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How do I respond to the problem of a mother-in-law who is overbearing, controlling, and meddling?



    
    

Clarify Share Report Asked July 01 2013 Mini Anonymous (via GotQuestions)

For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.

Mini Shirley Johnson

I had a bully mother in law. She ruled my husband. I hated it; yet I wanted to be at peace with her. The answer for me was to endear her to me. She did not speak English and I did not speak Finnish but I learned the language so that I could communicate with her and compartir. She began to trust me when I learned the language and when she saw that I was asking her to show me how to do things the way she liked. In this way, she took a big step back and and stopped her bullying. It was not easy, but it was worth it.

January 11 2018 Report

Mini Chris Heier

I am a mother-in-law that has been told I am manipulative, narcissistic, intrusive, etc. I am christian, she is an atheist. I am not allowed to visit or see my grandsons ever. I have agreed to her conditions because I have no choice. My son is in the middle, I am not going to be the reason for their marriage to fail. I do not believe I am what she says, knew we had a problem. When we visited before; I prayed on the hour drive to their home to help me be gracious and loving. I have not seen my grandsons in person in 5 years other than occasional video phone calls. I see no alternative; I feel I have come to accept the situation knowing God is with me and continue to pray for reunion.

April 07 2020 Report

Data Danny Hickman

Your son is the problem, not your daughter. He's your grandsons' father. If you don't get to see your grandkids it's because of your son, not your daughter.

I don't know y'all, I'm banking on what you told us.

I believe he agrees with the assessment of you that you attributed to your daughter. I think if he didn't he'd stand up for you. He ain't in the middle! If he is he's playing out of position. The pilot doesn't belong in the galley, he should always be in the cockpit. Either that or let someone else fly the plane!!

I don't mean to be anything but honest with you. It can sting!

You can fix it if you really want to. First you must be sure you're carrying yourself like a Proverbs 31 woman...
It ain't easy if you're just not that kind of person. But if you want change you have to work for it. Nobody's gonna vote the parents out of office.

Children need a granny. I don't know what our 31 month old would do without her "Memaw." (That's grandma down here).

God can help you fix it if you listen to His voice. It's in that Proverb and other places in scripture. Social media complaining is useless.

The person asking this question is sure the M-I-L is the problem. Maybe, maybe not...

February 23 2022 Report

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