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

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

Worst mother in law comments...go on join me in my misery lol!

459 replies

Flutterby10 · 28/10/2023 16:50

Go on tell me the worst things said to you by a mother in law?

Not saying they all bad btw I’ve had a couple of nice ones previously when younger.

Ive had pretty a pretty bad week with mine but I’ve decided I’m over it all now!

OP posts:
User1789 · 30/10/2023 12:12

@ScotsBluebell how exactly would you propose people frame legitimate criticism and reaction to, objectively bad and damaging behaviour from the mothers of their spouses?

I am the mother of a son, and honestly, if I said some of the things quoted on this thread to a future partner of his, I think I would thoroughly deserve to be cut off. Did you miss the comments made about dead and disabled babies made to new mothers?

I'm going to stick my neck out and point out the vast, vast majority of posts on this thread are not ageist, so I don't really know where you are getting that from. Or is it not possible to criticise somebody older than you without it being considered 'ageism'? What about the other way around?

User1789 · 30/10/2023 12:22

@ElsieMc I completely agree on the point that having awful in laws gives you a very good grounding in how to not become one yourself.

It is a very common retort that women complaining about their mother in laws need to be careful, 'as it will happen to you one day'. It is an assumption that reveals the deep victimhood mentality of these women, who see criticism of mother in laws as a great injustice done to them, rather than a likely result of their behaviour.

The one silver lining to having awful in laws is it was a decade long education in how to not become an atrocious, miserable human being who damages every relationship they could have had.

BackAgainstWall · 30/10/2023 13:20

Thankfully not my MIL anymore.

“You wanna git youself down to that charity shop and git yourself a teapot.”

”Look at im, I won’t be buying im, any more clothes.”

She stuck by her words, as she thought he was too chunky and didn’t believe in breast feeding.

He’s 17 now and a slightly underweight 6-foot 6-inches.

A sometimes very stupid, ignorant and common woman 😉😂

Zakana · 30/10/2023 13:24

well done you for taking back your power! ❤️

Zakana · 30/10/2023 13:33

Abcdefg1234567abcdefg · 29/10/2023 22:55

I could say so many things about my ex MIL, but the worst was when I tried to speak to her about her son being so aggressive towards me.

Her response: there's domestic abuse in ALL relationships! Apparently it's normal behind closed doors!

She'd also told me that I must have done something to him to make him angry! I didn't!

My MIL along similar narcissistic style lines said all men cheat and we should either up our hand in the bedroom, give them more attention once the kids come along as they are likely to be a bit jealous of the attention the kids are now getting and that if they do cheat, just overlook it and get on as it’s in their DNA! Errr, absolutely not? My daughter 21 who has been bought up as an independent woman was gobsmacked that in 2023, the MIL actually says that and means it! Bizarre behaviour! 😂

Crikeyalmighty · 30/10/2023 13:39

I think there are many older women(and men). (And I'm 61 by the way) - who simply become very unhappy and unpleasant over the years- whether it's chronic health conditions, unhappy marriages, loneliness, work dissatisfaction - there are so many reasons. It doesn't remotely excuse them at all but does seem with many that they take out their life frustrations on those they still have contact with - particularly the younger women in the family. There are also some fantastic MILs and FILs out there too-

Crikeyalmighty · 30/10/2023 13:43

Following on from the post I just made I remember when I was getting divorced in my 1st marriage my grandmother saying 'but why- he doesn't hit you or keep you short of money' - I do think many things we don't accept as ok these days were put up with and swept under the carpet by many 'affairs,prostitutes, the odd slap, verbal abuse' , out with mates all the time, little or no housework , little or no care for children etc - and that attitude is still there with 'some ' older women

BackAgainstWall · 30/10/2023 13:45

@Zakana
❤️
I think if you have a good one, you are so lucky.
Unfortunately mine was petty and bitter.

Zakana · 30/10/2023 14:00

ScotsBluebell · 30/10/2023 09:54

Well wouldn't Bernard Manning be proud of you? Mothers-in-law, older women, the last permitted target of misogyny, sexism, ageism. Don't tell me it's just 'banter' or a 'bit of fun'. That's been the feeble justification for all ingrained prejudice since time began. But to see it coming from a swathe of women instead of elderly male comedians - that's just depressing. I do hope none of you have sons, because in a few years time, whether you like it or not, you're going to hear the sound of chickens coming home to roost. And I do hope not a single one of you is accepting help, financial or in terms of childcare or gifts from your despised mothers-in-law because that would be rank hypocrisy, wouldn't it? Read Victoria Smith's excellent Hags. When she writes about 'misogyny directed if not at the self you already are, then the one you will one day be,' that's you. Don't pretend it won't happen to you. That you'll be different. Because one day you're going to find yourself cast in a role you didn't anticipate. And no - I'm not even a mother-in-law. But I had one. And I loved her.

Lucky you! Mine was and still is awful, if I was to tell you every single instance, it would make your toes curl! But I’m pleased you had a lovely MIL anyway, proves they do exist!

Zakana · 30/10/2023 14:03

BackAgainstWall · 30/10/2023 13:45

@Zakana
❤️
I think if you have a good one, you are so lucky.
Unfortunately mine was petty and bitter.

And mine still is, I just have more power now I’m older and not the youngster I was 32 years ago when I first met her! I find her laughable now, and because my kids are adults as well, we all choose to ignore her or shut any convo down with her, calling her out if she does say something ridiculous, or offensive. ❤️

Imnotafraid2walkalone · 30/10/2023 14:28

When when 5th son was born sleeping at 22weeks she said to my partner oh well it was another boy anyway. Still makes my blood boil now

Flutterby10 · 30/10/2023 14:54

Some women are shit....I don’t think it’s anti women to say that. Some men are shit also, my FIL has made inappropriate sexual jokes and remarks and a thread could easily be made about FIL’s.

I maybe going out on a limb but I do feel SIL’s are accepted easier then DIL’s when it comes to mums. Women often give women a hard time but I don’t know why.

OP posts:
Crikeyalmighty · 30/10/2023 15:04

@Imnotafraid2walkalone that is totally unforgivable- what a bitch!

Atmytethersend · 30/10/2023 15:15

Feelinggoodtuesday · 30/10/2023 11:05

Good heavens!

Yes my mother and father in law are real peaches. That's probably the worst thing they've said but I could write a book

StarMumma18 · 30/10/2023 15:17

Oh gosh I have too many.

Come on feed your son , feed your son [ their grandchild] every half an hr which irritated me. His only 2 and if we didn't give anything as we have a routine she give him breakfast 7 times . At least try to when weetabits isn't good for stomache more than once then buy stacks and chocolate and give to my toddler. I'm like no. I gave up she was annoying and ridiculous. I'd of lost it.

Then she like when my partner comes have dinner or lunch ready and hand him juice. That's what you should do. Me thinking in my head. No its the modern world and your living in the old days. Your son know what I'm like over 11 years we been together.

Then she say you can't wash steel which you make chappatti in at night it's bad luck. In my head I'm like no we have been doing it for years washing everything up. Just a headache.

Then she comes up that you can't wash your hair on these days as of her beliefs. I washed my hair all my life on the days she said don't wash your hair. Then she shouts at me for washing my hair on days she believes these traditions which I don't believe in. I told my partner she said that and he had a go at her.

Then when I wasn't looking they thought it was ok to cut my sons hair . No I had a go at them. Then they stopped touching his hair. Then they kept mentioning it especially father in law. I was so upset and they always twist the conversation and make it look like it wasn't their fault.

Another thing is going through my belonging I every room. Invading everything. And I don't tell them to re organise the room or cupboard and they do it anyway. So frustrating.

Then mother in law tries to take my purse to take with her back to India as their wasn't anything in their. I told her no I got it as a gift. She didn't even ask if she could take. She has a nerve to do that.

Then she wears my neclace which my partner gave me without asking. Then I think she was going to take it. I got so upset. I took it off personally.

Then she wanted a make up brush she went upstairs and took my make up brush case without me knowing I saw it. I took it. It a gift from my friend. She was laughing at e everything.

Also she stole two of my Necklaces I only noticed when she left.

She also ignores my mum now. My mum was talking to my nephew and I was. She didn't even say hi. She just said Harvey is ill and talking to others near her and ignored and hung up the phone. So rude. She use to text my mum often but now nothing. My mum even bought her a dress as a gift for £150 and she said no thank you.

Every time she came over my mum by mother in law either ignored her or went for walk if my dad wasn't their or my aunties.

She is so jealous of us and she ignored my aunty on my wedding day.
I didn't like how she kept insisting on me cooking the way she likes. I felt so uncomfortable. Also my friend who is like a sister cooked a few times she made comments about her she is not a great cook. When she is a better cook that my mil. My mil only like her cooking and doesn't like change in cooking and cooking is burnt everytime.

When I made English flavour tasting food she says why didn't you put spices.

Once i ordered food for everyone. Father in law shouts at me saying lots of things at me. I told them not to cook. Their saying they'll cook. Next minute they shout at me and I told my partner. Then after they eat without saying anything the food I ordered .

Even with pizza when we took them out they complained on how the pizza was made and its bad for you. I was thinking why are you eating it then. Then I make noodles or pasta for me and my son and extra . Then they say its not good for you they make it and put bad things in manufacturing the product. I said not in the UK. Then they eat it all up. Then they say don't give their grandchild noodles.

I went to see my mum and they didn't like it kept calling me within a 2 hrs. Think they were jealous of me seeing my mum. Then after a while I got a taxi wasn't feeling well didn't want to eat. Then mother in law shouts at me its expensive ear the chappatti I made for you. You ate with your mum didn't you. I got so upset.

Also they throw rubbish in garden and showing my son who is two to through rubbish outside and started washing their hands on curtains and wiping their noise on curtain I watched them then had a go at them. Reason colds can happen. So disrespectful ,unconsiderate and unhygienic.

Also firstly they come and show she clean the pans. Like I'm not clean and have common sense. They didn't have any common sense on how cleaning work. The house was a mess and also kichern. Everytime I clean it it was a disgusting mess.

They shouted at me about the my mum and cousin we planned to do my make up at a hotel before wedding and after for reception. She had a go at me like she rules me and shouted at me. Then said a bad thing about my mum. I will take everything out of your mum. I was like you don't say anything like that about my mum and that is very rude and they walked away .

Thankfully they are gone back to India.

I really hope they never come back to the UK or I don't have to go India.

Just want then far far away forever.

They kept and mentioning to take my son their grandchild by himself to India i said no. They said it again to my partner. I told my partner why I'm upset. Never want them here again!

joneillio · 30/10/2023 15:38

Ex MIL, during both my pregnancies she made comments about it would all be fine as long as I didn’t have a redheaded boy, I have red hair none of their family do, I went on to have two girls both with beautiful red hair, 10 years later her own daughter, my exSIL, had a boy with red hair! Made me chuckle!

pacificoceanwhale · 03/11/2023 17:02

Undunne · 28/10/2023 17:22

Previous DPs mother had a small-holding and gave one of her new pigs the same name as me 🐷😂

Sorry you had to suffer such a horrible MIL but that really made me laugh 😂

NalafromtheLionKing · 03/11/2023 22:35

BackAgainstWall · 30/10/2023 13:20

Thankfully not my MIL anymore.

“You wanna git youself down to that charity shop and git yourself a teapot.”

”Look at im, I won’t be buying im, any more clothes.”

She stuck by her words, as she thought he was too chunky and didn’t believe in breast feeding.

He’s 17 now and a slightly underweight 6-foot 6-inches.

A sometimes very stupid, ignorant and common woman 😉😂

This seems to be a common theme.

When my skinny and sporty DS1 was nearly a year old, MIL used to make digs about his weight eg huffing and puffing about the fact that she had to loosen the highchair straps for him (not surprising, considering that it was last used by his 2-3 month old girl cousin).

xmaswiththeinlaws · 03/11/2023 22:55

I am quite fortunate that my in-laws don't speak English so over the years, I haven't always understood everything they have said so I'm not aware of anything really awful.

MIL complained that bouncing my 6 week old DD on my knee was going to result in her growing up with bent legs. (Her legs are fine, she was pushing herself upon my lap).

Probably the worst was a few summers ago when she threatened to burn down the house while all the grandchildren (ours and SILs) were asleep upstairs.

We're lucky that as we don't see her that often, I don't bear the brunt of it. My poor SIL, (DHs brother's wife), living next door to her, is on the receiving end of most.

terrichild · 03/11/2023 23:13

My f in law told me that I was just typical of the bog Irish, when I asked what that meant he said the lowest form of human life. My m.I.law and husband said to take no notice because he is (was) a horrible little man.

BackAgainstWall · 03/11/2023 23:13

@NalafromtheLionKing
It was a real eye opener for me that a grandmother could be such a shallow heartless bit*h to her own GC (there were more incidents - favouring other GC in front of my DS. It could still make me weep).

I unwittingly pulled the short straw having her, not for me, I can swallow it, but for my poor innocent DS.

She’s recently become a widow. I’m not vindictive, but sometimes I do wonder (hope) the sad and lonely fallen queen bee, sometimes reflects on her past disgusting behaviour, now that she’s on her own and has lots of time to reflect.

Probably not though because I don’t think she’s got the emotional intelligence to look at her honest self, and therein lies the problem.

Rosebel · 04/11/2023 06:19

I have 3 children. Youngest two are autistic but as MIL says At least I have one normal child and what did I expect getting pregnant at my age?
Another time she told me it must be my fault my children are autistic because it certainly doesn't run in her family and after all I am half Irish. (Not sure that only Irish people are autistic but she is ignorant).
DH still can't see why the comments upset me.

Newandveryconfused · 05/11/2023 21:27

Because my husband and I gave our children age appropriate chores, my MIL kept saying that "we were treating our children like SLAVES" and that "you dont have children to make them do things like that in the home... That's the parents job... You are treating them like SLAVES".

When they were toddlers it was just putting toys away in their toy box kind of things.

Primary school... Making their beds, emptying the bedroom bin etc

Secondary school, learning to cook meals, keep their bedrooms clean, put a wash on etc.
And so on and so on...

They are now confident and capable young adults. Not in debt. Saving for a deposit and almost at the goal required. They have travelled using their own money.
In great careers and....

NOW, the PIL have tried to take some of the praise, as these are the only grandchildren that have succeeded on their own merit.

Muffintopper · 06/11/2023 23:37

DH name doesn't like skinny women...

Cucumbersandwich75 · 01/06/2024 20:40

Love when DH has your back. Props for him.