I know this won't be helpful for you. But my MIL was just like this. She made my life a living hell. In my life, I am well liked and well regarded and respected. I feel the same about all those in my life (except her). I turned myself inside out trying to rise above all of her hate and drama. It never worked. She hated and put down everything I did/do. A few examples:
I went to Juilliard - that was an over-rated, expensive education. Useless. She hates opera (Oratorio is my major focus). She actually wore bright orange earplugs to a wedding that she had to attend (that I was asked to sing at) - she put them in just as I was about to start and took them out when I finished.
Horses - she liked horses until she met me. Now (in my presence) my horses are an expensive waste. Ponies are useless (I have Norwegian Fjords) and I'm wasting the money my husband makes.
Photography - I'm an amateur photographer. I did a photo essay on our kids (her grandkids) and gave her framed copies. She said (in front of everyone at Christmas) that she hates black and white photos....why would I take b&w when color is so much more vibrant? She threw them away before I left (my SIL pulled them out of the garbage and gave them to my husband to return to me.
My husband was married once before (high-school sweethearts that married too young). His mother hated her too...until I came along, and then they became best friends. *sigh*
Really, the list - like yours - goes on and on. My husband had enough of my being "abused" after about a year of this (the wedding thing was the last straw) and we didn't see her for two years (he spent time with her - but spared me - when she was sick). He'd call her on the phone, but he would not allow her near me anymore. I was so grateful.
She died in 2006. I don't miss her.
I went to Juilliard - that was an over-rated, expensive education. Useless. She hates opera (Oratorio is my major focus). She actually wore bright orange earplugs to a wedding that she had to attend (that I was asked to sing at) - she put them in just as I was about to start and took them out when I finished.
Horses - she liked horses until she met me. Now (in my presence) my horses are an expensive waste. Ponies are useless (I have Norwegian Fjords) and I'm wasting the money my husband makes.
Photography - I'm an amateur photographer. I did a photo essay on our kids (her grandkids) and gave her framed copies. She said (in front of everyone at Christmas) that she hates black and white photos....why would I take b&w when color is so much more vibrant? She threw them away before I left (my SIL pulled them out of the garbage and gave them to my husband to return to me.
My husband was married once before (high-school sweethearts that married too young). His mother hated her too...until I came along, and then they became best friends. *sigh*
Really, the list - like yours - goes on and on. My husband had enough of my being "abused" after about a year of this (the wedding thing was the last straw) and we didn't see her for two years (he spent time with her - but spared me - when she was sick). He'd call her on the phone, but he would not allow her near me anymore. I was so grateful.
She died in 2006. I don't miss her.
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