MIL drama (LONG STORY)

I’m 7 months post partum. So maybe I’m crazy. But I honestly feel like my MIL doesn’t respect me and it’s hard for me to want her in my child life because of this. So let me start by saying I have to kids from my past relationship, but it was a toxic one so I left when my daughter turned one and my son was about to turn 3. I remained a single mom for 2 years and took care of them mostly. There father “wanted” to be part of their life and I was more than willing to competent with him. But there was always something that would come up that he needed to change our schedule or why he couldn’t take care of them. Anyways 2 years after we broke up I met my now partner. He is the only man to ever meet my kids. The only person I have dated. He has honestly been so amazing through our relationship. He’s always been great with my babies. Never treated them poorly. And honestly treats them as his own. His mom though from the second she found out I had children, had reservations and “wants the best for her son”. Which I do understand. But she did not know me and still has made minimal effort to know me. I know that me having kids is complicated but again she made no effort to know me as an individual to know whether or not I’m good for her son. Anyways. We now have another baby, 7 months old. And we love having an addition. Our kids love him dearly. But she favours him. Which again. Is understandable knowing he’s her blood. However. November 2023, the father of my other babies died. They were 5 & 7 at the time of his death. So their life now will be this family. Not back and forth from moms to dads. Obviously I still arrange visits with their dad’s side occasionally but that once every couple months. So in my mind I feel like as a grandmother I would show those children so much love since they have suffered an unimaginable loss and try so hard to include them. Instead she brings presents for the baby. When asked if she would like to come for dinner she says “oh that means I get to see the BABY” when all the kids go to my parents for a sleepover she gets mad we didn’t allow her to watch THE BABY. She has posted so many Facebook pictures of our baby without once acknowledging his big brother and sister. She doesn’t even acknowledge me as his mom. She has never once posted a picture of our family only her son and our biological child. She even went as far as screenshotting a picture I posted of me and baby and cropping me out and making it her cover photo. I’ve tried so hard to be the bigger person. I have her over for dinner. I’ve asked her to watch the baby so we could go out with the older two for the day. I’ve invited her to my daughter’s birthday(not her biological grandchild) and she didn’t even show up. But now I see she posted on Facebook a status thanking everyone for her birthday wishes and a special thank you to her husband, her two sons and our baby. But just ignored me and my kids completely like we aren’t even part of her son’s life. I’m honestly just at my wits end and it cause me so much stress even talking about it. But I’m at the point where she won’t be welcome in my home. She won’t be invited to family occasions. And the only relationship she will have with baby is on my spouses free time he makes for her but not our family time. If she can’t respect me and our family as a whole why do I need to respect her wants? Am I wrong?
Like
Share Mobile
Share
  • Share

Show your support

I’m sorry to hear you are going through this, from what I’m seeing is that you have expectations of how she should be and she’s just not that person to deliver that. These expectations are causing you hurt and now you built a resentment towards her. On the other hand I would say it’s your partners responsibility to set boundaries and regulate rules btw your family and his mother. At the end of the day he should be the key in this situation. I’ll give you an example any boundaries that I ever set with my MIL it was through my husband same as with my mother I’m the one setting boundaries for my husband. So you should really communicate with your partner.

I’m really sorry to hear that; it sounds incredibly frustrating. I am with you in this but your MIL isn’t obligated to like or love the other children, but if her behavior is affecting your household, especially since she’s not acknowledging you either, it’s not worth sacrificing your peace. I think it’s important to accept that this is how she is and just set clear boundaries. You should definitely communicate this to your partner, as boundaries need to be in place as this can maybe affect your other child and also to protect your other child. All the best.

Read more on Peanut