I came across a story about a woman dealing with her manipulative and abusive mother-in-law (MIL) as the new year begins. After enduring 17 years of emotional abuse, she finally went no-contact (NC) in April 2024. However, despite cutting ties, her MIL continues to find ways to meddle and create chaos.
Her MIL has tried various manipulative tactics, from claiming she might have cervical cancer to using the children as emotional pawns. She’s even said things like, “She’s going to turn the kids against me,” or asked her son to tell the kids that she “loves them” and “this isn’t what she wanted.” Historically, the MIL has skipped their birthdays but now suddenly brought gifts, clearly a calculated move.
One particularly hurtful incident occurred when the MIL came by to deliver cookies. The woman allowed her to stay in the driveway but refused to let her inside the house, which she’s permanently banned from. During the visit, her youngest child tried to hug her, but the MIL pushed the child away. The woman noticed but stopped her husband from addressing it immediately, worried that the MIL would twist the situation, deny it, and play the victim, likely targeting their daughter in the process. Now, she regrets holding him back.
Her husband is deeply affected by the situation and has fallen into depression, likely grappling with the realization of who his mother truly is. She’s frustrated that even NC hasn’t stopped her MIL from causing harm and that her husband’s hesitation to confront his mother only enables her further. She wants to protect her kids and herself but feels powerless and increasingly angry.
I totally agree. If DH won’t protect OP or his kids from MIL, OP has to and complete NC for all of them is the way. DH can continue to suck up and fear his mama all by himself if he wants to.
Yes, I agree he has failed me. I let my guard down because I felt bad for him, but that’s all done with now. I’ll be damned if she comes anywhere near here again. I put my foot down in April, and I’ll be doing it again.
It’s clear this woman is trying to find peace while setting boundaries, but her MIL’s persistence and her husband’s reluctance to act decisively make the situation challenging. Many empathize with her struggle and urge her to enforce stricter boundaries to protect herself and her children from further harm.