flowerseverywhere
2-2-11, 8:06am
My own parents died when I was young so I think I have been far more tolerant of my MIL than most would be. She has always been crabby and critical. Since she was widowed four years ago she is always trying to come along with any of us when we do anything. Sometimes we want to go on vacation alone or visit the kids without some crabby old lady with us.
One day on the way to see my son and his family we stopped at a restaurant. She yelled at the waitress who asked if we wanted desert, they had great pie and homemade ice cream. She practically yelled "Ice cream gives me diarrhea" We were mortified. She then said several critical things to son and DIL about how they were raising their kids. I quietly asked her not to criticize them. I never ever say anything negative to my DIL's and only give them advice when they ask. They are very sweet responsible young women and I have carefully cultivated a relationship with them. This kind of behavior has always been there but we just weren't exposed to is nearly as much when FIL was alive.
Anyway, we would love to go to Europe and were casually talking about places we might want to go however she has already said "Oh take me on your next trip, I would love to go overseas again." Well, the last thing I want to do is spend my limited travel budget with someone who is crabby. Then DIL asked if I could come and stay one week and babysit and when she heard she wanted to come with me. Well she was quite miffed when I said I wanted to go alone as I get so little chance to see my grandchildren and children. DH tries to limit our exposure and will often say things to buffer her comments, but she is getting old and it is his mother. Any suggestions?
One day on the way to see my son and his family we stopped at a restaurant. She yelled at the waitress who asked if we wanted desert, they had great pie and homemade ice cream. She practically yelled "Ice cream gives me diarrhea" We were mortified. She then said several critical things to son and DIL about how they were raising their kids. I quietly asked her not to criticize them. I never ever say anything negative to my DIL's and only give them advice when they ask. They are very sweet responsible young women and I have carefully cultivated a relationship with them. This kind of behavior has always been there but we just weren't exposed to is nearly as much when FIL was alive.
Anyway, we would love to go to Europe and were casually talking about places we might want to go however she has already said "Oh take me on your next trip, I would love to go overseas again." Well, the last thing I want to do is spend my limited travel budget with someone who is crabby. Then DIL asked if I could come and stay one week and babysit and when she heard she wanted to come with me. Well she was quite miffed when I said I wanted to go alone as I get so little chance to see my grandchildren and children. DH tries to limit our exposure and will often say things to buffer her comments, but she is getting old and it is his mother. Any suggestions?