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800 Views 2 Replies Last post: Feb 8, 2010 9:08 PM by SavedRose RSS
Parenting4 Community Member 1 posts since
Dec 28, 2009
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Dec 28, 2009 9:29 AM

How to proceed with In Laws

     We have been battling my husbands parents for 6 years on small issues such as what we allow our children to view on tv or as big as feeding our 2nd oldest things that make her ill ( She has severe food allergies, asthma, severe excema, and a thyroid disorder ).  Over the years we have slowly pulled back letting them stay their unattended by us. To only allowing them to come visit them here.  Until recently they have been nasty to our children in our back yard while we were in the house.  We have been repeatedly torn down by them going against our religious beliefs towards our children, speaking hatefully about us to them and turning around and telling lies to my husband about things my children were doing to them.  Also when confronted on letting my children watch movies with sex scenes in a room alone she denied this after sayingshe did so in the past.  We have tried several sit downs and nothing can be resolved we are accused of raising our children to be liars, getting into her medical files, and allowing others to listen into her phone conversations.  She is upset with my husband for choosing myself over her.  And after a recent sit down she has told me she is through with me and things cant be worked out.  We have decided to wash our hands of the situation after her lying to us repeatedly and not willing to respect our household and wishes with our children.

 

My question is as a Christian is this the right thing to do?  We have went to them on numerous occasions trying to patch things up but they still act the same way.  Whats a mamma to do?

Tags: communication, in-laws
AnnFOTF Focus Employee 569 posts since
Jul 12, 2007
Currently Being Moderated
1. Dec 29, 2009 4:16 PM in response to: Parenting4
Re: How to proceed with In Laws

It sounds like you've answered your own question, Parenting4. A mama's first priorities are to be united with her husband and 100 percent committed to her children's well-being. This can be surprisingly hard to do when the behavior of close relatives gets out of hand like you've described. It's commendable that you'd want to honor your in-laws and work things out if possible ~ but it can be a courageous and necessary step to set clear boundaries where they're needed.

 

I hope you hear from others who have "been there" with this issue. In the meantime, the articles here and here may give you some advice and moral support.

 

Hang in there, friend. Good job "being the mom" for your kids!

 

Ann

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SavedRose Community Member 11 posts since
Jan 26, 2010
Currently Being Moderated
2. Feb 9, 2010 6:17 AM in response to: Parenting4
Re: How to proceed with In Laws

Hi Parenting4,

 

I understand the "in Law" thing as I have had them meddle in the way I brought up my children. I read that you and your husband agree together in this and I am glad for that. I taught my kids to do little things around the house and when we would used to visit in-laws, my kids would wash their own plates, and tidy the table and stuff like that.  My mum-in-law would always try and get the kids to not do what they were doing and later on, tell me off for enforcing that the kids have to do those things. About 3 - 4 years back when we were visiting, my kids were around 14.13 & 11, we would see piles of rubbish and dirty dishes in and on the sink, and my mum in law would be complaining about no one else doing things around the house (the kids staying in that house were around the same age as mine).  My husband would then, quietly remind her about how she would used to stop my kids from helping out in her house and that she should have let her grankids there do things around the house when they were very young.  I was thankful that my husband and I were in one mind when it came to disciplining the kids and setting do's and donts in the house.  Just pray for your in-laws but don't bad mouth them to your kids; ask them to pray for their gramps and please know that you have been doing your part in trying to patch things up. Ask God to give them a change of heart for the better and be encouraged ..."All things work out for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purposes"  Prayed for you and your family...be blessed.

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