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Soph
Beginner January 2019

Grooms mom driving me insane

Soph, on November 16, 2018 at 12:07 PM Posted in Family and Relationships 0 37
This past weekend my mom hosted a shower for us. It was really lovely and everyone was having a good time... aside from my FMIL...



back story : a few months prior- after unexpectedly losing my dog to HSA, my fiancé and I opted to adopt a dog who was scheduled to be euthanized for no reason other than he was covered in burns. Although we have our own house and have been financially independent for years - this sent our FMIL into a frenzie.. a few days after we picked our new pup up my FMIL texted me randomly and I mentioned the adoption- only to be sent a series of messages saying how stupid of an idea that was, how she was in shock and disgusted, how we are going to enter into a financial crisis and lose our house, what a stupid name we gave him, and how I intentionally hid this from her, forced her son to hide this, and how we acted in spite of her since we didn’t consult with her... I wish this was something new but unfortunately every choice we’ve made over the past six years has been blown into this sort of mess (getting an apartment, getting a dog, buying a house.. etc)... and everytime she is hurt and a victim.. this time I chose not to respond.. my fiancé tried to once again reenforce boundaries and tell her for the 5th time that we didn’t appreciate being berated and she needed to remember the choices we make are between us... so she blocked him

fast forward to the shower: we hadn’t talked, when she arrived she kept her back to me the entire time. I tapped her on the shoulder, reached in for a hug and said “hi, how are you?”.. she said “I’m okay”.. rolled her eyes and walked away... She found a seat and kept her back to me the rest of the time, fine. Every guest who tried to introduce themself was met with a dismissive attitude or a snarky comment -including my mom (I.e one of my bridesmaids greeted her and she said “hm, didn’t recognize you with makeup and without daisy dukes or every man staring at you”.. uncalled or and inaccurate ) .. come time for gifts, she sits directly in front and turns her back entirely to us- talking loud to a friend she had accompany her.. she turned around once to give my Fiancé a gift to open .. a pair of socks that said “for your cold feet”.. she laughed and left, all while yelling at my fiancé’s father .. “is this how it’s going to be at the f’n wedding too?” ... there were 70 people so I chose to ignore it the best that I could but five unrelated people came to myself, my mom, and my fiancé to ask what was up with her... my fiancé spoke to his father and he expressed that his mom was hurting and needed an apology because to add salt to an already open wound (adopting a dog) we also failed to announce her entrance and bring people to meet her .... we were surrounded by people the entire time and were both dismissed by her...


Am I missing something ? I feel so confused and stressed out .. I honestly have no idea how to handle this

37 Comments

Latest activity by Colleen, on November 20, 2018 at 6:11 AM
  • JustKidding
    VIP April 2018
    JustKidding ·
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    "If you wish to keep acting like this, you are not welcome at the wedding" are the only words that would come out of my mouth. I don't care who she is. This is not okay and you, your FH, and guests do not deserve to be treated like this.

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  • Sarah
    Master June 2016
    Sarah ·
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    This. If she’s continuing to behave like this, the boundaries you are setting aren’t enough. She needs to understand that there are legitimate consequences to her behavior and that it will not be tolerated by either of you.
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  • Gen
    Champion June 2019
    Gen ·
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    I 100% agree with this!
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  • MrsD
    Legend July 2019
    MrsD ·
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    It sounds like your fiance isn't enforcing an boundaries. It's nice he is "trying" to, but if he has to do it 5 times it's not working. I think he either needs to talk to his father or directly to his mother, about the likelihood of them not being involved in his life if she continues to treat you this way. Obviously he will choose his wife over his mother, so she needs to be put in her place.

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  • Kenisha
    Champion June 2019
    Kenisha ·
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    She needs to not be invited to your wedding.
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  • Kristy
    Devoted December 2018
    Kristy ·
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    I agree with this completely!
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  • Brae
    VIP September 2019
    Brae ·
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    Ditto to everything said. It's none of her business that you got a dog and she definitely doesn't deserve an apology. I couldn't be around someone like her and I think your only course of action is to stop being around her if she doesn't change. People don't learn unless there are consequences to things. She acts like this because people have probably given into her over the years to avoid her attitude.
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  • Pirate & 60s Bride
    Legend March 2017
    Pirate & 60s Bride ·
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    Yup! This 💯 percent.
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  • Soph
    Beginner January 2019
    Soph ·
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    I felt like maybe I was being to extreme- I had suggested that and FH agreed. In prior years I tried to make excuses for it, “he’s her only son”, “she’s having a hard time letting go”, “she says she is doing it out of love”... I feel like we have given her so many chances and each time it gets worse.. I feel bad because regardless that’s FH’s mom, however we discussed yesterday it feels as though our hands are tied.. I know that we will be the “bad guys” and the smear campaign will begin with only two months till the wedding
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  • Jen
    VIP July 2018
    Jen ·
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    Yes - this exactly! Do not cater to this type of behavior at all, not even for a minute. It's a total power play on her part. Let her know the type of behavior you expect from her if she wants to attend your wedding, be in your life, etc. and be very firm about it. Awesome job rescuing that dog Smiley heart

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  • Kenisha
    Champion June 2019
    Kenisha ·
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    Don’t make excuses for her. She’s got issues that have nothing to do with you.
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  • Soph
    Beginner January 2019
    Soph ·
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    It’s reassuring/empowering to read all of these responses. For the past two years I’ve been told by FMIL siblings to “write it off” and she’s his mother so I must accept her —but it’s exhausting.
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  • Sarah
    Master June 2016
    Sarah ·
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    You absolutely do not have to accept anyone treating you in a negative manner, no matter who it is. This isn’t about him being her only son or about her being his mother. Plenty of people have that same dynamic and have healthy relationships with their FMIL/MIL. This is about someone who has issues outside of the two of you. Pacifying it and accepting it will only make it continue and may even make it worse. Will she expect you to inform her when you begin to try and conceive children? Will she want to know the second you get a positive pregnancy test? Will she demand to be in the delivery room? Please do not feel like you need to accept her behavior because she’s his mom.
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  • Melissa
    VIP October 2018
    Melissa ·
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    YES! I don't care a who a person "is" to you, you do NOT deserve to be treated so poorly. If this is how she's acting now, I can only imagine how - if nothing changes and these "boundaries" are not actually enforced - she will act when she's on the "big stage" of your actual wedding. It is time to put your OWN foot down and lay down the law - "You will not treat us this way or you will not be attending this wedding." If she is not hosting, paying for, planning or helping with this wedding, she is just a guest - and guests can be cut. I know it may seem harsh, but sometimes the harsh things are what need to be done to get a point across.

    Best of luck, and hopefully you get some clarity.

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  • Sam
    Master August 2024
    Sam ·
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    Hi Soph! Welcome to WeddingWire! I am so sorry to hear that this happened to you! I think that the community has given you some really great advice here. No one should feel this isolated by their in-laws, and I really hope you can find some middle ground with your FMIL! Maybe try explaining what happened to your future father-in-law and seeing if he can offer some advice! I wish you all the best! Smiley heart

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  • Maggie
    Super February 2019
    Maggie ·
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    So sorry you are going through this. My FMIL has some similar behaviors, although far less extreme and I too have heard those types of excuses and felt the same way so I 100% understand where you are coming from. My FMIL would act out when she doesnt get her way and expect you to apologize. If you do give her what she wants she just gets more controlling. It's a terrible game that you can't ever possibly win. The only way to tolerate her is to put her in her place and let her know you arent going to let her manipulate you. You've definitely gotten a lot of good advice here, there is absolutely no reason for you to accept being treated that way. Her behavior at your shower is beyond appalling and I give you a lot of credit for handling it with such maturity. Also good on you guys for rescuing that poor puppy, I can't believe anyone would make you feel bad about doing such a great thing and giving a dog a home.
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  • N
    Expert August 2019
    N ·
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    Yea...she lost her wedding invite and security will be enforcing the invite only requirement. If his dad is decent and wants to come, he can come stag. He’d probably love a night off.
    Seriously though, this isn’t your fault. She does not deserve the excuses just because this abuse doesn’t leave marks. If she slapped you every time she saw you and said it was because she was losing her son and she was sad I’m sure you guys would have parted ways long ago. She is emotionally abusive and needs to learn her tantrums have consequences.
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  • Jessica
    Devoted December 2018
    Jessica ·
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    Literally what I was going to say! If you guys don't lay down the law now, however uncomfortable that may be, it will be a lot harder in the future when you have kids. If that's the path you want to take of course.

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  • Danielle K
    VIP June 2019
    Danielle K ·
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    Absolutely 100% agree with this! I can not tell you (OP) just how detrimental to your spirits and relationship, this toxic person will be!

    Oy what a scene!

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  • Amarriedmann
    Expert June 2019
    Amarriedmann ·
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    Agreed!!! This is extremely narcissistic behavior. My #1 rule in life is “You teach people how to treat you” By ignoring her rather than directly calling her out, you and FH have taught her that her behavior WILL be tolerated. “Oh that’s just how she is”-type of mentality has allowed many toxic people to wreck havoc within families. That cop out is common and has to be vehemently rejected at every turn.

    There’s nothing wrong with including her on what’s going on in your lives - that’s normal. BUT the moment she starts berating, inform her you were not seeking opinions and you hope she has a good day. Hang up. BOTH of you do this consistently. As far as texts, the moment you can see it is negative, delete it. Text her back explaining you noticed as you started to read that her text was disrespectful and deleted it without finishing. Explain that her disrespect towards others will no longer be tolerated on any level by either of you. Can you imagine what she’d be like with grandchildren involved?!

    Actually, in order to head off any misunderstandings, I would go so far as you both having a sit down with her and FFIL. INFORM of this new acceptable means of communication. Do not “explain yourselves”. This is an ultimatum of sorts and it is completely within her power to turn things around. Make it clear that if she’s unable to be civil NOW, she cannot be allowed to bring her negativity to your wedding. FH should be leading this conversation. Have it at her house - so you can get up and leave if she starts in - because this is not up for debate. If she calls after you leave, answer it. If the call is negative, remind her that you’re sorry she CHOOSES to not comply and you’re hanging up. Same with texts. Then Do NOT answer any calls/ texts for a couple days. Then FH calls her ONLY to ask if she’s now feeling better about the new arrangement. Initiating the contact puts you in the drivers seat. Either she’ll be civil or she won’t. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Until she understands you’re not bluffing. Because you know she will vilify you, let the sibs know about the ultimatum the moment you leave the house. They’ll get the truth from you guys firsthand. How they feel about it or what they choose to do with the info is not your business.

    Believe it or not, as impossible as it sounds, she may come around. Narcissists do not like being excluded. (Especially since you’re so close to the wedding) If she opts to instead “cut you off” what have you lost? A painful relationship, drama and manipulation = less stressful planning! You have to set your standards now. Good luck to you and FH.
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