how would you respond if your MIL KEPT repeating how large your house was?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's better than what my grandmother used to say: "You must have more money than God." She'd say this for every nice thing I bought. New car, new house, even when I bought nice clothes. "You must have more money than God." I still have no idea what that is supposed to mean.

+1. I've never understood why God would bother having any money at all.

[Anonymous]

I just think it is rude and I am tired of obnoxious MIL's who think they can say/do what they want without regard for DIL. Who the hell do they think they are?

Not OP, BTW.

[Anonymous]

I would say... "I know. Isn't it awesome?"?

[Anonymous]

My MIL thinks it is unfortunate that our larger, but older home doesn't have a ton of storage space. For years, she has offered me her fill in the blank massive collection of something and each time I've told her the truth: thank you , but we simply have no room.

She recently asked me if I wanted yet another collection and when I declined on the basis limited storage, she grumbled that if she ever wins the lottery, she's going to build us an addition for ... storage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's better than what my grandmother used to say: "You must have more money than God." She'd say this for every nice thing I bought. New car, new house, even when I bought nice clothes. "You must have more money than God." I still have no idea what that is supposed to mean.

Sorry pp but that is hilarious.

[Anonymous]

I would just smile and say, "we're happy here". It's her issue, not yours.

[Anonymous]

She's probably just coming from a smaller home and when she steps into your house the spaciousness just takes her by surprise. Yes, every time - she will get used to it.

Unless there is a back story here or she's saying this in a way that sounds like a criticism (wow what a big piece of cake you're eating there), I'm not seeing why this should be a big deal. So, she thinks that your house is big. So what? Do you love it?

[Anonymous]

"it suits our needs. We love having an extra room for when you come to visit, and the basement is great for the kids"

Is she generally insecure? This is something my MIL would do. She's insecure and gets uncomfortable when we do something that they feel is trying to show them up. They always comment on how much DH makes - it REALLY isn't that much, though we're comfortable enough. It's just more than they make and they live in a much higher cost of living area, so we can afford more house here. They're not used to corporate jobs so they think office Christmas parties, or a 24 hour business trip is fancy and important. We change the subject and it does get awkward, but it's her own insecurities, not ours. We never talk about his salary and we haven't taken any family vacations or done any renovations that might prompt money questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She's probably just coming from a smaller home and when she steps into your house the spaciousness just takes her by surprise. Yes, every time - she will get used to it.

Unless there is a back story here or she's saying this in a way that sounds like a criticism (wow what a big piece of cake you're eating there), I'm not seeing why this should be a big deal. So, she thinks that your house is big. So what? Do you love it?

+1
I say the same thing when I visit my in-laws dream home they built during retirement. Our house would fit into their detached garage with apartment! I am honestly taken aback by how large it is. Every time. It's just a physical thing. They respond by telling me we'll inherit it Maybe you should respond by telling her you'd love to have her live with you someday!

[Anonymous]

Or you could have a repeater on your hands.

My mother does this - she repeats regularly every thought that crops up in her mind, particularly the things I don't do the same as she did. It's a lack of filter, it's the inability to accept differences, and it's frankly idiotic.

"Oh, the kids are eating too much." (no, they're perfectly normal, thank you)

"DD's hair is too long" (because I had short hair as a kid, but DD wants long hair)

And the best one of all, served in every possible conversation with a disapproving tone: "Well, I never did things like that / You never behaved like that." (eye-roll and sigh)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Confront her. "You keep saying that each time you visit, multiple times. How come?" Say it gently with a smile. Maybe she's uncomfortable.

+1. I don't think it would be confrontational if you said it with a concerned voice, in the manner of "is there something wrong?".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just think it is rude and I am tired of obnoxious MIL's who think they can say/do what they want without regard for DIL. Who the hell do they think they are?

Not OP, BTW.

+1. A little off topic, but I get annoyed when people say that older men and women in general can say what they want without regard to politeness or others - shouldn't all of their years have been spent bettering themselves, and setting good examples for others? Not getting ready for the day when they can purposefully disregard everyone else's feelings?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just think it is rude and I am tired of obnoxious MIL's who think they can say/do what they want without regard for DIL. Who the hell do they think they are?

Not OP, BTW.

+1. A little off topic, but I get annoyed when people say that older men and women in general can say what they want without regard to politeness or others - shouldn't all of their years have been spent bettering themselves, and setting good examples for others? Not getting ready for the day when they can purposefully disregard everyone else's feelings?

+1

No kidding. If you can't say/do anything nice, don't say/do anything at all - doesn't that ESPECIALLY apply to MIL's?

[Anonymous]

Just ignore it and don't respond or change the subject.

[Anonymous]

Funny, we have the opposite. DM is always going on about how much more house all of her children could buy if they just lived in ______ (where she lives). She can't believe how much all of us paid of our "tiny" houses.