Lovely woman, heart of gold but a little bit annoying-likes to inspect my house and check my ironing etc. She wants to go shopping but I think I may end up sectioned by the end of it, does anyone have any ideas for keeping her occupied?
2006-09-15 03:00:58 · 31 answers · asked by hellllooooo 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
Try and treat her with affection and respect - it will make the visit more enjoyable for you, her and your partner.
Book a nice lunch or tea for before or after the shopping to reduce the time at home and make her feel appreciated.
Have a bit of a tidy up before she arrives and put anything you don't want her to see away.
Don't be too hard on her - she is trying to find something in your world she can relate to in order to build a relationship. What are her interests? eg if she is into houseplants why not ask her advice on one to distract her from the state of the ironing...
2006-09-18 12:15:30 · answer #1 · answered by Bridget F 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh how I empathise with you! I had similar problems not with my MIL (who never actually comes to stay with us and as a consequence we get on great) but with my own mum. Although I loved her dearly (sadly she passed away last year) she used to drive me crackers. Always hovering, always trying to help, almost snatching things out of my hand in her eagerness to ferry things to the table and back! And rearranging my stuff, ever so slightly all the time. The dishcloth in a different place, the shower curtain tucked into the bath at all times... Grrr - its the little things that get you!
But visits from parents or mothers in law are great incentives to give the place a good clean (yea even unto behind the sofa!) so in that respect they are A Good Thing!
And I find actually asking advice (how can I get this stain out?) flatters them and makes them feel like the wise elder. They need to feel needed.
Then make a big fuss of them and take them out - garden centres are always good, especially those with a tea-room. They generally pay for the tea and cakes as well which can't be bad. But general shopping is OK too. And again, when you stop for coffee they will get their purses out! Just don't make it a battle or a competition or expect to go into the shops you want. Think department stores and M&S and leave TopShop for another day!
2006-09-15 10:24:23 · answer #2 · answered by granny2006 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Any neighbours that you get on really well with that are of a similar age? Maybe if you had another person over at the same time it would take the pressure off you a bit, adds to the conversation, and then maybe she wont be so keen to wander off and inspect your house.
2006-09-19 06:00:29 · answer #3 · answered by Donna 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YOu poor thing............roflol.........I relly feel for you..........roflol What about taking her out to the movies, lunch, dinner. Chrck at your local council and see what's happening around the place that you may not know such as exhibits, art's and craft fairs etc, local markets.........even those that are abit further from where you live. If you can run her ragged then she might hit the hay early and give you abit of r & r time with your hubby. Does she like gardening, take her to some nurseries, that will fill in afew hours atleast. I hope some of this helps you.........good luck......
2006-09-15 10:15:31 · answer #4 · answered by Linda 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do something away from your home.
My Mother-in-Law use to be like that in my kitchen, not inspecting but trying to be helpful to the point of being a hinderance. I basically have banished her from my kitchen now... she asks if she can help and I say "YES! By getting out of my kitchen!". It works... LOL.... Now that we have a child I put her to "work" spending time keeping her grandchild busy and not underfoot in MY kitchen :)
Assign the ironing chore to your husband... next time she checks out the ironing you can ask her why she didn't teach her son to iron better!
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2006-09-15 11:48:53 · answer #5 · answered by mama_bears_den 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take it from me !
if mother in law wants to go shopping, then pls go shopping !
1) that will keep her occupied and busy
2) she will keep out of your way
3) she may end up thinking you are so nice and you listen to her so its all good !!
4) if you make her do anything else, she'll probably be grumpy
buy her something nice while you're shopping !
mother in laws are generally good, you just need to read their moods and need to know what buttons to press ;)
2006-09-15 10:17:06 · answer #6 · answered by GorGeous_Girl 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have a mall around? You can always spend hours there. Do you have kids, if so plan a cook out at the park or something. Alot of mother-in-laws make everyone nervous, Just be yourself and enjoy the time it will be over soon. lol
2006-09-15 10:12:03 · answer #7 · answered by bradosmom 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I say shop till you drop. Start real early. Hit every mall you can, go to cool restaurant for at least an hour and go to the movies. Sunday, go to church, then out to eat and take her some place she never been. By the time you get home she will be to tired to critique.
2006-09-15 10:40:16 · answer #8 · answered by damisaunders@sbcglobal.net 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my mother in law is the same way (oh!god!),well i suggest you take her shopping then take to get a bite to eat ,,,while shopping pretend that you are into things she likes and ever now and then if you see something see may like say oh thats nice make it seem its all about her.after shopping take her out to eat but dont let her pay for her food you get the entire bill tell here to order what she wants off the menu
2006-09-15 10:43:11 · answer #9 · answered by sexyqcgurl4u 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Check your ironing? You still iron? Bingo, soap opera marathon, ( ha ha) church bazaar, pay for a manicure and pedicure for her. Introduce her to a nice old man with one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel. That would tie her up for a while!
2006-09-15 10:08:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋