This is a vent about my MIL. A little while ago there was a discussion about how to "encourage" separate presents and cards for our precious twins and triplets. I said in that thread that my MIL has always given one card and present to the girls (for Christmas, birthdays, christening - everything).

Well, just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, it did! MIL was down for the weekend (she lives 300kms away - thank goodness!). She brought the girls' birthday present - their birthday isn't until 1 August!!! They'll be 2 - does she think they'll remember that she's already given them a present? And, yes, it was one present (again)!!! But it gets even worse. It was a pillowcase (an old one of theirs, not a new one, full of lego (quattro? - the stuff between duplo and lego so really too small for them) which she tells me she got from a second hand shop. Now nothing against second hand toys - but for your granddaughters' birthday? When money isn't an issue for MIL and FIL?

And the card? Well, here's where it gets seriously weird - she gave DH and I a card "on the occasion of Eleanor and Harriet's 2nd birthday" No card at all for the girls - what the...?

I knew she was strange but this has to take the cake.

Maree

Eleanor 1/8/03
Harriet 1/8/03

This message was edited by nakigirl on Monday, 27 June 2005 @ 12:56 PM

[color=Teal]Oh Maree, that is pretty weird!! I don't know quite what to say! :quest:

I agree! That is strange!! LOL - I feel pleased for you that they do live 300kms away...

Not much you can do really I suppose but roll with it and grin nicely.

My MIL is a right pain in the @ss but isn't quite as strange as yours at least!

[center][color=purple]ME 31 ~ DH 35
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Maree - you poor thing, I am sure your head must be spinning!! My head almost fell off I was shaking it that much reading your post!!!
I would be giving her the 'quattro' back to her for Christmas and tell her to build a bridge out of it...then she can get over it!

How sad that she thinks a 2nd hand gift is acceptable for her grand daughters special present...even a $5 gift each with a $1 card each would have been better.

Sending you a sanity hug!!!! How cheeky of her......

Haylie & Phil,Ebony(15),Hayden Phillip & Brooklen Lily 21st March 05

I feel a bit mean cos it's not that she's cheap or nasty - just seriously weird and off the planet - but I'm glad you guys think it's strange as well. The MIL is a topic I don't raise with DH - she is his mother after all and although I'll support him if he complains about her, I wouldn't want him criticising my mother (although she is relatively normal!!!). But she really is a burden...don't get me started on MIL stories - this is just one of them!!

Maree

Eleanor 1/8/03
Harriet 1/8/03

Hi Maree

I had to have a good giggle when I read your post. I find relationships with my MIL a real struggle, but for completely the opposite reason. My family sounds like your MIL's. My mother would be the one giving the second hand lego in the old pillow case, with only one card for the two of them, and it wouldn't faze me. My MIL, on the other hand, would always do two cards, two brand new presents, given on the day, or as clost to as is humantly possible, also brought with some food, and a present for their older sister so she doesn't get jealous, and a bottle of wine for DH, and a skirt she saw that she thougth I might like.....this on top of various gifts for all of us throughout the year... and it drives me NUTS!! What a waste of time, money, etc... The boys can't read yet, so why bother with two cards? She should save her money (her house sure could do with a coat of paint!).

Anyway, my point actually is that I totally know how you feel, because I think it's clash of family cultures. I have all this irrational anger when my MIL does something that should seem so nice, just because to me she is interfereing, and being wasteful with her money etc...I have heard there has been studies done on the relationships with in-laws, and why they can be so challenging. I'd love to get my hands on them. For the time being I have just reserved some books from the local library on anger management!

On another note, I must say, that I have learnt a very valuable lesson from some of the discussions here...individual cards and presents for twins. So when my kids are invited to parties of other twins, I shall know what to do!

That's so strange! That would drive me crazy! Hope your DH sympathises with you having to understand all of that.
Maycee

Maycee (35)
DH (33)
Twin boys (4/12/01)
DD (7/10/03)