OP here... My MIL is not a bad person, but she is awful to me. She has sent emails trashing me and has carbon copied me on it. She also blamed me for my miscarriages and said it is my fault if my infants are not inducted into mensa.

I won't rob my kids of a relationship with her but I figure better vent here and keep the peace at home, right?

Day one almost over... Three to go.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I could only wish my inlaws lived closer to us. I hate seeing so many people complaining about family members, esp around the holidays. So sad. I would give my right arm to have both my parents and my inlaws here, and even more so my SIL, who passed away in April. So many spiteful people.

Meh, whatever. Both of sets of parents are dead in our case and I am still sympathetic to the OP.

to the 19:15 pp, you are a heartless person.

I disagree completely. 19:15 is far from heartless. He/she can have sympathy for OP (who's problem is real and difficult for her) without playing the "well at least you HAVE inlaws" card. Seems like a pretty compassionate and understanding person to me.

29 hours to go...

I keep taking a deep breath and saying "it's only one night, it's only one night, I love Christmas, and I'm not going her ruin it." I have a sticky in-law situation, and I agree with the previous poster -- say as little as possible about YOU or the kids. It really has helped. (Oh, and stay away from politics too.) I try to find the good qualities in my in-laws. And you know what, after 15 years of marriage, yes, 15, I found a few. Now I have found some common ground.

All that being said, my mother never got along with my grandmother. Never, ever, so I know that there can be dfficult people out there. But for your children and your own sanity, make this a game, try to see if you can find something redeeming in this woman, and, if not, go and take a nice long walk by yourself and enjoy some time alone and free babysitting!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I could only wish my inlaws lived closer to us. I hate seeing so many people complaining about family members, esp around the holidays. So sad. I would give my right arm to have both my parents and my inlaws here, and even more so my SIL, who passed away in April. So many spiteful people.

I'm with you, PP. I really do enjoy my inlaws. Yes, they're quirky. Yes, my FIL would give my kid a jelly donut with every meal. But they love, love, love my child, and they did a pretty darn good job raising my husband. There's a lot of IL rage on this board. I get it. If I acted like most of the posters here, my inlaws wouldn't like me either.

my inlaws may have quirks but I love them to death. upset I couldnt travel south to see them with my DH but everyone has been sick as dogs here, so it was best we stayed behind while he went to be with them. First christmas without my sister in law. it is hard on all of us.

Anonymous wrote: I could only wish my inlaws lived closer to us. I hate seeing so many people complaining about family members, esp around the holidays. So sad. I would give my right arm to have both my parents and my inlaws here, and even more so my SIL, who passed away in April. So many spiteful people.

I'm with you, PP. I really do enjoy my inlaws. Yes, they're quirky. Yes, my FIL would give my kid a jelly donut with every meal. But they love, love, love my child, and they did a pretty darn good job raising my husband. There's a lot of IL rage on this board. I get it. If I acted like most of the posters here, my inlaws wouldn't like me either.

PP- cheers to you. You're absolutely right.

Love poster who withholds info from MIL... Great idea!

Poster with nice in laws... They'll turn on you. Just you wait.

To poster with one more day... It will be a merry Christmas when they leave! I will toast to you when I self-medicate myself to survive the week.

Anonymous wrote: I could only wish my inlaws lived closer to us. I hate seeing so many people complaining about family members, esp around the holidays. So sad. I would give my right arm to have both my parents and my inlaws here, and even more so my SIL, who passed away in April. So many spiteful people.

You know what makes ME sad? That so many people tolerate crappy and nasty behavior from their family members simply because they're "family."

Why are people taking the time to call others out as heartless?

One more day! They should leave tomorrow!

Feel horrible for those who live close to their in laws.... My worst nightmare.

OP do we have the same MIL? Mine is also passive aggressive, although sometimes not so passive -- she is OUT THERE. I also dread spending time with my MIL and i have to see her once a week. I also hate my MIL's voice -- I think that just comes with not liking the person. That's normal. My MIL's voice grates on my every nerve, it's loud, raspy and she talks non-stop. I used to drink around MIL to deal with her but now I am pregnant and can't do that. OP, my only advice is to disengage -- ignore MIL as much as possible. Talk to other people. That's about all you can do...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I could only wish my inlaws lived closer to us. I hate seeing so many people complaining about family members, esp around the holidays. So sad. I would give my right arm to have both my parents and my inlaws here, and even more so my SIL, who passed away in April. So many spiteful people.

MYOB.

another heartless one

Anonymous wrote: I could only wish my inlaws lived closer to us. I hate seeing so many people complaining about family members, esp around the holidays. So sad. I would give my right arm to have both my parents and my inlaws here, and even more so my SIL, who passed away in April. So many spiteful people.

Where's that eye roll emoticon ... FOUND IT.

Anonymous wrote: I could only wish my inlaws lived closer to us. I hate seeing so many people complaining about family members, esp around the holidays. So sad. I would give my right arm to have both my parents and my inlaws here, and even more so my SIL, who passed away in April. So many spiteful people.

You say it as if we all happen to have the same in-laws.