Wives: Do you call your mother-in-law?

[Anonymous]

Hell no.

[Anonymous]

We do a FaceTime call with the kids weekly, so I say hello during that. If I have a specific question, I'll call her (and vice versa). We text (maybe once a week on average) and we are Facebook friends so she sees and comments on my posts (and I see hers but 80% of them are migraine related so I ignore most of them.)

I like my MiL and we get along well, but I do not like talking on the phone.

[Anonymous]

Not anymore. We tried to FaceTime once we had kids but never answers anymore. Then we call on phone and she says she's in the middle of something but doesn't call back. After awhile I got the message so I never call.

[Anonymous]

We communicate a few times via text. Keep it light, and can stop responding when needed!the downside is she has made some subtle digs that I can't call her out on because well it's text! DH NEVER talks to his family. If I don't, they wouldn't even know he's alive!

[Anonymous]

Nope. I don't even hve MILs phone number

[Anonymous]

Never.

Why can't he call his own mother?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does he call her? I'd really think that's his job.

+1. How often does he call your dad? My guess is he's hoping you'll call her so he doesn't have to!

My MIL has now passed away but when she was alive I didn't initiate calls but if she or DH called each other I'd get on the phone and chat for a few minutes.

He calls her probably a couple of times a week. I should get on the phone when he calls her from home, and that's something I can do going forward.

My parents are local and we see them about once a week. His mother lives about 5 hours away and we only see her a few times a year. It's always an awkward and boring visit.

Does he call your mother, OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does he call her? I'd really think that's his job.

+1. How often does he call your dad? My guess is he's hoping you'll call her so he doesn't have to!

My MIL has now passed away but when she was alive I didn't initiate calls but if she or DH called each other I'd get on the phone and chat for a few minutes.

He calls her probably a couple of times a week. I should get on the phone when he calls her from home, and that's something I can do going forward.

My parents are local and we see them about once a week. His mother lives about 5 hours away and we only see her a few times a year. It's always an awkward and boring visit.

Does he call your mother, OP?

No - but as I said above, we see them almost weekly so there's no need to "catch up" by phone. If he needs to communicate something to my parents he either does it through me or sends them an email. His mother is older (nearly 80) and can't really figure out her computer.

[Anonymous]

OP, may I ask what ethnicity are you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, may I ask what ethnicity are you?

White. (Jewish.)

[Anonymous]

I text pictures of the baby and FaceTime call so she can see him. I don't call on my own to chat.

[Anonymous]

Do you have a television show in common?

I had a professor who was really into American Idol back in the day. It didn't seem to fit her personality at all. She explained that it was something she could share with her children (blended family, 5 children in total, including a foster child). No matter how different they all were or where they were in their lives, they were brought together around this show.

I tucked that piece of information (advice?) away for future use.

Is that something you could cultivate? It would give you something to talk about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Do you have a television show in common?

I had a professor who was really into American Idol back in the day. It didn't seem to fit her personality at all. She explained that it was something she could share with her children (blended family, 5 children in total, including a foster child). No matter how different they all were or where they were in their lives, they were brought together around this show.

I tucked that piece of information (advice?) away for future use.

Is that something you could cultivate? It would give you something to talk about.

She is a big reader. I used to be but have let it slide lately. Maybe I will call and ask her for some recommendations. That's a great suggestion.

[Anonymous]

Early on I did but not anymore. For another perspective, my mother cringes when my brother's wife calls her.

[Anonymous]

Not unless there's something she needs to know or I need to ask. I'm also not a phone person in general.