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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

42 replies

MumDaisy1980 · 15/01/2024 22:09

just sharing times MIL borderline get on my nerves.

MIL overall is good. But when I’m on a bad day would get irritated.

MIL is retired. So I got the impression that she just nosy for all her kids how they doing. And whenever DH and I met her, she just sharing stories of how DH siblings doing and their partners and each of their kids.

so by the time I met the bro and sis -in-laws, there’s really nth to talk as we already know everything.

sometimes even the kid go to A&E or the bro-in-law trying another kid all these details, I felt like unnecessary to know. I also think the siblings were just sharing how they doing to the mum not expect to be shared widely.

similarly, I would think whatever I told her, she just broadcast broadly in the fam. Not that I have anything to hide, just felt like the intention is just for gossip.

recently, as I fell preg , maybe she try to be more caring. She watsapp a group DH , me and her more often. Like how are you two doing. But DH not as responsive (like a guy style), so I know that she message as a group Try to get me to answer. I really reply depend on my mood.

and as I reply not as often too - she now called my DH more regularly , just to check how our preg journey doing. Before preg , DH and I were quite independent from the fam. We occasional meet up with the in-laws and chat How we doing. Now I felt like she blended into our life. What’s every week we were doing.

besides she has a tendency to check when we both free at home (and sometimes free does mean ready to host). So if we say nth to do. She will suggest drive over to meet up. and I know for her as retiree just not to stuck at home, keep moving. This happened quite a few times. And really made me don’t want to let her know we will be home and do nth. But my DH obviously just answer whatever she asked. I also don’t want to start quoting everything what can or can’t share with MIL. Sometimes DH understands me and won’t say certain things without me specifying. But because now more regular contact, I feel like she gotta know more than I would like to share.

i in fact have several more cases want to share and would need another thread!!

I wonder what’s everyone think so far? Or I am being over sensitive . Or just the preg hormone?! or you have similar experience ?!

thanks!!

OP posts:
NewName24 · 16/01/2024 00:04

So, you are cross because her chat involves family news ? I think that's quite normal.

You are cross because she set up a WhatsApp with both of you to chat / share interest in your exciting news ? Again, I think that is a warm, welcoming thing to do. On MN people complain if they are 'excluded' by their MiL talking only to dh. They also complain if the MiL dare ask them something instead of dh. This seems like a pretty sensible way round it. You don't have to tell her anything you consider private, but a bit of update now and then is nice. Otherwise there will be another thread about 'MiL wasn't interested during my pregnancy'

Then, you are cross because she asks when you are free to meet up ? Confused

Sounds like it doesn't matter what she does, you will dislike it.

TheShellBeach · 16/01/2024 00:08

And yet there are countless threads on here from women who are distressed because their MILs show no interest in their pregnancies.

Chaiandtoast · 16/01/2024 00:12

So your mil is checking in on you and hopes to see you and her son sometimes and that’s annoying?
she also updates you on family news.

ill trade you for mine

Pinkpinkplonk · 16/01/2024 00:13

I think you’re being a little over sensitive.
She obviously likes to chat, you could say to your in-laws …. mil said that…….. and have a full conversation, even though you already know about it. I think that’s just what family life is like

Ormside · 16/01/2024 00:19

Pretty standard MIL. Mine is toxic.

DogLover24 · 16/01/2024 00:20

Am I the only one who really struggled to understand most of the OP?

saraclara · 16/01/2024 00:21

So she fills you both in on family news, she includes you in her WhatsApp chats, and she likes to see you.

So she's basically me. And my sons in law are you.

Unsurprisingly I'm not seeing your problem here.

saraclara · 16/01/2024 00:24

DogLover24 · 16/01/2024 00:20

Am I the only one who really struggled to understand most of the OP?

Probably. English clearly isn't OP 's first language, but it's perfectly clear what she's unhappy about.

ActDottie · 16/01/2024 00:47

DogLover24 · 16/01/2024 00:20

Am I the only one who really struggled to understand most of the OP?

Agreed it’s not very clear. I think MIL is communicating too much on WhatApp and OP finds that too much???

If that’s the case then yes, I think you’re being over sensitive, there’s far worse things MIL could be doing.

saraclara · 16/01/2024 00:54

The tightrope for MILs is more like a thread of nylon.

I'm so glad that I'm a MIL to men. So much easier.

Nearlythere80 · 16/01/2024 00:55

Give her, and yourself, a break OP.

MumDaisy1980 · 16/01/2024 11:15

Thanks everyone for your reply. Agreed MIL did come from good intention. It’s on a bad day I would feel irritated.

for example, there were times MIL would ask ‘so tell me what did you the other day (on a time off)’ (as in she wanted to know by the hour what did I do) 🙄she would say ‘so you woke up .. and then? …oh.. and after lunch…?’ I didn’t get she wanted to know by the hour so I would just brush off the really minor details, she would go back the timeline to ask the gap!!

or on honeymoon (and I realised after whenever DH and I on trip), so say before trip we would mention oh yeah , this is our plan day 1 museums X day 2 museum Y. Our train journey. Flight itenary. Then she would be like remotely travelling with us. Ok it’s nice to get a message say safe flight. But when we were in action travelling sightseeing, we would get messages ‘how’s the museum (as of she is there)’ or ‘oh I read the news it’s sth xyz happening there, did u see that’. In the beginning , as polite I replied almost immediately, as of being respectful knowing she maybe worry. Depend on my mood, I might ask DH to reply. But ended up my memory of the trip was just he was on the phone reply to MIL msg. 🫤

so I hope it add some clarity of my annoyance at times. Hard to write it all in a single post!!

do happy to hear some of the MIL perspective too!

thanks!

OP posts:
Hadjab · 16/01/2024 11:21

You could ask her to back off and not show an interest in your lives, but don't get annoyed if you do that and she then shows no interest in your child.

When your child is grown up and off and being independent, you may understand her point of view better.

Chaiandtoast · 16/01/2024 15:28

I agree tbf that does sound a bit intense. I don’t think there’s much you can do other than not give her info. Pretend not to remember and maybe mute the WhatsApp, and then set aside a time to reply to her once a day.
i actually have a similar family member and I’ve not managed to deal with it quite so calmly as I’m suggesting you do. It does feel a bit suffocating. But at least you know she has good intentions.

Hbosh · 16/01/2024 15:47

I get that she may be a bit much.
But honestly, it comes from a loving place, or so it seems.
I know plenty of people who would love for their MIL to take an interest.
Some people have horrible or toxic in-laws.
Some people have great relationships with theirs.
You seem to be in the majority. Your MIL will probably never be your best friend. But she means well and with a bit of effort on your part, you can keep your husband happy, MIL happy and give future children the chance to develop a good relationship with their grandparents.

As long as she's not crossing serious boundaries, I don't see the problem.

Justcallmebebes · 16/01/2024 15:56

To be honest, it sounds like your MIL is being open, friendly and trying to include you in the family and you are stonewalling her

I bet your MIL feels it's like pulling teeth! Be careful you don't completely push her away because once you have kids, you may need her

MabelQ · 16/01/2024 16:08

It sounds like your MiL is desperately attempting to show she cares. I know someone like this; asking detailed questions is how they show their care and love. Unfortunately, if you’re more of a private person, it CAN be aggravating. But I promise it comes from a kind heart! She probably thinks that this is how to show support and interest - remembering where you said you’d be and what you said you’d be doing, in her mind, is presumably a way to express her attention and love.

I am sure it feels smothering. I’m equally convinced she would be beyond delighted if YOU as a couple gave HER the love she knows how to give - ask her questions! Message her first, ask her about her week, her life, her itinerary, etc - and you might be surprised at how swiftly her seeming barrage of questions dies down.

I have also found it’s most important to fire a text or WhatsApp message proactively. “Went here today as planned. Awesome time - see photo! - now we’re logging off to enjoy! Talk to you later!”

It is rather effective at gaining some space. She probably wants to feel her efforts are appreciated; feeling some rejection kicks her efforts up. Letting her know she can trust you to give her the highlights, and setting boundaries (“logging off until tomorrow!” “having a cozy night just ourselves!” “going to log off and have some time together now, sleep well”) can stop the flow of questions.

carkerpartridge · 16/01/2024 16:54

I would find this very annoying and intrusive. Even if your MIL is trying to be friendly and interested she is asking far too many questions. Maybe your she is quite bored in her own life and is using your experiences to fill the void. Could your DH gently ask he to tone down the questioning?

MumDaisy1980 · 16/01/2024 19:13

Thanks! I found the ‘log off’ trick should work. And other advice is useful too. Thank you!

OP posts:
ohdamnitjanet · 16/01/2024 19:16

DogLover24 · 16/01/2024 00:20

Am I the only one who really struggled to understand most of the OP?

I expect you are. OP may not write in a style you approve of but it’s perfectly clear.

SayBaby · 16/01/2024 19:24

My MIL is generally lovely, but she does have a habit of commenting on our house being a mess, which she qualifies by saying she knows how hard it is to keep on top of these things -tinkly laugh-.

She did not work and had a weekly gardener and cleaner.

I work 50hr pw and do not have a gardener or cleaner.

MumDaisy1980 · 22/01/2024 06:31

grhhhhh

just allow me to vent !!!

this time is about MIL and the bro&sis in-laws, I simply overwhelmed and just too much of a baby talk. and I sort of expected this discomfort would happen.

I am due in April. Our first child. my husband and I embarked our lovely baby shopping journey yesterday. looked forward to it. The shopping mall is one hour drive from our home and 15 mins drive from husband’s fam. I already would expect maybe pop by to the fam to say hi - which also means would have endless convo about how’s your shopping - what did you get.

and a little background is that we are first time parent , and the bro and sis in law have three kids and their youngest one is just over a year. They had been really happy for us and in a way that can’t wait to give us all their stuff that their youngest overgrown. Besides the MIL also had been dusting off all the baby stuff that the bro and sis not use and ask if we want any. But my instinct had been this is our first and not that we are very tight on money - I would love to have brand new things if we can afford. And the thought of other baby sick had been all over the items already I felt quite uncomfortable. I had reflected with my DH, which since then he helped on communicating saying we not taking everything , we are working out what we want first. That had calm down the fam from kept messaging say - do u want this .. you need this bla bla bla

so what happened yesterday was that DH insisted to go pop by to say hi, before the shopping trip. Which is understandable so I said ok. We did pop to the in-laws for 5 mins , which is good and set good mood DH to go shopping with me.

the news of we are around the area quickly spread in DH fam, then during our trip we jus get messages from the sis-in-law about which shops we need to check out in the mall. DH very happy in the area and he has been messaging the fam what we are doing - sending the quote we got from ma ma and papas. (which means he is on the phone while we walking around ) And not long since we started the trip, DH asked when will we finish the day so can pop by the fam members that we didn’t get the chance to say hi. And he knows me, I didnt like to be rush for the shopping trip so he understandably let his fam know the timing is not firm.

then after the trip , we visited the bro in law first the MIL. DH as new parent talked about all the baby items we went through , saying how overpriced the items are (but we came from a perspective that to have a social convo, not that we asking anything )then the bro fam started dusting off everything in their place . Oh take this changing mat (then we said we got one already, they would say take one more as spare 😑) . The child seat they don’t need and showed us - full of crumps and overused , I didmt want to touch it. And said several times take it save you £200 . But we didn’t say yes right away - we really don’t want accepting everything and spending time on sorting out the trash at home. We were just visiting. But again they insisted several times. later on the bro gf being nice and showing me all the newborn clothes I could take and insiste they are brand new (but I don’t like the style of them ). I had to be very politely say think about it etc

I didn’t want to come across not accepting their favour but I felt like there is no room for us to think what we want. And more on pleasing them to make them feel good about their things not wasted and could ‘help’ us.

Some of the topics DH shared with fam I didn’t like, like talking what baby names we thinking of. I felt it’s like a convo between me and him, besides none of bro and sis IL had ever shared what names they were thinking of before the names were firmed. They had always been kept to themselves until they decided.

i had kept quiet and let DH talk about everything - oh we thinking of name start with certain letter. Maybe this name that name. I was thinking nevertheless DH was just being happy around his fam. Otherwise if I not ok to talk about everything , nth to talk . But my face can’t hide that I don’t feel comfortable .

We talked about baby sling, then both the bro and sis each offer us - say we not using it you can take them. (But I already had some in mind). besides that’s not really the point of the convo of asking anything they don’t want.

we did ask for baby monitor and not available to take.

DH also telling the fam I have been on mumsnet all the time . I have been talking with DH what’s ppl talk about anything - symptoms, products etc. I didn’t expect DH then tell his fam where I got the knowledge from. This make me don’t want to share my thoughts about certain things with DH. As in if I don’t want sth not share with fam I might not of tell DH.

I feel like why they don’t talk about themselves but just talking about me and then our preg plan . I personally have nth to share, given they are experienced parents .. I don’t see anything special to share. Just usual baby items. And I don’t have particular difficult preg problem.

then when in MIL place I just sit aside and happy for DH to just chat with fam. MIL being friendly maybe see me quiet kept asking question . Asking me how am I feeling. But then asking the details any diabetes , when I go to bed at night. Haaaa

DH VERY HAPPY after the family day, but I was just neutral and happy that he spent time with fam. He did ask me several times if I am OK, as in I obviously not as HAPPY as him.

i did say I didn’t like our plan just share when things aren’t firm . I did say we never hear his fam said share their plan either . Then he acknowledged that.

not sure if I am being a private person or preg hormone. I overall feel uncomfortable. I still have 12 weeks to go and anticipating more of the preg baby talk next time visit DH fam. They are very eager to be part of our journey .

not sure if anyone have similar experience . 🫤

OP posts:
GrumpyPanda · 22/01/2024 06:50

How horrible of them to want to save you spending a fortune. Nasty, nasty people. LTB.

Justcallmebebes · 22/01/2024 07:25

I'm going to be kind and blame your hormones, but I can't for the life of me see what your problem is.

It sounds like your DH has a nice family he seems to be close to. They are being friendly and welcoming to you and taking an interest in your pregnancy but you're sneering and sticking your nose up at them

They sound like perfectly nice people

saraclara · 22/01/2024 09:37

That sounds an absolutely normal and good reaction from the father's family! I'd be appreciative of their love, concern, interest and generosity, in your place.

And you'd better get used to people offering you hand me downs, because everyone you know with small children will be desperate to get rid of baby stuff that's cluttering up their houses! You just say "that's very kind of you, but it's early days yet and we're not sure what we'll want to buy new and what we'll very much appreciate being passed on to us"