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Only jealousy can explain my daughter in law....

Started by Siggy, October 28, 2016, 10:41:21 AM

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Siggy

October 28, 2016, 10:41:21 AM Last Edit: October 28, 2016, 10:49:16 AM by luise.volta
Only jealousy can explain my daughter in law. I feel sorry for her because all I have ever done is want to help her and my son.   I have never interfered in their lives.  Could be the difference in their backgrounds is causing them tension and when I visit she sees me as his ally.
Anyway...she has to order the household around, including him or prepare for a vicious verbal attack....
I learned long ago to keep my mouth shut around her...not for her...but for my son because her outbursts really bother him. 
Guess I just was driven over the edge when my grand daughter let slip things that DIL had said to her about me.

luise.volta

Welcome, S. I modified your post a little to bring the title into the message. I have a standard greeting where I ask all new members to go to our HomePage and under Read Me First to read the posts placed there for you. Also, please pay special attention to the Forum Agreement to be sure WWU is a fit. We're a monitored Website.

My experience with my eldest son was that I 'cluttered things up with logic'. I saw so often how they complicated their lives, and life is complicated enough. And yes, it's the last thing they wanted to hear from me. It didn't take long to learn that.

What I tripped over most were my expectations; to be respected and included in their lives. Oops! Turning toward those that made sense and thought I did, too, including my younger son, was my salvation. Wonderful validation that I was OK because I honestly started to think I wasn't. Hang in there and hugs!
Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. Dalai Lama

Pen

Siggy, welcome to the site. You've read enough to know you're not alone, I'm sure. The support here has helped me get through some very tough times. I still slip back into my old thinking sometimes, especially when other life events have me stressed and then an issue arises with DS/DIL/DIL's FOO. It's easy to fall into trying to figure it all out logically, or to blame myself, or to feel sorry for myself, etc. etc. Luckily I have good friends, this site, and a supportive DH. If DIL can't (or won't) see my worth, there are many others who do, including me!
Respect ... is appreciation of the separateness of the other person, of the ways in which he or she is unique.
-- Annie Gottlieb

Mtnlady

Welcome, S, to this wonderful site. I am new, as well. Yes, our DIL's are very insecure people.  I will never understand how my son can go along with the game playing and the cruelty. I know "in real life" when I've come across narcissistic/ borderline individuals, they cease to stay in my life. So my experience is limited to dil. Their jealousy results in such cruelty. Wish us all luck as we go though the stages of grief until we reach lasting acceptance.

Siggy

November 03, 2016, 08:52:41 AM #4 Last Edit: November 03, 2016, 09:06:15 AM by luise.volta
Thanks for your comments.
When young I read that you want to marry a man who is good to his mother because that man will also be good to his wife.  Maybe maturity is needed for the DIL to realize that fact.  I have been in the middle of this disappointing relationship too long to think it will be turned around. 

luise.volta

S., I modified your post by removing the last sentence. We make no comments here reflecting our religious beliefs. We have every possible belief and lack thereof on WWU and respect all by mentioning none.
Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. Dalai Lama

gettingoldandcranky

welcome!  have the same issues here with dil.  what bothered me also was when you said granddaughter said something.  my fear is that the grands hear or feel the dislike from dil and pick up on that with their relationship with us.  no need for the jealousy and it does impact what should be a loving relationship with all - grands, son and wife.  so sad

Marina

Siggy, I believe my DIL also has a jealousy problem that has undermined what used to be a close and loving relationship I had with my DS.  Now her jealousy seems to extend to my relationship with my GC.  DIL seems very immature, though in her 30s and quite smart.  My DIL is not overt in her manner but very manipulative and passive aggressive.  As I learned about personality disorders, the crazy, hurtful stuff I was dealing with started to make sense and I was better able to protect myself.  I think my DIL is likely a malignant narcissist, possibly sociopath?  (She is C.O.L.D.)  Once I learned DIL was telling lies about what I had said and done, I decided it was not safe to be alone with her.  Over the years I've gone through a lot of emotional minefields with DIL and DS, and I am no longer willing to put effort into trying to keep some remnant of a relationship with DS and GC.  It's too much.  DS is no longer the caring son I knew, and I'm still working on accepting this situation.

luise.volta

Since this is Marina's first post, this is for her. Sorry to interrupt.

Welcome, M. We ask all new members to go to our HomePage and under Read Me First to read the posts placed there for you. Please pay special attention to the Forum Agreement to be sure WWU is a fit. We're a monitored Website. Thanks.
Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. Dalai Lama

Pen

M, welcome to the site! I'm sorry you are dealing with this and very glad you found us. It's heartbreaking, but you're not alone, as you have probably found out by reading old posts. Mine go waaaay back, lol.

Acceptance is difficult, I'm still working on that myself in a couple of different areas regarding DS/DIL. My feeling is that even when I learn to accept "that which I cannot change" I may still have times of sadness and grief, and that's ok. I give myself permission to grieve when I need to grieve and to move on from that when I need to have joy in my life. It won't mean I don't care about DS/DIL/potentialGC anymore, just that I care about myself, too.

Respect ... is appreciation of the separateness of the other person, of the ways in which he or she is unique.
-- Annie Gottlieb

Marina

Thank you, Pen.  I have read enough of your old posts to understand your apprehensions about potential GC and how the situation will be handled by your DS/DIL.  Although my DS seemed very sincere in making sure I would have regular contact with my GC, DIL very quickly sabotaged it by creating drama out of a benign comment I made.  She made herself out the victim, set me straight (!), and embellished it with lies and mean spirited remarks.  This was truly fabricated out of nothing, but it was set up as an opportunity for DIL to hurt me.  It was a new low for her and quite bold.  I guess she felt quite powerful.  It was abusive, I explained that to DS, and I decided I had reached my limit and cut contact with them.  I was done being DIL's little circus animal, with my dangling GC as a reward.  (I didn't say it like that to DS.)       

Where was my DS in this?  He was back at square one, as if the incident never happened, as if clueless, why didn't I want to see GC?  I guess that is how DS has learned to operate.  I really don't want to get caught up in their bent reality.   

Marina

I re-read my posts, and I think I sound like I have a lot of resolve.  In reality, I'm feeling a little weak kneed, mainly because my GC is being dangled before me again.  I went no contact with DIL/DS for good reason, and nothing has changed.  And yet I am questioning myself again and feeling confused. 

I think the reason must be because DS is not acknowledging the situation and my feelings (problem?  problem?  what problem?), as if I never gave him my reasons for the cut-off.  I think the correct term for this is being gaslighted.  It really messes with your mind and makes you question the reality of a situation.  I guess that's why validation is important--as well as staying away from people who gaslight.  I feel a little better realizing this.

If I don't stand my ground at this point, I will be in for a whole lot of grief and I can't afford that right now.  It's important that I take care of myself. 

luise.volta

There are posts on our site that identify the lack of clarity and loyalty in our grown sons...it is about having a sexual partner.  A very powerful draw. We look for logic. Guess again...
Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. Dalai Lama

Marina

Thank you, Luise, for this website and all your hard work.  I appreciate all the hard-won insight and wisdom here. 

luise.volta

You're welcome. There are many deep healings that have occurred here through sharing, kindness and understanding. Hugs...
Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. Dalai Lama