Anonymous wrote:Goodness everyone. Lets maybe as a question or two before making a bunch of assumptions about OP?
sorry, we can only make judgemental statements based on what she shared
OP: Is this the only inequity you are noticing?
I'll be dollars-to-donuts that she has noticed more. Much more.
Has your mom used gift giving as a tool of manipulation in the past?
Seriously, that requires some subjective interpretation, doesn't it?
I get the sense there is some missing info that might be useful in understanding the focus on the gifts.
Probably not. I'm 43. DW calls her parents on their birthdays. I call mine. Neither have ever called us on our birthdays. There are plenty of inequities with my DW and her ILs but IMO, the OP is just picking nits.
Anonymous wrote:My mom is wonderful, but she doesn't treat DH the same way MIL treats me. MIL always gives me and DH the same value bday and xmas gifts. My Mom always spends almost twice as much on my gifts as DH. (She does this with all the son's ad daughter in law's, not just mine) Recently we had a big 60th bday bash for my mom and each of contributed to the cost of the party. Now DH just had his 40th bday and mom sent a gift, but forgot to call on the big day. DH has never said anything, but I'm sure he notices. I am not sure what to do, it makes me feel bad.
Anonymous wrote:Perhaps your DH is the exception to the rule, but I tend to think most men could not care less if MIL doesn't call to say happy birthday. She sent a gift!
Anonymous wrote:You and DH are not the 6 year old twins of your parents who need to be given equal value gifts and receive phone calls on your birthdays. WTF?