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  • Jenson
    Member
    • Jul 2012
    • 15

    Problems with mother in law, as well as biological mother.

    Hi all! So this may be lengthy, so please bear with me.

    So I've been engaged to my fiancé since early last year. I had previous problems that I had posted on here but those have been ironed out, dealt with and everything is peachy between him and myself.
    To begin, I'll need to open my history book on my past with myself as well as my biological mother. Firstly, I had a birth defect when I born.double Cleft lip/cleft pallet. This lead to many many surgeries, and a very very boring and painful childhood. Upon the age of seven my parents split due to my dad cheating on her. They had a very very violent fight in which us kids (1 older brother 1 older sister) were locked out of the house while my mother was beaten and hospitalized for bruises and a fractured nose. After their very vocal and abusive divorce, I had a reconstructive surgery in which my palette needed structure and the sinus closed. The surgery involved partial hip bone removal and doctors used it to form a new palette. This was also a very very difficult time for me, as I have always been close to my dad. My dad came a few days after the surgery and where I was 6 at the time I was unaware of the actual damage done emotionally towards the family. My mother slapped me in my fresh stitches and retainer to help the reconstruction not collapse. I knew right then that I should stay away from her. As the divorce battles continued, my brother moved in with my dad and new stepmom, and her daughter. My mother had countless men in the house where she would lock us in the room and tell us to shut our effing mouths and not talk. After some time of her excessive men, she met a man and ended up marrying him. Myself and my siblings didn't like him, we felt he was a fake. I took to my stepmom very quickly. She (unintentionally) took over the full time mommy duty my own mother couldn't fulfill. My dad and stepmom had another child after they we're married and I have a very deep best friend connection with. As the years of abuse(it's way too much to go into) went on, I kept it to myself thinking, "okay I suppose for some reason I deserve this." Being told that the only reason I wasn't left at the hospital upon birth and seeing my defect was because SHE wanted me. Which was a total lie. My dad has always been a proactive and strong part of my life. After years and years of drama, bs, lies, police calls, being thrown into the streets, I called it quits with her September of 2012. She accused my fiancé and I of stealing money that (most likely) didn't exist. She's always been completely horrible with money handling which is why my dad divorced her in the first place. Ironically, her child was in debt to my fiancé of 300 dollars for a laptop he promised to pay for with his job. This was the exact amount we were accused of taking. Understanding that I would never steal from my parents, and the fact that this was an incredibly bad fabricated story. There was absolutely nothing factual that could even lead anyone to believe we could do this. She had done this to my sister a few years before while I lived in Florida( my family lives in Oklahoma). Then tried to accuse me of magically taking it while living there. Apparently I can teleport and steal money. As I told my siblings the situation I was in, they had my back. But ALWAYS go back to her! She's a very manipulative and vindictive person. She can guilt trip you if you eat a Cheeto. (Bad example but you get the point) I wrote her a very lengthy letter informing her of my informal divorce from her as an adult child, and pointing out the oh so many abuses and lies I've dealt with. As I do no live in Oklahoma anymore, the stress of her isn't a prominent one. My stepmom has always been supportive, loving, caring and wonderful to me. But my siblings treated her like crap for so long she no longer accepts them in her life, which I can't blame her. One can only take so much abuse until the rope snaps. I see her posts on Facebook about how she loves her two kids, posts individual things about their accomplishments. I never hear or see anything like this. I didn't get a phone call on my birthday from anyone but my grandmother. Where in an adult I don't care if it's just a hello! Happy bday! As long as the recognition is there. She finally admitted to me that she has a wall built up so she doesn't get hurt..where in happy I learned this..it deeply upsets me. My siblings ruined her to ever try to truly accept me. That hurts so much.
    On to the monster...ahem ..mother in law.. I never talked to her much when my fiancé and I first got together, because she lived in Alabama whereas I lived in Oklahoma. When we moved here for his job, i was fully aware of her and her characteristics presented by my fiancés explanations. She was currently talking to another man intimately(which is cheating in my honest opinion) and speaking of leaving to be with him, all the while telling my fiancé and his sister of this man!!! So I knew she was probably a little crazy. After moving here, my fiancé told his dad about her infidelities and she texted him very mean and hurtful things. He had asked me what to do, and I said do not respond. If she can't speak as an adult then she doesn't need to speak until she calms down. So he didn't respond. She later put a status on Facebook telling EVERYONE "don't have kids, they only end up breaking your heart." Seriously?! You told your KIDS you were cheating on THEIR dad! Who's really breaking hearts here? My fiancé didn't feel it was his responsibility but he couldn't see his dad sit in the dark when he really is a very good man. He doesn't drink, curse, or anything. I'm sure there are problems within the marriage itself, but if you're looking at other men or women, leave and save the heartache of the other person.
    After this episode, we finally saw them around Christmas time in which we went to their house. They have a traditional Christmas dinner, but eat things I do not eat as well am not accustomed to. So I politely declined. Not to mention the food tasted horrible. So I faked a stomach ache(it was THAT bad) and we left shortly after having small talk and awkward silences. I did get somewhat close to his mother for a small while. She confided in me things I probably shouldn't know. I have told my fiancé about the important ones that concern his dad and his family. From what she's explained to me, she's always looking for someone to replace her husband, but hasn't found anyone. This past Christmas, I offered to help(but ended up making it all) dinner. While I don't boast or consider myself conceited in any way, I taught myself to cook and have become pretty good! While in the company of my fiancé she told me that I would never become a good chef because I didn't eat what she cooked last Christmas. At the time I was indulging in going to school fot culinary arts. Which hurt my feelings more than anything. I know I'm a good cook, I'm told by everyone I cook for. Including her! So my fiancé stood up for me and told her if she didn't think I could cook then don't eat dinner. After that I stopped talking to her altogether. A few hellos and how are you's, but otherwise nothing. She constantly calls matt( my fiancé) asking him to get her crap from the grocery store she could so easily get off her *** she plants in front of her laptop all day and all night talking to men in front of her husband who is blissfully unaware(or is and is hoping someone takes her). She's offended me before telling me I can never make it as a chef, or as a cake decorator because I was unemployed for so long. Telling me to go back to Oklahoma and find someone there. She too, is accusing me of something completely childish and idiotic recently. When she does leave their house, she spends 30-40-50 dollars on junk foods. She accused first my fiancé and I of eating them. Which...I'm not a fan of store bought cookies and cakes. I prefer to always make my own. So that being said, she says, "I believe YOU Matt." Okay so you think I did this? When on earth would I ever possibly do this? In not exactly sure what it is with mothers disliking me, but I can assure you, I haven't done anything to instigate hatred. She constant belittles me, comments about certain things with certain dishes. Complains I do laundry too often. Complains I clean the floors with pine-sol. Every little bitty thing is nit picked and I am so done with being treated like dirt beneath someone's shoe. She is unemployed herself. Is not and has not been actively searching for work while her husband is eyeballs deep in bills. She doesn't clean house, cook dinner, or do her or her husbands laundry. I'm not saying it's a woman's duty, but I do think if you are unemployed the least you could do is help out around the house. I'm OCD clean freak. I have to have things clean and in order. My fiancé told me after this last incident happened (a few nights ago) that he doesn't like admitting it but he hates his mother. I can't say I blame him, but it truly hurts that the mothers I see around me, and in society, treat their kids so terribly. I don't know how to cope with this mother in law situation. I'm fully aware a lot of women hate their in laws. But this is deeper than that. She acts (more or less) like my biological mother. This psychological issue they have is one in the same. The issue I have with my biological mother and his mother had grown to a full blown hatred. I very much dislike hating someone. But she literally leaves me no choice. We are currently living with his parents due to my unemployment issues, but I have since found a job..in a bakery doing cake decorating. This being an incredibly new job hasn't allowed us much room to save money to move out. So after my incredibly looooooong history, how do I deal with this woman without going super saiyan on her? How do I refrain from saying something that is on the tip of my tongue everytime I see her? It has literally gotten to the point where it's **** near impossible to hold back. Do we talk to his supportive dad? Do we just keep it to ourselves? I'm going literally crazy. Thanks for reading my novel. Haha. Sorry it's so depressing.

    Jenn.
  • effy2014
    Veteran Member
    • Apr 2014
    • 1777

    Hi Jenn. It's not depressing, just difficult to read. It would help if you used more paragraphs and less "she's". However, I get the gist of the post.

    I suggest the following:

    1. Get out of there as quickly as possible. It is a toxic environment for you, especially in light of the difficulties between you and your biological Mom. If you could borrow money from your step-mom and dad to help, do it. If you don't have to, I would not even eat with them.

    2. Stay out of your in-laws relationship. My Dad tells a joke about a man complaining to his priest that the man's wife is poisoning him and asks the priest to talk to her. The priest comes back and says that he has talked to the man's wife for 3 hours and says "take the poison". Your soon to be father in law knows all, his son texted him about the issue. He seems to be willing to take the poison and let her go. Getting involved is not healthy for you and you really have no right to change the dynamic, dysfunctional as it may be.

    3. The toughest part is to stay out of her way and say very little. Let the little indignities fall off your back. If she wants the fight, bring it on, but otherwise, do your best to keep to yourself and your husband when you are there. You are their guests and I would act like a guest.

    I might think twice about marrying into this family.
    "The only consistent feature of all of your dissatisfying relationships is you." Despair.com "Dysfunction"

    Comment

    • Euphoric
      Veteran Member
      • Oct 2012
      • 570

      Wow, that's a lot. First, I'd like to address the biological mother. Any woman who can tell her child that she should have been left at the hospital is wicked and cruel. Yes, there are mothers who give their child up for adoption for various reasons: too young, can't financially care for them, etc. That doesn't make them bad people. I'd much rather a person give their child up for adoption and a chance to have a wonderful life, than to see/hear that their life has been made a living hell. Giving birth doesn't make a person noble, being a caregiver who guides and nurtures does. One thing I'd like to stress here is that you are intelligent. You've experienced being on the harrowing side of a relationship without a means to escape until you were older. Therefore, take what you have learned and make sure you never treat your children this way (if you decide to have kids). Yes, you are a product of your raising. In this case, you've learned what NOT to become, how NOT to treat others.

      Now, about the (soon to be) mother-in-law. It's impossible to completely avoid her. You may not like her and that is understandable when she makes degrading comments, but…so long as you are living under her roof you kind of have to suck it up. You guys are staying there because of financial hardships at the moment so I'd assume you aren't paying rent. What she chooses to do with her time is her business. You don't like or agree with her actions, but your husband has made his father aware of her infidelities and your FIL has chosen to accept her behavior. Otherwise, he'd have removed himself from the situation. That is their business. They don't need your approval. Use this as motivation to get your finances in order and remove yourselves from the situation. You don't have to condone her behavior but you should respect your boundaries. You have had REALLY bad experiences with "mother figures". This anger is deeply rooted.

      The only positive I see is that you have observed and experienced the damage that results from neglect and abuse. Use what you have learned to help others.

      Comment

      • Jenson
        Member
        • Jul 2012
        • 15

        Thank you for taking time to read the extremely long post. I appreciate it. I do stay out of their business, just to make that clear. I'm not one to go and listen or ask personal things to either of them. My fiancé and his sister have both told me he probably stays with her until she gets caught cheating again so he can leave her. He's a military veteran and from what I've grasped( mind you I'm not very knowledgable with military lifestyle or rules and/or laws) she could get some of his vet pay, and he doesn't want her to have any of it. That's...just what I've grasped from everyone.
        As for respecting them, I do respect them and am grateful they're letting us stay here until our finances are back on track. The atmosphere is completely calm when she isn't around. No one is tense. I do my share of keeping things my fiancé and I dirty up(dishes, keeping the bathroom very clean, etc). She is just impossible to be around. I do stand up for myself when needed if I feel backed into a corner. The one time I stood up to her for starting unnecessary drama(and mind you it was over something incredibly stupid). She flipped out, and said she wanted me to leave, but of course she told her husband this. Not Matt or myself. If anyone stands up or sticks up for themselves towards her, regardless of who it is, she throws the fit of a 3 year old. She absolutely hates it if anyone doesn't do what she says or just stands there and takes her ridicules and insults. I kept my stepmother as my role model in life. She's a headstrong, bold, and beautiful woman.
        I do have "deeply rooted" anger towards my biological mother. No matter how much I've tried to let it go, and grow from it, I can't. There is an invisible barrier keeping me from ever crossing the threshold of contentment of how much anger I have towards her. I wish at some point in her life she really does understand, see, and feel the pain she's brought into my life. She is, without a doubt, wicked and cruel. If I could've been a fly on the wall while she read my letter I sent her. I did email it to my parents to read( my dad and stepmother). They were very proud of me for not allowing her to hurt me any further. I do want kids. I want them very badly. But until we get out of here and get above water, I don't see children being an acceptable thought. Not to mention, I believe my fiancé or myself(or both) have an infertility issue. As for this moment, things do seem to be falling into place financially for Matt and I. Our cards are finally a good hand. I hope to be out of their house within the next two or three months. It sounds so far away, but it is difficult to find nicer places to rent/buy around here. Plus saving money on too of our other bills we have.

        Comment

        • effy2014
          Veteran Member
          • Apr 2014
          • 1777

          Best of luck to you. Check in with us and let us know how things are progressing.
          "The only consistent feature of all of your dissatisfying relationships is you." Despair.com "Dysfunction"

          Comment

          • Jenson
            Member
            • Jul 2012
            • 15

            Well thank you, but I'm not leaving the love of my life over his mother being the way she is. Soon, well be out of their house and we won't deal with her but twice a year like before we had to move in to their house. I do control my actions, but there are many time I question her actions in my mind. We keep to ourselves about 98% of the time.

            Comment

            • Euphoric
              Veteran Member
              • Oct 2012
              • 570

              Jenson,

              I'd not turn loose a man I loved because of the actions of another person. As you've said, this situation is temporary.

              Comment

              • Motorguy
                Veteran Member
                • Mar 2014
                • 3921

                Originally posted by Jenson
                Well thank you, but I'm not leaving the love of my life over his mother being the way she is. Soon, well be out of their house and we won't deal with her but twice a year like before we had to move in to their house. I do control my actions, but there are many time I question her actions in my mind. We keep to ourselves about 98% of the time.
                Well Jenson that's a good way to think. Never let another family member ever get between you and your husband. The same with husband towards you as well because it will not end well at all it never does. Your mother or your mother in law are not married to you or your husband so just wasted breath in my opinion.
                When out driving always turn left. Then, should you become lost, you can find your way home by reversing the procedure and always turning right.

                Comment

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