My mother-in-law/inlaws are completely unkind and don't seem to care about me at all.

I've been married to my husband for 7 years, I've known him and his family for 17. I've always dealt well with his mother, who really isn't kind to anyone and is extremely judgmental about everything, and has a very high opinion of herself and her family. But now, it's just really gone too far. The second I told them on a call with my husband that I was pregnant, they never reached out to see how I was doing, how I was feeling, etc. About a month after telling them, I got a letter from my husbands father saying how much they wanted to be involved with the child's life, how hard it was going to be for my husband and I because we are "older" (his words, not mine), how hard it was going to be for me and how much my "beauty and self would be challenged" (this is coming from a man, a man I'm not close to). Anyways, that I shut down pretty quick and let him know I was highly offended and it wasn't his place. He apologized, and we moved on, But honestly the audacity still gets me. Then and probably worse is his mom, never once checked in on me, and we spent a week with them at thanksgiving and the first thing she asked me about anything was are you going to breastfeed - then when I said I am going to do my damnest to do it, she said well you just have to do it. Just constant little jibes she throws my way, never supportive, like oh "what do you really need for your baby shower, I don't want to get you something you don't need", then before I have a chance to answer, "you don't know do you" with a dismissive laugh. Like this is her second grandchild and she's just mean, a bully and it's Christmas and it's really made me sad. If you've read this far, thank you. I do have my own family who is very supportive but I live in California and I'm distance wise closer to his parents than mine when I'm home (currently on the east coast for the holidays with my family). But I guess if I had a question it would be would you just keep accepting this behavior or say something? Would you try to make a point of calling it out when it happens or have a time to talk to them about their behavior and let them know it's really hurtful, or would you just let it go and stay away from them? Thanks for listening ❤️
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Hi Karis! First of all, I’m so sorry this is happening to you. No one deserves to be treated that way. In my opinion, your husband needs to step in and tell his family their behavior is unacceptable and cannot go on. He should’ve done this a long time ago. If their bullying continues, together you guys should cut them off. My husband’s sister tried to do something crappy to me years ago when we were just dating and I told him he had to stick up for me and shut it down or we couldn’t continue dating. It’s you, your husband and baby against the world now. Hopefully that made sense and helped

I’m sorry you are going through all of this and I pray things get better. I am actually in the same boat with my mother n law and I can relate to your frustration and pain. We can be friends. I never understood mother n laws like this

Aww, my mother in the law is the same way. I keep my distance!

Girl I am soo sorry.. but if your husband isn’t addressing it you should before the baby is there and you receive more jibes and unsolicited parenting advice. It may suck to do but nipping it in the butt now is my best advice

Give back the cold shoulder they will get it eventually I’m sorry you are going through this older people have no respect for others feelings

I am sorry you are going through this. I agree you need to set some boundaries because it will only get worse once the baby arrives and they try to put all of their unsolicited advice on you. You should have a conversation with your husband about how you are feeling. He should address it immediately and if nothing changes sorry but you can’t be in my child’s life. Grandparents want to be mean to the parents and then act like a super grandparent to the child. It is not okay I hope it all gets better for you.

I agree that only your hubby should say something to them, in private. As a therapist I deal with this a lot and can say that expecting that they won’t change is one step …keep your emotional boundaries where you don’t let their dysfunction to be polite get to you. It’s unfortunate, yes!

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