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August 18, 2003
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Worst gift:  How about this one?  My husband and I have been married for 3 years now, and we get nothing from his family for anniversaries, Christmas, or birthdays.  Why?  Because, as they tell us, "He is currently in prison, so it is not a REAL marriage."  Well, to us it sure feels like a real marriage!  Sheesh!!!

        Signed - Really Married

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My MIL once told me that my DH told her (on Valentine's Day, no less) that he thought that his ex was a better person than I was.  I think it's safe to say that she was trying to start a fight between my DH and me.  It didn't happen.

        Signed - Not Falling For It

        Per the poster's request, no responses collected.

I am losing my mind, and it has been happening slowly.  I just found this site, and I am relieved.  I will start from the beginning, sort of.  I met DH 6 years ago.  We married 3 years ago, and we have 3 children together.  He has one child from a previous marriage, and I have two.  Well, about 2 1/2 years ago DH and I separated.  Before this, MIL and I got along great.  DH went to stay at MIL's house during the separation, and I called him there several times.  The next thing you know, I had the police calling me, telling me that the were going to arrest me for harassment!!  And, they did!  The thing is, I never harassed her!  Anyway, two months later, DH and I got back together.  The following week, I had DYFS at my house with some bogus claim that I was beating my then 9 month old daughter.  I had to strip her down to prove that there were no bruises.  Ever since then, she has called every agency that you can think of under the sun, and by now, I probably have a file with the FBI that is a mile high!  She sends me "junk" mail from funeral parlors and casket companies.  You know, the kind that say "here's the info you requested".  I have had my number changed four times, and now I am at the point where I have actually told my husband that after his son leaves from summer vacation, I want to move - without him.  I cannot continue to live like this.  I filed complaints against her after she sent me a picture of my oldest kids cut up into little pieces.  There is a warrant out for her arrest because she never showed up in court.  She refuses to sign for the notices, so they get sent back to the court.  They won't go to her house and serve her the papers because she lives in another state, but we only live 10 miles away from each other.  What can I do?  I feel that my only option is to take my kids and leave.  My husband wants nothing to do with her either, but she continues to do this.  If I leave, I will not tell him where I am going for fear that she will find out.  It's THAT bad!  DH has not called or seen her in 2 1/2 years.  I really need some help, but it seems like the police won't/can't do it, and I don't know who can.

        Signed - Losing My Mind

RESPONSE:  Losing My Mind
Why don't you all just move and not let her know where you are living?  Don't break up your marriage, that is obviously what she wants.

RESPONSE:  Losing My Mind
Please talk to a lawyer immediately.  I'm concerned for you and your children.

RESPONSE:  Losing My Mind
She sounds awful, and your DH sounds pretty useless, too.  You might be better off without all of them.  Good luck.

RESPONSE:  Losing My Mind
File a restraining order and MOVE!  Without DH.  I say this because during your entire saga you failed to mention one thing that he has done to stop his evil mother from terrorizing you.  Take your kids, divorce DH, and move far away.  MIL is deranged, and she poses a real danger to you and your children.

RESPONSE:  Losing My Mind
Well, it seems that your DH and you, now, are working together.  Sometimes, separations work.  But, the MIL is criminal.  Start a file on her, and keep everything that she does.  Also, try to get a restraining order.  As there is a warrant for her arrest, simply call the local police in her area and inform them.  Let them get her.  Take the offensive, legally.  Get her.

RESPONSE:  Losing My Mind
Maybe you can hire a detective to watch her house and follow her.  If it's a weekly thing, you'll have proof.  St. Monica is the patron saint of those with difficult in-laws.  St. Monica had to live with her MIL.  Good luck.

RESPONSE:  Losing My Mind
I am not trying to be mean, but I will relate what I picked up on.  Someone told your MIL something that she either absolutely abhors, or was guilty of doing herself, way back when.  And, she is still struggling with that guilt.  I know my DH let it slip to his mom about an indiscretion on my part.  Yes, it was stupid, and yes I felt terrible afterward.  However, we dealt with it, and DH has completely forgiven me, much to the distress of MIL.  Anyhow, enough of that.  Try this, if you haven't already.  The police are limited in what they can do for the most part.  Phone any attorney in the phone book, and ask for their advice.  Most will give you a free 30 minute consultation.  Also, phone the DA and the Clerk of Courts.  They may have suggestions of what to do.  You shouldn't have to give up your quality of life for anyone, and your DH should realize that.

RESPONSE:  Losing My Mind
DH really has no spine to just let his mom do this to you and let you take the brunt of it.  I would suggest that neither of you talk to her.  Keep things under wraps, and leave town without telling her your whereabouts.  I would show pictures of her to school officials, telling them to keep her away from your kids.  You can't do this with DH, unless he is willing.  If he is not, I suggest that you take your babies and leave him with his oh so wonderful, precious mommy, who loves to threaten you and your children's lives.  Wake up and get out now.  You need to save the things that she sends you, and turn it all in to the authorities.  Get a restraining order against her.  Do whatever it takes.  This sounds like a woman who could take a hit out on you.  Seriously, take action now!!!!

RESPONSE:  Losing My Mind
Yes, move.  But, do you want DH with you?  If you both want to be together, you should.  Splitting up will just give her power, won't it?  We have nothing to do with DH's family or anyone in mine, except my sister.  It's HARD to move and have nobody find you, although his family doesn't have our address.  They got his uncle, who lives in a state nearby, to start e-mailing us, saying how much "mom" misses my DH.  Who knows how the uncle got our e-mail, we didn't give it to him.  I'm sure distance would help, but you better get a post office box, unlisted number, AND I think if it's that bad, a name change!  Have you spoken with a lawyer?  I suppose that the police won't do anything unless she actually physically attacks you.  What a hateful person your MIL is.

My ILs are the worst!!  I am at the end of my rope with them!!!  They want to control everything.  They are mad because we live across town and not right beside them.  If I had a choice, I would live across the country!  We've been married for 2 1/2 years, and our son is 1 year old.  I'm a SAHM, and they have a big problem with that because MIL made plans (without talking to us) to quit work and keep the baby.  That will never happen, especially now!!  Everything has been building up since before we got married, but it has been much worse since the baby!  They want to control everything, from how long I breastfed (I nursed for 9 months - they think that 3 is plenty) to what he eats, to which doctor he sees, to when or where we leave him.  FIL says that I spend too much time with my family - well my family comes over to see us.  And another thing - MIL can get baby products for 25 and 50 cents where she works, but she doesn't.  So I have to pay $5 and $6 in the store.  You would think that MIL would try to help us out a little.  I'd give her the $$$ for it if she would just get it.  They have a problem with everything that I do - but that's all it is - their problem, not mine!!  We go over there at least once a week to see them for a few hours.  This is he!! for me, because for everything I do or say, they have something to say back.  They say that we don't bring DS over enough, but they have not been over here in over a year.  And, when DH told them that they are welcome to come see him at our home, they said that it's not their place to have to come to our house.  Mind you, they lived with FIL's parents until my DH was 5 years old, so they may think that it's normal for the grandkid to always be over there - but we don't!  They really cause a lot of problems for us, because DH is one who likes to keep everyone happy.  So, he listens to them and then comes and tells me that I am wrong.  They thought that it would work, but I'm just not that easy going.  We have a happy, healthy boy, and we could have a happy marriage if they would leave us alone.  I don't know why they are not thankful that we want to raise our kids.  We are doing well for ourselves, but they just put us down.  Last summer, we tried to have a mature talk with them.  We tried to tell them that we appreciate all the advice, but they shouldn't get mad if we don't take it.  That went well, I guess, but a few weeks later it was the same cr@p.  They were talking to my DH about me and causing us major problems with us!  This should be the happiest time of our lives, but it's the worst because of them!  Well, it finally happened - I knew it would at some point.  We were over there for our visit (they were already mad at us because we wouldn't let DS go out to eat with them the week earlier).  We were all in the living room and DS got a hold of a remote.  I told him no, and took it from him.  He got it again, as kids will do, so he got a swat on the hand and I told him no again.  I put the remote up and away from him.  I went to the bathroom.  And when I got back, MIL had given him the remote that I had just swatted him for having.  I told her that he had just gotten into trouble for having that, and he couldn't play with it (she already knew - she had seen me take it away).  FIL then told MIL, "Oh, you have broken another one of her rules.  You better watch it."  At this time I really didn't know what to do, so I told DH that I was ready to go.  FIL told me to go home and stay home.  I asked him why he was doing this and he YELLED at me, saying that they never know what rules to follow.  Before I even knew it, I had yelled back and told him that he needed to realize that he was not our son's parent, and that he didn't make the rules.  I told him that we make the rules, no matter what.  I got up and told MIL good-bye, and went to kitchen to get the bag.  I handed DS to MIL for him to tell her good-bye  FIL then came in and told me that I needed help.  I told FIL to mind his own business (and, by the way, he's on several head meds - so obviously I'm not the one who needs help).  FIL said, "This baby is as much my business as he is yours," and he told MIL to take the baby to the back room.  By this time I was so mad that I was about to black out, but I told him that DS was my baby, and that he was staying with me!  The crazy FIL jumped at me and DH got up with him and told him that he had better back up.  HE did!!  As we were going out of the door, FIL yelled, "I told him that you were a b!tch, and that he should not marry you.  I just said, "OH well, not much you can do now."  FIL told us not to come back.  He said that I was not welcome.  I said, "Fine, but take a good look at DS, because he won't be back either."  WE LEFT!  FIL wants control over everyone!  He's an only child, controls MIL, and now he wants to control us.  I think that I'm the first one to stand up to him!!  I felt relief after that night.  Even though it was bad, it had to be said!  For the next 6 weeks we didn't go over there.  They threatened to come get him.  I'd like to see that!!  DH finally went out there and told them that it had to stop or we would not be over again.  I told him that he had to make a choice - either DS and me, or them.  I was not going to live this way for my entire life.  SO, DH finally acted like a man and not a little boy!  I think that FIL saw that I was standing my ground, and we were not going to be controlled by them and FIL.  He saw that he was about to lose his son, also.  So, FIL told DH that if we would come out, they would be nice, and they would apologize to me.  We went out last weekend and they were nice.  But I'm not letting my guard down.  And if they think that they are keeping my son now, I'm sorry, but I will never leave my kid with someone who talks to me like that.  Things have been much better at home.  DH sees that I am not the bad one that they were making me out to be.  MIL has not said much, but I'm still watching her, too!  Just because they missed the chance to raise their own kids, doesn't mean that they are gonna raise mine.  And, my BIL can do no wrong.  They adore his girl friend!  I hope that she sees how they are - she was there that night.  I don't care what happens to them.  I am gonna be happy with my son and DH, no matter what they say or do.  They need to learn their place in our life or they will be out of it, because I have had enough!!!

        Signed - STANDING MY GROUND

RESPONSE:  STANDING MY GROUND
Right on!!!!!!!!!!

RESPONSE:  STANDING MY GROUND
Good for you!!!

RESPONSE:  STANDING MY GROUND
You go!  Keep standing your ground.  It sounds like your DH will stand with you, as he should.  I think that you summed it up when you said that they missed out on the chance to raise their child, and now they want to raise yours.  So sorry, they missed their chance.  Don't let them have a "do-over" with your child!

RESPONSE:  STANDING MY GROUND
Go for it!  I had to stand up to my in-laws, too, when it came to my kids, and now they don't come see us (and I am happy about it).  But, our lives are much more peaceful.  If you can get DH to agree with it, cut them out.  They sound toxic.

RESPONSE:  STANDING MY GROUND
Please don't take this as a slam, but swatting a 1 year old's hand is completely inappropriate, especially when you knew that he wanted the remote and failed to put it out of his reach the first time.  One year is much too young to understand a swat on the hand, your best bet for controlling his behavior is removal of things that he cannot have, and redirection.  Please, don't hit your baby.

RESPONSE:  STANDING MY GROUND
Good for you.  I was afraid that I was going to read another story about some poor person who thought that it was wrong for her to say boo to a fly, never mind her ILs.  Thank god you didn't turn out to be one of those.  Instead, you are a woman who knows that she doesn't have to be polite at the expense of her and her child's mental, emotional, and physical well-being.  Also, you know that you don't have to suck up what the ILs dish out due to issues that they have with your God-given authority as the mother of that child.  Bravo.  More women on this site need to stop being submissive doormats, and become "women of the adult world".  We all have the right to belong to that world.  Belonging to that adult world means that you get to tell people, "No."!  And to f*&% off, even when it hurt their feelings, because they don't mind hurting yours.  It's the only way to live.

RESPONSE:  STANDING MY GROUND
Good for you, and for DH for standing up for you.  But, you should not be going over there.  Insist that they have to come to your home if they want to see DS, and then ONLY when DH is home.  Then, it is on your turf and you can throw them out if needed.  If they ever do what they did last time, NEVER, EVER see them again.

RESPONSE:  STANDING MY GROUND
Good for you and your DH for standing up to your nightmare ILs.  Don't let your guard slip.

RESPONSE:  STANDING MY GROUND
Your in-laws told you that it wasn't their PLACE to HAVE to come to your house?  What the *#$%?  Your in-laws are a primary reason that we are NOT going to have kids.  I can so easily imagine my own in-laws acting exactly like that.  And, isn't it interesting that the people who are always talking about how everyone else "needs help" and is "psycho" are the ones who are the most off-kilter themselves?  Not that there's anything wrong with needing help, but it's rude and cruel to scream at someone, "You need help!"  How helpful is that?  Your FIL is a perfect example of a mean headcase putting out his toxic vibes and thinking that everyone ELSE "needs help".  I swear, the nuttiest people I know are the people who are ALWAYS accusing lots of other people of being nutty.  Best wishes to you.  I'm so glad that your DH is sticking up for you - that will make a HUGE difference.  I hate your ILs!

RESPONSE:  STANDING MY GROUND
Personally, I would have never gone over there again.  It sounds like your FIL needs some professional help.  I'm glad that your DH is supportive of your family.


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