55 Toxic Mothers-In-Law And Fathers-In-Law So Unhinged, They Could Be Villains In A Movie

28.

“I’ve refused to allow my father-in-law to see our kids for six months. I’ve put up with a lot since having my first child five years ago, mostly comments about how my bits will be like a cave or a wizard’s sleeve after my first kid. Things took a very bad turn after my third kid. He came the day after I gave birth (at home, and I also hemorrhaged, so I was extremely wobbly on my feet). He refused to leave for 10 days, and as soon as I fed my baby, he would take her away downstairs, and for a few days, I couldn’t advocate for myself or get down the stairs to carry her back up with me. I was heartbroken that he took my first few bonding days away, and eventually, my husband told him that, after multiple attempts, he wasn’t allowed back the following day. So my FIL left, but only for two weeks. He returned and insisted we go to the supermarket. I was still not 100% sure, but we went anyway.”

“My husband took my oldest to the bathroom, and then my FIL instantly started mocking me, saying, ‘I know you women are funny about your shopping order,’ and refused to help scan anything, lift the heavier items, or try to calm my now-screaming newborn.

I rushed through the shopping, angry at my FIL, and as soon as my husband appeared, I picked up my newborn and said, ‘Go get the kids McDonald’s. I’m feeding the baby in the car.’

I didn’t realize my FIL had followed me outside and suddenly started going on about how we women ‘have demons,’ especially after childbirth. I apparently needed to get help for the sake of my children. I was literally pinned to our car because he was right in my face, and I was terrified.

Finally, I managed to unlock the car door and got in, locking it until he eventually left and drove away in his own car, after making more comments about how I couldn’t offend him and that I clearly needed help. 

He presumes I have a mental illness after giving birth to every child because, after my first, which was an extremely traumatic birth with my eldest in NICU for a few weeks, and me developing sepsis, I also developed postpartum psychosis. I haven’t had it since.

My eldest still asks for my FIL six months in, and my MIL (they are divorced) has told me he’s a broken man without his grandchildren, and I’ve taken all the joy away, and I need to give him another chance.”

—u/jd2302