After years of enduring repeated rudeness, exclusion, and boundary violations, my partner and I have made the difficult but necessary decision to go no contact with my mother-in-law (MIL). This choice wasn’t made lightly. Especially ,with the holidays approaching, but prioritizing our well-being and peace has become essential.
From the beginning, setting boundaries as a parent was met with outright dismissal. One of the most alarming incidents happened shortly after my baby was born. Despite being explicitly told not to, she kissed my newborn, completely ignoring the serious health concerns we’d expressed. She never apologized, instead acting entitled and possessive, making it deeply uncomfortable whenever she held my baby.
The challenges didn’t begin with parenthood. For years, I’ve been on the receiving end of her exclusionary and dismissive behavior. Becoming a mother only highlighted how toxic the dynamic truly was. My efforts to set and enforce even the most basic boundaries were constantly met with resistance or outright disrespect.
Choosing peace meant recognizing that my baby deserves to grow up in a safe, respectful, and loving environment. It also meant acknowledging that I deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. This holiday season, for the first time, we are choosing peace over obligation, creating a healthier, happier space for our family.
“Well done for seeing what you need and following through. She had her family and made her decisions. She is not entitled to a do-over with yours.”
“Thank you. She has three other daughters-in-law who seem more accepting of her controlling behavior. As the newest daughter-in-law, I’m less tolerant of it. It’s clear she isn’t used to her son and his wife setting firm boundaries and sticking to them.”
“Are you me? I am in the exact same boat right now, minus the kissing part because my husband constantly reinforces that boundary. But the lack of apologies, the entitlement and the possessiveness it’s exhausting. I’m glad you took the step toward no contact. It will bring you peace and I hope it lasts a long time.” “Thank you for understanding. We also limited access after realizing the extent of the issue. It is not an easy decision, but protecting our peace and our child’s well-being has to come first.”
Final Thought:
This journey has been hard but recognizing that we have the power to choose peace has been liberating. Boundaries are not about creating distance; they are about protecting what matters most love, respect and a safe environment for our family.
source : Reddit