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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

Honest opinion on mother in law

10 replies

Yellowpencilhorse · 28/09/2024 20:21

Hi,

Changed my username for this one. I was hoping to get some honest advice. 😬

My husband and I have been together for 16 years, and have three children, 6, 4, and almost 2.

Our relationship is good, not perfect. We argue. And most of our arguments stem from tiny things or my husband’s mother, who I’m almost certain hates me, and my relatives.

Long story short, I feel she is manipulative and constantly out to get me. My husband now makes excuses for her and says she’s “angry, protective and socially awkward”. The past few years, we’ve argued more about silly things and they have escalated and he has started to tell her. They’ve gone from us arguing about whose turn it is to feed the cat, bickering, hugging and making up, to now when this happens him wanting a divorce… every time he speaks to her.

I feel almost lost for words, disappointed that my husband has allowed this and can’t see it, hurt that he never stands up for me, and heartbroken about the potential future for my children. (I’d like to add I know I’m not blame free when we argue).

If we do manage to salvage our relationship, any tips re handling a MIL like this?

Thank you!

OP posts:
mnahmnah · 28/09/2024 20:42

You haven’t actually described the problem with her or given examples. You have about your DH though. The problem from your post is him talking to her about your marriage. What is she actually doing?

LouiseTopaz · 28/09/2024 20:47

It sounds like the issues not your MIL but your relationship and he's fed up with the arguing.

WiserOlderElf · 28/09/2024 20:50

What has MIL done?

5128gap · 28/09/2024 21:03

Agree with PP.s. This doesn't seem to be a MiL issue, but an issue of a fragile marriage to a man who seems to take your frequent arguments more seriously than you do, and is confiding in his mother about them.

Blusterydaytodaypoohbear · 28/09/2024 21:08

A dh involving his dm in our marriage wouldn't be a woman I spent time with.
Possibly not a man I would want around me either... Once mil tried to interfere in our relationship.. Once strike and she was gone soon after...

username0489 · 28/09/2024 21:09

There seems to be a few issues. First, he shouldn't be discussing your arguments with his mum. Second, if you don't get on with her, then keep away from her so she can't wind you up. Third, he's escalated to a divorce. I would take the latter very seriously and have a conversation about where it's coming from.

You're blaming his mother but he's the one asking for a divorce. You need to get to the root of why and try and resolve it. However he needs to keep his mum out of your business.

Yellowpencilhorse · 28/09/2024 21:30

mnahmnah · 28/09/2024 20:42

You haven’t actually described the problem with her or given examples. You have about your DH though. The problem from your post is him talking to her about your marriage. What is she actually doing?

Thank you for your reply @mnahmnah . I did think this after I had sent it. I guess because there is so much to say, don’t know where to begin.

She wasn’t in DHs life for about five years and then very much in and out for severals, it’s only been the past few years she’s suddenly wanted contact every day 24/7 (will sulk if she doesn’t get an immediate reply this could be 4am). DH has told me A LOT of stories (not great ones about her) from his childhood and what I’ve witnessed over the years, so I guess I have always had this in the back of my mind and felt protective.

She has a huge issue with my family (always calling them names), only met them once, says I make it all about them, and it mostly is, as they have been there for everything the good, bad and very hard times. So every event we go to she kicks off or sulks or my husband has to lie.

Totally favours his sibling, too many examples to give on this one, (always has, the extremity of this is sad, and not just in terms of the thousands she gets spent on her throughout the year (age 36) and my family nothing really. It’s constant over the top, spoilt attention she gets and always has, at our daughters first daughters birthday his mum wanted us to turn it into a joint celebration for her getting a job, I said maybe we could celebrate another day, she said I was toxic and they were too upset to come and would celebrate separately.

Whenever I don’t reply to her messages instantly she will send screenshots to DH and make a fuss and then says p.s I’m not trying to cause trouble.

She’s only ever looked after our youngest once, not the older two and this was for about 45 minutes. She agreed to look after our daughter who was unwell so we could go to work and my parents were on holiday. On the morning she said she could only look after her for a little while as she had an appointment which I thought was a hospital… it was a nail appointment.

We booked a city break a few years back, and she said I was spiteful choosing there as she wanted to go and I (not we) should have invited her. She is extremely comfortable with money and always goes away and doesn’t work, so she could jet off there any time. This was made into a huge drama.

She doesn’t have any friends and has just left her I’ve lost count of what number job this was (always their fault) and just seems to bitter and resentful all the time.

She use to say thank god we didn’t have a daughter as they would turn out like me.

Never asks me questions, she only ever talks about the past and people I don’t know.

I have about a million more examples. But is the above just normal MIL stuff? And I just need to find a way to put on a brave face and take it on the chin. Sometimes I think it’s not so much her, it’s more my husband not seeing any of it and the way he deals or should I say doesn’t deal with it. But do I just need to accept that too. I just find it so hard, he’s such a good man and deserves more than what he gets.

OP posts:
Yellowpencilhorse · 28/09/2024 21:32

Thank you for all of your replies. Really appreciate the honesty.

OP posts:
5128gap · 28/09/2024 21:45

No, of course a lot of what you describe isn't 'normal MiL stuff'. Women don't become difficult and unpleasant when their son marries as the default. She doesn't sound a very nice woman or at all easy to deal with. However, her impact would be minimised if your H was in your corner. If he's running to her with tales whenever you argue he is fanning the flames of the bad feeling and making it greatly worse. He sounds like he has quite an unhealthy relationship with her. Constantly seeking approval that he never got, and this makes him weak. You best bet is for your H to recognise this and seek some counselling. If he can achieve a healthy perspective on his mother, things will improve significantly for you. He is the key. You can't fix or improve this without him.

mnahmnah · 28/09/2024 21:49

She sounds awful as a person, regardless as a MIL. The fact she moves jobs so much says a lot. I think you need a serious chat with DH. Remind him of her behaviour in the past, the problems now and he has a choice of nipping it in the bud with MIL’s behaviour or he risks losing his marriage.

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