Look, if you think it would give her pleasure to be upsetting you, don't let it upset you.

She sounds odd. But honestly, what does it matter? Who cares if she shows people pics of your possessions? What happens? A group of people you don't know nor care to know gets a chuckle. It has no bearing on you whatsoever.

As someone once wisely sang, let it go.

Obviously the bigger issue is the relationship with the grandkids. This is also, sadly, not your battle to fight. She either chooses a relationship or not. Don't let it get to you, and help your child, as your child grows, to understand that people are different and you don't know why thy do the things they do but it doesn't matter.

Anonymous wrote:Just ASK her! Next time she takes a picture of your lamp (or whatever) say: "Why did you just take a picture of our lamp?"

Your house, your lamp = legitimate question.

Yeah, I don't get why you haven't just asked her.

Is your house a mess? Like she's taking a picture of your stove so her friends can agree with her that you and your dh need to so some upkeep?

Well, the next time she takes out her phone to take photos of your house, you could always respond like this, but that would make you one of ***THOSE*** DIL's.

OP -

Do you have more money or spend it more on household items than MIL? Or do you have wildly different taste? Is it possible she is taking pics to show her bridge club friends "can you see the absurdly fancy couch my DIL bought? Isn't it ridiculous?" I can see a busybody MIL doing that.....

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My BIL does this. Then he takes the pics back to his family and they make fun of us for spending money on the nice car, big house, etc. His family is wealthy but hates to spend money. Maybe your possessions give your MIL and her friends like to complain about how their DILs spend their money?

+1

OP here. I definitely think it is *not* for a positive reason, PP! I think MIL likes to pick on us, sadly. She is not a nice person. In fact, she can be quite mean. I think it upsets me more and more, to think about it too much. She would be glad to know that.

WHO does this kind of thing????

Insecure people.

+1

OP here. Should I go over to her house and start taking random pictures? That would be a little funny.

Anonymous wrote:

WHO does this kind of thing????

Nobody. You made it up to brag about your things and get in some MIL hate.

I don't think anyone has the kind of time you have, PP. MIL, is that you?

WHO does this kind of thing????

Nobody. You made it up to brag about your things and get in some MIL hate.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My BIL does this. Then he takes the pics back to his family and they make fun of us for spending money on the nice car, big house, etc. His family is wealthy but hates to spend money. Maybe your possessions give your MIL and her friends like to complain about how their DILs spend their money?

+1

OP here. I definitely think it is *not* for a positive reason, PP! I think MIL likes to pick on us, sadly. She is not a nice person. In fact, she can be quite mean. I think it upsets me more and more, to think about it too much. She would be glad to know that.

WHO does this kind of thing????

Insecure people.

Anonymous wrote:My BIL does this. Then he takes the pics back to his family and they make fun of us for spending money on the nice car, big house, etc. His family is wealthy but hates to spend money. Maybe your possessions give your MIL and her friends like to complain about how their DILs spend their money?

+1

OP here. I definitely think it is *not* for a positive reason, PP! I think MIL likes to pick on us, sadly. She is not a nice person. In fact, she can be quite mean. I think it upsets me more and more, to think about it too much. She would be glad to know that.

WHO does this kind of thing????

My BIL does this. Then he takes the pics back to his family and they make fun of us for spending money on the nice car, big house, etc. His family is wealthy but hates to spend money. Maybe your possessions give your MIL and her friends like to complain about how their DILs spend their money?

Anonymous wrote:Can you fake a bewildered expression and ask "what on earth do you do with all of these pictures of stuff?"

If she answers that she shows friends, it would be a great opening to say "surely your friends would rather see pictures of your grandchildren?"

There's likely no easy solution, but it might feel good to just put it out there.

She sounds like an odd duck, diagnosable issues or otherwise.

+1000. Kill 2 birds with one stone.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would just ask, politely but with a quizzical expression, "Why are you taking pictures of our things?"

This.

Then wait for an answer and address whatever she says directly.

Agree. Just ask.

Anonymous wrote:Have you seen the movie, "Rainman"?

Do you think MIL is "Rainman"?

Have you seen the movie, "Rainman"?