How can I better get along with my overbearing mother in law?

Question

My mother-in-law can be a total pain in the neck but I want to know how I can get along with her without compromising my beliefs or opinions and maintaining mine and my husbands sanity.

Answer 1

There's a reason the Bible says in Gen. 2:24 "a man shall leave his mother and father and cleave to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."

Sometime mothers don't want to let go of their babies, regardless of how old they are. You need to talk to your husband and then the both of you need to talk to her together and remind her that you, being his wife, takes precidence over her being his mother. She won't like it, but that's how it is.

Answer 2

Since she's not your mother your husband needs to set up some limits for her. Such as coming over only when invited, if she picks on you too much he should step in. It would be the same if your mother was being that way with him. Each person should deal with their own mother and to remember that you show the mother respect but your spouse comes first.

Answer 3

Well you have to agree with everything she says or does. At least thats what I have to do as long as its within reason. I have been dealing with her for over 11 years. Some times we do get along and sometimes I just know when to stay away from her. I do not trust her to be alone with my kids(she likes to drink way too much) so I try to get over there at least twice a month, and I make it an afternoon visit. Im playing it safe that way.

Answer 4

this absolutely works from experience.......anything that she trhows at you, you have to give it back at some point. mine would poke fun at me, but didnt like it too much when i started giving it back.....things changed for the better from there, and a mutual respect was reached.....good luck!

Answer 5

I try to avoid mine whenever possible.

Answer 6

call DR. Phill