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Kacie
Just Said Yes October 2020

Mother-in-law troubles.

Kacie, on October 11, 2019 at 7:31 PM Posted in Family and Relationships 0 8

I'm getting married on April 18, 2020 in my parent's backyard on an almond ranch in Central California. My fiance is five years older than me & is from a nearby town. A little back story: He has a younger brother & his parents struggled financially when they were young. His dad was an alcoholic & his mom stood up to the task of playing the mother & father roles in their kid's lives. His dad is 15 years sober, but acts like he has the worst life imaginable. He complains about everything & is so mean to my fiance & myself. My fiance stands up for us as much as possible, but the man just doesn't stop. He's constantly putting my fiance down & just being negative. My fiance's mom is super controlling & rude to me. I don't think she likes me because she feels threatened maybe. She demands to see us every other weekend since we're living with my parents until we get on out feet to move out. She made the comment along the lines of, "feeling like a divorced parents trying to gain custody of my own child," at dinner last weekend. She's always making comments like that or about my or my fiance's weight. She lost 30 pounds on Weight Watchers & now acts like we are disgusting since we aren't exactly a healthy weight. She told my fiance that he needed to get checked for "diabetes because he's so fat." It is so hard for me to not go off on her, but I don't want to ruin the chance of eventually having a relationship with her. She wants to help with the wedding, but I can't stand her snarky, mean comments. I don't know how to handle this woman. My fiance knows that she's a little off the rails, but it's his family, so he has a hard time putting his foot down. He was very sheltered until he met me, so he's still trying to learn how to have confidence in himself since his father obviously has crushed any hopes of him having a high self esteem as a child, or even an adult, for that matter. So I guess I just need some advice on how to approach my future in-laws without completely ruining any hopes of a possible relationship with them. I feel like this needs to be a conversation before we get married or have children because as of right now, I am 100% not comfortable with leaving my future children at his parent's house to babysit or even just visit.

8 Comments

Latest activity by Renee, on October 12, 2019 at 12:57 PM
  • Vivian
    Devoted August 2022
    Vivian ·
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    Kacie omg honey thays alot going on your FH amd mine are so the same in a lot of ways you mentioned in this post the only thing is..... it's his mother who is doing BOTH and she isnt a alcoholic etc but the snooty remarks and down talking she does it all amd justify what she does n hardly apologizes to him for it.... now I am confident in leaving my kids with her. Honestly there is nothing you can do hate to be the one to say it that's something that has to come from him n our good friend ... TIME..... over time IF the parents are willing to work wit u guys it can and will get better otherwise he is probably gonna end up doing what my FH is talking about doing which is barely talk to his parents..... because that negative energy eats up the vibe and that's what I hate but I am hoping things get better
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  • Vivian
    Devoted August 2022
    Vivian ·
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    I posted basically the same issues the other day please feel free to read n comment


    https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/wedding-blues-petty-fmil-issues/7e0f87a2f07ab751.html
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  • Kelly
    Champion October 2018
    Kelly ·
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    We had some issues with family and boundaries and what helped us was going to therapy. My husband and I were able to get on the same page about why it was problematic and what we wanted for the future and got advice on the best way to go about that.
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  • H
    Devoted November 2019
    Heather ·
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    Why dont you try inviting her to do some things (not wedding related) together so that she feels like she is gaining a daughter versus losing a son. Make it something that ends with your fiance joining you. If she starts to see that being good to you leads to more time with her son, you might "train" her into the right behavior. I'm not making excuses for her but people tend to do what they know until they know better. If you have a good time, end it on a good note. Just some ideas.
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  • Camilla
    Dedicated June 2021
    Camilla ·
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    My FH only has a mother. She is not ideal either, she loves him but is at least kind to me most of the time. I would say just be yourself. You dont have to put up with her being rude to you and he needs to say something. My Exhusband never did and his mom never liked me. I understand not being good enough for "HER". All you can do is control yourself. I also found with AA they have a program for family of alcoholics that might be a cooping skill for your family. They really focus on controlling what you can and letting go of the rest. Its not perfect but it can be a tool

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  • Camilla
    Dedicated June 2021
    Camilla ·
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    Those are great ideas. I have been doing the same with my FMIL hopefully it brings better relationships to us both

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  • Brandi
    Devoted July 2020
    Brandi ·
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    My apologies that this is your experience. My FMIL is definitely not as bad but we deal with a lot of her feeling threatened and jealous about “losing” her first son. She’s not. Like yours, my FH does not like conflict and hates having to talk to them. However, you really have to encourage your FH to understand that this is unhealthy and will begin to ruin your relationship. A simple “mom, we love you but you can’t feel comfortable disrespecting us” is a way to go. You must also remind him that if he doesn’t you’ll be forced to handle it on your own and you also don’t want to do that.
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  • Renee
    Super October 2020
    Renee ·
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    I don't know how to tell you to handle it now but after you have kids, be stern if she ever puts you or your FH down in front of them. Excuse the kids from the room and tell them that they aren't allowed to insult you or disrespect you like that in front of them or they wont be allowed to come around them. Then leave. I've had to do that with parents before and,its not fun but it got the point across. I hope things get worked out before then.
    Maybe next time they say something rude, tell them that you're not going to sit around and be insulted and leave until they apologize? Just an idea
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