SHOULD I CUT OFF HORRIBLE MUM-IN-LAW?

Dear Coleen

I HAVE a problem with my mother-in- law but it goes way beyond the normal interfering.

My husband is an only child and when I got together with him his mum took an instant dislike to me because I’d “taken” her son.

My husband said she’d always been smothering but I wasn’t prepared for how mean she is. At our wedding five years ago, she bad-mouthed me to other relatives then left before the reception.

We now have an 18-month-old son who she’s barely seen because she doesn’t want to see me.

When he was born, she sent a gift but left my name off the card.

My husband has even distanced himself from her because he can see she hurts me for no good reason. I’ve tried to reach out to her but get nothing back.

Should I just cut her off?

Coleen says

WOW, she really does sound like the mother-in-law from hell.

Unless she can take a long, hard look at herself, you might be on a road to nowhere. The fact she’s barely seen her own grandson because it would mean seeing you, speaks volumes.

We don’t always get on with our in-laws but it’s possible to get along and be polite for everyone’s benefit. It seems she isn’t prepared to even do that.

If you’ve tried asking other relatives to mediate on your behalf without any luck, then perhaps the best approach is to distance yourself.

It shouldn’t mean your husband or son can’t see her. But it’s sad she’s ruining things for the family.

If the current Covid situation hasn’t made her reassess what’s important in life, then I’m not sure anything will.

You should focus on your own little family – that’s what will bring you happiness.