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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

I've just received a text from MIL which I think was meant for DH and it has upset me. PART TWO

528 replies

Thishasupsetme · 07/11/2008 18:23

Hi all, new thread so I can update

OP posts:
dizzydixies · 09/11/2008 10:21

exactly, make no excuses for her at all she's got herself into this mess by being a manipulative witch - there may be many who would expect no less of her you never know

Lizzylou · 09/11/2008 10:22

Hope you have a great time at the christening Thum.
Well done you for being so calm and working this situation out, your DH is very lucky to have you. I think he may just be realising quite how lucky he is.
Have a great day

Thishasupsetme · 09/11/2008 10:22

I was thinking that if someone asks I was just going to say that it was all a mix up and mil forgot to pass my invite on, but it is all sorted now.

OP posts:
dizzydixies · 09/11/2008 10:26

don't you dare - just say 'you'll have to ask her why she's not here' and smile sweetly

she was invited, its her own bloody fault she can't show face

Freckle · 09/11/2008 10:26

Noooo, don't say that because it gives her a get-out-of-jail-free card. Just stick to the facts. "MIL decided not to pass on the invitation to me. I don't know why. You'll have to ask her."

MeMySonAndI · 09/11/2008 10:29

That is good and generous. Now remove the mix up part.

If she is like my exMIL she will say that there was a mix up organised by you and as a result her son doesn't want to see her anymore.

If someone, who doesn't know the background, asks for her, said she couldn't attend.

If someone, who knows a bit of what happened, asks for her, just say that she told your DH you were not invited to the Christening and she is upset at you all finding out about her lieing. Or something of the sort...

I'm sorry, I uysed to be very generous with MIL. Very few people (apart of MUmsnet) imagined how bad things were under the surface, and I got cut off from people who thought I was given her a bad time.

Thishasupsetme · 09/11/2008 10:32

Okay, I will just say that they will have to ask mil, if they do ask me what has happened.

It can be all so hard cant it.

OP posts:
dizzydixies · 09/11/2008 10:34

sweetest smile, united front with dh, gracious 'oh am sure she was invited, you'll have to ask her why she wouldn't come' and laugh

will all be reported back to her at which point her blood will boil and she'll hopefully give up being such a cow

am not sure how many names I've called her now but you get my drift?!?

QuintessentialShadow · 09/11/2008 10:35

Well done you guys! Good Luck today!

QuintessentialShadow · 09/11/2008 10:37

Oh NO!
Dont ask people to ask MIL. You are giving her the opportunity to badmouth you, it is like saying that MIL knows the truth and they should go to her to get it. DONT!

Tell them like the poster below suggested. Dont play games, dont leave it up to MIL to tell what happened, she WONT tell the truth.

blinks · 09/11/2008 10:38

Don't say that!!! nonononono

QuintessentialShadow · 09/11/2008 10:38

MeMySonAndI:
If someone, who knows a bit of what happened, asks for her, just say that she told your DH you were not invited to the Christening and she is upset at you all finding out about her lieing. Or something of the sort...

Or:

MIL told your DH you were not invited to the Christening and she is upset that we found out that I am in fact invited.

dizzydixies · 09/11/2008 10:39

oh, never thought of that - good point. I was just trying to think of a way to prevent the OP from sounding like she was the troublemaker when it is clearly the MIL

Upwind · 09/11/2008 10:42

QS is right, don't give MIL a chance to manipulate the situation and create even more drama

Follow MeMySonAndI's advice, simply tell the truth if necessary or just say she couldn't make it. And relax, and have a lovely day. This christening is all about DCIL's baby and welcoming and celebrating him. I hope you have a lovely time!

blinks · 09/11/2008 10:43

plead ignorance... don't be embarrassed on her behalf.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 09/11/2008 10:53

"IL told her that the reason she wont be attending is because she feels unwelcome as dil (me) has made her son (DH) cut her (MIL) out of his life shock
Good job DCIL knows otherwise.

SO now mil is playing the martyr, DH is even more shocked that his mum would stoop so low".

I feel for your DH in all this as well; he has laernt some home truths this past couple of days and the knowledge is uncomfortable to say the least. You are both victims of this woman's mad behaviour. Toxic people do not play by the "rules" which govern family interpersonal relationships.

The MIL won't go to the christening because after all this is all about her. She has "me, me, me" syndrome; very toxic and narcissistic to boot. I can imagine her own H is very much of the same bent. He is probably also narcissistic; they're certainly to be likely both as bad as one another. She won't like the fact that this time you took her power and control away.

I see she's also now played the martyr card, this is often used by toxic parents as a weapon of choice - think such people have a script. Note that you and your DH have not cut her off from your lives and the christening today; she has made the choice to distance herself. I think she's done you all a favour actually if she sticks to this. She'll probably tell her son next that he's not getting anything from her estate. Another common tactic.

Do not say anything like, "well ask MIL" - as you do not want to give woman any more ammo.
Just stick to the facts of the matter if anyone asks; the truth will out.

Do both read the book "Toxic Parents" - it does explain a lot.

Enjoy the christening today.

Attila

DoubleBluff · 09/11/2008 10:56

HAve a lovley lovley time!!
You deserve it.
So glad for you that Dh has finally seen the light

JODIEhadababy · 09/11/2008 10:58

Good luck today, remember your the one in the right! She's the nasty one, and do't let her get away with it, or it'll happen again!

Keep your head held, and remember that almost everyone at this christening will know what's gone on, so if they do ask, it will probably be for clarification more than anything else.

Have a great time.

Thishasupsetme · 09/11/2008 11:03

Atila, I am waiting to get paid so I can order the book from Amazon, I think I will get both the toxic parents one for Dh and the toxic inlaws one for me.

I have told DH about this thread and he is hoping to have a read of it in the week when he gets some time.
I am furiously trying to remember if I have slagged him off too much, I think I did a little when he wouldn't talk to me about it all, but I cant remember if it was really bad or not.

I will tell the truth today if asked but will stick to the basics. I am really hoping no one will be at all bothered because this is afterall a celebration of DCIL beautiful baby son.

OP posts:
LIZS · 09/11/2008 11:05

what a manipulative cow ! Just as well you made that call to DCIL. If asked just say that "apparently she couldn't make it" and move on . Hope you enjoy the afternoon.

I bet her behaviour is familiar to her older relatives anyway so they won't need an explanation. She is unlikely to have been able to disguise her bitterness successfully to them in the same way as she might have you and it may have long established roots.

Ally90 · 09/11/2008 11:11

I can share the feeling of 'lightness' your dh is experiencing...but when she has finished licking her wounds she will either, cut him out entirely (flouncing and bad mouthing...this has already started) or she may up the emotional ante on your dh...get toxic parents for him if he will read it...if not print off the list of reactions she may have that I posted further up the thread...it will help him see through her demands...and don't be surprised if she develops a heart condition soon...that one's in the top 10 illnesses to feign when not getting your own way. My mother did it...came out of hospital with a 'fit as a butchers dog' certificate . And I really hope you are keeping, have kept her text...solid evidence of her behaviour...I can't believe a toxic parent has caught themselves out that way usually its your word against theirs!

Thinking of you both today...stick together don't let her come between you...she's not worth that.

And I second what someone else has said...you sound lovely no bad mouthing (which lets face it, would be justified). And I also second what Attila said, your not to blame for not seeing your mil for what she was...these people spend years learning how to hide the worst of their behaviour so they can operate 'normally' in society. Some of the ladies on the statelys thread have parents who are big in the community/high up in the church etc...they are very good at hoodwinking others. The fault is hers, not yours or dh's.

Allyxx

frekkles · 09/11/2008 11:17

i think you need to be honest if anyone asks . Otherwise they will ask MIL and get her lies.

just stick to the facts in a generous and compassionate way. say something like

"We're a bit worried about her actually as she's acting a bit strange. She told DH that I hadn't been invited (even though I had been) and not to tell me, putting him in a terrible position. She then tried to organise behind my back to take DD and DH without me. When I asked her about this strange behaviour, she ignored me. And when DH asked her about this, she called me a bitch and told DH that she was cutting him out of her life because he was sticking up for his wife. What do you think is the matter with her? Do you think she might be getting a bit old and confused?"

Ally90 · 09/11/2008 11:19

You said he was 99% lovely at least twice hope he gets a look at the Stately's thread at least...we have no men on there yet! He's more than welcome to join in at any point, no need to read the whole lot And what he's going to go through now is probably the 'realisation' of his upbringing...anger may kick in soon...sadness...confusion why she would do this...its a huge betrayal from his primary relationship in life and will take some getting through...but he seems to have the insight he will need to get through this ie putting you and dd first. He's done extremely well...facing up to an abusive parent is quite terrifying...

MavisGrind · 09/11/2008 11:31

THUM - have been lurking on this thread since the start - just wanted to say well done to you and your DH and have a lovely time at the christening.

If the inner fishwife threatens just remember the hordes of MNers already fishwifing on your behalf (sounds ominous )

Have a lovely day.

SpookyMadMummy · 09/11/2008 11:38

She is obviously cutting off her nose to spite her face.
If she wants to be left out of a family occasion then so be it. She is making herself look a fool. She decided not to go, she made the call to DCIL.
You have nothing to feel guilty for and neither does your DH.
Go and have a fab time.

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