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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

Is it just me?

40 replies

PantherParent · 27/07/2026 14:00

Hi, I'm new to all this so... Firstly I'd like to start by stating that I've kept this thread gender neutral, just in the interest of fairness/non biased opinion... Ok a bit of backstory, I've been with my partner for just over 10 years, we have two young children together. Now from day one the father in law has taken a very serious dislike to me, lately this dislike is looking more and more like hatred, I should state that I've kept my distance over the years, mostly because of the awkwardness of someone disliking me to that extent, although I've always been polite and respectful in return and have never done anything to offend or upset that side of the family, I should add that in all the decade plus of the relationship there's never been a solid reason given for their hatred of me,(the mother in law recently began to act very badly toward me also)nothing "concrete" as it were. Recently, in the last few months things have become really unbelievably awful with the F.I.L. towards me, I'd go into details but who the Hell would believe me! My partner has become increasingly shocked at his behaviour and things are becoming unbearable, now i should stress at this point that this is a completely one sided fight, the father in law is giving 100% of the offence and abuse, and I am giving literally no abuse or offence in return, now the other night, my partner basically said words to the effect of, "I know he's treating you appallingly and its all completely unfair, and I've no idea why he's doing this to you, BUT, he's been good to me so there's no way I'm taking your side", now I was completely shocked by this, basically it doesn't make any difference if he's 100% the aggressor and you on the receiving end because he pays for things for me. I just feel abandoned, alone, betrayed and bewildered. Personally it wouldn't matter to me what someone had done for me, if they attacked my partner for no identifiable reason or any loved one for that matter I'd run defence for them almost automatically, but not it seems in this situation, my partner said they couldn't pick a side because of all the things they'd done for them, I replied that if it was the other way around I couldn't think of a scenario in which it would be EASIER for me to pick a side. Im not asking for my partner to DO anything by the way, or take any action, they "can't stand up to him", it would just be nice to have the parent of my children put their arm around me and say "Its ok, you're not alone, its awful what's happening to you and I've always got your back", thats about it, what I actually got is, I'm definitely not one your side, he pays for my holidays. Am I wrong to feel so wounded by this? Any advice or opinions are welcome. Thanks. X

OP posts:
RandomMess · 27/07/2026 14:08

It would be a deal breaker for me tbh.

PantherParent · 27/07/2026 14:14

Yeah I understand that position. X

OP posts:
OneNewEagle · 27/07/2026 14:18

They are future in laws. In lots of families that makes a big difference. My future mil and sil have hated me for over twenty years. I no longer see them.

I would stop seeing them go NC put boundaries in place to protect yourself. Your partner can see their parents without you.

PantherParent · 27/07/2026 14:23

I do go no contact whenever I can, the trouble is the F.I.L. owns the house me and my partner reside in, so he comes by whenever he feels like it, he's also demolishing parts of the house while I'm still residing in it, my partner and children have been moved out while that happens, or as he put it, "I wouldn't want to put them through that", hes fine putting me through that though... X

OP posts:
PantherParent · 27/07/2026 14:24

I do go no contact whenever I can, the trouble is the F.I.L. owns the house me and my partner reside in, so he comes by whenever he feels like it, he's also demolishing parts of the house while I'm still residing in it, my partner and children have been moved out while that happens, or as he put it, "I wouldn't want to put them through that", hes fine putting me through that though... X

OP posts:
HatAndScarf33 · 27/07/2026 14:24

I couldn’t get past this. They’re putting what? Financial benefits (which most grown adults manage without!) ahead of their main relationship and parent of their children? It’s not right.

I don’t understand why they aren’t angry on your behalf but also on their own behalf. Their parent is meant to love them and want the best for them, and as such, should not be mistreating their partner and causing trouble in their relationship, despite whatever their feelings may be.

Given how little your partner supports you, are you sure they’re not being disloyal in some way and telling their parents negative things about you that is colouring their view of you? Some people off load their grievances about their partner to their parents and that can then taint the parent’s view of the partner.

PantherParent · 27/07/2026 14:30

I know they're not being secretly disloyal when I'm not around, they do slightly push back when the parents are running me down when I'm not around. And they can't pick a side because of the financial benefits yes, that does seem to be the case. X

OP posts:
PantherParent · 27/07/2026 14:33

Also, the father in law, when told of the strain his behaviour was putting on our little family, said I'm still going to behave that way and suggested that we separate, so there's that. X

OP posts:
Chalotte · 27/07/2026 14:36

We would need to hear from your partner as well to understand this properly, but if your partner is putting up with you being abused in order to get a free house and other financial perks, , they are not much of a partner and I would certainly leave.

PantherParent · 27/07/2026 14:46

Well the F.I.L offered a house and they just couldn't turn it down, I knew at the time that happened that he couldn't stand me and what a controll freak he was, we argued about the situation, I said "He's not buying us a house, he's buying us", but it all fell on deaf ears, and they took the deal anyway, I knew then it was going to get rough but, even my partner is shocked by just how bad its got, so far that is. X

OP posts:
Aluna · 27/07/2026 15:07

Men don’t generally sign off with an x to strangers so I’m guessing your female and your partner is either also female or male.

Trying to figure out if the genders make a difference - If your DP is male and he’s in cahoots with his dad you walk away. No point taking on a patriarchal bond.

If they’re female and a bit afraid of their dad and used to depending on him financially - I’d give an ultimatum that you need to find somewhere else to live and get away from FIL and see what happens.

If you’re male with a female partner then 2 would apply. If you’re male with a male partner then 1.

Giftspread · 27/07/2026 15:12

I think you're a bloke and yiur father in law doesn't think you're good enough for his daughter. I don't think this situation will improve for you.

PantherParent · 27/07/2026 15:12

Well I wouldn't say the genders made a difference as such, but I'm just looking for an honest response/advice etc, one not affected by anything, nothing more. But yes, about the ultimatum, I've thought the same thing funnily enough, you're right. X

OP posts:
PantherParent · 27/07/2026 15:15

Well I dont think it will improve, if someone has it in for you then what can you do. X

OP posts:
Divebar2021 · 27/07/2026 15:18

Who owns the house? Was it a gift to you or do you live in it rent free? I could not live in a house owned by him if that’s the case. Your partner appears the value the “ stuff” more than the relationship

LoveItaly · 27/07/2026 15:22

It sounds an intolerable situation for you. It would be best if you found another place to live with your partner and children, to reduce the control they have. Is that possible?

I do agree with others though, that your partner not sticking up for you is pretty bad, but if you separate you are opening your children up to more of their influence. You need to tread very carefully here.

Notquitethetruth · 27/07/2026 15:26

Your partner and children have moved out to a house owned by FIL and left you behind, living in a building site? What ages are your children?
Your partner is sending out strange signals allowing the other parent of their children to be treated so disrespectfully. Your partner is the one who is the problem. They are showing your FIL he can behave however he wants and their loyalty is to him, not you. Horrible example to your children.

PantherParent · 27/07/2026 15:29

The idea was presented as it being a gift, I knew it wasn't at the time, hence the argument. X

OP posts:
category12 · 27/07/2026 15:30

You should never have moved into FILs house, knowing he dislikes you.

I'd move out if I were you, if no dc are involved.

Your partner can then make a choice.

PantherParent · 27/07/2026 15:30

I know, its a minefield, treading carefully is what I've had to get used to. X

OP posts:
category12 · 27/07/2026 15:33

Oh sorry, I see there are kids involved.

I still think leaving FILs property is your only option.

PantherParent · 27/07/2026 15:34

Yes, they've moved out of the house while its demolished etc, and yes I am in a building site. You said it better than I could, summed it up perfectly. X

OP posts:
PantherParent · 27/07/2026 15:34

Yeah, I found that to my cost. X

OP posts:
malloryknox123 · 27/07/2026 15:36

It’s rare that someone dislikes another person to this extent without a reason, often an ironic one.

what matters is, it’s not because of anything you have done wrong.

there will be something in FIL’s psyche making him react to you like this.

your partner should defend you and inform his father he’s not going to accept him disrespecting you like this

SoScarletItWas · 27/07/2026 15:39

FIL may think you’re not good enough for his precious DD, for whatever reason.

He may think you’re onto a good thing, having a free house without being married.

You may be same sex and he just doesn’t agree with that.

There’s a lot to dislike there.

But isn’t a bit of you reinforcing it by being low contact/distancing? Did you never try and get to know him on a 121 basis in the early stages of the relationship?

Partner should be doing more to back you up - sounds like they do when you’re not there. Partner is never going to turn down a free home, though.

Can you afford to move out and be free of the influence?

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