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[quote=Anonymous]OP, I am in your exact situation so I know where you are coming from.  My FIL passed away 7 years ago, MIL started dating again within a year.  My DH and his brother were very skeptical and protective at first, I think mostly because they never saw their mother with anyone but their father and were worried that their mom wouldn't make good decisions about the kind of men she was dating (not to mention the fact that she literally hasn't dated since the early 1970s and so much has changed). She really can't be alone, changes her personality and hobbies based on whatever guy she is dating, is relatively young and active, and just wants companionship.  I could totally understand why DH and BIL were concerned in the beginning.  But as the in-law, and a woman, I had a different perspective than DH.  I would occasionally talk with my MIL about dating and based on those conversations, I felt like she was being smart about it (or I'd tell her if there was something she needed to be aware of or watch out for). I would try to reassure DH and help him see things from her perspective.  I never thought he or BIL were being childish.  I think it would be really hard to lose a parent and then watch your other parent start dating people again, even once you're an adult.

Fast forward several years and DH and his brother are much more comfortable about it.  MIL has been with her current boyfriend almost 2 years and they seem to have a good relationship.  They travel together, he has children and grandchildren of his own that they spend time with, and she seems happy. None of us are very close to MIL's boyfriend but everyone is friendly.  We see him at holidays but he never comes to visit us when MIL does (which is a few times per year).   Maybe your DH and BIL just need some time.[/quote]

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