My mother in law often stretches the truth, how do I deal?

Question

For example in our wedding announcement she said that my husband got a degree from college. He actually only took about four classes and dropped out. She is now saying that he was READING paragraphs by the age of 3 1/2. I highly doubt that because he was in special programs for reading problems. My daughter who is almost 5 can read and I feel she is trying to compete with me. Do I just ignore it or call her out? This isn't the only time. She ALWAYs has to be right or better.

Answer 1

O.K. there are a few ways to handle this... it depends on a few things like... Is your husband a "mommas boy"? How far away she lives! and Do you like her?

1. If your husband is a "mommas boy" She doesn't live far away and you like her... Deal with it!

2. If your husband is a "mommas boy" She doesn't live far away and you DON'T like her... talk to your husband.

3. If your husband is a "mommas boy" She does live far away and you like her... Don't answer the phone SOMETIMES

4. If your husband is NOT a "mommas boy" She doesn't live far away and you DON"T like her... tell her that you would like to see her a little less than you do now (that's if you want to be nice!!!)

5.If your husband is NOT a "mommas boy" She does live far away and you DON"T like her... Change your phone number...

there are more things that you can do, but that's all I will list...

GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 2

Stop competing. Why should you want her to admit that she was lacking somehow or that your husband is less than what he is. It isn't hurting anyone. Also, the standards for reading are much more rigorous today than it was back then. Children are doing tessellations in the 2nd grade as opposed to the 8th back in my day. Algebra is now a middle school course and if a kid takes it as a high school freshman he is actually behind. Just enjoy your daughter's ability and continue to nourish it. Her articulation and comprehension alone will testify to her abilities whenever she spends time with your husband's mother ; you won't have to point out her accomplishments. Your mother-N-law may take your pride and bragging as an attack on her own abilities as a parent. She may be harboring deep seeded inadequacies and guilt for what she didn't do for her son in the past. However, as I have said, before this is a different time and teaching techniques are vastly superior to those of her day. In my time if a kid could count to 20 it was a "wow" moment. Now that child needs to be able to comprehend what 20 is. They need to be able to identify quantities and as for reading they need to know what sounds are made by which phonetic combinations all at an early age. Just ignore her and remember that she views your exclamations as a challenge. It's her problem not yours.

Answer 3

I'd honestly just ignore the crap out of her. It's a no-win situation for you. So what if she wants to say that your hubby was reading earlier than he was? So what if she wrote the wedding announcement to show that he has a degree? The insecurity issues are hers to deal with. I honestly just wouldn't even get into an arguement with someone like that--and we all know someone like that. It's not worth the time, effort and energy you'll expend on it, and you probably won't win it anyway. Let her have her say, and then go on your merry way. Good luck!

Answer 4

I'll be the first to tell you mothers-in-laws are nothing but a nightmare. My mother-in-law is so impossible my husband and I no longer go to her home for any reason. My husband talks to her once in a while but that is as far as it goes. The best thing I think you could do is just forget about it unless she is doing something you totally can't take and is serious.....

Answer 5

OMG your story sounds just like mine. My husbands mother was on the phone the other day with her sister. To get a better christmas present out of her she told her that my husband and I bought her a foot massager. LOL anyway i couldnt understand her because she speaks tagalog with her sister. I just usually sit there and roll my eyes and when she is talking to me of course english and i know its a lie i just sit there nod and smile i mean what else can you really do.

Answer 6

Make it easier - ignoring could be a good thing to avoid conflict but in time that will boil itself to a bigger problem. Next time she makes a comment about something that you know the real truth call her out on it - nicely of course.

Answer 7

been there done that.... mother in laws from hell are common.. sounds like she is jealous of your kid and is tryin to make the kids father look good because she don't want ppl to look down on her.. Just ignore what she says because in the long run if you confont her things will get heated and alot of drama and your child will be affected by this and she doesn't need to be in the middle of it... just raise your daughter the way you are and go on with life.

Answer 8

I have the same problem. Everyone knows she does this, but sometimes it gets under your skin. I try, on occasion, to catch herself in her own lies. But I do it in a comical way and give her a hard time about it. A lot of times we all razz her. But in the end, she is who she is and will continue to do it, so the best thing is to just ignore it and have fun with it.

Answer 9

I would definately first show her the wedding annoncement, and have her tell you why she chose to fabricate a lie, then remind her of the ten commandents,dont preach just giveher a copy,or better yet they have beautiful pctures of the 10 commandments,buy her one for christmas,then see if she gets the hint.ldp

Answer 10

The man you married IS her baby, let it go, if she wants to make him better than he is in her eyes then who cares. You know the truth and so does she, just let her feel better about the situation if she wants to, what or who is it really hurting? Worry about world hunger or something else worth a fig.