoldfriend · 07/02/2023 18:20

SchoolTripDrama · 07/02/2023 17:05

You think every other weekend is too much? WTAF? The poor woman. So what if she was still there at 9pm ONCE!

This woman is your husband's MOTHER and your baby's GRANDMOTHER!

It's way too much! Especially since she just sits around and expects to be waited on.

Eyerollcentral · 07/02/2023 18:25

hallodarknessmyoldfriend · 07/02/2023 18:20

It's way too much! Especially since she just sits around and expects to be waited on.

How much waiting on is actually done? Make a cup of tea and you all eat together? Bizarre that so many people seem to find that so onerous

Terrribletwos · 07/02/2023 18:26

Bella2255 · 05/02/2023 20:15

I have made plans for myself so my husband stays with her and the baby... and I use the time to do something productive for myself. It does take the pressure off massively, but then she has messaged me the next day and said she's sad we didn't get time together and ask when can we catch up! So it works, but doesn't work.... if that makes sense 🙄

Just keep doing this. You shouldn't be waiting on your mil, your husband wants her at yours he can deal with her. Don't be made to feel bad.

ChubbyMorticia · 07/02/2023 19:20

SchoolTripDrama · 07/02/2023 17:05

You think every other weekend is too much? WTAF? The poor woman. So what if she was still there at 9pm ONCE!

This woman is your husband's MOTHER and your baby's GRANDMOTHER!

I do, yes, absolutely. If his mother has one weekend, her mother the next, when do they ever have time as a family of three? Or do you suggest that they share the alternating weekends with her mother, so MIL has the majority?

How on Earth is it remotely practical, let alone healthy for their relationship to constantly have people over on the weekends?

Blueberrywitch · 07/02/2023 19:20

I don’t think you sound mean at all either. My own mother who I actually quite like, sends my anxiety through the roof because she has the same habit of expecting a lot of time spent together with no set end and would never for instance say something like “what times work for you? I’ll be here from 2-6 then get out of your hair”.

It’s stressful and I feel mean as I absolutely can’t relax and feel like I have to insist on strict boundaries that make me sound like an asshole! Just a real “enmeshment” that I find myself constantly battling against. Whereas DH’s family and my dad are so so considerate and will ask permission to like open a cupboard in the kitchen. So with them I feel I can be much more relaxed and generous with myself as I know they will seek to understand and respect my boundaries.

I really like PPs idea of your DH going to her every other time so you only need to deal with a once a month visitor. Maybe you can then do a once a month overnight, have her for dinner, send her on her way at breakfast or something so she gets quality over quantity.

Bella2255 · 07/02/2023 20:31

SchoolTripDrama · 07/02/2023 17:05

You think every other weekend is too much? WTAF? The poor woman. So what if she was still there at 9pm ONCE!

This woman is your husband's MOTHER and your baby's GRANDMOTHER!

She wasn't there at 9pm ONCE.... she regularly used to sleepover and I'd accommodate her for the whole weekend. Lunch, dinners, breakfasts made.... fresh clean bedding and fresh towels laid out for her! I'm giving one example of MANY where she has outstayed her welcome. If k wrote everything out it would be a best selling novel. You've clearly never had to deal with this type of behaviour as you'd be more understanding if you had.

My personal space and family time is very important to me. Why should I wait on her all day, instead of spending quality time with my family? This woman who in 7 years has NEVED even cooked me a hot meal!

OP posts:
Bella2255 · 07/02/2023 20:34

@SchoolTripDrama oh and every other weekend.... yes too much! When do you suggest I see MY mum / dad / sister / friends / have time as a family / have time to myself / do life admin.... my life is FAR too busy to dedicate every other weekend to just one person.

OP posts:
afinishedkiss · 07/02/2023 20:34

I can’t imagine ordering takeaway and not getting any for my mother in law sitting in the same room!

Eyerollcentral · 07/02/2023 20:35

Because she is your husband’s mother. She is your family. Why isn’t he doing all the bed changing, etc? It really doesn’t sound like a lot to me but you don’t like her so that’s what it comes down too. Why would she be making you a meal in your home? I don’t get this attitude. You’ve already said you get to go out and do your own thing whilst she is there but now you are running round doing everything for her. I wonder how you would feel if it was your own mother who was lonely and wanted to be with her family

Eyerollcentral · 07/02/2023 20:35

Why can’t your other family members be there at the same time?

Bella2255 · 07/02/2023 20:41

afinishedkiss · 07/02/2023 20:34

I can’t imagine ordering takeaway and not getting any for my mother in law sitting in the same room!

Yes well I expect you can't imagine having an overbearing MIL who outstays her welcome.

She had been at our house all day. I had fed her. We had made several hints for her to leave by this point. I'd even had a bath and got into my pyjamas and was curled up on the sofa. The one night me and my husband had together and she's sat there expecting to curl up and cuddle with us too! Sorry no, not happening.

OP posts:
Bella2255 · 07/02/2023 20:44

Blueberrywitch · 07/02/2023 19:20

I don’t think you sound mean at all either. My own mother who I actually quite like, sends my anxiety through the roof because she has the same habit of expecting a lot of time spent together with no set end and would never for instance say something like “what times work for you? I’ll be here from 2-6 then get out of your hair”.

It’s stressful and I feel mean as I absolutely can’t relax and feel like I have to insist on strict boundaries that make me sound like an asshole! Just a real “enmeshment” that I find myself constantly battling against. Whereas DH’s family and my dad are so so considerate and will ask permission to like open a cupboard in the kitchen. So with them I feel I can be much more relaxed and generous with myself as I know they will seek to understand and respect my boundaries.

I really like PPs idea of your DH going to her every other time so you only need to deal with a once a month visitor. Maybe you can then do a once a month overnight, have her for dinner, send her on her way at breakfast or something so she gets quality over quantity.

I can completely relate, this is exactly the same behaviour as my MIL. Never asks when we're free, just says she's coming, assumes she can come and spend the whole day, no consideration for us needing time together. Still sat there while I'm in the bath getting ready for bed... this is a regular occurrence!

It's stressful.

OP posts:
Eyerollcentral · 07/02/2023 20:45

Or sit in a room and watch TV with you… it’s incredibly rude that you even discussed ordering food in front of someone else without including them. Just unimaginably rude.

GrumpyPanda · 07/02/2023 20:59

Bella2255 · 07/02/2023 20:41

Yes well I expect you can't imagine having an overbearing MIL who outstays her welcome.

She had been at our house all day. I had fed her. We had made several hints for her to leave by this point. I'd even had a bath and got into my pyjamas and was curled up on the sofa. The one night me and my husband had together and she's sat there expecting to curl up and cuddle with us too! Sorry no, not happening.

Next time, start passionately kissing?

afinishedkiss · 07/02/2023 21:10

Eyerollcentral · 07/02/2023 20:45

Or sit in a room and watch TV with you… it’s incredibly rude that you even discussed ordering food in front of someone else without including them. Just unimaginably rude.

This. No matter WHO it is. It is horribly rude. I cannot imagine my husband treating his mother like this!

Eyerollcentral · 07/02/2023 21:16

afinishedkiss · 07/02/2023 21:10

This. No matter WHO it is. It is horribly rude. I cannot imagine my husband treating his mother like this!

The mother might be super annoying or indeed a total bitch, this is the rudest thing I’ve ever heard. The OP isn’t coming across well here but the son is a total wet lettuce to allow his mother to be so disrespected in his home.

junebirthdaygirl · 07/02/2023 21:57

I would go bonkers with her sitting there all day. Could you do something for yourself when she comes like go to the hairdresser and leave her to have time with your baby..
Could you find a sentence to say when she starts being mean like Now! Now! We are not going to talk about someone behind their back..in a stern voice with a big smile. My dad always said that and it really stopped people in their tracks with their horrible gossip.
Also for the Friday afternoon plan something the first few Fridays so you are not lying and hopefully then she will be in the habit of heading home. I presume she will come Thursday evening but if you go to bed early there will be little time for idle chat.

ChubbyMorticia · 08/02/2023 05:37

afinishedkiss · 07/02/2023 21:10

This. No matter WHO it is. It is horribly rude. I cannot imagine my husband treating his mother like this!

Or, better still, “Mom, the wife and I are going to enjoy the rest of the evening alone. Have a safe drive, love you, bye!” as he ushered her out the door.

Some people don’t get hints, either because they choose to ignore them or are just that thick. Be blunt, communicate clearly, and reclaim your space and time.

BeautifulDayintheneighbourhood · 08/02/2023 05:54

First ask for her key back. Then out in some boundaries and stick to them. You meet halfway for lunch every couple of weeks or once a month. Your husband takes your child to her once a month for an afternoon. She comes to you occasionally but leaves by a certain time next day. You have to tell her what’s acceptable to you and stick to your guns. Whatever fuss she kicks up, ignore it. I don’t actually think you need to see her more than once a month. She ought to have her own life.